how far would you go/have you gone to get paid?

mr mastodon · #1 05-24-2010, 07:57 PM

i totally got stiffed by a bassist in town. he didn't show up to a musical gig and i got a call about two hours before the evening show started. i had never rehearsed/practiced/played/heard these songs. but i played it fine, just really last minute.

the bass player never showed, called or anything. and anyway he got his full check and is supposed to pay me for the shows i covered. it's been a month and he won't call me back. i call him at least once a week and leave a message. i'm starting to get pissed?

what would you do/have you done when being stiffed?

snyderz · #2 05-24-2010, 08:07 PM

It wouldn't have happened to me. I would have gotten paid in cash, immediately after playing the gig.

Uncle Snake · #3 05-24-2010, 08:15 PM

When I was 19 I went to Aruba with a 59 year old grandma.... Wait. What?!??!??

sleepytime · #4 05-24-2010, 08:20 PM

Who gave him "your" check? Who hired you?

southshoreconor · #5 05-24-2010, 08:22 PM

A few years ago, just outside Dallas, locked myself and the club owner in his office, and uhh "took care of business", until he took care of business.

Last summer, in Toronto, promoter bailed after the show, paying NONE of the bands. we got his address, drove the van and trailer to his house. this time, just our presence was enough for him to fork over the cash.

pica · #6 05-24-2010, 08:23 PM

If the bass player never showed up to do the gig, how did he get his check.

mr mastodon · #7 05-24-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepytime

Who gave him "your" check? Who hired you?

musical director of the show. he sent the full checks to the original group. everyone else who had subs paid them. except my guy. he's a total dick. i've talk to mutual friends to chew him out. hopefully that will work. if not i'm going to just go the route of chalking this one up as a learning experience. while also telling every musician/venue i know not to hire this guy.

mr mastodon · #8 05-24-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pica

If the bass player never showed up to do the gig, how did he get his check.

it was a musical show that lasted like two weeks. he missed the last three gigs and i had to cover. he went to the rehearsals and the first three or four shows.

pica · #9 05-24-2010, 08:25 PM

I don't know dude, it's not sounding good. You may just have to bite the bullet and move on.

John Wentzien · #10 05-24-2010, 08:26 PM

I took out a pistol and started shooting expensive bottles of liquor off the back-bar in my younger-crazy days 'til the owner paid up! For real!
Worked like a charm too!

mr mastodon · #11 05-24-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

I took out a pistol and started shooting expensive bottles of liquor off the back-bar in my younger-crazy days 'til the owner paid up! For real!
Worked like a charm too!

wait. are you serious? if so, that's the coolest thing i've ever heard.

bertbassplayer · #12 05-24-2010, 08:34 PM

I would say it's not the bassist's job to pay you... it's the guy who hired you, which was the musical director. I'd be getting on his case for your money, and if he tells you to get it from the bassist simply tell him "You hired me not him, you owe me my money. It's not my problem you paid him for work he didn't do."

John Wentzien · #13 05-24-2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr mastodon

wait. are you serious? if so, that's the coolest thing i've ever heard.

1978--

Big "biker-bash" way out in the woods.
The guy treid to stiff us...Had about 6 big pissed-off Bikers behind me ..on my side of things

Only had to shoot one bottle and point at the next..
Paid -up real quick!

PastorofMuppets · #14 05-24-2010, 08:36 PM

first of all what an extreme douche who would stiff you like that.

second you will know better than to let happen again.
I would have arranged in advance that I was going to be paid directly.

Thirdly you should go visit the person who cut the checks and enlist his assistance.

Smallmouth_Bass · #15 05-24-2010, 08:36 PM

If the musical director of the show hired you, then I'd have a word with him. If the bassist you replaced called you into sub, I'd try and go see him in person.

engedi1 · #16 05-24-2010, 08:37 PM

John, I had no idea you were such a badA**

engedi1 · #17 05-24-2010, 08:38 PM

I also once subbed for Phoenix young sounds, a youth jazz orchestra ran by the local musician's union. I was supposed to get $50, never did, never got a return phone call. All I got was literally, "we'll mail your check" I was like, 19, and lesson learned! This corresponds with exactly as much money as I have gotten from joining the Nashville musicians Union!

John Wentzien · #18 05-24-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engedi1

John, I had no idea you were such a badA**

Used to be

Not so much now guys...Don't worry

bass_lord_mutha · #19 05-24-2010, 08:43 PM

I just played a 3-day weekend in Ft. Worth, Stephenville, and New Braunfels TX. I live in West Texas. Total mileage, roughly 1080 miles. Total weekend pay...............$75!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

John Wentzien · #20 05-24-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass_lord_mutha

I just played a 3-day weekend in Ft. Worth, Stephenville, and New Braunfels TX. I live in West Texas. Total mileage, roughly 1080 miles. Total weekend pay...............$75!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

Get a ROPE!