Is the Bass Player Expected to Find Gigs?

[CS]

IMHO in a democracy type band everyone does everything, including getting gigs.

However there needs to be a clear policy on what venues, fees, demo 'tapes' etc. Where are the band playing? Is it a matter of 'I rang club x last month, you do it this time' or is it getting new gigs?

Talk with the band and find out what they want to do.

[Factor88]

Originally Posted by wideload

Band Leader has always booked the gigs, but if anyone hears of an opening, we sure let him know so he can follow up. I prefer the one person makes the arrangements scenario, it avoids date and price conflicts. If anyone is going to be unavailable, we give plenty of notice to avoid embarrassing promises. It worked for us for 25 years.

I think that is the best way, but you can employ a hybrid approach where everyone goes out and hsutles gig opportunities with promo material, etc., and when a venue or event finally is interested enough to talk price and date, they get turned over to a single point of contact.

But to answer the one of the OP's questions, I've been in both strong BL bands and full democracy bands, and never have come into a situation where it was expected that every member would hustle jobs. In your situation, if you really feel uncomfortable doing it or don't have the time, talk to your band about how you might contribute in other ways (other than your actual prerformance).

[bolophonic]

Not everyone has the network/personality to book shows. There are other ways to get your hustle on, though. Bands with no band leaders run into this problem all the time.

[SteveHeissner]

No. The booking agent should be finding gigs. However, if the bass player is also the booking agent and gets the 15% booking fee, then yes.

[jaywa]

Originally Posted by bumperbass

In my band, it's one of the BL's businesses. He takes an extra-man cut. It's HIS band, his van, his (very nice) PA and light show. He and his wife set-up and tear down the PA and lights, and they have it down like it's a science. They want to book the gigs. I stay out of it. I help with a few things, like correcting song mistakes at practice, doing my part on stage, singing a lot of the tunes, and with helping out with the lights/PA by carrying mostly small stuff to the van. I also repair anything that breaks, for free. i don't mind if they take an extra cut AT ALL! All I need to do is learn the songs. I have the best ear in the band, so I'd say I'm worth what I'm paid. I can't complain and neither can they. Oh yeah, the BL and his wifey live a clean life and they're great to be around.

This sounds almost exactly like my current situation (except my BL's not married). For me anyway it's the perfect set-up. Our BL will take under consideration any leads that the rest of us may FW his way, but this is his full-time job and income so he's not gonna put all of us on a 3-hour drive to play a bar gig that's barely gonna cover expenses. He has certain criteria for taking jobs (no benefit gigs, for example), so whether he actually converts the leads we refer him is 100% his call and no one gets all butt-hurt if he decides something we sent him isn't a good deal. Three of us are over 45 so we especially appreciate NOT having a BL that insists on playing every possible gig (even low or no-money jobs), just for "exposure." I gladly let him have an extra cut in exchange for owning/maintaining/hauling all the gear and handling the business aspects. That side of gigging has just never been my thing.

[bolophonic]

Originally Posted by SteveHeissner

No. The booking agent should be finding gigs. However, if the bass player is also the booking agent and gets the 15% booking fee, then yes.

Not sure I saw the part where the part-time, hobby band hired a booking agent.

[two fingers]

This is not so complicated. You just need to be honest with them. Don't get pressured into doing something you don't have time to do. I too have a family with two young kids and school (full-times AND homework). All I can do is show up with good gear and songs learned to play gigs. That's all you can have from me period. I'll be on time, ready to go, have a spare everything, and know the material up and down. If that's not enough for you, sorry we'll just have to part as friends. I don't have time to book shows, rehearse much (if at all), and do any marketing. Take it or leave it. I'm not going to give up precious time with my kids to call annoying club owners. I'm not going to explain to my wife that she needs to watch the kids all night (again) while I go rehearse for the 75th time with the same bunch of guys who should know the dang songs already.

You may not have to be as direct as I am, but get that point across early and often. Most guys will appreciates the honesty and accept what you CAN do, not what you can't.

Good luck.

[prd004]

"In my new band, there's no strong BL - everything is a "group decision" which on the one hand is kind-of-nice, but it takes FOREVER for anything to get done . . .if it gets done at all. And the band believes everybody should be out hustling gigs. I don't have that kind of personality and with a full time job and family - not to mention I recently moved to this city so I have zero network - we'll it's a struggle."-OP

Every ship needs a captain. Every band I've played with that had a strong band leader had an agenda and got things accomplished. Every time I've gone the democracy route, it sounds great and you think it's going to be the feel-good project you've been searching for, but they never go anywhere. Even putting together a set list seems to take forever.

I'll either be the BL, or be the good support player, but I tend to avoid the team leadership.
That is my experience

[the yeti]

Originally Posted by BarStarzBass

the band believes everybody should be out hustling gigs.

there's your answer. you don't want to book, find a different band.

[Sub300Hertz]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

OP:

Huh?? Find gigs?? The bassist???? No, no, no. Those menial laborious tasks are for the other players in the band to handle. That's why you have them! The bass player's responsibility is to occupy a lounge chair next to the pool while various servants bring you chilled grapes, jumbo prawns with a minimum of three dipping sauces, strips of bar-be-que'd kobe beef, and various beverages. Such is the life of a bassist..

Of course! Thank god I picked up the Bass 'cos if life was anything but that - I'd be pissed!

[ckdhaven]

Originally Posted by BarStarzBass

Wow - thanks guys for all the good input. I certainly pitch in in other ways that are a better fit for my personality - e.g. printing up business cards etc. But yeah I can force myself to drop off a few CDs and work some clubs.

Joedog - we are a vintage and modern rock cover band, and so far we've just done bar gigs and have talked about doing some weddings . . . though your S&M party idea is intriguing . . .

That's the spirit!! It might even be a good way for you to meet people in your new town,,, The worst thing that can happen is that they say "no." I'm used to that... My wife tells me "no" all of the time...

Best of luck...

[Richland123]

I am the bass player and I book ALL the gigs. It is not easy but I have been booking gigs for over 40 years. The other guys in my band never even attempt to book anything or get leads.

[RichardCranium]

Originally Posted by BarStarzBass

In my new band, there's no strong BL - everything is a "group decision" which on the one hand is kind-of-nice, but it takes FOREVER for anything to get done.

I've tried the '"leader by committee" approach before and let me tell you from experience it's a fool's mission. Nothing ever gets done because no one puts the foot down and says here's how it is and/or when you do you get Effff you you're not the boss. It takes forever because everyone is always waiting around for someone else to do something.

No need to be the strong hand "I'm the boss and what I say goes" type but someone needs to drive the bus.

[MNAirHead]

Silly question...

why wouldnt you find gigs?

[jaywa]

One thing that's super important in situations where every member finds gigs is that everyone be exactly "on message" regarding your price. It is very easy for a band to undercut itself (intentionally or not) on this point and if you don't present a unified front pretty soon you've got clients figuring out they can play one member against another to get a better price.

The last thing you want is a situation where Joe owner of bar A sees you at bar B and calls up your BL, says "how much for your band" and when BL tells him $1,000 Joe says, "well that's interesting cause when I talked to your drummer at bar B he says you'll play for $750." That makes the BL's job that much tougher and makes your whole outfit look unprofessional.

The standard response I personally give in our band to pricing questions is, "you'll need to talk to[BL] about that." Alternately, you could all agree to a minimum price and then your standard response would be something like, "well we start at $1,200 but there are variables so once we know more about the job we can give you a better idea." The risk there of course being that the client will lock in on the $1,200 amount.

[allanhearn]

There are many duties that are not music related to getting a band going and keeping it going. Making a proper website, keeping your facebook,twitter and other social media updated, making flyers, putting up posters at clubs, gettting pictures done, book keeping, booking reheasals and band meetings.

Have a band meeting and find out who is good at what and assign tasks to everyone. Set goals and deadlines.

Regards
allan

[BarStarzBass]

Again - thank you all for sharing your experiences - I continue to be amazed at what a great resource this forum is. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

[MNAirHead]

Ill repeat the scenario that seems to be the most successful

15% to booking person (agent, family, friend etc)

10% to who owns the pa

Split rest between the band

[Munroe]

Everyone working individually to find/secure gigs is ok in theory, but the problem is, eventually one of the members will claim to have done more work than someone else, and will become resentful. He may insist on more money, or may simply use this point as an excuse to **** on someone else.

This can plant the seeds for a really toxic situation. I've been there.

Better to let one guy handle it. Give them an extra cut. Trust me on this.

[backup]

1. when the band leader gets gigs regularly and the band is happy with that amount of gigs. then you shouldnt worry about it.

2. if there is no BL or when a BL tries to get gigs but doesnt get enough, then every one in the band should try to find something.

3. if the BL doesnt try to get enough gigs or is very bad at doing so you should appoint someone more capable of this.

4. when you get a booking agent or agency to contract you then obviously they are responsible.

of course, if you get some major opporutiny you should definitly present it to the band/band leader/booking agent

it is generally not recommend to make deals on your own without telling the band bc if anything goes wrong they are going to blame it all on you