Equal Pay Split, What Are Your Thoughts?

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by BluesWalker

In every band I have been in, the nights pay was always equally split.

Same here...no matter who booked ,owned the PA etc.

[the yeti]

Originally Posted by john m

Those who own the PA, transport more than their own gear or go out of their way to book the gig (especially if others do nothing) should get more than an equal split.

agreed, as long as the dollar amount is specified and agreed upon in advance.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by the yeti

agreed, as long as the dollar amount is specified and agreed upon in advance.

So if you own and haul the PA and get paid extra for it doe's this mean you will set it up, tear down and pack it away by yourself?

If you are demanding extra pay for owning the PA IMO you are on your own with setup and tear down.

I setup, tear down and haul my gear without help for my cut so you can do the same.

[the yeti]

Originally Posted by bassbully

So if you own and haul the PA and get paid extra for it doe's this mean you will set it up, tear down and pack it away by yourself?

If you are demanding extra pay for owning the PA IMO you are on your own with setup and tear down.

I setup, tear down and haul my gear without help for my cut so you can do the same.

it means whatever the particular parties want it to mean. the really important thing is that all those questions are settled in advance.

i imagine there are a number of variations that work depending on the people involved.

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by agreatheight

I think it is more likely your purposefully abraisive tone and complete lack of humility, but I could be wrong

+1

Somebody gives themselves waaaay too much credit. A mosquito is annoying, but I wouldn't say it rattles me. Some people just don't care if others are laughing with them or laughing at them as long as they are the center of attention.

[threshar]

Being stuck storing, hauling, setting up, running and tearing down the PA with no additional help and compensation is a big part of why I quit my last band. I even ended up injuring myself heaving stuff into my truck. At least the others got to go hang around and have a beer while I toiled away. (And it wasn't like they weren't aware. I'd bitch about it frequently)

My current band we do equal pay and we have the gear all split up between us (So no one is stuck lugging everything).

It would be ideal to start taking x% and putting in a band fund for merch, etc.

[inthevelvet]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

I knew of a band that owned collective property, financed it, and shared equally in all outlays and incoming proceeds. The price of quitting the band was forfeiting your equity in the equipment to the remaining members. New members did not make as much as founding members unless they bought in. The band lasted about two years and a couple of defections, but strangely enough this was never an issue in its demise.

To each their own. There are way too many variables in life to just forfeit tens of thousands of dollars. Sure if a guy is just being a jerk that's one thing. But say a member gets a killer "day job" offer in another town? Has a sick parent that he must care for and move? Gets cancer? In all these situations it's just "tough, you lose your investment"? No thanks.

[the yeti]

Originally Posted by jmverdugo

I would say that a way to avoid this is to charge "additional" money for the PA. I mean most of the bars have a PA (they still need to have some music in between sets don't they?) If they don't, then maybe you can slip in a $25-$50 fee for PA. Same thing in other small venues, just rent the PA and the owner and person in charge of setting up the PA get that money.

Oh and the Singer should have his own gear.

Jm2c

$50 to rent pa? where can i sign up?

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by the yeti

it means whatever the particular parties want it to mean. the really important thing is that all those questions are settled in advance.

i imagine there are a number of variations that work depending on the people involved.

Ok so if that is what they want money for PA..they are in charge of hauling,setup and making it perform right for me and the band all night.

I have booked about 95% of the shows in my one originals band as well as PR,reviews and submitted our material worldwide and never took an extra penny for my efforts.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by lfmn16

+1

Somebody gives themselves waaaay too much credit. A mosquito is annoying, but I wouldn't say it rattles me. Some people just don't care if others are laughing with them or laughing at them as long as they are the center of attention.

I like to get to the point, however I don't mean to come off as abrasive.

Realize, the insight or perspective from a 60 year old like me is not necessarily going to resonate with a 20 year old TBer.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by john m

Those who own the PA, transport more than their own gear or go out of their way to book the gig (especially if others do nothing) should get more than an equal split.

Equal pay for equal work/investment is OK if there is gig and take.

That good be a tough sell at the $400.00 / 4 hr gig level.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by BawanaRik

Can you still do a 4 hour night? That's good, real good.

I played 8 hours New Years Eve, 60 is just a number.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by fuzzy beard

I have no gigging experience! Mostly jams and a few open mics. But was offered a chance to gig with a solo artist doing covers around the local bars. 6 to 8 gigs a month. He sang, played guitar, owned PA, promoted, and booked. My cut would have been 20% to show up keep it simple and work on getting better at backing vocals.

Sounded fair to me. But I am not looking to commit to gigging! Just like to jam now and then!

20% ? Doesn't sound like a good deal to me at all.

What do you guys think?

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by jive1

In this situation, the BL tells a potential player what the pay is and they can choose to accept or reject.

+1

Blue

[theretheyare]

Below was the booking specs that worked the best for me, when I did that kind of gig with a working band:
-a black out list is maintained online where band members are responsible to set their own blackout dates (when they can't perform) in advance. Gigs will therefore in principle be booked 'on the spot'
-there were 2 guaranteed fees per band member; 1 local/within a given drive range, the other beyond local/beyond a given drive range (in practice, it came down to a maximum of 2,5 hour drive, which determined whether it be better to stay the night)
-Depending on the band fee, band members can occasionally be paid more; however, extra income (at least 10% per gig ) typically goes into the band fund, from which came demo recordings, assistance with accommodations for overnight stays, or the occasional little extras such as a hotel room per band member so the wife can brought along every once in a while, for example. The venue typically furnished the PA-if necessary, one would be rented full-service from the band fund. Personal expenses such as strings, instrument maintenance, gas etc, to be carried by the band members. (gas could be refunded when distances were exceptionally long and cars would shared)
-this was the deal as the normal operating procedure; exceptions of course possible, but were discussed beforehand.

Worked like a charm for me.

[denhou1974]

Originally Posted by bluewine

This thread is for those of you in bar bands or joining bar bands doing traditional 4 hour shows in the $400.00- $500.00 fee range.

What is your take on pay?

My position regardless of the circumstance is you should get an equal cut.

Blue

If I am a committed band member then I expect an equal cut of the net pay. Net pay = deduction from PA rental and/or agent commission (if applicable). PA rental can include a band member bringing/running PA. This share should be around 10% depending on what he brings. If I cannot get at least $100 then I start looking for a new band.

If I'm a hired gun then I expect a decent share. A 3 piece should pay about 30% of gross. A 4 piece about 20%, etc. In this case it's not really my business what the band is grossing but I've been around for awhile and I know what the clubs pay. You short me too many times and I might not be available when you need me.

Out of towners and private parties take special consideration.

I usually don't disclose these terms to anyone because circumstances matter. If it's a slow month or I have an open night then I might be willing to play for less.

[rtslinger]

Originally Posted by bluewine

This thread is for those of you in bar bands or joining bar bands doing traditional 4 hour shows in the $400.00- $500.00 fee range.

What is your take on pay?

My position regardless of the circumstance is you should get an equal cut.

Blue

I agree with you Blue. No matter the amount we get we split it right down the middle that includes tips
RTS

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by rtslinger

I agree with you Blue. No matter the amount we get we split it right down the middle that includes tips
RTS

Works best this way IMO...all happy campers.

It could go this route...singer /guitarist or a lead singer that plays an instrument gets more than say a non-singing members.

Lead guitar gets more pay than say a rhythm gutarist and the lowly bass player who just plays roots...hey lead plays more and has more chances to mess up

In originals band who writes the songs makes more money $$

Covers? Who ever suggested the "hit" songs of the night gets more $$

[ChrisB2]

Originally Posted by bluewine

20% ? Doesn't sound like a good deal to me at all.

What do you guys think?

Blue

Well, if there were five guys, it would be an equal share. If there were four, it's still close to even and like the guy said, he has no experience and the deal he was offered didn't sound too hateful... I might even be interested in something like that depending on "20% of what." If you told me to show up, plug in, play some tunes, go home, no load in/out, and I get 20% of $1,000, I'd have to say "okay."

[ChrisB2]

Originally Posted by bassbully

It could go this route...singer /guitarist or a lead singer that plays an instrument gets more than say a non-singing members.

Lead guitar gets more pay than say a rhythm gutarist and the lowly bass player who just plays roots...hey lead plays more and has more chances to mess up

In originals band who writes the songs makes more money $$

Covers? Who ever suggested the "hit" songs of the night gets more $$

LOL

Don't forget, first you have to reimburse everyone's gas money so the guy who drove furthest gets a little more. Then weigh everyone's gear... whoever carried the most weight gets a little more for wear and tear on the knees (means more to old guys). Do you have to think while you're playing? Some people can play without thinking, others have to think more. Thinking while playing should get a little bonus. And let's not forget about mistakes... every mistake is a penalty and they all have to be added up, deducted from each transgressors' pay, and divided equally among those who didn't make any mistakes...

Man, this is getting complicated. Better bring a laptop to calculate at pay-out time.....


OR... just divide equally!!!