Equal Pay Split, What Are Your Thoughts?

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by fdeck

I think the implication was that there would be no money to split -- a sort of inside joke about bands with original repertoire.

Lots of folks have indicated in this thread that they don't expect equal pay. I don't. As a sideman, I expect to earn the "going rate" for sidemen. I don't even know how much the bandleader gets paid.

Interesting point.

I don't want to get into any definitions of " sidemen ". However I have made it clear, while others may define me and other bass guitarist as sidemen. I personally reject that notion. I am a full member of my band.

BlueAttachment 310184

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by JumboJack

But there's 32 channels!

Probably a behringer board which means it actually has 24 usable mic channels assuming they all work.

[Pacman]

Originally Posted by modulusman

So what brand/model does your Rinky Dink PA consist of?

That'd be Carvin.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by modulusman

Probably a behringer board which means it actually has 24 usable mic channels assuming they all work.

No, that doesn't sound right, I'm pretty sure the board is also a part of The Acme PA company series.


Blue

[the yeti]

Originally Posted by fdeck

I think the implication was that there would be no money to split -- a sort of inside joke about bands with original repertoire.

that was the implication. i truly wish it were a joke; i think it's a shame how difficult it is to make money playing original music.

puhbuttonfour- i meant no slur towards you/your band (or anyone else that plays original music). to answer your 1st post, the only way i'd be ok with the bl of any band taking a double cut is if they were paying whatever expenses (promotion, rehearsal, tranport, etc) themselves. maybe pa is worth a full cut. songwriting? if you're the type of songwriter that dictates parts/arrangements i think most players would actually want *more* money for dealing w/that. they prob signed up for an original band because they like the idea of the handcuffs being off.

[modulusman]

I don't get paid any extra for my PA. In my band the bandleader gets an extra 10% off the top plus money for gas if we have to travel more than 50 miles. He does the booking, owns about a third of the PA and has a trailer and a rig to haul it. If I was to start and band and had people whining about PA rental I would say fine. We will take turns providing a PA. When it is there turn and they have pay a $200.00 rental fee and figure out a way to get it all to the gig in there compact car they will realize that paying me an extra cut isn't so bad after all.

[MarkMgibson]

When is comes to cover bands, there's usually one person who is the motivator. That person ("band leader" if you like) organizes rehearsals, books gigs, makes sure the band has decent microphones, gets paid for their gigs, etc. In that situation, I think that person should probably get paid double the amount of the other band members, so long as some of that money is being invested in new gear, transportation costs, etc. Apart from anyone else, the band leader's investing much more time that anyone else, and that's worth a few extra bucks, at the very least.

I've been in both situations lots of times, and I'd rather just front up, play the gig, and get paid. But since I actually like to make to decent money, in both my current bands, I do all the bookings, promotion and deal with the a**h**e club managers. Trust me, it ain't worth the extra cash, not by a county mile. All those musos who whine about "fair pay" should actually try managing the band. I reckon they'll change they're mind pretty quickly once they realize the work, time and hassle involved.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

When is comes to cover bands, there's usually one person who is the motivator. That person ("band leader" if you like) organizes rehearsals, books gigs, makes sure the band has decent microphones, gets paid for their gigs, etc. In that situation, I think that person should probably get paid double the amount of the other band members,

" Well, we would like to invite you to join our band. Let me tell you how the money works.

For a $400.00 gig, I get $200.00 as the band leader and the rest of the band member would get $66.00."

Me;

Cool, well thanks for all the and allowing me to audition. However, I don't think I'm a match for the band. You guys are good and should have no problem finding someone for bass guitar. .

Blue

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by bluewine

" Well, we would like to invite you to join our band. Let me tell you how the money works.

For a $400.00 gig, I get $200.00 as the band leader and the rest of the band member would get $66.00."

Me;

Cool, well thanks for all the and allowing me to audition. However, I don't think I'm a match for the band. You guys are good and should have no problem finding someone for bass guitar. .

Blue

I agree and highly doubt you would find many bandmates who would allow you to take double the pay. You might want to look into a solo act then

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by bluewine

" Well, we would like to invite you to join our band. Let me tell you how the money works.

For a $400.00 gig, I get $200.00 as the band leader and the rest of the band member would get $66.00."

Me;

Cool, well thanks for all the and allowing me to audition. However, I don't think I'm a match for the band. You guys are good and should have no problem finding someone for bass guitar. .

Blue

Math failure. In the post you were replying to you would recieve $80.00 and the BL would get $160.00.

[3mrhythm]

In our band who ever drives gets what they need for gas then the band evenly splits the rest.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by modulusman

Math failure. In the post you were replying to you would recieve $80.00 and the BL would get $160.00.

Cool,

However, my response would be the same.

Blue

[ThunderV]

wow, that's a great deal for the person with their name on the bank account. The guys who don't have their name on the account will be kicking themselves for not mentioning that it is "********". Or "being a dick" as it is mostly called. If the band is a business, then everyone should get paid. The "for the band" "greater good" is bs.

[bigsnaketex]

Every view point of view is valid because all situations are different. It's really that simple.

Many musicians, really great (recording and .com) musicians are starving to death beause you can't really make a living playing bars/festivals.

So then there are folks who don't need the money and do it for the love of the music. I book the gigs, I provide the P.A., I set it up and I don't take any money out of what we get paid.

And I've found that I can get amazing musicians to play with by doing that and everyone gets their needs met.

So it's all different.

I think the most important thing is that whatever is decided by a band is decided BEFORE the gig. No one likes to feel shorted at the end of it.

And I can guarantee you that even if you decide before you get any gigs, that it will at some point change and therefore you must be in a position to have a discussion about who's getting what in a manner that doesn't make folks quit because they aren't equipped to deal with the problems.

It's only life after all.......

[MarkMgibson]

Originally Posted by bluewine

" Well, we would like to invite you to join our band. Let me tell you how the money works.

For a $400.00 gig, I get $200.00 as the band leader and the rest of the band member would get $66.00."

Me;

Cool, well thanks for all the and allowing me to audition. However, I don't think I'm a match for the band. You guys are good and should have no problem finding someone for bass guitar. .

Blue

Yeah, fair enough if you're doing $400 gigs. I was talking more in general. I actually take 50% more than the other band members, but most of that money is re-invested (I pay for fuel, hotel costs, etc). Also, they know that we wouldn't get the kind of money we do if it wasn't for me. Trust me, I ain't looking to rip anyone off, no way. I often sling the band extra cash because I know one of them is doing it tough.

I'm sorry, I should have read more carefully - $500 gigs should be split evenly.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

Yeah, fair enough if you're doing $400 gigs. I was talking more in general. I actually take 50% more than the other band members, but most of that money is re-invested (I pay for fuel, hotel costs, etc). Also, they know that we wouldn't get the kind of money we do if it wasn't for me. Trust me, I ain't looking to rip anyone off, no way. I often sling the band extra cash because I know one of them is doing it tough.

I'm sorry, I should have read more carefully - $500 gigs should be split evenly.

Cool,

Yeah, it's not enough $$ to screw around with. Bigger bucks, that's a different story.

Blue

[3mrhythm]

man.. it would be nice to make $500 a gig. we are lucky to get $100 right now.. but i guess its not bad since we only play original instrumental post rock and only have about 50min of material.. we aren't playing ac/dc all night for a bunch of stumbling drunks.. which seems to be the thing that pays the best lol

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by 3mrhythm

We aren't playing ac/dc all night for a bunch of stumbling drunks.. which seems to be the thing that pays the best lol

Another misconception of the cover band world.

Blue

[denhou1974]

Originally Posted by 3mrhythm

man.. it would be nice to make $500 a gig. we are lucky to get $100 right now.. but i guess its not bad since we only play original instrumental post rock and only have about 50min of material.. we aren't playing ac/dc all night for a bunch of stumbling drunks.. which seems to be the thing that pays the best lol

For NYE we were paid $1800 to play AC/DC all night for a bunch of scantly clad half-drunk hot women. Does that count?

[3mrhythm]

i realize that cover bands play more than ac/dc.. i actually was a promoter for a few years at a couple local clubs.

but we've been asked to play clubs and asked what covers we do.. ac/dc usually comes up. lol


if you play anything that people know well they will enjoy it.


there is a band around here that packs clubs wall to wall.. and sometimes they just have a singer, guitarist and a drum machine that is programed to all the songs they play.. they put on a good show and thats what people come to see.. but clubs love them because people do some serious drinking to 70s and 80s rock