Equal Pay Split, What Are Your Thoughts?

[Jazz Ad]

1 share for each member
1 for the PA
1 for whoever booked the gig

[smogg]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Interesting, this is also something guys thinking about joining a band should think about.

For those that read my threads, it's no secret that I don't participate in band funds.

Blue

Originally Posted by Stinsok

Most everyone has money tied up in their instruments, amps, drumkits, etc. Why should it be up to some poor guy to spend that much more for everyone else to make the same?

I'm not a fan of band funds either. If we need biz cards we get them and split the cost evenly. Don't need an on going "fund" to cover such a small investment. No need to pay a single member extra for a PA if it's only needed for vocals and all members have gear to use for the cause. But we all help with the schlep, set up and tear down as well. Even split works because we all contribute in one way or another.

[jbrooks]

I don't gig so I don't have a dog in the fight. If a band member owns the PA, what if the rest of the members pay back some of the take for the equipment that is used by all. Say if a PA system rents for $100 for a night and there are four band members then everyone could kick in $25 bucks to the guy that owns the equipment.

Obviously the owner wouldn't pay himself. The band gets to use the equipment at a reduced rate and the owner could recoup some of his investment or have a fund for the inevitable repairs or maintenance on the equipment.

If the equipment owner is responsible for set up and take down then everyone could kick in a little extra for that or help him out with it instead.

[Stinsok]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

1 share for each member
1 for the PA
1 for whoever booked the gig

That's good. For me it wouldn't need to be a full cut for the PA. Pulling a trailer 70 to 100 miles sometimes can get pretty expensive though. I wouldn't expect a cut for booking. I have experienced where a singer shows up after setup, then has to leave with their boyfriend right after the gig (sorry, gotta go) and they got a full cut.

[singlemalt]

I'm too old to believe in group ownership of gear. This almost never works out. I don't want to own and haul and maintain a PA. I'm happy to see the band member who does this get some extra dough.

Often this is the member who is hustling gigs, has their name on the band and deals with the headaches. God bless em! They often take a hit on a gig booking a trial with a new place while paying the members their usual fees. They are owner/investors. Many off us simply want be "employees". The owner needs to be able to maintain that effort and it takes money.

I differ on pay for subs, they get a flat fee, and it may well be more than an equal cut, because they have to do the prep work for what will most likely be a "one off". They are getting paid for one night's services, and not invested in the long term band.

Take the four piece, $400- 500 gig example. If I'm happy to play for $100 or $125, (happier at $125 plus a couple drinks!) then it doesn't matter to me if the owner/band leader booked the gig for $1000 or $500. More power too em. If it's a $400 gig then $80 will do, some nights are better than others. Split it five ways with two shares to the PA owner.

To keep it simple I've always suggested that the PA schlepper/ owner/ fearless leader whatever take one extra share to cover the hassle and gear. I'm happy to help load in and out, hook up this or that, but after the truck is loaded I'm headed home.

Most certainly, it's best to work this stuff out in advance.

Equal splits is easy math no matter what the level, but that doesn't really reflect the realities of the efforts and investment in time and equipment.

[Edward G.]

Originally Posted by bluewine

If the bar does good and the owner is cool they will give the band a $100.00 boost. Blue

I might see this at a wedding, where the father of the bride doles out tips to the musicians and photographers, etc.

The day I see this at a local club around these parts, I will know it's my last day on earth.

[BluesWalker]

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

[bassasaurus]

I fit into this category - 4 piece cover band that makes $500 a gig. I book most of the gigs and own the PA. I also seem to do all the PA set up largely because I arrive earlier then everyone and I can set up my bass rig in 5 min.

One approach I have taken is who ever books the gig gets 20% the first and 2nd time at the venue after that its an even split. You get compensation for the extra work and it encourages others to push the band.

The PA is another situation I still wrestle with. The reality is the only thing that bothers me is to pull the tops and subs out of my basement rehearsal space. I love rooms with their own PA where I can just bring my mini-rig of doom: Genz Shuttle 9.0 and my Thunderchild!

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

I might see this at a wedding, where the father of the bride doles out tips to the musicians and photographers, etc.

The day I see this at a local club around these parts, I will know it's my last day on earth.

Really? It's actually happened to me a few times. My old band actually got a $200 tip once after we sold the bar out of booze on a gig of ours

[fdeck]

In my view, trying to do anything with $400 other than dividing it evenly, amounts to hair splitting, but I'm not averse to giving a higher cut to the person who spends their time on the phone hustling gigs.

[coreyfyfe]

My cover band we do an even split among members plus a flat fee for our sound guy. We have a friend who helps set up the PA, mixes, and then spends the rest of the night drinking. I had originally argued for an equal share for the sound guy was well, but our drummer/band leader's opinion was that since he didn't have to put in practice time, it was a flat fee. As a four piece making $5-600 for a bar gig it's been an acceptable arrangement. The PA system is owned by the drummer, guitarist, and myself, and we all own our own in ear systems and mics.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by BluesWalker

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

Same here.

I'm actually curious how people here define what a PA is and how they establish its value on gigs. My band has a PA, but it's just two mains, two booms, a power mixer, and all its needed cables. It's essentially my singer/synth player's amplifier, so he doesn't get a greater cut than the rest of us. Quite frankly, I wouldn't give anyone a greater cut unless the PA they brought had mains, subs, floor monitors, etc... Anything less than that and I wouldn't see any real value added past it being something the singer could sing through (which should be as much their responsibility as having my own bass and rig is for me).

[Edward G.]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Really? It's actually happened to me a few times. My old band actually got a $200 tip once after we sold the bar out of booze on a gig of ours

A club might comp a modest bar tab, but a substantial amount of cash over the top? That ain't happening where I've been playing.

[bassasaurus]

My perspective is the mains, subs, mixer and all the supporting items cost me 6K+. A fairly substantial investment. I have not asked for additional compensation but I wrestle with whether it is warranted. If I had a sound guy that loaded my stuff in and out with me I would gladly give him an equal share. Mixing from the stage is a pain in the b**ls.

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Same here.

I'm actually curious how people here define what a PA is and how they establish its value on gigs. My band has a PA, but it's just two mains, two booms, a power mixer, and all its needed cables. It's essentially my singer/synth player's amplifier, so he doesn't get a greater cut than the rest of us. Quite frankly, I wouldn't give anyone a greater cut unless the PA they brought had mains, subs, floor monitors, etc... Anything less than that and I wouldn't see any real value added past it being something the singer could sing through (which should be as much their responsibility as having my own bass and rig is for me).

[bluewine]

[quote=JumboJack;13673995]Well then I would tell you to get your own PA, we'll use it and then we can split the money evenly.[/QUOTE

No, you wouldn't, because it wouldn't be a discussion.

This is what would happen;

If I was presented with an offer say I won an audition and the bl makes me an offer.

If he told me the guy with the pa gets paid a bigger cut, I would diplomatically thank him and decline the offer.

It's just business, nothing personal.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

Most everyone has money tied up in their instruments, amps, drumkits, etc. Why should it be up to some poor guy to spend that much more for everyone else to make the same?

I never said it was fair.

Blue

[plankspanker13]

The main band does an equal split, as our expense structure is quite low, everyone does their share for booking gigs, recording/editing media, doing the website, getting photogs to shot us. Sure, some of us do such things, to a greater degree, but we are 5 people of similar mind, and are great friends. The chemistry is what makes it easy to split it evenly.

Side projects are another story. The guy who books likve band karaoke and assorted other things does take a cut for his efforts, whether he plays the gig or not (and sometimes, he does not). I have no issues with either situation.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Marginal Tom

But that's because I love to play, and don't depend on music to pay my bills.

Tom, your situation is by no means unique.

Most if us including myself, love to play and we don't depend on the money to pay our bills.

Blue

[4Mal]

[quote=bluewine;13674204]

Originally Posted by JumboJack

Well then I would tell you to get your own PA, we'll use it and then we can split the money evenly.[/QUOTE

No, you wouldn't, because it wouldn't be a discussion.

This is what would happen;

If I was presented with an offer say I won an audition and the bl makes me an offer.

If he told me the guy with the pa gets paid a bigger cut, I would diplomatically thank him and decline the offer.

It's just business, nothing personal.

Blue

Really ? I have 6 to 7 grand in PA and do virtually of the setup when I use it. I get a bigger cut for it. Way less than the cost of a rental for the band for an equivalent system. The band gets a really good deal but there needs to be some ROI or why bother ?

Most of the gigs I do, we can run a 'community' PA. Where each of us brings gear that assembles into a decent small/ medium room system. Nobody takes an override as everybody is contributing. I greatly prefer that as it is sooo much less work for me. It makes the evening way more enjoyable. Doing aound right, and playing too is a heck of a lot of work.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

If it's only about the money, you'll never get anywhere. The brand comes first.

The only place some of us are trying to get to is in the owners face to rebook more gigs at his bar.

Blue