Equal Pay Split, What Are Your Thoughts?

[Stinsok]

What happens when there is an equipment break down? You blow an expensive JBL driver. If there was another gig coming soon and someone asks "um...whatcha gonna do about that driver, we got a gig coming, I'd be a little pissed.

[Downunderwonder]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Good point

My band we bring a full pa subs, mains, stage monitors and everything is miced including toms and cymbals.

Blue

Are there any arrangements to pay for cables, repairs, replacement, insurance on all that gear? Who owns it?

[seanm]

I have played with a couple of bands where it is the band leader's band. Even at low end gigs they took a bit more. But I was always told that up front.

But in all the other bands it was/is an even split. I agree with others that at the $400-500 level nothing else really makes sense.

And we did get a bonus once from a bar. We agreed to an initial gig at a lower price than normal and no bar tab with the understanding that subsequent gigs would be full price. The bar was so happy they paid us full price and waived the bar tab!

[seanm]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

What happens when there is an equipment break down? You blow an expensive JBL driver. If there was another gig coming soon and someone asks "um...whatcha gonna do about that driver, we got a gig coming, I'd be a little pissed.

In most of the bands I have been in, other members have some PA equipment. It may not be as good but we can usually cover equipment breakdowns.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

What happens when there is an equipment break down? You blow an expensive JBL driver. If there was another gig coming soon and someone asks "um...whatcha gonna do about that driver, we got a gig coming, I'd be a little pissed.

I'm more than happy to chip in an equal amount to buy a new one.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Downunderwonder

Are there any arrangements to pay for cables, repairs, replacement, insurance on all that gear? Who owns it?

I don't even know who owns it. I should, my bad.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

^^
Mostly it depends on what your aims are.

There's an old saying that if you only do what you get paid for, you won't get paid for any more than what you do.

It's important to have a broad outlook.

Our aim is to keep working.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

It's making me think hard about any future endeavors.

Very Cool,

It's one if the reasons I posted the thread.

Thanks

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by klokker

Pay isn't determined by who does the most work, but who is the most valuable. The quarterback makes a billion times more for playing football than some guy on the line. (well, sometimes).

I would think that it would be reasonable to pay according to value in certain circumstances.

Our guitar player has more value or worth in our band than myself.

How good would he be without the support of the rest of the band?

Blue

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by klokker

Pay isn't determined by who does the most work, but who is the most valuable. The quarterback makes a billion times more for playing football than some guy on the line. (well, sometimes).

I would think that it would be reasonable to pay according to value in certain circumstances.

Our guitar player has more value or worth in our band than myself. We're doing an opening gig at a new place that only pays $300 next month. We agree to pay our guitar player the usual hundred and split the rest ourselves. Up until this gig we split it evenly and everything was cool. But in this case its a different set a values.

Who hauls the PA or lines up the gig doesn't have anything to do with it. Just my experience.

So do the girls keep dancing once the rhythm section stops playing?

[lowfreq33]

We don't do even split, but the guitarist and drummer are hired guns. Their only responsibilities are learning songs at home and showing up to play. The other singer and I own the band, and we provide transport, trailer, PA, book the gigs, maintain the website, handle all promotion, and cover all costs. The others get $100 a show, with an occasional bonus if it's a good week. If it's a not-so-good week this means we may actually make less than them, so I have no qualms about getting extra on the good weeks.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by klokker

I would think that it would be reasonable to pay according to value in certain circumstances.

Our guitar player has more value or worth in our band than myself.

Sounds like your under- valuing yourself and your band.

Blue

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

We don't do even split, but the guitarist and drummer are hired guns. Their only responsibilities are learning songs at home and showing up to play. The other singer and I own the band, and we provide transport, trailer, PA, book the gigs, maintain the website, handle all promotion, and cover all costs. The others get $100 a show, with an occasional bonus if it's a good week. If it's a not-so-good week this means we may actually make less than them, so I have no qualms about getting extra on the good weeks.

Not a bad deal, however this thread was limited to bar bands with fees in the $400.00- $500.00 range.

Blue

[inthevelvet]

Originally Posted by Edward G.

Probably not, but only a dope wouldn't negotiate that up front. As a sideman, you usually know you're a sideman.

Agree it should be negotiated, just curious. It seems like more often than not something like this would be the case, at every level from bar band to The Rolling Stones. The pro's, like SRV are the extreme example but even in local and regional acts, rarely are all members equal. SRV was certainly the star in that band, but what about the stones? Seems like Bill Wyman would make less than Mick and Keith. Iron Maiden is less obvious but I wonder how that is split?

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by inthevelvet

Agree it should be negotiated, just curious. It seems like more often than not something like this would be the case, at every level from bar band to The Rolling Stones. The pro's, like SRV are the extreme example but even in local and regional acts, rarely are all members equal. SRV was certainly the star in that band, but what about the stones? Seems like Bill Wyman would make less than Mick and Keith. Iron Maiden is less obvious but I wonder how that is split?

I don't think The Stones have been doing $400.00 bar shows recently.

Blue

[hsech]

Equal split. Everyone contributes in one way or another. Hauling the PA is one thing, but everyone sets it up and tears it down. The drummer has more to set up and tear down. The bass player has heavier gear than the guitarist in most cases. The lead singer works harder. It could go on and on. Just divide it up equally.

[bassplayer8953]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

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

Sounds fair, unless there is a vocalist/singer, and he/she provides a vocal-only pa...then it's an even share.

IMO someone owning, maintaining, hauling, setting up, tearing down, etc... ...a full pa, is due AT least an extra cut. + extra for fuel, if warranted. There's nothing "equal" about someone showing up with their gear & playing, while others handle the business end, and provide and handle the pa (which benefits the band, as a unit, more than any 1 members contribution). If a member refused to structure a reasonable pay split, to reflect the added work some do, I'd refuse to provide the pa "Go rent one: that'll be $300...how much are we making again?"

[nortonrider]

Blue,
didn't you once say that you don't own the PA, do any of the bookings,
maintain the website for the band or anything like that?

Why then do you feel that you deserve an equal share of the pay, if you
are not doing and equal share of the work?

[msaone]

I disagree.

What if your singer suffers from LSD and you schlep all the equipment out of your basement by yourself, because the drummers works till 7:30, and the guitar player won't help because he doesn't want to risk carpal tunnel?

Still want an even cut?

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by nortonrider

Blue,
didn't you once say that you don't own the PA, do any of the bookings,
maintain the website for the band or anything like that?

Why then do you feel that you deserve an equal share of the pay, if you
are not doing and equal share of the work?

" I'm paid an equal share, I'm not sure if I deserve an equal share."

Blue