Just joined a band, need advice

seansbrew · #1 12-02-2007, 10:53 PM

Hello all, need some advice. I just joined a band that has been around for about a year. When I came aboard they had just finished recording their debut cd. I was just told that the cd mastering is finished and copies have been ordered.

I was then told how much each band member has to pay for the cd's. I'm not sure how I feel about sharing the expense of a cd that I am not even on. Sure it will be used to promote the band and such, but it still doesn't feel right. The sale of these cd's will be rolled into the bands account.

What do you guys think? Should I be looking at this differently?

meev992 · #2 12-03-2007, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seansbrew

I'm not sure how I feel about sharing the expense of a cd that I am not even on.

there's your answer right there. It's not right to be charged for something that you're not on, plain and simple. It's up to you, for what you want to do.

Spoiled Grape · #3 12-03-2007, 01:34 AM

Don't.

BadB · #4 12-03-2007, 01:47 AM

Since the CD is already mastered, I'd work out a deal with them for reduced cost to you. After all, your talents are not being represented on the final product. Hell, your name probably won't even be on it. On the other hand, you want to share in the success of the band equally. Maybe it's not too late to try and go back and record your own tracks and re-master????

Purple Haze · #5 12-03-2007, 05:23 AM

Personally, I wouldn't put any money towards a cd that I have had nothing to do with.

On the other hand, if your bandmates plan on selling the cd and making money from it, then I would contribute towards the costs.

I was in a band once and we recorded a cd, I was then given the option of putting some money towards the costs of producing the cd. The system was, the more you payed towards costs, the more you got back from sales. I didnt put any money towards the cd as I thought it was crap and nobody would want to buy it.

I think all the other guys ended up out of pocket. Oh how I laughed!

QORC · #6 12-03-2007, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seansbrew

Hello all, need some advice. I just joined a band that has been around for about a year. When I came aboard they had just finished recording their debut cd. I was just told that the cd mastering is finished and copies have been ordered.

I was then told how much each band member has to pay for the cd's. I'm not sure how I feel about sharing the expense of a cd that I am not even on. Sure it will be used to promote the band and such, but it still doesn't feel right. The sale of these cd's will be rolled into the bands account.

What do you guys think? Should I be looking at this differently?

well, from a standpoint of right and wrong, I wouldn't.

But think of it this way -- is it a lot of money? Can you afford it? Do you still want to be in the band? Will you share in the profits of the CD? Do you want this to be the reason they throw you out?

So it's principle vs. practicality. Only you can decide.

meev992 · #7 12-03-2007, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purple Haze

I was in a band once and we recorded a cd, I was then given the option of putting some money towards the costs of producing the cd. The system was, the more you payed towards costs, the more you got back from sales.

I think this is the best alternative. Maybe if you tell them that you don't want the profit from the CDs, and perhaps they'll understand.

inasilentway · #8 12-03-2007, 11:25 AM

How committed you are to this band? Are you in it for the long haul, or are you already starting to see trouble spots? That would decide whether you pay at all. Under no circumstances should you pay the full price everyone else is. If things get bad and you decide you want to leave before the CD sales have recouped the cost of recording and duplicating (which will depend on the band's popularity), then they've gotten a sucker to pay for their cd. If the band is taking off then it could be a worthwhile investment.

Actually, I found myself on the other end of that, where I waited till the album was done to leave (to keep them from the hassle of teaching someone else the parts on short notice and to make sure that there was a finished product I could be proud of), and did so on good terms. Since the recording was mostly paid for with our savings from gigs, each member only had to put in $80. I paid half, and the new guy will only pay half but make all the money from sales.

Daniel J · #9 12-03-2007, 11:52 AM

If you had absolutely nothing to do with the CD, they shouldn't ask you to pay IMO. In that case it was their project from planning to completion and you were brought in after completion. Not yours, no pay.

Perhaps you could work something out with them if they NEED your financial input for this, that your contribution be a capitol investment, in writing of course, which you would get back either in installments from gig money or at the end of your involvement with the group.

meev992 · #10 12-03-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel J

Perhaps you could work something out with them if they NEED your financial input

perhaps, you could offer to buy some mics, or a stand, or something...maybe some beers...

rent money, for practice space, perhaps?

southshoreconor · #11 12-03-2007, 12:11 PM

in my experience, if any band member puts money forth out of their own pocket, its just a no-interest loan to the band. as soon as the band makes the money back the member gets paid off and you continue playing gigs and generating more income, which at that point should all be profit. so if you plan on sticking with this band then just put up the money like everyone else. you'll get paid back as should the other members.

prattguy · #12 12-03-2007, 12:16 PM

1.- You can see it as an investment, you put in a certain amount of money and expect it to be returned.

2. If you don´t want to have anything to do with that CD business you are in your perfect right to do so....i mean, you weren´t even in the band.

Daniel J · #13 12-03-2007, 12:17 PM

Keep in mind that it's easy to assume you would get paid back. If the band is serious, having things in writing is highly recommended IMO.

seansbrew · #14 12-03-2007, 12:21 PM

Thanks for all the replies and keep em coming.

I am still not sure what I want to do.

On one hand It wouldn't break my bank to give money towards the cd.
Maybe I should just look at it as an investment that could go towards the payment of our next cd (with me on bass of course).

On the other hand, I will never have any rights to the cd (and why would I).

I obviously don't have much experience when it comes to this stuff. Either way I would like to talk to the band about it. Hopefully they can appreciate my honesty. Come to think of it, if they can't I'm in the wrong band anyway.

meev992 · #15 12-03-2007, 12:54 PM

keep us updated, and let us know your decision.

seansbrew · #16 12-05-2007, 07:34 PM

I have decided that I will only contribute to the duplication and packaging of the cd's. Any expenses incurred for the actual recording will be paid by the members who played on the cd. All of the money that is made from the cd's goes to a band account. I only stand to benefit for the sales of the cd's. I definitely think that we will be able to sell them.

Thank you all for your input.

Sean

AveryHorton · #17 12-08-2007, 11:32 PM

Hey, you're just up the road ( I-10 ).

Let me know when you release the CDs.

seansbrew · #18 12-09-2007, 12:10 AM

Cool, will do. We should have them by next friday; just in time for our gig at the Purple Paisley in Phoenix.