In need of advice about band economics

[rooted]

I have joined an existing band that was in the process of recording an album. All the bass parts are laid down previous to my joining. They are asking me to give up my share of gig money to finish the recording. Is this reasonable?

Their thinking is that by finishing the record, we will have another way to promote ourselves and make money by selling the record. Proceeds from this will benefit me.

It just feels weird to contribute my gig funds to pay for a recording that I'm not playing on. It feels like paying off someone elses debt. I haven't mention my feelings to them, I don't want to make a big deal out of something that may not be a big deal in the big picture. They will sell the recordings. Should I look at it like any other merch?

If you have some good advice, I would appreciate it. This would help me to figure out my next step. Thanks.

[bearshimmy]

do you get a cut of album sales?

if not I would not put any money towards it.

[rooted]

Yes I would. As long I am a part of the project. Thanks

[TheVoiceless]

HUM??? Really depends. Band could break up and you paid for someones bass parts. At this point I would say that you are not the bass player but an investor. Then you need a contract to state exactly what you will get in return for your invenstment. I find it fishy that you would get credit for someones bass work. I know that it has been done. But I would feel strange. If you are in the OC I would not be worried about finding another gig. So I would approach with caution, and if they seem pushy or defensive then that's a red flag.

[rooted]

I'm sorry, I'm not such a great writer. I would not get the bass credit. The actual bassist gets the credit, not me. I know him and he's a great guy. Thanks for the advise about the contract. That's a good idea.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by rooted

I have joined an existing band that was in the process of recording an album. All the bass parts are laid down previous to my joining. They are asking me to give up my share of gig money to finish the recording. Is this reasonable?

Their thinking is that by finishing the record, we will have another way to promote ourselves and make money by selling the record. Proceeds from this will benefit me.

It just feels weird to contribute my gig funds to pay for a recording that I'm not playing on. It feels like paying off someone elses debt. I haven't mention my feelings to them, I don't want to make a big deal out of something that may not be a big deal in the big picture. They will sell the recordings. Should I look at it like any other merch?

If you have some good advice, I would appreciate it. This would help me to figure out my next step. Thanks.

Absolutely not unless they plan on giving you a cut of album sales, merch sales, and possible royalty credits. Until then it`s THEIR album to produce and pay for. You`re absolutely right in feeling like you`re paying off someone else`s debt.

[dnarock]

Try and see if they can lay down some of your own tracks if you want to change them

[rooted]

I guess I should have added that I will get a cut in all sales of merch and recordings. Nothing is in writing though. Thanks jmatt.

[Allen_VA]

Originally Posted by bearshimmy

do you get a cut of album sales?

if not I would not put any money towards it.

I agree with this. Put money towards paying for the recording of the album only if YOU get a cut of the sales. The previous bass player should not get paid for album sales if he did not contribute towards the cost of recording/production of the album. Also be clear on this with the prior bass player - if you guys start selling a lot of albums, you don't want him creeping back in demanding his "cut" because it's his bass on the recording. Getting a signed contract with all involved is the best way to protect yourself, if it's a lot of dough.

[rooted]

Originally Posted by dnarock

Try and see if they can lay down some of your own tracks if you want to change them

Was considering asking about that. But then I thought that would just mean more money. I guess if they said sure I could record it on my home setup and send it in for mixing and whatnot. That could save some time on the mixer-mans time-clock.

Thanks for the responses. They are helping me to get things cleared up in my mind.

[TheVoiceless]

We had a similar situation, well not really. We found a singer after we kicked the guys out that were supposed to be on the EP. But the singer is paying for his own studio time. We are trying to keep it even, but the singer is taking way too long, also not to mention the engineer he wants to use leaves on tour every 3 weeks. He has spent more money then anyone of us. We are trying to decide what is fair. Should we have to pay more because he takes longer then expected. We feel that he has a dollar limit we will chip in and anything above is on him. Money is a sore subject between some of the band members and usually leads to an argument of some sort. I just want this thing done an over with!!! Sorry not trying to de-rail!!

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by rooted

I guess I should have added that I will get a cut in all sales of merch and recordings. Nothing is in writing though. Thanks jmatt.

In that case, get it in writing. If they are hesitant to do that then that should be a red flag. Nothing would be worse than paying for an album on the basis of a verbal agreement that they all can later say 'never happened'.

[rooted]

Originally Posted by Allen_VA

I agree with this. Put money towards paying for the recording of the album only if YOU get a cut of the sales. The previous bass player should not get paid for album sales if he did not contribute towards the cost of recording/production of the album. Also be clear on this with the prior bass player - if you guys start selling a lot of albums, you don't want him creeping back in demanding his "cut" because it's his bass on the recording. Getting a signed contract with all involved is the best way to protect yourself, if it's a lot of dough.

Gotcha. I knew you guys would give me clear advice. I didn't think about that scenario. I'm going to get an actual amount needed for completion of this recording this week. Thank you

[Steve]

Nope.
They want my money, they get my lines, give me credit and a cut of sales.
It doesn't take that long to recut a Cd's worth of bass tracks. Two hours, maybe.

It's always best to start with a clean slate. Saves a lot of hassel.

[steveksux]

What are the odds really of this taking off?

You're probably better off saying they can keep the money from merch sales, album sales, and since you're not getting a cut, you shouldn't pitch in.

Most likely you'll be farther ahead, but they won't be too pleased with you. No good ideas how to pitch that idea without getting them cheesed off at you.

Maybe tell them you think it sounds great, it might go over really well, you're just playing the odds. Nothing personal. Something like that.

The most likely outcome is any money you contribute is going to be down the drain.

Randy

[JohnMCA72]

This is the kind of stuff that should be discussed & agreed on before joining the band. Ask yourself this: If you had known about this going in, would you have taken the gig anyway?

I love contracts. I've said it before: If somebody balks at signing one, that's the best possible time to find out they were planning to stiff you.

JM

[ByF]

I would not put my money into someone else's recording against possible future revenue. I'd take the gig money and let them figure out to pay their own debts.

And I sure wouldn't do it on a verbal agreement.

Ed

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Absolutely not unless they plan on giving you a cut of album sales, merch sales, and possible royalty credits....

........which you will probably never see, because they probably will never make enough off the CD's/merch to pay for the production of the CD's/merch in the first place. I mean never. Hate to be a wet blanket, but I've been there a couple times, and I ain't going back. So I vote no.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

........which you will probably never see, because they probably will never make enough off the CD's/merch to pay for the production of the CD's/merch in the first place. I mean never. Hate to be a wet blanket, but I've been there a couple times, and I ain't going back. So I vote no.

You know most people on TB often say "yeah right" to these kinds of situations but it`s still better to be safe than sorry. On the off chance that they do get some recognition this could be the difference between possibly making a hundred bucks and a couple thousand. To me at least, money is money no matter how you slice it. Also, I can`t speak for others but I would never use a studio for recording anything unless I knew it would sell, so I am partially giving my opinion based on this bias.

[MNAirHead]

I would if the former bass guy was NOT getting paid..

IF this is unclear, it's best to record with you

This is where this stuff gets cloudy.

Remember most CDs don't sell as fast as the guy ordering the pressings predicts.