New Band

BryanM · #1 01-31-2008, 10:53 PM

Hello, would anyone be willing to weigh in with their opinion on a subject?

I recently started playing with a band (standards mostly) consisting of a drummer, pianist, vocalist and myself. All are well trained musically, probably quite a bit more trained than myself, and they have a few gigs lined up with a very likely possibility of a steady weekly gig.

My problem is this, in preparation of our first gig, I was informed that the bar we're playing has no FOH support, so all amplification and PA would be the responsibility of the band. The drummer won't need amplified as it's a small space, but immediately the band came to me expecting to use my equipment to amp the whole band, including providing the vocalist with an amp that I have during gigs and mixing the keyboards into my bass amp with myself. I don't have a problem if that's the case for one gig, but since this is a side gig for some of them, it could be permanent. I also feel like that could severely limit my sound since I can use no onboard sound modification (eq, gain, etc.) since the sound would be blended pre-input with my LS-2.

Another issue is that it would fall to me to load all of this equipment into my car and unload it at the end of the night, while the vocalist and keyboardist will essentially just show up, set up, tear down and go without having to haul much of anything.

I like the idea of playing with this band because I'm limited in experience and would like to have a steady gig to put on a resume, and also would like to play out with them some to get my name into the proverbial hat as far as working musicians go. Do you think it would be worth my trouble or should I kindly step back and seek out greener pastures?

rodl2005 · #2 01-31-2008, 11:02 PM

So they wanna use YOUR separate amp/speaker for Vocals, & YOUR amp/bass amp/spkr for keys AND bass????? Get real!!!! Ok for one gig JUST!!
If I were you, & we do this- we own a small PA so when it's used by the band I'm in, we charge a hire fee & if I'm loading it from my house to MY van, from MY van to gig & then back again, we add another fee!!!!!!
For YOU..... can the keyboard go thru the same amp as the vocals...probly be a better keys sound than thru bass amp anyway..... see if U can get some $$$$$ for YOUR time & GEAR......I mean are they gonna pay for it if something is damaged on the night..or another night they use it. Either this OR HIRE some other gear!!! Are U being paid enough to do this at this gig??

BryanM · #3 01-31-2008, 11:08 PM

I'm not being paid nearly enough ($25 as a feeler for the first gig and then $75 a night for each successive week if asked back) but I'm looking at it as experience. The other amp is just a 65W guitar amp, and either way I'd have to use my LS2, plus the vocalist is planning on using some of the onboard reverbs and/or modelling effects on the guitar amp (if he uses it). I'm seriously doubting it, but I've had more than half a dozen bands flake on me in the past two months before I could even audition, and I'm itching to get back on stage, fast. It seems like everyone else is singer songwriters that want a bassist to play the drone of their guitar's E string and nothing else, or are punk bands who want a pick-style bassist who's just looking to tear it up, I play jazz and funk, so neither of those types really fits me.

txbasschik · #4 01-31-2008, 11:08 PM

If we didn't have our own PA, we couldn't play out but for a very, very few places. Most places don't have a house PA, and if they do, its most often a total p.o.s. I can't believe this is a working band, and they don't have their own PA!

It is not reasonable to run all that through your gear. Tell them they may, JUST THIS ONCE, if you really want this gig. But do like rodl2005 says and charge a fee. 'Cause you're right...the singer and key player will just pack their stuff and go, leaving you with the work. Also, if you do this, run the sound as he advised. It'll work better.

Still...how can they work without their own PA?

Cherie

#5 01-31-2008, 11:24 PM

You sound like the goose that laid the golden egg coming into this. Maybe let them off free for once, if need be, but as said, charge them if you're the source of amplification. If they threaten to kick you out, stand firm. Even if it means you're the scapegoat, the last thing you want to do is enable these clowns. Truthfully, the regular pay doesn't even sound that decent either for supposedly seasoned musicians, but that's just me talkin'.

SKATE RAT · #6 01-31-2008, 11:54 PM

if you do let 'em use your stuff,they should help you load and unload gear.when my band plays out everyone meets at the practice space to load and eveyone comes back to unload.singer included.no exceptions.

rodl2005 · #7 02-01-2008, 12:05 AM

As Thumb says above STAND FIRM!!! If YOU don't supply the amps who will??? A hire co. at pretty reasonable rates too!!! Do it ONCE...then if needed....lie-say the guitar amps broke or sumthin' ;-)

Depth_Charge · #8 02-01-2008, 12:48 AM

Why lie when telling the truth is just as effective? Poor guy will end up fielding questions like "is your <insert required equipment> fixed yet?", or "what was actually wrong with it?" or "Where are you getting it fixed" type questions, risking the lie being exposed!

Munjibunga · #9 02-01-2008, 12:54 AM

Lame.

Passinwind · #10 02-01-2008, 01:08 AM

How do you rehearse right now?

rodl2005 · #11 02-01-2008, 03:22 AM

QUOTE" Why lie when telling the truth is just as effective? Poor guy will end up fielding questions like "is your <insert required equipment> fixed yet?", or "what was actually wrong with it?" or "Where are you getting it fixed" type questions, risking the lie being exposed!" QUOTE

__________________
TRUE !! Don't lie, just say NO

Deacon_Blues · #12 02-01-2008, 06:02 AM

One solution would be to rent a PA small instead.

It is not too much to ask the singer or keyboardist to buy a small PA. One active monitor and a mini-mixer would be enough. You make sure you are heard by owning an amp, why shouldn't keyboardists or singers take the same responsibility? My twinbrother, a prof. keyboardist, bought two active RCF ART 322's as monitors for himself last year...

QORC · #13 02-01-2008, 06:10 AM

Are they serious? That's going to sound like crap!!

No, I would tell them that the band must rent a small PA and then figure out what you'll do in the future.

This became one of my deciders when choosing bands - if they didn't already have a PA, I wouldn't join. Renting costs too much and I hate playing with some lame PA that someone bought cheap.

IanStephenson · #14 02-01-2008, 06:51 AM

It's going to sound DREADFULL.

If you want to be asked back you need to do a good job. It doesn't sound like you need a LOT of PA, just something to kick the vocals/ keys through. I'd sugguest a sit down and make a plan:

You're getting $100 for this gig. If you do well you're getting $300 for future gigs. You need a PA to do those gigs.

I would offer to go out and buy a PA (about $400/$500 should be enough for what you need. I've got this setup, which is fine for small gigs http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tem?sku=630238), which the band need. The deal I would probably be happy to make is that I get the whole $100 from the first gig, plus $100 before the cut (so you still get $50 pay) for the second gig. Basically no one gets paid first gig, every one gets $50 second gig, but you get $200 towards the PA (assuming you get booked back). You would need to make up the difference to pay for the PA (and do it upfront, on spec), but YOU now own a PA. The band can then use it for free while you're in the band.

Obviously it depends on your situation, but I think thats a fair deal for everyone (assuming that owning a small PA would be of use to you in the future) - I'd be happy on either side of the deal. If the singer thinks you're getting too good a deal, tell him to go out and buy a PA on the same terms.

Ian