New Band - Gear Management

ericw · #1 01-07-2010, 09:29 AM

So the half-motivated cover band I'm in is trying to notch up the effort in preparation for a first 2 or 3 hour gig at the end of march - going to two practices a week. Right now we know about 10-15 songs solid, with another 5-10 being a little weak. The gig is supposedly going to be at a restaurant/bar managed by our vocalist's father and we're not asking for any pay.

While all the members (except possibly the rhythm guitarist?) have previous gigging experience, the band hasn't played out together AT ALL. And now they are talking about buying a PA for this gig (which we're not getting paid for) and having us all chip in.

I am NOT planning on chipping in for this - out of line? I don't like the idea of group ownership or investing in a very unproven group.

How do you handle being a band that's trying to start playing out and doesn't have a PA?

snyderz · #2 01-07-2010, 09:36 AM

Rent or borrow a PA for this gig to give yourself more time to figure out how things are progressing.

guy n. cognito · #3 01-07-2010, 09:39 AM

Never,ever, ever buy a pa as a group. Rent for a while if necessary.

Archaeobass · #4 01-07-2010, 09:46 AM

Rent a PA. Unless you can see gigging with MUCH greater frequency, a "band investment" will just mean trouble down the line when someone moves on. It's bad enough you're not getting paid - why not ask the vocalist to ask daddy to foot the bill for a PA rental to support his vocals for the night?

Frankly, if you're gigging schedule looks like "one in march and then ???" making a group investment is more trouble than it's worth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericw

So the half-motivated cover band I'm in is trying to notch up the effort in preparation for a first 2 or 3 hour gig at the end of march - going to two practices a week. Right now we know about 10-15 songs solid, with another 5-10 being a little weak. The gig is supposedly going to be at a restaurant/bar managed by our vocalist's father and we're not asking for any pay.

While all the members (except possibly the rhythm guitarist?) have previous gigging experience, the band hasn't played out together AT ALL. And now they are talking about buying a PA for this gig (which we're not getting paid for) and having us all chip in.

I am NOT planning on chipping in for this - out of line? I don't like the idea of group ownership or investing in a very unproven group.

How do you handle being a band that's trying to start playing out and doesn't have a PA?

Twocan · #5 01-07-2010, 09:55 AM

If you're making no coin, the establishment should pay the PA rental.

singlemalt · #6 01-07-2010, 10:03 AM

Group owned gear almost never works out.

If your vocalist is just a vocalist/frontman maybe you could hint that he needs to buy some gear to sing through, just like everyone else bought gear to play through.

Then he'll have something to do DJ gigs and Karaoke nights at Dad's place.

DeluxeRed · #7 01-07-2010, 10:04 AM

Lemmie see...the drummer brings his drums, the gp brings his axe and amp, the kybd player has his keys, the bass player brings his rig, the vocalist--whose family is benefiting from the performance--brought what?

A rudementary PA is pretty much a requirement for calling yourself a "vocalist" in a cover band. Moving up to full-band reinforcement is a different step. But for a restruant-sized gig, the vocalist should have his own support.

DeluxeRed · #8 01-07-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singlemalt

Group owned gear almost never works out.

If your vocalist is just a vocalist/frontman maybe you could hint that he needs to buy some gear to sing through, just like everyone else bought gear to play through.

Then he'll have something to do DJ gigs and Karaoke nights at Dad's place.

Dang. Beat me to it by that much.

ericw · #9 01-07-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeluxeRed

Lemmie see...the drummer brings his drums, the gp brings his axe and amp, the kybd player has his keys, the bass player brings his rig, the vocalist--whose family is benefiting from the performance--brought what?

A rudementary PA is pretty much a requirement for calling yourself a "vocalist" in a cover band. Moving up to full-band reinforcement is a different step. But for a restruant-sized gig, the vocalist should have his own support.

OOOooohhh I have never thought of it this way. If they tried to get me to chip in for the PA I would have no problem making this point. Unfortunately I see the vocalist refusing. I hope this goes better than I envision it.

We have practice tonight so maybe there will be an update if the issue comes up.

smogg · #10 01-07-2010, 10:20 AM

What does he sing through at rehearsals?

MatticusMania · #11 01-07-2010, 10:26 AM

My old trio went the "group buys the PA' route after about 2.5 years playing together. We were splitting the cost three ways. A little while later the guitarist quits. We offered to pay him off what he had put in towards the PA, he said dont worry. The drummer and I kept playing for another 3.5 years together, having paid the PA off long before he ended up quitting. The day he quit he told me (since I was the vocalist) 'You keep the PA, as you'll put it to good use, but if you sell it, I want half of what you get for it'. I accpeted that, and Ive been using it ever since. But that is certainly the exception to the rule.

I agree, anyone that calls themself a vocalist should have proper amplification (equipment) for their vocals, just as a guitarist or bassist would be expected to have an instrument and amp.

Being that I dont gig every night and my PA is not beinf used everyday, I started renting it out to bands in the OPs exact predicament. I charge $20 an hour and I haul the PA to the venue, set it up, and operate it for the set. Ive made a few extra bucks thanks to it.

phatbass · #12 01-07-2010, 10:26 AM

I'm sorta gob-smacked... they sound like a buncha kids who've never gigged before living the fantasy about "being in a BAND!!!!". When are they gonna rent a house and all live together? And buy a bus?

You're not out of line at all refusing to chip in.

All this is my opinion only, but the Vocalist should own enough of a PA for rehearsals/small gigs. By the time you reach the point where you need a bigger PA, you should be making enough money to be looking at hiring (it's a tax write-off).

As this gig is a freebie, the bar should provide a PA.

And remember...

ericw · #13 01-07-2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smogg

What does he sing through at rehearsals?

She sings through a small powered mixer (I don't know the wattage) and a single 12"(?) speaker. We have a second identical speaker that I assume could be hooked up to the mixer but I guess they don't think that will be enough and are also talking about adding fx to the vocals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by phatbass

...they sound like a buncha kids who've never gigged before living the fantasy about "being in a BAND!!!!". When are they gonna rent a house and all live together? And buy a bus?

It's funny because at 23 I'm actually the youngest. The vocalist is probably in her 30's and the rhythm, lead, and drummer are all guys in their 40's or 50's.

geeza · #14 01-07-2010, 10:42 AM

Like everybody else is saying: vocalist should have his own small rig/venue should provide/rent. Whatever happens, please let us know.

guy n. cognito · #15 01-07-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericw

She sings through a small powered mixer (I don't know the wattage) and a single 12"(?) speaker. We have a second identical speaker that I assume could be hooked up to the mixer but I guess they don't think that will be enough and are also talking about adding fx to the vocals.

It's funny because at 23 I'm actually the youngest. The vocalist is probably in her 30's and the rhythm, lead, and drummer are all guys in their 40's or 50's.

your existing setup is more than sufficient for a small gig.

DeluxeRed · #16 01-07-2010, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericw

...Unfortunately I see the vocalist refusing. I hope this goes better than I envision it...

Then she doesn't get to play RockStar at daddy's place. Gotta pay the dues if ya wanna play th' blues...

She's the one they won't hear if she doesn't step up. Someone should make sure this comes up at the next rehearsal.

smogg · #17 01-07-2010, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericw

She sings through a small powered mixer (I don't know the wattage) and a single 12"(?) speaker. We have a second identical speaker that I assume could be hooked up to the mixer but I guess they don't think that will be enough and are also talking about adding fx to the vocals.

Just get both 12's up in the air so they project across the room & tell her to look at something like this,
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ku=150177#used

It's just a freebie at a restaurant, how loud does it really need to be.

P.S. Tell them you'll be happy to chip in on PA as soon as they are done chipping in on that new $1000 bass cab you "need" just to make sure the gig is "covered"

goldenglory18 · #18 01-07-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twocan

If you're making no coin, the establishment should pay the PA rental.

Agree 100%

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeluxeRed

A rudementary PA is pretty much a requirement for calling yourself a "vocalist" in a cover band. Moving up to full-band reinforcement is a different step. But for a restruant-sized gig, the vocalist should have his own support.

Again, 100% correct. Every 'vocalist' should have AT THE MINIMUM their own vocal support. If not, thats like a racecar driver with no wheels, or a shooter with no gun.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeluxeRed

Then she doesn't get to play RockStar at daddy's place.

Thats what it sounds like to me. Little Miss Priss that is rocking out in daddys bar. If she doesn't want to get her own gear, have poppa pay for it. If he won't foot the bill, then walk the F away.

Save the drama for yo' babby mamma......

standupright · #19 01-07-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeluxeRed

Lemmie see...the drummer brings his drums, the gp brings his axe and amp, the kybd player has his keys, the bass player brings his rig, the vocalist--whose family is benefiting from the performance--brought what?

A rudementary PA is pretty much a requirement for calling yourself a "vocalist" in a cover band. Moving up to full-band reinforcement is a different step. But for a restruant-sized gig, the vocalist should have his own support.

absolutely +1.

standupright · #20 01-07-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldenglory18

Agree 100%

Again, 100% correct. Every 'vocalist' should have AT THE MINIMUM their own vocal support. If not, thats like a racecar driver with no wheels, or a shooter with no gun.

Thats what it sounds like to me. Little Miss Priss that is rocking out in daddys bar. If she doesn't want to get her own gear, have poppa pay for it. If he won't foot the bill, then walk the F away.

Save the drama for yo' babby mamma......

lol...babby

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/babby