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Question on pay

X

xxpigxx

Nov 4, 2007
121
0
#1
So, I want to join a band in a few months (most likely a cover band) . . .

What kind of pay should I expect per gig. I know it has to be worked out with the venue, and it should get split with the band. I am just wondering how much (or little lol) I should look forward to . . . or not.
 
#2
Out here, for bar gigs, we'd get $300-500 and split it 6 ways. We'd tip a good sound guy too and that'd come from each of our shares.

So.....you're talking about $60-$100 per person. That was a well-paying cover band gig. Sometimes we played for less, but never for less than $300.
 
#4
Around here bars and restaurants usually pay about 300-400. I usually work in a 3 or 4 piece band, so I always get at least $100.
Private parties and such are another story- I can usually count on $250-$350 for those. I don't do weddings anymore, but they pay well too.
 
#6
xxpigxx said:
That is CA . . . everything is doubled over there, so I can expect $30-50 per gig :D
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. Ironically (or not), a lot of the bigger markets pay worse than the smaller ones. More competition per venue, I suppose. For instance the market I play is much smaller than Sacramento, yet any decent cover band around here won't even load the truck for less than $600 a night which is above the top end of what the poster from Sacramento reported.

I.e., for me anyway, I'm going to need at least $100 per night in my pocket to take a 4-hour bar gig or private party. I might come down from that a little if it's a plug-and-play deal (i.e. P.A./lights provided), and/or it's a much shorter show like a set or two in a festival setting. But $100/show is pretty much my floor and I think a number of the other established musicians in this market have about the same standards.
 
#7
If you're joining an established band, a lot of that also has to do with how much you bring to the table. I get a "full share" as bass player, some lead and backing vox, some keys, and I produce the demos, do cover art, promotion, set up the PA, etc. Our backup singers don't get quite as much, but they don't load/unload, play keys or guitar or whatever. As the rookie (greenhorn?), don't expect a full share the first few time out until the band realizes your full value. The guy who owns the PA or other equipment also generally gets more for their trouble and investment--again, bringing more to the table. If you do the Geddy-style double-neck and foot-pedal routine while singing lead, you'll probably get the full share right off. Good harmony backing vocals will go a very long way.

Also, the better your rep as a band and the more people you can bring to your shows means you can charge more money for the show, and each make more. Again, unless you're joining an established band, you'll be starting at the bottom, but if your show is good (a good draw), then you'll work your way up. As well, smaller venues know they are "entry level" clubs, not willing to pay a whole lot for a band, but a good place to start. A few good shows there and word will get around.

If you cover your expenses the first few times out, you're doing good. But you can get to the point where you're making some extra coin pretty quickly if you work hard.
 
#8
It really does depend on the market, band, etc. My band tries to get at least $150 per 45 min set and we play originals and covers mixed depending on what the venue wants. Generally out in the middle of no where you can ask for a lot more since there isn't many bands but we have a hard time making squat when we make the trip to NYC.

At least in my city, dj's and cover bands tend to make a lot more than original music. I'd say well established cover bands can make between $400 to $1200 on a weekend night at a venue depending on the venue's draw and how talented your booking agent is. I know that is a wide range, but it really does depend on a lot of factors.

You usually have to pay your dues in the local music community to make a fair amount. That is just my experience.
 
#9
I know you can't give an exact answer. I just wanted a rough guesstimate, which I seem to have gotten.

Thanks for the replies people!

I just want to try to have all my ducks in a row.

I am starting to look for a band, and when work starts again (I am a school bus driver, so off for summer), I will have $$ to get a combo and try and find a band.

Hopefully I will find something that can work as my summer job for next year (as we do not get paid over the summer). :D
 
#11
Something else to consider... around here at least, some bands are scaling up or down depending on the type of gig. For example, maybe there's a 5- or 6-piece band that gets $800 a night at a club, but if a cigar lounge or restaurant only wants to pay $300 or $350 then the band strips down to just 2 or 3 players with little combo amps and minimal P.A., and they take that gig and still wind up pocketing about the same $$ per man. To me I've always kind of wondered how that sits with the band members who are left off the smaller gigs, but for a few bands around here it seems to be working out well.
 
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#16
Interesting

When I used to play in this one band, the money was split differently. We played a Friday and Saturday night at this one place, and for both nights I got $300, the drummer got $500, and the singer got about $600. I asked the singer about it , he said that he got paid the most because he is the frontman and books everything, ect. And he said that drummers always get paid more than bassist..... even though the drummer had a small car,and couldnt fit drums in it, so I had to drive to the drummers house and load up his drums in my truck and take them to the gig, evertyime!
 
#17
I play on and off with a couple of bands that do exactly this. It works very well, really. One or two members are the "core" ... the defacto leaders (usually singer and guitar), who work every gig, and they size the band and select the personnel for the job. Very professional and easy. It requires good, seasoned and flexible musicians, of course. I get $80-100 for a three hour evening gig (done by midnight) and never less than $100 for a four hour evening gig. We don't do bars, but do regular dances and such. Older crowd, more into dancing than into the music. That's OK, cuz we're playing old country standards and such. We have easy fun and get paid for it. Hell, I played bass Saturday for a square dance ... fiddle, caller and all. 1-5-1-5-1-5-1-5 (ad infinitum). Still walked out with a c-note.

jaywa said:
Something else to consider... around here at least, some bands are scaling up or down depending on the type of gig. For example, maybe there's a 5- or 6-piece band that gets $800 a night at a club, but if a cigar lounge or restaurant only wants to pay $300 or $350 then the band strips down to just 2 or 3 players with little combo amps and minimal P.A., and they take that gig and still wind up pocketing about the same $$ per man. To me I've always kind of wondered how that sits with the band members who are left off the smaller gigs, but for a few bands around here it seems to be working out well.
Click to expand...
 
#18
EBMM7181 said:
Interesting

When I used to play in this one band, the money was split differently. We played a Friday and Saturday night at this one place, and for both nights I got $300, the drummer got $500, and the singer got about $600. I asked the singer about it , he said that he got paid the most because he is the frontman and books everything, ect.
Click to expand...

This is B.S. The fact that he was the frontman means jack. Also to take twice as much as you just for booking the gigs? In our 5-man band the singer gets a double cut but that's not cause he books the gigs (we all do that), it's cause he owns quite a bit of the P.A. and all the lights and we use his pickup and trailer to get it all to the gigs.

And he said that drummers always get paid more than bassist.....
Click to expand...

Even more B.S. than the first. If you were a hired gun or a sub they would be O.K. paying you less than a full share but if you're considered a full member of the band, you got played. From what it sounds like, you should have been getting more than the drummer for providing his cartage. All of which I'm sure you realize by now. :hmm:
 
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