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Am I getting screwed on $?

#61
Also keep in mind that if gas keeps going up, something is going to have to give on your gigs that require travel. Either the bandleader is going to have to start getting more for those gigs (whether that be through a higher flat fee or some sort of mileage surcharge), or he's going to have eat more of his share to absorb the higher gas costs, or he's going to have go cheaper on hotel/food, or it's going to come out of the band's cuts. Hopefully for the band's sake it's the first two, but it may be all of the above.

And/or he may have to start turning down gigs that are too far away for the money offered to be worthwhile.
 
#62
I guess some people aren't paying close attention to what I originally said, so just to clarify a couple things:

1. I do not make $200 every night. That was just an example based on a night where we'd clear $2K after booking takes their cut, and we rarely score a gig that nice. My average pay is between $100-150, even for the travel gigs.

2. I do not get per diem for food, but the hotel is taken out of the singer's expense fund.

3. The singer does not do our booking. We have a separate agent, and their cut is 20%.

My plan is to look for a day job that will allow me to play locally, and when/if that comes through, I'm going to cut out the traveling. If the band I'm with can't deal with that, they'll have to find a new player. I do have a college degree and work experience outside of music, and I'm trying to use that to my advantage again (even though the job climate is tough).

Believe me, I'm thankful to be booked, but traveling for that low pay rate is just not doable for me anymore.
 
#63
If you don't have to use your own gas, pay for a place to sleep and still make $$ you are not doing badly. It's not enough money to "live on" but I didn't get that to be your goal from the OP. When it's all said and done it's a "just show up and play" type of gig which is a nice position to be in.
 
#64
friskinator said:
My plan is to look for a day job that will allow me to play locally, and when/if that comes through, I'm going to cut out the traveling. If the band I'm with can't deal with that, they'll have to find a new player. I do have a college degree and work experience outside of music, and I'm trying to use that to my advantage again (even though the job climate is tough).

Believe me, I'm thankful to be booked, but traveling for that low pay rate is just not doable for me anymore.
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It sounds to me like you've thought this through pretty well and arrived at what I consider to be a logical course of action. Good luck finding the day job and hopefully it will allow you to continue your musical pursuits on the side. I would venture that well over half of us on TB (myself included) are doing the "weekend warrior" thing vs. playing music full-time, so definitely ain't no shame.
 
#65
You're a hired gun. You don't book gigs. You don't find new gigs. You don't bring anything unique to the band. You are replaceable.

These things are never going to change.

If you don't like the terms of the gig that you agreed to, then quit.

It's really that simple.
 
#66
bassmonkeee said:
You're a hired gun. You don't book gigs. You don't find new gigs. You don't bring anything unique to the band. You are replaceable.

These things are never going to change.

If you don't like the terms of the gig that you agreed to, then quit.

It's really that simple.
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Agreed, but I don't think negotiating money is unacceptable, considering how long I've been doing the gig. I may be replaceable, but chemistry, talent and dependability aren't always easy to replace.

It's just like any other job. All you can do is ask, and if the manager/band leader says no, you either suck it up and keep doing the gig or move on.
 
#68
Just one other thought re the costs of traveling gigs... if you're not getting a per diem and the food costs are cutting into your take-home, you could always invest in a small cooler and bring your own food along from home. A couple of times I've had long overnight gigs and the wife has packed food for me and it really helps, cost wise... and is much healthier too.
 
#70
jady said:
Why are you in for a 3 day commitment on some of these gigs?

Why can't you just show up and play? How far away are these gigs?
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Exactly the question i was going to ask, and I was wondering why no one asked it.

A 3 day "trip" with hotel for the whole band can't be cheap, and if you're making $100-$150 the "band fund"'s 50% only comes up to $500-$750 for that gig. Do you think the singer could fund that kind of gigs consistently, or that he's even coming out on top?

All being said, I say renegotiate for flat pay, hourly, including travel time and lodging.
 
#71
jady said:
Why are you in for a 3 day commitment on some of these gigs?

Why can't you just show up and play? How far away are these gigs?
Click to expand...

Well, when the gig's a private event 10+ hours away and we have to load in early that afternoon on the day of the gig, it's kinda hard to just "show up and play." We played a wedding that was that far away last year, and we had to drive up the day before to insure that we'd be there on time. Once you factor in the drive home the next day, that equals a 3 day commitment of my time.

Even with the gigs that are overnight for one night, it's not like I can work anywhere else or do any other gigs on those 2 days once I factor in travel time. That's my problem - the money I make over the course of those 2 days doesn't justify the time commitment, in my opinion.

Let's say I make $150 for an overnight show. Our meeting place to leave for the gig is 25 miles away from my house, so that's about $7 in gas I spend (both ways) before I get in the van. Even if I eat fast food and spend a total of $15 on meals, that knocks it down to $128. $128 divided by 2 work days (let's say 16 hours, even though it could be more than that) amounts to about $8 an hour.

Like I said, if I'm gonna work that many hours for what amounts to a few cents more than minimum wage per hour, I'd rather work a minimum wage job at home that doesn't require the wear and tear of travel. I love playing music, but I think it's best for me to find a new job and play music for fun and additional income, not sole income.
 
#72
I once played in a band where the books were not open and the pay varied from gig to gig. We never knew what the band leader made, whether we were hired guns or an equal part of the band. It really seemed like we were hired sidemen, but then the band leader would take money out of our pay every now and then to pay for new photos, business cards, and other business overhead. I still don't know what the deal was, but we were a good band and played some great weddings. I had more of an idea on the 5 piece portion that played bar gigs under a different name. Eventually, I couldn't deal with the band leader anymore and I was done. I ended up in a better situation.
 
#73
not to beat a dead horse, but I agree strongly with those who have pointed out that if you are payed a percentage, then you have to be able to see the math of that percentage. If he doesn't want you to see the books, then you're not making a percentage rate, you're making an arbitrary amount of money. I think you should see the books. If he really doesn't want to show them for whatever reason, then you should make a flat rate of some sort. I can't believe that he thinks you will take a percentage with no math to go along with it. I definitely don't think he's holding up his end of the previous agreement if you can't see how what you make is ten percent.
I hope your situation works out for the best.
Cheers
 

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