Believe what you want. Whoever copyrights the music owns it. Co-writer or not.
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Been taken for a ride...
- Thread starter Hobobob
- Start date
Believe what you want. Whoever copyrights the music owns it. Co-writer or not.
Write publicly on his page that you wrote the songs and tell him you quit before he fires you. Then start another band with your drummer, and get a hot female singer to join your band. Then write stuff better than what he has, and post it on his page.
Or whatever, sucks man. Still, sounds like you have a good drummer, which is one thing a lot of people can't say!
Or whatever, sucks man. Still, sounds like you have a good drummer, which is one thing a lot of people can't say!
not true. copyright exists independent of assertion. It's helpful in a dispute to have registered your copyright but it doesn't give ownership.
Believe me, one of the first things I'll do in any band from now on is get a written agreement about ownership, songwriting, etc. Apart from a bit of fun, this has only been a learning experience for me. Again, thank you all for your wisdom and comfort.
The good thing is that you learned how valuable your talents are in the song writing process.
In addition, you found two musicians with the same work ethic as you.
Btw, you were'nt the only one screwed over.
Basically you were a volunteer. Value the experience and move on to bigger and better things.
Do you have recordings of your band to use for reference and copyright purposes?
In addition, you found two musicians with the same work ethic as you.
Btw, you were'nt the only one screwed over.
Basically you were a volunteer. Value the experience and move on to bigger and better things.
Do you have recordings of your band to use for reference and copyright purposes?
You can't be a hired gun if you're not getting paid! Doing the work & not getting anything for it is just being a sucker.
++ to Jive's comment: Find out who the "owner" is & what's the structure. That's something I always ask at first auditions. There are some people I won't play with unless I'm paid in cash, up front, no matter how "good" they are. I found most of these douchebags the same way you found yours.
The very best time to find out that somebody is planning (or even just willing) to screw you is when they balk at signing a contract.
++ to Jive's comment: Find out who the "owner" is & what's the structure. That's something I always ask at first auditions. There are some people I won't play with unless I'm paid in cash, up front, no matter how "good" they are. I found most of these douchebags the same way you found yours.
The very best time to find out that somebody is planning (or even just willing) to screw you is when they balk at signing a contract.
Some people are simply jerks. How much you wanna bet he's taking all the writing credit with these other guys that he's bringing the songs to. I wouldn't take that for a second.
This is something I think I'll be adhering to in the future.
We never made any studio recordings, but there is video recording of almost all of our gigs. Many of these recordings are in the drummer's possession.
jive1
Commercial User
One of the lessons I've learned over the years is not to assume that you are an equal partner unless they specifically state it and back it up with actions.
jive1 said:
I was told at the beginning that any money made from gigs would be split equally. I guess I took that to mean more than it really did, including its literal meaning.
Before I joined my band i knew it was a 4 way even split.
First of all I did my homework and knew I was dealing with good people.
Even before my very first show with the band I started getting email with show dates and our fee.
After each show, we are paid by our business manager before we start tearing down.
I was shocked at the last gig when she handed me a check with the bands name on it for $50.00. She said was for gas money for the next show, because it was a 2.5 hour drive.
I'm really spoiled, who knows what my next band will be
I know one thing, I will not tolerate any monkey business with money from any band.
But like the other post stated, you have to ask clear cut questions before you acept an offer.
Off topic;
I'm on night number 4 of 8 nights in a row. If I can get through this week I can get through anything.
Blue
First of all I did my homework and knew I was dealing with good people.
Even before my very first show with the band I started getting email with show dates and our fee.
After each show, we are paid by our business manager before we start tearing down.
I was shocked at the last gig when she handed me a check with the bands name on it for $50.00. She said was for gas money for the next show, because it was a 2.5 hour drive.
I'm really spoiled, who knows what my next band will be
I know one thing, I will not tolerate any monkey business with money from any band.
But like the other post stated, you have to ask clear cut questions before you acept an offer.
Off topic;
I'm on night number 4 of 8 nights in a row. If I can get through this week I can get through anything.
Blue
A little update. Apparently this guy's 'real' band isn't as committed to this project as he is. He booked a few gigs that his band won't play, since they'll be busy with their other projects. So, of course, he asked me to play. I told him that I either need to be a full member of the band, with an equal stake, or I charge my normal gig rate. He never called me back 
A little update. Apparently this guy's 'real' band isn't as committed to this project as he is. He booked a few gigs that his band won't play, since they'll be busy with their other projects. So, of course, he asked me to play. I told him that I either need to be a full member of the band, with an equal stake, or I charge my normal gig rate. He never called me back
Ah, the birds are coming home to roost. Good for you.
There you have it.
Just another egotistical, self centered, self serving singtard.
What a surprise.
Hobobob said:
I've been there, chalk it up as experience.
You're obviously passionate about playing bass guitar and music.
It's a card you might not want to show or reveal, because there will always be band leaders and venue owners that will have no problem taking advantage of you and your passion.
It's also an example of how important it is to scrutinize people your thinking of working with and making sure they're " good people ".
I played Friday night and was paid right in the middle of tearing down at 1:30. We played a festival the following Saturday afternoon and our manager handed me ten singles before we went on and just said ,"this is your share of the tip jar from last night.
Again, this is just an example of how good professional people treat each other.
Blue
I will never be in a band again, where I don't own the Domain Name and have control over the FB. I spend more time on band related issues, than practicing. I am a business man first and bass player second. I always play with people more talented than myself musically. They know their role, I know mine.
