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Drummer kept the cash. Worth saying something?

G

glocke1

Supporting Member
Apr 30, 2002
3,471
5,020
PA
#1
Filled in last night in a band I used to be full time in. The bandleader/bass player injured his hand so couldn't play but was there running sound.

Agreement was I get the regular cut + his cut for filling in on short notice. At 50 bucks a person it would have been a total of 100 dollars.

I even heard him telling the drummer (who got the payout from the bar) this but the drummer ended up just giving me the 50 dollars that everyone else got and than pretty much avoided me the rest of the night.

50 bucks won't make or break me. It's the ethics of it that bother me. I'm tempted to bring it up to the band leadership but don't have any to sound petty.
 
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#2
If you had an agreement, then you had an agreement. Based on your post, it sounds like the drummer is aware he was shorting you.

If you bring it up, you risk not getting more gigs from them, or recommendations. If you don't, they know they can go back on an agreement with you. Which situation do you prefer?
 
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#4
glocke1 said:
Filled in last night in a band I used to be full time in. The bandleader/bass player injured his hand so couldn't play but was there running sound.

Agreement was I get the regular cut + his cut for filling in on short notice. At 50 bucks a person it would have been a total of 100 dollars.

I even heard him telling the drummer (who got the payout from the bar) this but the drummer ended up just giving me the 50 dollars that everyone else got and than pretty much avoided me the rest of the night.

50 bucks won't make or break me. It's the ethics of it that bother me. I'm tempted to bring it up to the band leadership but don't have any to sound petty.
Click to expand...

Bring it up. You did them a service.
 
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#10
Of course the drummer stole your $50. That's why he avoided you the rest of the night.

Is he an addict, gambler or so poor that $50 makes that much difference in his life?

You really needed to refuse the $50 right then and call the BL over to mediate.

Now, the drummer will say he gave you the $100 and that you are trying to rip the band off.

Proof that he is a thief and a liar and you, with your word against his.

Passivity comes with a price.

Good luck.
 
Last edited:
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#14
I take it from your short description the B/L who is also the bass player normally gets two cuts. His, as the bass player, and another as the B/L?

I would insist on getting paid per the agreement. Otherwise, you will run the risk as being known to accept less than the agreed upon amount where ever you sub in that local area.

If they still insistn on renegging on the agreement, tell the BL in private that they will run the opposite risk and could find subs hard to come by. Do it diplomatically as best you can, and in *private* with the B/L. Make sure the drummer is not around. That way if it starts to become undiplomatic, you can blame the drummer and his behaivor from that night.
 
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#16
buldog5151bass said:
If you had an agreement, then you had an agreement. Based on your post, it sounds like the drummer is aware he was shorting you.

If you bring it up, you risk not getting more gigs from them, or recommendations. If you don't, they know they can go back on an agreement with you. Which situation do you prefer?
Click to expand...

I would take it up with the bass player/band leader as he's the leadership guy. The deal was with him. So, I would approach him. I would approach it as an oversight, reiterate the deal, and how you were paid only $50. When would you expect the additional $50? Wait for an answer. Don't express anger, or use emotionally charged language -- just ask when you can expect the remaining $50. A deal was a deal, so this is no surprise to him.

If they ignore you, then let it go. But you will not forget -- that is human nature.

NEXT time, they want you to sub, bring it up again, and say you expect them to follow through on the deal that is cut for you. Express your puzzlement and disappointment that there wasn't follow through last time, so if if you are to do it again, you need to know they are fully committed to giving you the full amount they promised. I sometimes indicate that to do otherwise is unethical. Or something that might appeal to any sense of morality they might have, if any. Good thing the dollars are small. If this was a formal client, and one that I didn't care about losing, I'd ask for a prepayment on the next gig for the amount they didn't pay, now, along with a nice deposit.
 
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#18
I'm not going to assume wrong doing. But for the life of me, why don't people question things up front? If the drummer gave me $50, i'd ask for the other $50 right then and there. Don't even have to be an ass about it, just, "oh yeah i'm supposed to get $100." Then talk through it from there.

Go ahead and contact the bass player you subbed for and ask about the other $50. If he is reasonable it should not cause any issue.
 
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