Extra compensation for extra work?

[Joedog]

I've been in bands where I've done the most, and bands where others did. We always split evenly. Having said that, If a member was doing more than the rest, I'd be OK with them getting a bigger share. I'd suggest saying something like:

"Hey guys I've been doing a, b, and c for years, and am kind of tired of it. Let's talk. I have 3 options, maybe there are more? Mine are:

1. Someone else takes over my duties.
2. We hire someone to do them.
3, I get compensated for the extra work.

What do y'all think?"

 

[CharlieMac]

I thought that bass player was usually the only one smart enough to do all that wiring and plugging. This is for sure in my band.
If I'm a few minutes late to practice, they are all just standing there like sheep waiting for "something" to happen. (They are not sure what. . .)

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

yeah, I've been that guy.
But hey, ain't nobody else gonna do it, right ? and like everyone else said, if you didn't say at the start that you wanted more money, too late now.

You could just show up to gigs with a bass, amp and a microphone and do the gig like that and see what they say.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

If you feel like it’s the beginning of the end, you’re probably right. When it comes down to it, of course you should be compensated for doing more work than others, whether it’s been happening for 100 years or not, if that is really what’s happening; are you also lugging all the gear in? Tearing it all down too? How much extra time does this require from you? Is this a situation where you are arriving earlier, leaving later, or working while other guys are sitting at the bar etc.? It’s clear you have resentment, and from what I’ve seen, it seems as though it’s deserved. A calm discussion of this will be your only chance at getting your deserved compensation. I don’t think it’s wrong to ask for change, you’re a different person than you were 10 years ago, but I wouldn’t even bother asking unless you would enjoy playing and continue with them if you are compensated properly. At any rate, I don’t feel you just have to suck it up because that’s the way it’s always been, it’s your career, you have to advocate for yourself, and understand that this could lead to parting ways.

Many of those things you say are true, I do the majority of the hauling, often find myself wrapping up cords while others are at the bar. Call me crazy but I believe wrapping them up correctly rather than throwing a pile in the case makes it easier to set up the next time! And as I said calm discussions have been tried and are a temp fix at best. Advocating for myself is the right way to say it.

 

[Ronzo]

why not tell the other guys that if you have to be the sound man, they have to set up the PA?

Bandmates plugging mics and line-ins to the PA = Barney Fife putting the bullet in his gun.
Google Image Result for https://i.imgflip.com/16co2e.jpg

 

[filmtex]

I play with a three piece. I do all the PA work, own the PA, and run the board from the stage. I don't get any more than anyone else. I do it because neither of the other 2 know how. I'm not crazy about the extra work, but I'm happier with the sound. The band is good. There is no drama, and we seldom get a weekend off.
Balance. It's just a matter of balance.
Why do your bandmates not help out a bit? If they don't know how to hook everything up, at least they could schelp a cab or monitor.

This is EXACTLY where I'm at most of the time. One of the bands I'm in is a three piece, and if we work in town, guitar player brings the PA, out of town, I supply it. All three of us work on schlepping the gear and nobody ever seems to leave before all of us are loaded up and paid. Good bunch of guys. The othere bands I work with follow more or less the same scheme. I never have to ask for help and usually end with more help than I need. But that's pretty much been my experience for as long as I've been playing. Guess I've just been lucky.

 

[Acoop]

Why aren't you driving and serving the band van and dropping off the band uniforms at the dry cleaners. ... Have you considered that maybe you're just lazy? ...
Here's a serious thought, #1) Pass around the duties to lighten your work load if that's what you're feeling or #2) If it's extra money you'd like, you're opening a serious can of worms and it won't end up well. ... One way or the other you should resolve the issue before it makes playing in the band hell. ... Good luck.

 

[ArtechnikA]

...if you didn't say at the start that you wanted more money, too late now.

I'm of two minds on this...
In this instance "at the beginning" was 12 years ago.
Surely this is not the only circumstance that has changed...
It might be 'the job' but in most jobs, there is a periodic re-negotiation of the job description, compensation, and conditions.
OTOH, it's a running gag through the 'Lethal Weapon' series - "I'm getting too old for this sh!t..."
And yet they keep doing it...

I have worked with leeches, who think all they have to do is plug in an amp and play.
But not for a while...

 

[redwingxix]

I've been in bands where I've done the most, and bands where others did. We always split evenly. Having said that, If a member was doing more than the rest, I'd be OK with them getting a bigger share. I'd suggest saying something like:

"Hey guys I've been doing a, b, and c for years, and am kind of tired of it. Let's talk. I have 3 options, maybe there are more? Mine are:

1. Someone else takes over my duties.
2. We hire someone to do them.
3, I get compensated for the extra work.

What do y'all think?"

4. "Good luck in your future endeavors, former bandmates".

 

[Ronzo]

I have worked with leeches, who think all they have to do is plug in an amp and play.

Obviously, you have only played in instrumental bands. Singers walk up to the mic that YOU’VE provided 10 seconds before the start of the set, tap it, and sing.

Then, at the end of the gig, vanish into thin air.

 

[Nickweissmusic]

Many of those things you say are true, I do the majority of the hauling, often find myself wrapping up cords while others are at the bar. Call me crazy but I believe wrapping them up correctly rather than throwing a pile in the case makes it easier to set up the next time! And as I said calm discussions have been tried and are a temp fix at best. Advocating for myself is the right way to say it.

Bye, Felicia...

 

[lfmn16]

I've been in bands where I've done the most, and bands where others did. We always split evenly. Having said that, If a member was doing more than the rest, I'd be OK with them getting a bigger share. I'd suggest saying something like:

"Hey guys I've been doing a, b, and c for years, and am kind of tired of it. Let's talk. I have 3 options, maybe there are more? Mine are:

1. Someone else takes over my duties.
2. We hire someone to do them.
3, I get compensated for the extra work.

What do y'all think?"

If someone else wants to the work for free, I'm OK with that. If someone else wants to get paid to provide the PA I'm OK with that. If someone else want extra $$$ to book gigs, I'm OK with that. I don't charge (or expect) extra when I provide PA or book gigs, I'm OK with that.

 

[JohnnyBottom]

Playing in venues with FOH is a pleasure.

Subbing is a pleasure because I dont have to deal with PA and I get paid what
was offered. Sometimes less, sometimes more than the bands members get

Having to deal with bringing our own sound/light system is a ton of extra work.
Everybody helps load in , setup and especially load out.
If not they will be uncompensated appropriately.
Its more about the work at the gig than who owns the pieces.
IMHO..In these cases we are getting paid to load in, setup and load out.
Playing is easy.

 

[lfmn16]

Playing is easy.

You nailed that. As the old joke goes, I'll play for free, but I'm going to have to charge you to set up and tear down.

 

[bherman]

Unless you also own the PA, I don't see your situation as that unusual or egregious. Besides, that ship sailed 11 or 12 years ago. If the band is soon to break up anyway, why create some animosity now?

Agree with this, in my 60+ yrs of experience on this earth if there's one thing that I've learned it is to pick your battles. This is not a big issue, and why sour the relationship over it? You never know what the future will bring.

 

[bherman]

Obviously, you have only played in instrumental bands. Singers walk up to the mic that YOU’VE provided 10 seconds before the start of the set, tap it, and sing.

Then, at the end of the gig, vanish into thin air.

Too true - I pleay in a band with a mandolin player. He always shows up 15 minutes before downbeat, heads to the bar for a beer then plugs in at the last possible minute ("wait - I need to tune up!")

 

[Ronzo]

You only need one singer to change a light bulb. They hold the bulb in the socket, and wait for the world to revolve around them.

 

[bfields]

I wouldn't try to get into an argument about what's fair. People have different skills and have fun doing different kinds of things, and there are a million different ways to divide up the labor and the money in a band, and what works great for one group of people may be terrible for another. You're not going to find the one true manual for how to fairly split up the work in a band.

I'd state things in terms of what you want or need or feel. "I'm starting to dread gigs, it just feels like work to me." "I feel unappreciated." "I need to get home earlier." "I want more time for other projects." Or whatever. Be honest, and then there's nothing really for them to argue about, it's just how you are. Then see if they can help you find a solution. If you all can't find a mutually acceptable compromise--that's life, it happens sometimes, walk away and no hard feelings, you just weren't compatible.

(If they aren't even willing to talk about it, or do but then don't follow through on what they promised--argh, better to leave sooner rather than later, before you start saying things you regret.)

My sympathies, it sounds frustrating.

 

[newwavefrank]

I my band (and it is MY band) we all get there early to set up and stay to tear down. i think everyone does what they need to and can onstage and I can't see paying someone more because they are playing and singing, or starting the click track, or stepping on a light pedal, etc. That being said, I do all the extra stuff before and after the gig. Booking, set lists, all the management, supply the PA, fog juice, gaffers tape, pay for advertising, etc. For THOSE things I take an extra cut. We are a six piece band. We divide by 7 and i get two.

 

[Big Hoss]

Has it always been this way with your band? Is this just now bothering you? I get the impression that other members may have previously done more of their "fair share for the compensation" but have slacked off. If that is the case, and they are sliding the work to you over time, yes you are within your rights to speak up and ask for more money, or insist on more help on the gigs... If this is how you have always operated, you might mention that it is wearing on you as you are doing more than your fair share for the same money. Maybe suggest hiring a sound guy / roadie to take the load off of you and see what they have to say...

Something similar to this came up with me recently. Not music related, but AV support related, and I won't go into much detail here other than to say either let them take advantage of your good will, or don't. Straddling the fence until it gets on your last never is proably not good for anyone involved...