Financial Compensation

[bluewine]

For those in paid gigging bands at the local bar band level.

Remember, " I don't need the money, so it's not an issue for me" does not count.


Are you satisfied with how, when, where and the method of how your paid.

Do you get paid in a consistent format?

For example, lets say it's a four man band.

. Do you have per man dollar minimum for booking shows, if yes, is it acceptable to you?

. Are you paid or does your money go into a band fund? If your share of gig money or a portion of it goes to a band fund, are you ok with it?

. If your paid is it an equal split?

. Are you paid in cash after every show. Or paid whenever someone finds the time. If yes, are you ok with it?

. Do you have to chase your money down from a BL or other band member?

. Do you have a payroll and your paid by check on a weekly or monthly basis?


Blue

 

[bluewine]

I think a consensus would be useful of TBers that;

Are happy with how they are compensated.

Were told one thing regarding pay and after they were in the band it was another.

Are marginally happy with how their compensated, but would like to see some form of change or improvement.

Are very disappointed to the point of contemplating leaving the band.

Blue

 

[Phalex]

Equal split. At least $100.00 per man per night (2 nights per gig being the norm). There is always a check, but 99% of the time the bar will cash it at the end of the night. If they do not cash the check money is available mid week at practice.

 

[RustyAxe]

Are you satisfied with how, when, where and the method of how your paid.
Do you get paid in a consistent format?
For example, lets say it's a four man band.

. Do you have per man dollar minimum for booking shows, if yes, is it acceptable to you?

. Are you paid or does your money go into a band fund? If your share of gig money or a portion of it goes to a band fund, are you ok with it?

. If your paid is it an equal split?

. Are you paid in cash after every show. Or paid whenever someone finds the time. If yes, are you ok with it?

. Do you have to chase your money down from a BL or other band member?

. Do you have a payroll and your paid by check on a weekly or monthly basis?


Blue

Happy. Minimum guaranteed. Cash in hand every night. No 1099's. Equal split, band leader gets a bonus (he books all the gigs). No band fund, everyone's responsible for their own instruments, amp, mics, stand, and other gear.

 

[agreatheight]

Me in a cover band:

• $75 minimum for 3 hours / $100 minimum for 4 hours.
• Cash money (unless predetermined special situation) paid after the gig.
• I do not need an even split if someone is doing more.

I usually work out problems with pay this way:

• A problem with a venue or host not paying my minimum amount, I won't play the venue again.
• Three problems with minimum pay I will leave the band.

I don't have too many problems.

 

[Pacman]

Different bands.

Original band - equal split. Band fund pays for recordings and common gear. Expenses are covered first (hotels, gas, etc) Check after the gig.

Cover band - definitely unequal split. I know the other guys aren't all making what I'm making. Check once per week. Expenses above the check, no band fun.

hired gun gigs - again, unequal split. Check including expenses at the gig.

I've *never* had to chase my money down from a BL.

 

[bluewine]

Me, equal split. $100.00 per man minimum for 4 hours shows.

No band fund.

Fees may vary for higher profile 90 minute festival shows.

Paid right after a show either during load out or right after. I've never had to ask about money issues or chase down money.

Unless a band was billing in excess of 3k shows would I even listen to why the split isn't equal.

No "Monkey Business".

* I ask specific and all questions regarding compensation before accepting an offer to become a full band member.

Blue

 

[bluewine]

Me in a cover band:
[*]I do not need an even split if someone is doing more.

I get it, and understand an unequal split. I get the what's fair is fair, getting paid more if your doing more.

However at my level, $400.00 - $500.00 bar/ club gigs I would only agree to an equal split.

If your talking big money where you can play more with the margins, that's another story.

Blue

 

[Gaius46]

Equal split. No band fund. For a typical bar gig it's $100 a man for a four piece paid on the night of the gig. In general the guy who got the gig - usually either me or the guitar player - deals with the venue and doles out the cash afterwards.

We've done some gigs for larger organizations that have wanted to pay by check. That's typically a couple of weeks to a month after - depending on who their accounts payable works - and typically is more money, in the $300 /man range.

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

I'll read the rest of the replies tomorrow, but: our singer books most gigs so far. He has 2 prices: with our without PA - up to the venue to decide if they wanna provide it themselves. But we get a more or less guaranteed amount of money per band member. Either I collect on the night or I just tell him: "Pay me at the next rehearsal." Everyone gets an equal share and occasionally money is put aside to pay rehearsals (a fund I "manage"). So far, it works out great.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Delayed payment thanks to bar accounts people dragging their feet is fairly common here.

We pay a small commission to our agent which probably gives a poor hourly rate for all his accountant prodding.

 

[pedro]

Do you get paid in a consistent format?

We get about the same for each 3 set bar gig we do. We do get more for weddings.

. Do you have per man dollar minimum for booking shows, if yes, is it acceptable to you?

We get what the market seems to allow.

. Are you paid or does your money go into a band fund? If your share of gig money or a portion of it goes to a band fund, are you ok with it?

No band fund and don't want one.

. If your paid is it an equal split?

Yes.

. Are you paid in cash after every show. Or paid whenever someone finds the time. If yes, are you ok with it?

Always in cash at the end of the night.

. Do you have to chase your money down from a BL or other band member?

No see above.

. Do you have a payroll and your paid by check on a weekly or monthly basis?

LOL!! Err...no.

 

[bluewine]

Interesting replys, so far I'd say based on your responses, most are ok with how they're compensated.

Blue

 

[nortonrider]

The last band I played in was a 4 man blues outfit.
The way it worked was pay was split 5 ways and the bandleader got 2 shares.

The band was named after him, he owned the PA, did all of the booking, promotion,
managed the website, and we practiced at his house.

We all thought that it was fair and it worked for us.

Pay was usually $80. a gig ($400. for the whole band) and a few times we made $100. per share ($500. night).

 

[JumboJack]

I'd say when it comes down to it after overhead "most" bar band members make about 10.00/12.00 an hour.Maybe...

 

[Rockbassist4]

I have always been paid in cash at the end of the night. For some larger higher paying gigs, I have received half before the gig and the rest after. Every band I have been in has a minimum but sometimes we have played for less if it was a good opportunity or even free if it was a benefit to raise money for a good cause.

 

[bluewine]

The last band I played in was a 4 man blues outfit.
The way it worked was pay was split 5 ways and the bandleader got 2 shares.

The band was named after him, he owned the PA, did all of the booking, promotion,
managed the website, and we practiced at his house.

We all thought that it was fair and it worked for us.

Pay was usually $80. a gig ($400. for the whole band) and a few times we made $100. per share ($500. night).

Great example of the unequal split and the members are cool with it.

Interesting, reading the response it really sounds fair. It would be hard to argue it's not.

However, if I were presented this opportunity and asked to join ( at the $400.00 per gig level) I would nicely decline the offer.

What would you do ( under normal circumstances ) ?

Blue

 

[Floyd Eye]

Equal split. Minimum $100 per man. Only myself, my original guitarist and my drummer throw in on band fund for common gear. We also retain all common gear in the event of ANYTHING. Always cash at the end of the night. Never had a problem getting paid.

 

[nortonrider]

What would you do ( under normal circumstances ) ?

Those were normal circumstances.
What part of it do you have a problem with?

If someone puts in twice the work,
don't you think that they should make twice the pay?

How much does your band make per gig?
How much do you make per gig?

 

[bluewine]

Those were normal circumstances.
What part of it do you have a problem with?

If someone puts in twice the work,
don't you think that they should make twice the pay?

How much does your band make per gig?
How much do you make per gig?

I wouldn't say I have a problem with it, I do think it's fair. However it's just not for me. That offer would be a better match for someone else.

All I can say is, I'm and equal split guy, at that level. Now,if it was a band booking at the $1,500.00- $2,000.00 level,I would consider the offer. The margin is too low a the $400.00 per gig level for me.

My bands minimum 4 hour bar/ club gig fee is $400.00. We are a 4 peice. My split is $100.00

blue