Gig pay distribution

[LBS-bass]

X number of people working, pay is divided by x. Nobody gets extra.

 

[Killing Floor]

I think you should hide a ski mask in your gig bag and steal all the band money after each gig. Just me?

 

[DJ Bebop]

my suggestion is to take the missing persons pay and divide it as tips to the wait staff/bartenders/service staff....that actually goes a long way in reputation points and alleviates your query

The last band I was in we did that regardless. Whatever the take was, we'd always split off the top tips for wait staff.

We got more jobs and call backs from that.

 

[Passinwind]

But this seems like a slippery slope to me. If you go down this path, then that leads to people thinking "well, I supply the P.A., so I should get paid more." Or "well, I play drums, which takes longer to setup, so I should get paid more." You start equating people's roles in the band with how much they get paid, and then it becomes very subjective.

In one of the bands I'm in, I bought the new digital mixer, rack case, power conditioner, and splitter to use for IEMs, and also advised everyone in the band the right equipment to purchase to be able to go IEM. The vocalist (and BL), drummer, and I always arrive early to setup the P.A. equipment; and we are usually the only ones at the end of the night that tear down and pack up. The other two members, the acoustic guitarist, and electric guitarist, usually show up 45 minutes early, set up, play, and then tear their stuff down and leave.

Should I get paid more? I put more "effort" into the band.

Yes, you should arguably get paid more, or the deadbeat guitarists should get less. But that totally depends on how you feel about the current state of things. I just did all the booking and PA related stuff myself in one band, because the other members were useless in those regards. It's not even close to a one size fits all thing, IME.

 

[majbass]

Everybody who showed up gets an equal split of the pay.

The only exception I can think of would be if someone essential couldn't make it, like the drummer gets sick and you gotta find a sub who costs $X for a same-day appearance. Then everybody else gets equal split of whatever is left after X

 

[Mastermold]

Drummers and bass players are not even close to mandatory in what passes for my world, but that would already have been addressed at booking time. In at least one of my old bands we would have refunded the customer the money for services not rendered, but our bookings were generally billed per man per hour.

Really?? Your band can play without a rhythm section?? I only play in rock bands, so the rhythm section is everything. Edit: I'm re-reading your post and wondering if I just misunderstood you. )

 

[LBS-bass]

But this seems like a slippery slope to me. If you go down this path, then that leads to people thinking "well, I supply the P.A., so I should get paid more." Or "well, I play drums, which takes longer to setup, so I should get paid more." You start equating people's roles in the band with how much they get paid, and then it becomes very subjective.

It's not subjective at all, unless their roles change. If one person is bringing PA, it's not unheard of to consider the PA an additional "member" and split the cost with the PA's share going to whoever brought it and set it up. The point for most of these sorts of arrangements is that it's agreed upon in advance by the members. It's not like the PA is going to call in sick. But the member who owns it might, and at that point you have a different problem.

 

[majbass]

It's not subjective at all, unless their roles change. If one person is bringing PA, it's not unheard of to consider the PA an additional "member" and split the cost with the PA's share going to whoever brought it and set it up. The point for most of these sorts of arrangements is that it's agreed upon in advance by the members. It's not like the PA is going to call in sick. But the member who owns it might, and at that point you have a different problem.

Could see that until the PA is paid for.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

All the bands I'm in or have been in, if one person can't make it, the gig doesn't go ahead.
All money is divided equally at the end of the show between the participants, unless there's an agreement reached beforehand that person X gets more because we all used their PA system that was essential to the operations of the show.

 

[Corevalay]

I guess in a literal sense, if you were hired for $100 (arbitrary number), then as long as you're paid $100, you really can't complain. That said, I would hope that any BL with any sense of decency or good will would split the extra money evenly over his musicians. But, we all know people and how greedy they can be, so I would never expect it.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Of course it depends!

Yes, for most bands playing routine bar gigs, it's customary to split pay evenly. If a quintet normally splits pay five ways, then they will split four ways when down a member.

However there are plenty of exceptions. If I'm a sub or hired gun, then all I expect is the amount I was promised ahead of time. If the band is short one member, that doesn't affect my (verbal) contract. And I don't know or care whether I'm getting an equal cut.

There are many situations where gross pay is never split evenly. I've been in bands where whoever brings PA/lights gets a larger share. I've been in bands where the BL gets a larger share for taking care of bookings, website, etc.



A significant exception: let's call it the Johnny Rockstar Quartet. Johnny is BL and star of the show. Everyone else, even loyal long-time members, are considered hired guns. I've played in those situations. I'm perfectly happy getting "only" $250, even knowing full well that the Johnny Rockstar Quartet is booked for $3000 total. For gigs with lower pay, say $600 total, then the split would be even (or close to it). But again, for high-dollar gigs, Johnny Rockstar takes the rockstar's share of the money, while paying the rest of us more than our usual rate. I mostly play in bands where all pay is split evenly, but in this case it's Johnny Rockstar's band, he's the main attraction, and I'm totally cool with the arrangement.

 

[RGerhart]

It's not subjective at all, unless their roles change. If one person is bringing PA, it's not unheard of to consider the PA an additional "member" and split the cost with the PA's share going to whoever brought it and set it up. The point for most of these sorts of arrangements is that it's agreed upon in advance by the members. It's not like the PA is going to call in sick. But the member who owns it might, and at that point you have a different problem.

The P.A. thing always puzzles me. I've never considered paying anyone additional for using their P.A., but that might be because I've always thought everyone in the band should help set up the system, and pack it up. If everyone in the band is helping with it, why should one member get paid more to supply it? That goes back to the slippery slope reasoning for me. Yes, the band needs the P.A., but don't the also "need" the bass, and drums? Are they paying me more because I supply a bass amp?

 

[RGerhart]

I guess in a literal sense, if you were hired for $100 (arbitrary number), then as long as you're paid $100, you really can't complain. That said, I would hope that any BL with any sense of decency or good will would split the extra money evenly over his musicians. But, we all know people and how greedy they can be, so I would never expect it.

Yes, I agree. And like you said, I would hope that people would have some sense and split the extra pay evenly, but it really comes down to expectations and communication. Which aren't always the best with bands, LOL.

 

[rtslinger]

We do equal

 

[Jack Butler]

Yeah, some places pay are based on the number of members in the band. Say they pay $100 per person. They book you; 4 person band; for $400 and only 3 show up. What then?

If this was in the contract or agreed to, then each person would get $100 for a total of $300. Seems straightforward. If it was not documented at all, yeah, plenty of room for misunderstanding/conflict.

 

[Egg250]

But this seems like a slippery slope to me. If you go down this path, then that leads to people thinking "well, I supply the P.A., so I should get paid more." Or "well, I play drums, which takes longer to setup, so I should get paid more." You start equating people's roles in the band with how much they get paid, and then it becomes very subjective.

I agree, equal shares all around, unless there is an understanding otherwise.

But, if I'm providing the PA/lights/other stuff, and it gets broke I don't think I should be solely responsible for repairs. It's my gear being used by the band, the band should contribute. This, of course, also needs to be spelled out in advance. If the band is unwilling to share that risk then I would be asking for additional money to cover wear and tear. If the band is unwilling to accept this either, the band can buy their own PA. This, of course, brings a new set of problems...

 

[Passinwind]

Really?? Your band can play without a rhythm section?? I only play in rock bands, so the rhythm section is everything.

I'm retired from gigging now, and was not much of a rocker at all by my last 15 years of playing out, but yeah. I've played more jazz gigs without a drummer than with (keys and/or guitar typically function in rhythm section in jazz anyway), and in many other genres like bluegrass I feel that everyone should be responsible for counting to four, or seven, or whatever.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

But this seems like a slippery slope to me. If you go down this path, then that leads to people thinking "well, I supply the P.A., so I should get paid more." Or "well, I play drums, which takes longer to setup, so I should get paid more." You start equating people's roles in the band with how much they get paid, and then it becomes very subjective.

In one of the bands I'm in, I bought the new digital mixer, rack case, power conditioner, and splitter to use for IEMs, and also advised everyone in the band the right equipment to purchase to be able to go IEM. The vocalist (and BL), drummer, and I always arrive early to setup the P.A. equipment; and we are usually the only ones at the end of the night that tear down and pack up. The other two members, the acoustic guitarist, and electric guitarist, usually show up 45 minutes early, set up, play, and then tear their stuff down and leave.

Should I get paid more? I put more "effort" into the band.

If that's the "usual" for you, that is your choice. I used to be in a band that docked people for showing up late to gigs or rehearsals. That was agreed upon by all and we all had to abide by it. I have been the primary gear transporter, and sometimes still am the p.a. guy, at least in large part. In the 70's I used an SVT w/2 8x10's. Moving it was my responsibility. I chose to use it. I haven't ever forced anyone to play a particular instrument or provide gear for me to use, so, no, that argument holds no water, IMO. I also volunteer to help tear down after gigs, unless something pressing (like another gig) prevents it. Some people like the assistance, others (like me) prefer not, so I can keep track of all my gear and make sure it ends up where it belongs!

The Bar Band Bassman

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Pay Received + tips / n members in the gig that night = amount to be paid out. Pay it promptly. I think that is what is expected most of the time. If you agreed to pay for $X, then you would still get $X. Tips should be split among the members on stage including the sound person. Don't do that and you end up with a band looking for a new member over some relatively small amount of money. Now, if you're headlining a venue with your band's name printed on the tickets an entirely different pay structure is in place. Where you fit in on that scale is dependent on your worth.

 

[Bruiser Stone]

1. Equal distribution of the no-show member’s pay, or;
2. Distribute proportionally to each member’s share if they previously agreed that members’ pay should be unequal for whatever reason(s), or;
3. Keep a general slush fund for common expenses and deposit the no-show member’s pay into it and keep a ledger so everyone knows where the extra money went, and how it is used in the future.

The BL should not pocket the no-show member’s pay unless that’s what the band agreed should happen in advance. Other members may not know, not care, or decide the BL is justified in keeping it, but band membership can change, or intentions can be questioned later if unrelated strife arises. Money is oft weaponized.

But the simple thing is just do #1 and split it equally, because life is short and I don’t want to be a lawyer when I’m playing bass. If I put in a little more effort off stage than others did, I’m just happy to be playing a gig. But that’s me.