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Help fund pressing an EP that I didn't play on?

I recently started playing with a band that wrote and recorded a 4-song EP over the past year. They then sought out a bassist (me) and now want to press a couple hundred CD's for marketing and sales.

Question: Should I contribute cash to press these CD's, or stay out of it completely?

Caveat 1: The EP cover is of the three other members and isn't going to change during this pressing.
Caveat 2: Although I will benefit from the sale and distribution of these CD's and use them as band promotion and marketing - it's not me playing on them. I can't sell them to friends or fans as representative of my work. I am also not listed as a creator or have any share vis-a-vis licensing.

But, does that matter?

Depending on the quantity, I'm looking at $180-$350 range for my share.

Hell to the naw. In situations like this, i feel the band should earn the money it needs through gigging. Not to mention the fact that i don't have any credits on the album.

More importantly, CD's are on the outs. I would seriously consider not even going that route as CD's are more so becoming obsolete. Release a digital album and save the cash.
 
you are going to try and sell a 4-song CD ? For how much ?
I'd say no way, not for that kind of money.
If someone is going to buy your music on a CD, they will buy it no matter what the packaging.
If they are going to be demos/promos, then you shouldn't be spending that kind of cash.

Do people still buy CDs? Just kidding...sort of. I wouldn't invest much into that format--certainly wouldn't do expensive packaging, even for a full album, in this day and age. I guess if some club owners really want a physical demo, then do the cheapest shortest run you can.
Since we're talking original music here, I'd put my money into the band's online presence and things like video before anything else (after the actual recording of course).
 
Interesting - some split responses here.

I am a realist. People do not buy CD's. I've only purchased music online for the better part of 7 years. I have made CD's in other bands and given them all away for free. This band, however, wants to make a real thing - and you can't really fault a band for wanting to make physical product.

Promoters or bar managers don't need cd's either - a business card with a link to your Bandcamp or Soundcloud can often get you the gig or not. A physical CD can't be streamed - and long ago are the times when a club owner would 'pop in a demo' and see if the band is any good. Nowadays, it's how many followers/likes/friends you have and whether or not you have a live performance on Youtube that's decent.

I know this.

I agree that the money could be better spent elsewhere - hell, even a Facebook promotion is probably money better spent.

I don't want to make physical product - but it's tough being the new guy and convincing them it's not such a smart idea.
 
Interesting - some split responses here.

I am a realist. People do not buy CD's. I've only purchased music online for the better part of 7 years. I have made CD's in other bands and given them all away for free. This band, however, wants to make a real thing - and you can't really fault a band for wanting to make physical product.

Promoters or bar managers don't need cd's either - a business card with a link to your Bandcamp or Soundcloud can often get you the gig or not. A physical CD can't be streamed - and long ago are the times when a club owner would 'pop in a demo' and see if the band is any good. Nowadays, it's how many followers/likes/friends you have and whether or not you have a live performance on Youtube that's decent.

I know this.

I agree that the money could be better spent elsewhere - hell, even a Facebook promotion is probably money better spent.

I don't want to make physical product - but it's tough being the new guy and convincing them it's not such a smart idea.

The thing I don't understand is why they would want to put something out as a duo when you are now a trio. If you're a bassist and they're not, you should rerecord all the basslines with your presumably better skills. If you can't do better than they did, why do they need you as a full member?
 
With the amount of time , money and energy that I put into an original project, I'd have to be on the recording. I know that I haven't heard your EP, but I cringe at the thought of someone tracking the bass who isn't a (very) good bass player to begin with. That's because I feel that there are nuances that only an experienced bass player can convey on a recording compared to someone who picks up the bass out of convenience because they don't have an actual bass player.
 
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The thing I don't understand is why they would want to put something out as a duo when you are now a trio. If you're a bassist and they're not, you should rerecord all the basslines with your presumably better skills. If you can't do better than they did, why do they need you as a full member?

The story is they searched for a few months and didn't find the right player - then opted to record with the drummer and guitarist covering the bass. They are surprisingly capable. They felt under the gun to release something, at least digitally.

It's a quartet now, with a lead singer.
 
The story is they searched for a few months and didn't find the right player - then opted to record with the drummer and guitarist covering the bass. They are surprisingly capable. They felt under the gun to release something, at least digitally.

It's a quartet now, with a lead singer.

But there's no rush to put something out. Sounds halfassed.

So the current singer is not on the ep either? Makes no sense to put it out as is.
 
Many people don't know that Ringo Star did not play on the Beatles first recording of Love Me Do. Their producer didn't know Ringo and wanted to use a studio drummer. Ringo was certainly not happy about it and at the time nobody could have remotely imagined what the future held in store for the Beatles. So if it can work out for the greatest rock band ever.... Who knows?