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

[markoc]

Personally, I won't even spend money on a cd that I play on. I've recorded 3 albums with one band I work with, BL plays me for my time in the studio, he then keeps the rights, profits if any, expenses, hassles etc. To me there are two questions that should be asked. Why would you spend money on a product you're not on & why should they give you any money for a product you're not on.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

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.

Are you going to make any money from these being sold?

 

[catcauphonic]

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?

Yea, but did they ask Ringo to pay for it?

 

[Aberdumbie]

Yea, but did they ask Ringo to pay for it?

I'm sure not. In 1962 he was a poor working musician like the rest of us. And fact is, my pride would probably get in the way and not allow me to do it either. Every now and again though, opportunity knocks and we have to open the door to see what's inside. The OP sees value in the group. He joined it. I was only offering what might be a difficult perspective to see from where he is right now.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

I still sell CD's all the time.
People like to take something home with them.
Vinyl is even easier to sell.

 

[pbass2]

I still sell CD's all the time.
People like to take something home with them.
Vinyl is even easier to sell.

Yeah, if I were to spend money on any kind of physical product it'd be vinyl! Heck, it's just way cooler too. Sure a club booker can go to a link, but if he got a 7" too that could be a real winner!

 

[catcauphonic]

I'm sure not. In 1962 he was a poor working musician like the rest of us. And fact is, my pride would probably get in the way and not allow me to do it either. Every now and again though, opportunity knocks and we have to open the door to see what's inside. The OP sees value in the group. He joined it. I was only offering what might be a difficult perspective to see from where he is right now.

I understand where you're coming from on this, buuut ... I'd have a hard time not being able to authentically say the music on it is mine, and them not even being willing to change the cover photo that indicates OP is a full fledged present band member, and to top off my distaste for the whole idea ... i think CDs are a dying format that will never make a lasting comeback like vinyl (which i would be more inclined to consider if they would at least change the cover.)

 

[catcauphonic]

OP, maybe as a token of goodwill (even if they won't change the cover or list you somewhere on there) is to offer them a smaller share than a full 1/4? (assuming the money is not at all an issue for you here)

 

[gln1955]

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.

Whoa! There's a different singer as well as different bass player? That's not even an honest demo CD now. Unfortunately, whatever they spent to record this is pretty much wasted since this doesn't represent the current band. The fact that they were impatient to record before that had a real band is not your fault, so don't buy into this.

 

[Mo'Phat]

Whoa! There's a different singer as well as different bass player? That's not even an honest demo CD now. Unfortunately, whatever they spent to record this is pretty much wasted since this doesn't represent the current band. The fact that they were impatient to record before that had a real band is not your fault, so don't buy into this.

No. Not sure if I misrepresented.

Three OG members are still here. Singer, guitarist and drummer.

 

[buldog5151bass]

The fact that you didn't play on it is irrelevant. You are a member of the band. You will benefit as much as the others. If handing out helps the band make more money, won't you benefit?

 

[74hc]

If you are a bonafide independent contractor, not a partner or part owner of the band, asking you to front the CD by investing is inappropriate, imo. If you are a partner with ownership percentage, then I view this as normal.

However, I would ask to re-record the bass tracks and remix on at least one song. This assumes they have all the original tracks. Alternately, you can add a couple of new tracks with the current band to include.

One thing you did not touch upon was who receives the profits from the sale? Are you included? Or, does the proceeds to fund band assets? Perhaps, it's meant to break even, or be a loss for promotion?

If I was in your shoes, I'd want answers to these questions... particularly if profits fund band assets, and what percentage of band assets would I own. Plus, how are these assets handled during a severance or separation from the band.

 

[gln1955]

No. Not sure if I misrepresented.

Three OG members are still here. Singer, guitarist and drummer.

Sorry for misinterpreting that. So, how many gigs will this have to get you as a promo tool to make up the cost? As others have said, an online demo link is probably just as effective. Are you really gonna sell many of these to fans?

 

[bassrich]

Bag that, If I'm putting up money for CD's / Media I am playing.

 

[bassboysam]

how much are they paying for CDs? that seems like a lot of money assuming $250 per person that's $1000. also who still buys CDs? not really a good investment. many people don't even have a working CD player anymore.

 

[gumtown]

A vinyl 45" 4 song record would be a retro thing to give away/sell,
or a hybrid CD one side vinyl record the other side (seems like a great invention to me).

CD's are a bit "Meh..." unless you have a gimmicky disc/sleeve.

 

[jalapejoe]

Screw that, I had a friend once who we had a 3 piece band and we were practicing in his newly remodeled garage (his new man cave) we only practiced once a month but he told me his new garage electricity went up to $250.00 a month! He said he was going to need $50.00 from me and the drummer for the bill a month! I was like *** man but ok heres $50.00 paid it to him 3 times!!!! Come to find out the drummer (his cousin) wasnt asked or never paid it, also found out his garage was being used for board game nights with beers with his buddies and other projects! Man was I a sucker! Your situation reminds me of that. Oh by the way his wife mentioned in front of us months later when summer was coming, his electricity bill went up $28.00 a month not the $250.00 he said.

Joey

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Nope.

Been there, done that. Bad idea.

 

[MDBass]

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.

You must be looking at pressing a pretty huge number of CD's if the total cost is potentially $1400.

Spending a few hundred dollars you won't get back to promote something you don't own and didn't have any part in creating makes no sense.

I'd suggest not doing that.

 

[Oddly]

Screw that, I had a friend once who we had a 3 piece band and we were practicing in his newly remodeled garage (his new man cave) we only practiced once a month but he told me his new garage electricity went up to $250.00 a month! He said he was going to need $50.00 from me and the drummer for the bill a month! I was like *** man but ok heres $50.00 paid it to him 3 times!!!! Come to find out the drummer (his cousin) wasnt asked or never paid it, also found out his garage was being used for board game nights with beers with his buddies and other projects! Man was I a sucker! Your situation reminds me of that. Oh by the way his wife mentioned in front of us months later when summer was coming, his electricity bill went up $28.00 a month not the $250.00 he said.

Joey

Wow.
That's just low.
I hope you ditched that guy fast after getting your money back.
You did get the money back, didn't you?
Guys like that can't be let get away with that sort of crap.