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How should we handle this situation involving pay?

jmattbassplaya

jmattbassplaya

Supporting Member
Jan 13, 2008
11,837
9,833
#1
Hey guys,

I have an interesting scenario I need help with. My band is playing a pre-game show tomorrow for a fraternity house from 12-4 (basically right up until kickoff), and one of my guitarists wants to leave our gig an hour and a half early to catch the beginning of the football game.

My other bandmates and I all dislike his choice of wanting to leave early, but have agreed that we'd be fine with it if he takes a pay cut. We told him this and he basically told us that he doesn't want to be docked pay and that he still wants to receive a full cut.

My question is this - how can I carefully explain to him that him receiving a full cut for less work would be unfair to the rest of us, and that him leaving early really is a slap in the face to the rest of us because it leaves us thinking that he thinks he's special and that his time is somehow more valuable than ours?

I'm really wanting to play this off as cool as possible because he really is a valuable member of this band and it would be bad to lose him over something this petty. Perhaps we should tell him that he just can't leave early because this is a job and that missing the start of a football game really isn't the end of the world?
 
#2
If you are playing a pregame show for a frat house, then tell em that you wanna watch the game and crack a few beers with them. I've been to a number of fraternity parties and they usually ended up being pretty cool.

If not, go with your instincts. You take a half day at work, your pay gets cut. You take a half day at school, your education gets cut. You take a half day with your band, you portion/respect/future credibility gets cut. It should be installed that leaving practice/gigs/whatever early should always result in a penalty (unless mentioned beforehand, and or an emergency comes up). It could be a very good deterrent for the future.

Obviously, you need to approach the manner in a professional fashion, f bombs are to always be avoided.

It seems pretty simple to me, but than again, its me speaking ON a situation than actually being IN the situation.
 
#4
jmattbassplaya said:
Hey guys,

I have an interesting scenario I need help with. My band is playing a pre-game show tomorrow for a fraternity house from 12-4 (basically right up until kickoff), and one of my guitarists wants to leave our gig an hour and a half early to catch the beginning of the football game.

My other bandmates and I all dislike his choice of wanting to leave early, but have agreed that we'd be fine with it if he takes a pay cut. We told him this and he basically told us that he doesn't want to be docked pay and that he still wants to receive a full cut.

My question is this - how can I carefully explain to him that him receiving a full cut for less work would be unfair to the rest of us, and that him leaving early really is a slap in the face to the rest of us because it leaves us thinking that he thinks he's special and that his time is somehow more valuable than ours?

I'm really wanting to play this off as cool as possible because he really is a valuable member of this band and it would be bad to lose him over something this petty. Perhaps we should tell him that he just can't leave early because this is a job and that missing the start of a football game really isn't the end of the world?
Click to expand...

If he's watching the game on TV, tough nuts, he can watch it at the gig. If he's going to the game itself, just give him a choice between getting a sub for him or playing the gig at 1/2 the normal cut. Tell him that having a guitar is crucial for this gig, and that if needs to leave early, you'll need to find a sub to fill in for him after he goes. If he says that his guitar isn't that needed, then tell him you won't be needing him for the gig at all and everyone else takes an extra cut.
 
#5
Papa Dangerous said:
If you are playing a pregame show for a frat house, then tell em that you wanna watch the game and crack a few beers with them. I've been to a number of fraternity parties and they usually ended up being pretty cool.

Obviously, you need to approach the manner in a professional fashion, f bombs are to always be avoided.

It seems pretty simple to me, but than again, its me speaking ON a situation than actually being IN the situation.
Click to expand...

It does seem simple, but it often seems that it's the simple things usually get blown out of proportion when it comes to issues involving money and showing simple respect towards your fellow bandmates. He's already gotten slightly aggressive at the idea of not being paid the full amount so I want to approach the situation as peacefully as possible. I also want to try and find the best way to go about this so that I can effectively explain to him that this sort of thing isn't something that's going to slide in the future. Honestly, I almost want to nip it in the butt right now and tell him, "No, you can't leave early." As you said, we'll probably get done early anyways since most of the frat guys will likely leave early themselves.
 
#6
jive1 said:
If he's watching the game on TV, tough nuts, he can watch it at the gig. If he's going to the game itself, just give him a choice between getting a sub for him or playing the gig at 1/2 the normal cut. Tell him that having a guitar is crucial for this gig, and that if needs to leave early, you'll need to find a sub to fill in for him after he goes. If he says that his guitar isn't that needed, then tell him you won't be needing him for the gig at all and everyone else takes an extra cut.
Click to expand...

He's actually going to the game... but so is the rest of the band lol. The rest of us realize that missing the first 15-30 minutes of the game isn't going to be the end of the world.

Also, the setlist we're playing is about half covers and half originals, so getting a sub really isn't all that possible on such short notice.
 
#8
Kick him in the nuts and say, 'there's your cut!'

OK that may not actually solve any problems.

If he is pissed because he wants to do less work for the same money, you need to just tell him no. Split early and take a pay cut, or hold out 'til the bitter end (like the rest of you) and get a full share; pick one. Unless he is routinely doing other stuff for the band that he feels he is shortchanged for there is no reason to feel entitled to what he is asking.

If he does do other stuff that he feels he is shortchanged for then it gets more complicated.
 
#9
I would let him know if going to the game is really that important to him, it's totally cool. Go to the game. Also let him know that cutting out half way through the gig is not going to fly either. Very unprofessional. So his choice. Game or gig, not both. If he chooses game, get a sub. No harm no foul. If he chooses gig, then stay until the end. If he's pro, he should understand and respect the band's decision. If not, maybe you might want to re-evaluate just how valuable his position is.
 
#11
jmattbassplaya said:
Also, the setlist we're playing is about half covers and half originals, so getting a sub really isn't all that possible on such short notice.
Click to expand...

Sure it is. If the gig pays well enough, you can find a sub for anything.

Another approach is to say that your contract or agreement was for X number of players, and if you come up short, they have a legit reason to not pay you the full amount, be pissed off, not book you in the future, etc. If you paid for a dozen donuts, and only got 11, you'd be pissed and ask for a refund or another donut.

And I understand being crazy about football. I've subbed myself out for a big game, and if I can't, I have been known to set up a small TV near my monitor.
 
#12
Oh, did not realize that he was actually going to the game. Hmm.. everyone is saying the same thing but I really can understand his position. If he paid for a ticket he wants to see every minute of the game, get the parking portion done, get a beer, and the whole nine yards. If you are going to be a half hour late for the game, than you gotta take parking and other time needed to get everything done so you can get to your seats.

I am funny when it comes to money, if I spend it on something I want the full 100% that comes with it. I can see how other people would be like that too.

Perhaps discussing a time change with the fraternity people. Make it until 3:20, ten minutes to pack up and the rest of the time to get to the show. That way you accommodate getting to the game on time, and perhaps your dude will stick around until then.
 
#14
Papa Dangerous said:
Oh, did not realize that he was actually going to the game. Hmm.. everyone is saying the same thing but I really can understand his position. If he paid for a ticket he wants to see every minute of the game, get the parking portion done, get a beer, and the whole nine yards. If you are going to be a half hour late for the game, than you gotta take parking and other time needed to get everything done so you can get to your seats.

I am funny when it comes to money, if I spend it on something I want the full 100% that comes with it. I can see how other people would be like that too.

Perhaps discussing a time change with the fraternity people. Make it until 3:20, ten minutes to pack up and the rest of the time to get to the show. That way you accommodate getting to the game on time, and perhaps your dude will stick around until then.
Click to expand...

Tickets for students are only $10, and he doesn't have to deal with parking because his place is so close to the stadium that he walks. :hmm:
 
#15
Oh. Ef him. I am thinking a more legit football game instead of a school game. You can walk to the place and he needs to leave an hour and half early? What is that? Play until 3:45, pack up by 3:55, and take 5 minutes to walk. Game won't even start until 4:10 probably.
 
#16
Tell him the TalkBass community says to suck it, and do what he needs to do.
Or post a link on his facebook to this thread. Maybe he will get the hint that other musicians think he should play the show and be responsible. If you accept a gig, you do it.
 
#17
If you are within walking distance of the stadium, here's a win-win-win-win scenario:

Do your regular set from 12-3. Then when you are on break, break down your stuff and pack up. Make sure you work out getting paid. Then do your last set acoustic, as a marching band. Lead a bunch of drunken frat boys and their wenches to the game like the pied piper.

Win - Guitarist gets to go to the game on time.
Win - You handle the situation fairly
Win - The frat boys get a musical convoy to the game, making their frat look cool.
Win - The band gets more exposure

And who knows.....
If the team wins big, you might get a regular gig out of this.
 
#18
jive1 said:
If you are within walking distance of the stadium, here's a win-win-win-win scenario:

Do your regular set from 12-3. Then when you are on break, break down your stuff and pack up. Make sure you work out getting paid. Then do your last set acoustic, as a marching band. Lead a bunch of drunken frat boys and their wenches to the game like the pied piper.

Win - Guitarist gets to go to the game on time.
Win - You handle the situation fairly
Win - The frat boys get a musical convoy to the game, making their frat look cool.
Win - The band gets more exposure
Click to expand...

This is actually the best idea I have EVER heard! DO IT!!! xD
 
#19
jive1 said:
If you are within walking distance of the stadium, here's a win-win-win-win scenario:

Do your regular set from 12-3. Then when you are on break, break down your stuff and pack up. Make sure you work out getting paid. Then do your last set acoustic, as a marching band. Lead a bunch of drunken frat boys and their wenches to the game like the pied piper.

Win - Guitarist gets to go to the game on time.
Win - You handle the situation fairly
Win - The frat boys get a musical convoy to the game, making their frat look cool.
Win - The band gets more exposure
Click to expand...

So much win! :D
 
#20
jive1 said:
If you are within walking distance of the stadium, here's a win-win-win-win scenario:

Do your regular set from 12-3. Then when you are on break, break down your stuff and pack up. Make sure you work out getting paid. Then do your last set acoustic, as a marching band. Lead a bunch of drunken frat boys and their wenches to the game like the pied piper.

Win - Guitarist gets to go to the game on time.
Win - You handle the situation fairly
Win - The frat boys get a musical convoy to the game, making their frat look cool.
Win - The band gets more exposure

And who knows.....
If the team wins big, you might get a regular gig out of this.
Click to expand...

You evil genius you.
 

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