Is this gig even worth the effort?

[kesslari]

For me - if I wasn't asked my willingness and availability beforehand, with the details provided - I didn't commit to the gig, and would feel no shame about saying "go for it, dude, I'm sure you can find a sub."

 

[Nevada Pete]

My car is having engine trouble that day. Tell the guitarist he'll have to drive.

You'll get the same exposure whether you show up, or not. They already put your band's name on the playbill.

 

[jhm2112]

30 years ago- awesome, a gig! Nowadays- not a chance in H-E-double toothpicks.

 

[Nevada Pete]

It’s for sheltered animals, I doubt they are gonna remember what shape I am

They might if one of them bites you!

 

[Sergius Durante]

If this is non-negotiable for you, it’s non-negotiable. Stick to your guns and let the chips fall where they may.

Well this is gonna be a long drive, hopefully I find a QT or meet a band that are gear heads and wouldn't mind sharing what they use (another story: played a gig and the other band that night while all used cheap beginner combos, refused to share what brands their instruments and pedals were... and were rude whilst this swedish death band shared all there ashdown and eden gear and how they set them up. Coolest guys ever met)

 

[Sergius Durante]

It sounds like pure emotionalism on the part of your bandmate that booked the gig. I think he needs to be confronted with a dose of rationalism, most likely from from you. He seems a bit delusional with respect to the value of this gig.

He's a good friend but pretty dense to realize what it's like to A.) own a car B.) be in college that's far and already putting wear on my car, and C.) how much it sucks to drive for more than an hour straight, and then realize you need gas...

I lost my reality check hammer, anyone know where I can get a new one to whack him with?

 

[devnulljp]

Betteridge's law of headlines is an adage that states: "Any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word no".
Betteridge's law of headlines - Wikipedia

 

[Sergius Durante]

Betteridge's law of headlines is an adage that states: "Any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word no".
Betteridge's law of headlines - Wikipedia

best reply ever lol

 

[Nevada Pete]

There really is such a thing as a good exposure gig. But it's for the performer(s) to decide, not the purchaser. And it's up to the performer to utilize that exposure. Gonna stand there, staring at the ground and not mention your bands name, promote the merchandise and recordings you brought with you to sell, not mention the upcoming shows you have coming up and not collect names and email addresses for your fan club? Not do anything to set yourselves a part from the other idiots in Doc Martens and black t-shirts, and run and hide before and after your set? Yeah, you might want to start looking for a desk job.

That said; unless a large representation of your target demographic will be present or you really believe in the charity and its benefactors, this is probably not worth it. And to have it forced upon you, undiscussed, really starts it off on the wrong foot. As I've said before, too many gigs for "charity" are basically keggers for a cause and more about the effort than any tangible results.

"Keggers for a cause". I'm gonna steal that one!

 

[bassmama17]

So my guitarists set a gig for us that’s 2 1/2 hours drive to and from... for only 30 minutes.... 30 goddamn minutes, 3/5 of our songs we will be able to play... and no we are not getting paid, it’s for charity but my issue had nothing to do with getting paid, it’s driving for almost 5 hours for 30 minutes of “exposure” despite the fact we stil haven’t finished recording our ep/album/demo/whateverhedecidesitis.

I usually have to drag the guitarist around and his rig because he doesn’t have a car.

im very heated and am upset, We’ve had worser sudden gigs but this is ridiculous.

HAHA, one time my bandmates and I got pressured into playing something 3 hours away. It started snowing, took 5 hours and we ended up crashing and not even making it. Do what feels right, and vocalize your opinion!

 

[Bander]

You make it sound mandatory? I'd have to be busy, and can't make that one, find a sub. Which is an honest way of communicating, that that time will be spent catching up on the neglected choirs that go undone when I'm at paid gigs, or prepping for paid gigs.

At anytime, I've got a list of 20 things that have gone too long undone: laundry, bills, cleaning inside outside everyside, my turn to cook, honey time, light fixture replacement, water heater element replacement, leaking faucets, garage (good grief, lets don't even talk about the garage), summer cabin repair too long to list, way overdue for oil change - two vehicles, way overdue car washing - three vehicles, behind at the gym, guitar re-neck, re-stringing, malfunctioning amp trouble shooting, new speakers waiting to go into a Twin, and I just looked, and there are 17 unanswered messages on my home phone. Its been 17 for a couple days now...

 

[Taustin Powers]

Seems like the band has committed to play the gig. I would not bail on the band. Play the gig, have fun doing so - gigs are fun!

But also, have a very direct conversation with your guitarist.. Make it very clear that he needs to check with all bandmates before confirming gigs in the future.

 

[glocke1]

So my guitarists set a gig for us that’s 2 1/2 hours drive to and from... for only 30 minutes.... 30 goddamn minutes, 3/5 of our songs we will be able to play... and no we are not getting paid, it’s for charity but my issue had nothing to do with getting paid, it’s driving for almost 5 hours for 30 minutes of “exposure” despite the fact we stil haven’t finished recording our ep/album/demo/whateverhedecidesitis.

I usually have to drag the guitarist around and his rig because he doesn’t have a car.

im very heated and am upset, We’ve had worser sudden gigs but this is ridiculous.

Just say no...

2.5 hours away for the "exposure"? You won't get ANY people from that area to drive out to your hometown to see you play.

That said, there is always a slight chance some promoter or something will see you play, like you and ask you to play some other gig that's better. Something like that happened to a band I was in once.

 

[Oddly]

Mini road trips with the band can be a lot of fun and a chance for a little bonding.

I lost my reality check hammer, anyone know where I can get a new one to whack him with?

I am REALLY REALLY looking forward to reading how this band-bonding road trip goes...

 

[mongo2]

Doesn't seem worth it to me.

 

[Zbysek]

It could be worth it if, for example:

• you like to travel together and have no families or other commitments,
• the (short) exposure will bring new career opportunities,
• the charity cause appeals to you and your colleagues.

The fact that you are upset shows that none of the above applies, I guess.

 

[Colin Cunliffe]

Hi

Im fairly new to TB but already have read several similar postings. Ive been around music, both pro and amateur far too many years and I am still blown over by the number of musicians who PAY to perform.

Why pay, because of these;
Cost of tuition (maybe if tutor used)
Cost of equipment (I dont even want to do the sums but with strings about £35....)
Insurance for that kit (WHAT - NO INSURANCE)
Wear & tear, in load, out load, just using the kit (not taking into account accidents, refer to previous)
Travel time, gas, wear and tear on vehicle (actual wear and small dings and dents loading etc)

There are loads of other little bits that add to people in effect TAKING money out of YOUR pocket.

Go to a solicitor, doctor, dentist. Yes of course they gave you a freebie to get publicity, they did it as a charity.

If not that example how about,

You get into work tomorrow and the boss says " we got a problem in the other plant. Take this piece up there, by the way the company car is off the road, I can't afford to pay your gas bill but next near when the pay rises are discused Ill remember this, WINK WINK.

Yae right, Im on my way out to the car park as we speak.

OK so music, performing cant always equal payment, there is satisfaction, the buzz of a great gig, just the basic self satisfaction of a job well done.

I know all that fades when the bank sends my statement at the end of the month.

You already know the answer, and there are already postings about band discussions, contracts, agreements about booking gigs. They all sound too PROFESSIONAL, too inpersonal BUT they do stop arguments, fall outs and having to walk away AFTER you have invested so much.

PS professional is a state of mind NOT a pay packet.

 

[TreySonagras]

I wonder if showing my a$$ counts as exposure?

 

[ELG60]

I've been on this planet for a long time, and at some point during this journey I determined that one can only be taken advantage of with permission. I am no longer inclined to allow that to happen.

This is an opportunity to teach your non'-car-owning gui+#&!$+ a worthwhile life lesson about committing others to fruitless activities without a prior discussion and agreement.

Note: I love animals, but would rather donate my gas money to a local shelter. The only way that I'm driving from Tampa to Daytona would be for family, an individual with whom I have a personal relationship, or significant financial opportunity, but you do you.

 

[Kmonk]

Gigs should never be booked without first discussing it with the band.