Just found out my band was...

[glocke1]

You're curious.
Okay, I didn't want to make a long string in the tittle so here it is: Just found out my band was formed to play for free!
Yes, you read it right. Probably I didn't go to that early rehearsal but the BL claimed that they talked about it and everybody agreed to that. I know I wouldn't accept it. We had a gig (non paying big event) this Sunday for a friend of BL. Probably he was being paid behind our back, I'm not sure, but he was giving us too much pressure to give an excellent show, we had to learn new songs in a short time, etc. Even if we were given a good amount, we were asked for too much. I asked if we were being paid and how much and he got like crazy, Are you serious?!!! YOU NEED TO BE 100% READY FOR THE SHOW!!! (which I was)
He said we were not that good so we couldn't charge nothing, so we had to play pro bono. I responded we were good, and we had to get paid for our work, $1 or $1000, etc, amount doesn't matter. Got into a big argument. It ended up with me quitting the band, just 4 days before the event. Oh, he had some other events lined up for us. Funny how those were for his friends birthdays, business friends, relatives, etc.
The music in the 4 sets we worked on the last 6 months was very good. I liked it. But no interest for playing in bars, events, etc with a monetary retribution. I mean, I didn't want to get rich playing in bars, I guess nobody does, but that was a weird band. Any similar experiences to anyone out there?

I was in one of those bands at one time.

At first I didn't mind too much, the rehearsals were just minutes from my house, most gigs were within 20-30 minutes and at the time it was the only game in town for me. Honestly it was also a choice between staying home on a Friday night and not doing anything or going out and doing something.

As time went on, they started booking stuff that was further and further away, including festivals that were poorly run, with no clear indication of what the pay will be, and with no comprehension of cancelling due to weather. Some of those long distance ones that I knew wouldn't pay I bailed on and got a sub. The rainy ones were the worst. Raining freaking dogs and cats out, and having to sit around for things to dry out didn't sit well with me at all, especially when it was clearly obvious that being out in those conditions meant either not playing at all, or risking equipment damage/electrocution.

I've since moved on, and never again will put myself in that position again. These guys seemed more interested in being SEEN playing than anything is the impression i got.

The only positive was it kept my chops up when there were no other opportunities available at the time.

 

[catcauphonic]

I'm willing to do a lot of things for my friends for little - zero coin, including band related stuff with my b-mates on occasion. But joining a band of unknowns, I can't imagine they not making that crystal clear to anyone coming into it.

Hard to believe that you would have missed or forgotten that detail had you been there when it was discussed, and if you missed that meeting ... those important last minutes from the last one should have been recounted for you.

How old are these guys?

 

[Alik]

I'm willing to do a lot of things for my friends for little - zero coin, including band related stuff with my b-mates on occasion. But joining a band of unknowns, I can't imagine they not making that crystal clear to anyone coming into it.

Hard to believe that you would have missed or forgotten that detail had you been there when it was discussed, and if you missed that meeting ... those important last minutes from the last one should have been recounted for you.

How old are these guys?

Around 35 yrs

 

[Bass Viking]

How old are these guys?

Heh heh, that`s a question I often ask myself when reading band management threads.