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My Band or My Conscience

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bad_andy

bad_andy

Sep 21, 2005
643
83
Omaha, NE
www.myspace.com
#1
My band has been hired to play what we were told would be a memorial event. It turns out that the promoters are organizing a political rally instead and the management sort of hid this from us. I don't want to start any political fights here, so I'll just say that this group is very far to one end of the spectrum and I can't in good conscience appear to be lending them even my tacet support.

When I brought this to the attention of the management, they told me that I was trying to impose my personal beliefs on the good of the group and that we'd play anywhere for anyone if they could pay. I do appreciate this point of view but I don't think that it would be apparent to an outside observer that this is the case. Our name, logo and likeness are being used publicly to promote this group and appears next to the scheduled speakers on their website. There's no way for an outside observer to know we're playing for pay.

At this point, doing anything but playing the show will endanger my job. Getting the right sub can be tricky even in the best of circumstances, but it seems dangerous if they think I'm not being a team player. I'm open to suggestions. All are appreciated.
 
#4
Well, unfortunately, that's a call that only you can make. For me it would really depend on what the demonstration is about. I would tend to think thta if a cover band was playing a demonstration or afterwards, it would be for pay. If U2 or Rage Against the Machine was playing I would think that they are strong supporters of the cause.
 
#7
I'd man up and play it. Make sure to let them know they will need a sub for any future political gigs if it really irks you. Most outside observers would likely not care about the band or their political orientation anyways. A lot of people with big money show up to some of those gigs. I spent a year playing in a lesbian fronted band and I was never concerned about people thinking I was gay while playing in a gay bar. I'm just part of the band.
 
#10
Rush Limbaugh just had Elton John play at his own event, and those two couldn't be more diametrcially opposed. You have the power to do it, too, if you want.

Full disclosure: I won't buy Circle K strings because of the political beliefs espoused on their facebook page, so honestly, I would be more inclined toward "conscience."
 
#11
bad_andy said:
My band has been hired to play what we were told would be a memorial event. It turns out that the promoters are organizing a political rally instead and the management sort of hid this from us. I don't want to start any political fights here, so I'll just say that this group is very far to one end of the spectrum and I can't in good conscience appear to be lending them even my tacet support.

When I brought this to the attention of the management, they told me that I was trying to impose my personal beliefs on the good of the group and that we'd play anywhere for anyone if they could pay. I do appreciate this point of view but I don't think that it would be apparent to an outside observer that this is the case. Our name, logo and likeness are being used publicly to promote this group and appears next to the scheduled speakers on their website. There's no way for an outside observer to know we're playing for pay.

At this point, doing anything but playing the show will endanger my job. Getting the right sub can be tricky even in the best of circumstances, but it seems dangerous if they think I'm not being a team player. I'm open to suggestions. All are appreciated.
Click to expand...
trouble is that even with a sub the band and it's logo will be linked to the cause and you will be seen as part of that band/cause......explaining to everyone how you chose to sit out will not be enough to extricate you,.and who want's to spend time explaining that stuff anyway......unless it was a real deal breaker like mutilating kitty cats or banning guns,i'd do the gig,and justify it with nothing more than "it's just a gig"

i'd consider the nra tee shirt to a brady bill event tho'.....
 
#12
I'd be inclined to boycott it but if the dough is much needed maybe play it but wear a t-shirt or stickers that advertise your true political leanings. That will irk them and could be fun.

A bit like Tom Morello's "arm the homeless" sticker in the hall of fame concert. i loved that.
 
#16
I think it really depends on what the issues are. I'm personally of a leftist stance, and would happily play a conservative/right wing rally if the money was good. But no amount of money would buy my appearance at a nazi/Bloc Quebequois/Green Party shindig.
 
#17
I can't in good conscience appear to be lending them even my tacet support.
Click to expand...

If that's the case, then it seems like you have a pretty clear decision. Sleeping well and living with yourself is pretty important.

At that point (if it were me) the question is how much is playing with this band worthwhile to you? Would you feel compromised if the band (without you) played the show? If so, you may need to choose to leave the band.
More likely, though, I would talk frankly with "the management" as you refer to them. Tell them that you understand them wanting to do the gig, but for you, it's not just about the money, and you'd be glad to arrange a good sub.
If they're not OK with that, then you probably would be well quit of them.
 
#18
Look....as a rocker who started out in the late 60s, I can tell you that "political causes" abounded in those days.

Oh, and thanks for not going off into a political rant. Those things piss me off. I DO NOT CARE which side of the fence the group in question lies on and neither should you. Work is based on work. NOTHING more.

Today, folks in the "entertainment industry" think that somehow, their opinions are so much more "enlightened" than everyone else. They are not. They are OPINIONS and you know the story about opinions.."Opinions are like a$%holes...everyone has one and they all stink".

Here's the deal. If you are uncomfortable about the job, discuss it with your bandmates. Talking is good.

When discussing the job, the primary question that MUST be addressed is "Will it hurt our image with our base fans?"

Again, in this economy, ALL WORK IS GOOD....so take that in consideration also...

I wish you good luck!
 
#19
SH69 said:
I'd be inclined to boycott it but if the dough is much needed maybe play it but wear a t-shirt or stickers that advertise your true political leanings. That will irk them and could be fun.
Click to expand...

Spoken like someone who doesn't play many gigs--irking the people signing the check is always dumb. That's a pretty crappy thing to do to the band and it could affect playing the gig as well as getting PAID for the gig. Not to mention catching flack from the entire room--not exactly a fun way to spend an afternoon/evening.


Either play the gig as a pro, or don't play it. But, to play it while simultaneously saying "FU" to everyone involved is pretty classless and would probably lead to getting fired from the band, anyway. So, then you'll be an unemployed hypocrite.


Honestly, most people there will simply see the band as "hired help." Do you think anyone associates the catering employees with the cause? Nope. If the front person isn't going off on rants or diatribes between songs, I would simply grin and bear it.
 
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