PA System question

[Stumbo]

I'd say the OP is not being taken advantage of on the basis that he did not consult the band prior to making the PA purchase...

As he stated, they did okay the OP's suggestion of taking a slightly higher cut from their better paying gigs. I think, given this particuar situation, that is quite generous of them, especially since thats all the OP asked for.

+1. I call this "After-the-fact" passive-aggressive behavior. Set up a situation on your own w/o consulting anyone or getting their advice, expend your resources(time,money,labor,etc), then ask for help to fix a situation that you created.

To me, that's after-the-fact BS, band or non-band. I see it all the time. It's also pretty easy to call someone on it. Sometimes they get all pissy and whiney about nobody helping them or nobody likes them, putting on the victim routine. See that all the time too. If you fall for their act, it will be a never ending battle for as long as you associate.

 

[ChrisB2]

I hear ya brother. My band, we all live real close, but gigs are a ways away. So, use to, we were all driving our own small cars to the gigs, kinda convoy-style. I decided, why don't I buy a big van, and we can all ride together? Well, I needed a trailer for all the gear, so I grabbed one of those, and I like nice stuff so I just picked up one of those high-top conversion vans, you know the kind with the big flat screen TV in the top, a beer fridge, opera lighting, leather captain's chairs, you know what I mean? The whole rig cost me about 80 grand but I wanted it and we needed it so I bought it (besides, I can use it for other stuff too, you know, family trips). But now, I'm feeling a little taken for granted because they're not offering to reimburse me a little for all this expense I've incurred for their benefit...

This is a fictional story, of course, but I think you get the picture.

Agreed, but the OP's bandmates also need to get off their lazy asses and help him with setup and teardown...

Maybe OP likes to handle his own gear. If I were him, I would rather set up/pack my stuff myself than have other people wondering where to plug something in or winding my cords wrong. People are nice and offer to help, but secretely I wish they would just let me do it. I'm kind of anal that way. Lifting, carrying and stacking is a different story though, and all offers to help in that regard are welcomed with a smile and a "thank you."

Myself, I help whoever's still loading in/out. But not everyone does. I don't consider the non-helpers lazy. That's just their personality, and we're different in that respect.

I gave up judging others who I felt weren't behaving according to my ideals years ago. It just leads to disappointment and negative vibe. (Except for my kids and other drivers. It's my job to judge them. )

 

[newwavefrank]

In our four-piece band (for gigs that don't supply a PA and we need to use our own) we split gig fee 5 ways.
1 5th of the fee for each of the band memebrs, and 1 5th for the PA.

I used to do the exact same thing, Except I called it administration or wahtever. i owned the PA, but i also provided shirts and other give away stuff. I kept a double cut. No one had a problem with it, but expecting someone else to bring it up is silly. You really should address it BEFORE something breaks, and youre stuck footing even more of the bill.

 

[newwavefrank]

Don't feel bad, I do all the bookings, all the contracts, all the personal contacts with the customers, I get equipment repaired or replaced when necessary, run sound, deal with band members personal issues, do the firing.

The band does help set up the PA and light and pack it out.

We split $$$ 4 equal ways.

My wife tells me I'm nuts.

I do hate it when she's right.

100+ for your wife. Split the money 5 ways, and you keep 2 shares

 

[Depth_Charge]

I play in a 3-piece. The bandleader (guitar/vox) owns the PA outright. The drummer and I figure since we all play through the PA and thats what people are hearing, we should all help load in, set up and tear down. The leader takes a cut for the PA (not a full share but still a cut) and we're all happy with that.

A lot of venue owners also tell us its unusual to see a band load in together, and that they like seeing it.

Win win in our book

 

[MNAirHead]

Band Gear and Band Funds are timebombs.

Seems as if either rented or owned gear works the best.

Not sure how "pro" you guys are.. it REALLY helps to have all gear and cables clearly labelled and a manual showing setup.

I've found the biggest asset is having the band mates know the order of how stuff is loaded in and loaded out. .. REALLY helps to have one person in charge of taking cable role call and coiling them up. With some care cables last a ton of time.. untrained folks can dork them in 2 minutes.


Like you I forgot to ask for comepensation... since I basically "own" the band. I'm changing the performance agreement pricing to reflect things like distance, early setup, PA Rental, Stage Rental etc.

I screwed up by not requesting compensation up front.

 

[singlemalt]

I've offered a split for the PA, but most times the bandleader doesn't want to do that. They own the stuff and its their gig. They've been around the block a few times and its just easier.
Heck, they might be taking extra money, but I know what the gig is worth to me before we play, and I get that amount. Sometimes, the band leader subsidizes the other players to get a job done. (need a sub on short notice? that might cost you more than an even share.)

I do try and go load the truck before, on the way to, gigs. The practice space is up stairs, there is some heavy stuff to move. When we arrive, I know enough about the system to get it wired and running, then check it. Its really not that much to do. A couple huge and heavy powered mains, a pair of powered monitors, five or six mikes. No snake. One light stand.

On the out, our front person, a female singer, and the center of attention, doesn't touch anything. And that's how we want it. Her job is to meet and greet, get paid, and be personable with the customers. She's on the lookout for the next gig, or somebody who might want to book a private party. She'll get some drinks sent our way.

We schlep the gear, its pretty quick.

I do carry my own mike and cable, and a few extra mike cables for spares.

I don't think any band should share ownership of gear, I've been there and done that, it never works out.

For the OP's question, its a bit late to ask for a new deal, but you can try. As it is, if you get a better offer, you and your PA can jump ship without any discussion of who owns what. You can set up a new deal with the new guys.

 

[RustyAxe]

I'd suggest you receive at least the same compensation that "the guitarist's buddy" got when you rented. Even more if the buddy was the one who loaded in and out and ran the board all night.

 

[steveksux]

When someone else is doing the loading, that's when you need to get some money put aside for repairs!

Yeah, good point, got me there... I should have known that.

Randy