The band I was previously working with is recording this month. I however, did not want to make a three hour trip to record parts the guitarists can do better. This, for some reason upset them, leading them to begin talking mess and being dramatic. I do not appreciate unnecessary drama, and decided to quit. I wasn't really expecting much from the band and am not really good friends with the members, so I saw no reason to stay. I know I am the bassist and therefore should record my parts, but it is really inconvenient for me to travel that far just to record. I gave the band 1/5 of the cost of recording, which was $800. Do I have a right to ask for that money back, especially since I didn't even record, and am no longer part of the band? I was thinking of asking that the money be fully returned to me by the end of April, and if not, I would resort to filing a lawsuit/claim, since that is quite a bit of money for me. Could someone pitch in on how to handle this?
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Should I be reimbursed?
- Thread starter newyorkiddo
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I would just ask for all or some of it back. If they decide not to return any money I would just chalk it up as a life lesson.
I wasn't there, but it sounds like you agreed to the sessions, then bailed on the sessions, then quit. I'm not sure why you feel they owe you anything. Sucks, but that's life.
You owe them, not the other way around. If you can find a good replacement player to sub for the session, that would probably be good karma. 
Naah, they don't owe you anything. They didn't tell you that you couldn't record. They WANTED you to record. You agreed to the recording by funding it.
You then, unilaterally, decided it was too inconvenient for you to participate in being part of the group. Funny enough, some bands set great store about actually acting like you give a shite about the group as a whole.
So, how exactly, do you figure you should get anything back?
You then, unilaterally, decided it was too inconvenient for you to participate in being part of the group. Funny enough, some bands set great store about actually acting like you give a shite about the group as a whole.
So, how exactly, do you figure you should get anything back?
Well, I did tell them I would probably be unable to make it. They rushed into this, and I gave them the money because the studio wouldn't record the band if it didn't have the money. I was always opposed to the idea of recording so soon, but I felt pressured to provide the money because I thought they would understand. The way I see it, they were going to kick me out after recording, and just use me for the money
Sorry dude, but you paid $800 for a recording opportunity then bailed on it over a few hours of your time. Your free to ask for the money back, but if its already been paid to the studio i wouldn't hold my breath. Why was the 3 hour drive such a deal breaker for you?
jive1
Commercial User
If you didn't give them the money, do you think they still would have gone ahead and booked the studio?
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
It seems like you had regrets from the moment you gave them the money and instead of asking for the money back you decided to flake out and then quit when called out on it. If they were friends they might give you the money back but the certainly do not owe you the money. If they are currently in the studio, that money has been spent.
Well I work 5 out of 7 days of the week. My days of are days when the studio is not open. I work all but four of the hours the studio is open. I have four hours to get to the studio, and one hour to prepare and record. That doesn't seem doable for me.
Definitely not. Everyone was in a financial rut when the guitarist decided he wanted to record with this guy. If the studio was not paid for, the deposit would have been kept by the studio with no recording at all.
Yes, they are my friends. And roommate. They all know my parts. They are all better musicians than I am. They could all record the parts much better and efficiently than I could. I asked them to do my parts for those reasons. To make it sound better and spend less time
BurningSkies
CRAZY BALDHEAD
- Feb 20, 2005
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Playing in a band isn't always 'convenient'.
Some aren't cut out for it, unfortunately.
We generally don't 'group fund' anything because of situations like this, but I think you're out your cash.
Some aren't cut out for it, unfortunately.
We generally don't 'group fund' anything because of situations like this, but I think you're out your cash.
Well, you may have valid reasons for not wanting to do it etc. Peer pressure and all... But, I'd just write it off and move on. Besides, if all of you are hurting for cash, how they gonna give it back anyway? I don't see it ending on even a slightly civil note otherwise.
I mean, you did quit, and if in fact they can record your parts better than you, then they won't have to find a sub, or blow the recording op. Just one of those music thangs...
I mean, you did quit, and if in fact they can record your parts better than you, then they won't have to find a sub, or blow the recording op. Just one of those music thangs...
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
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Seems to me that a person ought to make up their mind if they're in or not. If they're in, they're all in. If they're not, they're not. I can't really see the logic in throwing money in the pot and then walking away. Like others have said, you can ask if they'll pay you back but I wouldn't hope for much.
It seems doubtful. As a band member who entered a contract, if anything, you violated that contract.
If you wrote them a check, there is a paper trail. You might consider running this by an attorney to be sure. Many attorney's will do a free initial consult and hear your situation to assess the case.
EDIT: Start by politely asking the band leader if there is any remedy short of you flushing $800.00. That is a lot of money. And scrutinize the advice of strangers on the internet (including me).
If you wrote them a check, there is a paper trail. You might consider running this by an attorney to be sure. Many attorney's will do a free initial consult and hear your situation to assess the case.
EDIT: Start by politely asking the band leader if there is any remedy short of you flushing $800.00. That is a lot of money. And scrutinize the advice of strangers on the internet (including me).
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Your chances of finding an attorney interested in filing a lawsuit over $800 are somewhere between zero and not in a million years. Sorry.
And why is the guitarist better able to play your part? Sorry again.
And why is the guitarist better able to play your part? Sorry again.
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