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Some Hard Truths About Gigging

#4
Truth! Thanks for posting.

The link at bottom is also worth reading. Invalid Link Removed I've always laughed at the holier-than-thou guys in threads about downloading, when those same guys play in cover bands that NEVER check if a bar has its music licensing paid up or play covers in places or stage private events that it's clear pay no music licensing fees.
 
#5
So the bar owner can only look at things through his beer salesman mentality and that is what he expects bands to do, too. The band doesn't consist of musicians, but beer salesmen--nothing more. I realize it's all about money for most. But if I have to dumb down songs and make them mediocre just to sell more beer, I'd rather not play at all. I've probably already played enough gigs to last a lifetime anyway. C'est la vie.
 
#6
I'm amazed at the lack of people jumping up and down about how this has been brought up before. Talkbass is never this mature.

I think they're all important points to consider, but in any situation where collaboration between two different disciplines is required to achieve a result (hint: that's *any* collaboration), there must be some mutual respect. I think all of the things this BO asks for are reasonable, but if there's no sense of appreciation for musicians, or at least for music, you're shooting yourself in the foot before you start. There's just no way that 'Look, I don't care about what you do at all, just how it will benefit me' will get as good of a result as 'I will take some time to learn about and understand your expertise and passion, and here are the things I need from you'.
 
#8
I printed it out. We don't play a lot of bar gigs but is important to consider how you can make the night win-win. Maybe even mentioning that you are aware of this in your pitch to the bar owner would be good form. I always like when the frontperson or anyone in the band says, "and ain't the waitstaff great here? Give them a hand and a nice tip on your next round."
 
#10
Guys - that is just the truth. He is in it to make money, just as you are. If you don't like it, rent a space yourself and sell tickets to your concert, like the big boys. He is not there to support you are his expense. DwaynieAD, if you want to be treated the same as his beer salesmen, then work on commission, like his suppliers (the "we'll pay you a share of what the bar makes" deal that everyone lambasts).
 
#11
buldog5151bass said:
Guys - that is just the truth. He is in it to make money, just as you are. If you don't like it, rent a space yourself and sell tickets to your concert, like the big boys. He is not there to support you are his expense. DwaynieAD, if you want to be treated the same as his beer salesmen, then work on commission, like his suppliers (the "we'll pay you a share of what the bar makes" deal that everyone lambasts).
Click to expand...

but that's not at all what he's saying. he's saying your job is to sell my beer, akin to the bartenders and shot girls. what I said is that's all well and good, then put me on payroll and include me in tip share.
 
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#12
The alternative is that the venue does not have live music. The owner will do it if it helps him make money. Why should he pay you to play music if it means he loses money? You have a service to sell - being a musician that will put fannies in his seats so he can profit. Put yourself in his place. Again, if you don't want to play by his rules, then book your own theater and sell tickets.

I knew two guys who bought bars/clubs because they felt there should be more opportunities for live music. Both got out when they realized the realities (one went bankrupt, the other sold the place back).
 
#14
DwaynieAD said:
that's all well and good, but if we're just his beer salesmen then he needs to pay us the same hourly wages as his bar tenders and they need to tip share as well. What? that won't happen? guess we're not beer salesmen then.
Click to expand...
If you want tips, be a bartender. Me, I'd rather put in my hours on stage and not have to pour drinks and run a register and deal with Drunk Q. Public all night.
 
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#15
We know we are in the beer sales business. We agreed to a percentage, and it's not a huge amount, but it has been growing. I guess it is good to know that people like us well enough to spend money at the bar when we play. More money would be great, but so it goes.
 
#17
I've seen that before. Most bars would help themselves with attentive waitstaff! So many times I have been in a venue checking out fellow bands and I'm waiting 15-20 minutes before someone comes by and asks me what I want. Then another 15-20 minutes waiting on my order. That is simply unacceptable! THAT is how bars fail! Has nothing to do with the bands! And why is he hiring crappy bands? I'll tell you why...because they undercut the better bands and are most likely playing for a bar tab! Some of these bar owners are full of it! Been there, dealt with them!
 
#18
You have to PROVIDE Alcohol.....in a timely manner if you want to SELL Alcohol! Ever watch Bar Rescue? You see first hand how bars fail! Poor service was the #1 culprit followed by theft by employees! Not a single failure had anything to do with bands!

All too many times I had friends bitch and moan about the service followed by them telling me "Let me know when you guys are playing somewhere else, I'm not coming back here"
 
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