Sub work - how are you guys pricing your time?

[Pocket Dave]

My minimum for in-town gigs with mostly music everyone knows is $100 + tips, averaging $130-150.

For event bands where I have to learn complex material (think Steely Dan's Josie), my minimum is $200, which hasn't really been a problem getting. If a rehearsal is ever required - no one has required this so far - my rehearsal rate is $100 for 3 hours, $50 extra for one additional hour.

Disclaimer, I'm in the DFW metromess, the 4th largest metro area in the US, with gigs ranging from Dallas/Fort Worth all the way up to the Oklahoma state line.

 

[pepj]

My sub....hmmm..
Money was poor to start with and they bumped me $20...
I took the hit but wil make sure I get it back down the line. BL handles some gigs which we've benefitted from so our rate next time has just gone up $80.

 

[MrLenny1]

I was asked to sub last summer 3 days before gig for $100.00
Asked for a set list, got it with 90 tunes on it.
Asked which 40 tunes are you doing? They answered any of the ones on the list.
Have a nice day.

 

[Core Creek]

I was asked to sub last summer 3 days before gig for $100.00
Asked for a set list, got it with 90 tunes on it.
Asked which 40 tunes are you doing? They answered any of the ones on the list.
Have a nice day.

Yeah, that’s unreasonable for a last minute sub at $100. If they were smart they would have worked with you on figuring out the 40 that you could get down quickly. But without any flexibility that’s a hard no.

 

[Pocket Dave]

I was asked to sub last summer 3 days before gig for $100.00
Asked for a set list, got it with 90 tunes on it.
Asked which 40 tunes are you doing? They answered any of the ones on the list.
Have a nice day.

Good luck finding someone. Not enough money in any gig/budget to cover 90 songs in 3 days unless I can walk it on with all arrangements accurately charted.

If not, the fail probability would be too ridiculously high. Hard pass.

 

[pepj]

Yep, I agreed around 25 songs...half of which I could easily busk if the band was up to it. That was marginal but when the set came through it had about 40.
I asked which ones to concentrate on and said the ska tracks were hard work...mainly because I hate ska, and they said they do all of them. So with one replied e mail, 25 songs became 40..all for $80 for one gig, $90 for the other.
I called it off when they asked for a rehearsal as the band were unsure about subs. And I checked out their videos but thankfully I didn't have to go that route.

 

[Pocket Dave]

Yep, I agreed around 25 songs...half of which I could easily busk if the band was up to it. That was marginal but when the set came through it had about 40.
I asked which ones to concentrate on and said the ska tracks were hard work...mainly because I hate ska, and they said they do all of them. So with one replied e mail, 25 songs became 40..all for $80 for one gig, $90 for the other.
I called it off when they asked for a rehearsal as the band were unsure about subs. And I checked out their videos but thankfully I didn't have to go that route.

I was asked to sub last summer 3 days before gig for $100.00
Asked for a set list, got it with 90 tunes on it.
Asked which 40 tunes are you doing? They answered any of the ones on the list.
Have a nice day.

Bands that have consistent success working with subs have a clearly defined song list for the night with maybe 5 spares rather than a "we do 'em all" attitude.

 

[MrLenny1]

I sub in a Tom Petty tribute band (touring/ hotels/rv/ away from home) and I get a minimum of $500 per show 5 or 6 shows a week. But, I’m away from home and mostly pay for my own food. I usually have to share a hotel room (usually a nice hotel). They pay for all transport, often fly-in. But, all super nice guys, no excess drinking/drugs. No rehearsals, but I had really learn the show and ready to perform, look the part and ham it up on stage.
I also sub occasionally for a Johnny Cash Tribute (local) @ $250 and up per show. No rehearsal, easy and I know the show. I occasionally get an emergency call from someone, and I won’t do it for less than $200. It takes a lot of work to learn the material and be prepared “enough” to not feel embarrassed on stage. I hate winging it, and I’m not great on loud stages… it sounds like a wall of noise and I can’t tell if it’s an E or an A chord unless I look at their hands.

Hello, can I ask what the name is of the Petty Tribute you sub with? Thanks

 

[pepj]

Bands that have consistent success working with subs have a clearly defined song list for the night with maybe 5 spares rather than a "we do 'em all" attitude.

They weren't experienced working with subs.
They put the gigs out on SM...i think...and an agent who i knew..put them in touch with me. So it was more along the lines of a favour, and I find this is where you can let your guard down, because you think they know the score.

Its from gigs like this that I decided not to do 'random' subs because you can't assume anything.
If I don't know the guys because one or two of that band have crossed over into our pool .. then you should double check everything. Not least the band videos.

On our circuit, the gigs are open to all..not many places vet their rosta, so the standard varies hugely. And of course, many venues go for a cheap price and get what they get.

 

[Pocket Dave]

They weren't experienced working with subs.
They put the gigs out on SM...i think...and an agent who i knew..put them in touch with me. So it was more along the lines of a favour, and I find this is where you can let your guard down, because you think they know the score.

Its from gigs like this that I decided not to do 'random' subs because you can't assume anything.
If I don't know the guys because one or two of that band have crossed over into our pool .. then you should double check everything. Not least the band videos.

On our circuit, the gigs are open to all..not many places vet their rosta, so the standard varies hugely. And of course, many venues go for a cheap price and get what they get.

Just underscores the need to vet on both sides.

 

[pepj]

Yep, a simple 'not avaliable, sorry' is enough to not make enemies.
If you said band not decent standard that wouldn't network well...
Its just easier to not go there.