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TONIGHT SUCKED!!!!!!

#21
BassCliff said:
Hi,

Honor your word, even if it's just so you can say to yourself that you kept your promise. Be true to yourself.

I played in an originals band in the 80s, lots of gigs at all the "in" spots of Hollywood and LA. I was a hired gun for a couple of really decent, talented guys. I always got at least $50 for a gig, even if it was out if their pockets. They always felt bad when that was all they could pay me. I didn't mind because they were good songwriters and fun to hang with.

I've seen your situation countless times with "originals" bands. Not all musicians and business people are created equal. Know what you're worth and set limits.

After hearing your story I'm embarrassed to tell you what I make for gigs. I turn down $100 gigs all the time. Know your craft. Carefully choose who you work with. I'd rather stay home and practice than play at what I know will be a bad gig.

Admit it. You've had these thoughts about this group from day one. Be true to yourself. Play music you like with people you like at gigs you like. Be glad you've invested only four months. I'm sure you will find a better situation soon.

Sorry, sometimes I'm just too old to sugarcoat it. But I love you, man. :)

Thank you for your indulgence,

Basscliff
Click to expand...

Ok woke up had some breakfast and coffee feel better now. The guitar player in the band (Bl sidekick) texted me this morning that they have my money and nobody ripped me off (never said they did) I told him I appreciate it and that they need to know their facts about any gig they book and stand behind them.
He made it sound that he and the BL are paying me...not the bar. I feel it's wrong but I'm taking my 40 bucks on the pure principal of it.
I have been distancing myself from this band for the last month and officially resigned as bass player about a month ago. I honored the commitment to play next three shows in a row that have been booked then leave. I'm not practicing with them just showing up and playing.

The gig last night was booked two months ago and was set for $200 and drinks for the band. The Bl confirmed this. The last gig, next week, is one I booked about the same time also 2 months ago. It's in a place I have some ties to and a good room.
We will get the same deal there $200 with drinks. Being an orignals band that plays only two covers and two sets a night I feel its fair in my market.
I guarantee we will be paid in full for I set up this gig and know the club. They all will get their cut. I decided to stay professional here , have cooled off, and will play the final show and then I'M DONE!


The playing is getting sloppier by the guitarists. The singer who is good, was drunk last night and has fallen off the wagon (issues in the past) I noticed this last show. She missed allot of vocals last night and was not in her best form.
I am somewhat embarrassed to play with them next week and told them all we have to be better next week. The drummer agreed it was sloppy. I doubt anyone noticed since its orignals but the paying is not good. The drummer and I push the band all night and just get thru it. I tried to talk to him but he has a " it is what it is attitude" about it. He fully understands but is cool with it.

BassCliff,
Thanks for the solid advice, I appreciate it and know coming from a true pro it is spot on. I wish I could turn down $100 gigs but in my market and my abilities make that impossible.
I was there in the past pay wise with other bands and my sights are set on it again.
This week I got the call to play with a good modern and old school country band...all covers..good players who get out, gig and get good pay. I'm excited about the next chapter but need to close this mess of one first. Sorry about my rant but musicians have gotten the shaft for to long. Like I told them I have had issues with bars and managers regarding pay but never my bandmates. Peace.
 
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#25
bassbully said:
The last gig, next week, is one I booked about the same time also 2 months ago. It's in a place I have some ties to and a good room.
We will get the same deal there $200 with drinks. Being an orignals band that plays only two covers and two sets a night I feel its fair in my market.
I guarantee we will be paid in full for I set up this gig and know the club. They all will get their cut. I decided to stay professional here , have cooled off and will play the final show and then I'M DONE!

The playing is getting sloppier by the guitarists, the singer who is good was drunk last night and has fallen off the wagon (issues in the past) I noticed this last show. She missed allot of vocals last night and was not in her best form. I am somewhat embarrassed to play with them next week and told them all we have to be better next week. The drummer said yea it was sloppy. I doubt anyone noticed since its orignals but the paying is not good. The drummer and I push the band all night and just get thru it. I tired to talk to him but he has a " it is what it is attitude" about it. He fully understands but is cool with it.
Click to expand...

This right here tells me that you'd be wise to make it clear to your contact at this venue that this week is your last show with the current band and if the bar wants them back they'll need to contact someone else, however you are working with other bands and would love to set up a show that would bring in lots of drinkers to see your newest band. Time to start thinking about your name in the eyes of the venue owners.

Best of luck in your new country band!
 
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#27
Hi Mr. bassbully,

bassbully said:
Cliffbass,
Thanks for the solid advice, I appreciate it and know coming from a true pro it is spot on. I wish I could turn down $100 gigs but in my market and my abilities make that impossible.
I was there in the past pay wise with other bands and my sights are set on it again.
This week I got the call to play with a good modern and old school country band...all covers..good players who get out, gig and get good pay. I'm exited about the next chapter but need to close this mess of one first. Sorry about my rant but musicians have gotten the shaft for to long. Like I told them I have had issues with bars and managers regarding pay but never my bandmates. Peace.
Click to expand...

You're a good man, not like the stereotypical flaky musician. I'm sure you'll be involved in many more musical situations, some great, some not so great, just like the rest of us. Your new prospect sounds very promising. Thank you for accepting my counsel in the spirit it was intended. Please let us know how the new group works out. We're expecting lots of happy gig reports. :D

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
 
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#28
BassCliff said:
Hi,

Honor your word, even if it's just so you can say to yourself that you kept your promise. Be true to yourself.

I played in an originals band in the 80s, lots of gigs at all the "in" spots of Hollywood and LA. I was a hired gun for a couple of really decent, talented guys. I always got at least $50 for a gig, even if it was out if their pockets. They always felt bad when that was all they could pay me. I didn't mind because they were good songwriters and fun to hang with.

I've seen your situation countless times with "originals" bands. Not all musicians and business people are created equal. Know what you're worth and set limits.

After hearing your story I'm embarrassed to tell you what I make for gigs. I turn down $100 gigs all the time. Know your craft. Carefully choose who you work with. I'd rather stay home and practice than play at what I know will be a bad gig.

Admit it. You've had these thoughts about this group from day one. Be true to yourself. Play music you like with people you like at gigs you like. Be glad you've invested only four months. I'm sure you will find a better situation soon.

Sorry, sometimes I'm just too old to sugarcoat it. But I love you, man. :)

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
Click to expand...

I think BassCliff is right. You have to honor your word. I totally understand your PO'd-ness. I think everyone does. It's what YOU do next that defines you as a person and a musician. I can't speak as to your area but just about every musician around here knows or has heard about each other. Word will get out about you getting stiffed. Fulfill your obligations and in the mean-time look for another band. Be upfront and professional with everyone involved. Karma in the music biz is real for those of us in the "trenches". Once you make it big THEN you can be whatever you want. As for me and mine... After 50 years in this racket I've finally found happiness playing in small clubs and dive bars with a bunch of guys that I truly like. I wish you well on your journey.
 
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#30
Glad to read the part 2 of this story, and while I initially was in the blow-off-the-3rd-gig camp, BassCliff said it best. You want to be the kind of musician others can count on to keep your word and not be a flake. I'm generally that kind of person in the first place, be it as a band member or a member of the team on my day job, I will take a hit now and then in order to maintain my reputation as the adult in the room.

Best of luck on your future gigs.
 
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#31
rocu said:
When I saw the thread title I was expecting it to be about the Cubbies losing. Again.
Click to expand...
Lol :laugh: No in fact the only thing that saved my night was listening to my Indians win that nail biter on the drive home. I watched most of it when we were playing last night. That bar had some nice flat screens across from us. GO TRIBE!!!!
 
#32
Got to say that here in the U.K. the idea of being paid by a venue to play original material is pretty fanciful, unless that material is getting radio play and is likely to bring an audience in...

The best the band I play with can hope for on the rare occasions we gig is to not lose too much money. But then we are not only playing original material, but original prog material.
 
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#33
BassFishingInAmerica said:
Lessons are taught and lessons are learned.
Take them to school and do not play that 3rd gig.
Click to expand...
In the past I would of taken this road. I'm learning thru TB to be a kinder, gentler basssit :laugh: The guitar player texted me this morning and we got it cleared up. He had been meaning to get my practice amp to me at the gig last night. He could not since his vehicle did not have room with all the PA gear.This morning he put it out on his deck with my money. It's a short drive and I got my amp and pay :thumbsup: I'm honoring the commitment and will play my last gig with them next Saturday.
 
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#34
BassCliff said:
Hi Mr. bassbully,



You're a good man, not like the stereotypical flaky musician. I'm sure you'll be involved in many more musical situations, some great, some not so great, just like the rest of us. Your new prospect sounds very promising. Thank you for accepting my counsel in the spirit it was intended. Please let us know how the new group works out. We're expecting lots of happy gig reports. :D

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff
Click to expand...
Cliff much love buddy...again thanks for the solid advice.
 
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#35
ficelles said:
Got to say that here in the U.K. the idea of being paid by a venue to play original material is pretty fanciful, unless that material is getting radio play and is likely to bring an audience in...

The best the band I play with can hope for on the rare occasions we gig is to not lose too much money. But then we are not only playing original material, but original prog material.
Click to expand...

That's also true in my area. But my originals band plays a few places where we know we are getting paid, and we've gotten asked back (or at least tolerated our return, same diff?) so it's not impossible.

But if you were promised pay and then stiffed it doesn't matter whether it's originals or covers or whatever. A promise is a promise.
 
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#36
ficelles said:
Got to say that here in the U.K. the idea of being paid by a venue to play original material is pretty fanciful, unless that material is getting radio play and is likely to bring an audience in...

The best the band I play with can hope for on the rare occasions we gig is to not lose too much money. But then we are not only playing original material, but original prog material.
Click to expand...
Depends on the music but a good rock, blues or Americana band can expect about half of what a cover and gets in my area. There are fewer gigs thou. Not all the gigs pay in fact only two of the five gigs this band has on the books payed. Also last night and next week are the only two gigs I will get paid since joining this band. It's another reason I was hot last night, also another reason I left them.
 
#37
cronker said:
It's all quite strange to me because I'm the band leader, and here in Australia, I wouldn't think to accept any gig without a signed contract between artist and venue. $$$$ guaranteed.
Click to expand...

Australia is a better place than the USA if that's the case. An unknown local band would hardly play anywhere if they insisted on a written contract from most places. Guaranteed.
 
#38
40Hz said:
Australia is a better place than the USA if that's the case. An unknown local band would hardly play anywhere if they insisted on a written contract from most places. Guaranteed.
Click to expand...
It's the same here nobody I know of has a signed contract for a bar or venue. Public festivals, city events, do have a contract thru them always.
 
#40
BassCliff said:
Hi,

Honor your word, even if it's just so you can say to yourself that you kept your promise. Be true to yourself.
BassCliff
Click to expand...

His word, being an oral contract, was that he would play until they found a replacement. They did, and he fulfilled his word, but chose to play additional dates due to the experience of the replacement player. Then, he gets stiffed which is a breach of contract on the promise of pay for his services.

He can be true to himself by moving on, and letting the replacement bass player handle the third gig.
 
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