Wants to be payed for practices

[Brad Johnson]

The only time I've heard of getting paid for rehearsals is when you aren't "in the band", and aren't making any of the profits from original music.

We all want to make money, but the offer is what the offer is. He can take it or not. I would assume "coming in prepared and pretty much mailing it" is the expectation for the position.

No, I'd bet that it is the hope.

 

[Hand slap]

Hey all. I have been playing steady in the PHX area since ‘98, so it’s saying something when I say that this is a new one for me. I joined this “ Killers “ tribute band and we have been auditioning drummers for the last month or so. Had a drummer audition last Sunday, dude came prepared and pretty much nailed everything. Had a great conversation with him afterwords and he really liked what we were doing and wanted to be part of it. Sent him on his way and we all agreed that we should continue on with him, BL said he would call him the next day to offer him the position. Got a call from the BL the next day after he talked to this guy and he said the drummer had some “ conditions “. Come to find out, playing drums is all he does for making money and his “ conditions “ are, he wants a minimum of $150 a gig and expects to be payed $75 per practice for gas money. Like stated earlier, I have doing this a loooong time, been in many high/low profile bands and I have never heard of or expected to be payed for practicing! Many of my projects required a travel time of 45-60min and I never once felt like I should be payed to travel for practice, The $150 a gig is another thing that annoyed me, if we do not make $150 per member at a gig, tough titty dude, we all take the time and effort per gig, and we all deserve an equal share. I expressed my concerns with BL and after a long conversation, he kind of agreed. The BL thinks that drummer is just trying to see what he can get out of us and is going to call him and express our concerns over his “ conditions “, basically calling his bluff. I think that drummer was good, but not that good. Have any of you guys/gals heard or experience this??

I’m sure there are a lot of other good drummers, that are available, that would not have such an unreasonable expectation, of joining a band, that is probably I dare say, (weekend warriors) like most of us are? Send him on his way, I pretty much guarantee no one else will pick him up. OR call his bluff, if he declines, let him walk.

 

[Jephmo]

I was in a coverband that needed a drummer. We had a couple people try out but nothing seemed to be permanent. Finally, the guitar player said he found a guy who has a ton of experience and teaches lessons. Drummer came out and we really clicked.
After practice, the guitar player comes to me and says that I need to kick in money for drummer. Apparently, the drummer only agreed to come out if this counted as a "lesson" and I was never asked if this was something I'd be ok with. Not only did I not kick in cash but I quit the band.
Didn't mind the drummer's hustle, just didn't like not being in the loop when money was involved.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Sounds like he's a "pro" in both the literal sense -- i.e., making a living at this -- and in the more general sense of being really good at his job (i.e., showing up to first rehearsal and "nailing" it.) He probably feels like he can (and maybe actually can) show up at the gig without any rehearsals and nail it, so if you want him to put time into rehearsals also he wants to be paid for it. If he's really that good it might be worth it; it depends on what kinds of gigs you expect to be able to get and whether they'll pay enough for you to be able to meet his demands. I'm guessing that if those are his terms, he's in high-enough demand that if you aren't willing to go along he'll find someone else who will.

Exactly my thoughts. So many people aren't professional about what they do and strangely enough get offended when they come across one.

The whole who does he think he is thing is normal. The answer is apparently someone who doesn't need to spend time rehearsing. I've never understood the average mindset towards rehearsals... that they should be frequent and free. That may work in high school but when you play for a living filling your time with billable work is key.

Basic math should inform folks that the more time spent making the same money the less you're getting paid. If I have a $150 gig with no rehearsals that the band nails, the appeal of having to spend spend triple, quadruple or even more of that time for that same $150 is not appealing.

Here's how I'd look at it: you found a very good, competent musician. Is everyone else at his level, meaning do they all show up and nail it? Cool. Then who needs rehearsals?

If not, why not deal with that issue instead of looking a gift horse in the mouth? Get everyone else up to his speed and go forth.

BTW I'm one of those guys who often gets paid extra for rehearsals and most of my high dollar gigs have no rehearsals. The expectation is that we all show up and nail it. And that's what I do.

 

[Torrente Cro]

I guess by definition, he is a Pro because this is his PROfession. I consider a " Pro " being somone who is touring with major acts, not someone who just doesn't want to work a normal 8 to 5 job LOL. You speak as though you have experience with this, are you a " Pro " or " Amateur ".

I have another job and play for fun. If he wants to live from playing, however bad he might be, he is a pro

 

[Torrente Cro]

Sounds like a pro that won’t find a lot of amateurs to play with.

Once we had a pro joined our amateur band, we fired him after 3 rehearsals.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I’m sure there are a lot of other good drummers, that are available, that would not have such an unreasonable expectation, of joining a band, that is probably I dare say, (weekend warriors) like most of us are? Send him on his way, I pretty much guarantee no one else will pick him up. OR call his bluff, if he declines, let him walk.

And that mentality is why pros don't want to waste time with certain people. The drummer doesn't sound like he's a weekend warrior.

As far as being sure there are lots of good drummers... based on what? In my experience drummers who actually come in prepared to play actual songs aren't a dime a dozen.

 

[okcrum]

I’m sure there are a lot of other good drummers, that are available, that would not have such an unreasonable expectation, of joining a band, that is probably I dare say, (weekend warriors) like most of us are? Send him on his way, I pretty much guarantee no one else will pick him up. OR call his bluff, if he declines, let him walk.

This is the type of thinking that guarantees you'll never see the inside of a stadium, theater, or casino other than as a member of the audience.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I guess by definition, he is a Pro because this is his PROfession. I consider a " Pro " being somone who is touring with major acts, not someone who just doesn't want to work a normal 8 to 5 job LOL. You speak as though you have experience with this, are you a " Pro " or " Amateur ".

Your definition of a pro is seriously skewed.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I think you hit the nail on the head. Both parties here appear to be out of each other's leagues.

Not necessarily. The rest of them could step up the drummer's level. What's the goal for this band? That is key.

At this point I wouldn't tie up my time with a band that just wants to hang, drink beers and play the occassion low paying gig. By the same token if they're not locked into that mindset and are serious about quickly getting up to speed and accomplishing something I might give it a shot. I spent a year in the basement with a band years ago. Never again.

 

[Brad Johnson]

This is the type of thinking that guarantees you'll never see the inside of a stadium, theater, or casino other than as a member of the audience.

And wonder why years later.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Once we had a pro joined our amateur band, we fired him after 3 rehearsals.

 

[okcrum]

Not necessarily. The rest of them could step up the drummer's level. What's the goal for this band? That is key.

At this point I wouldn't tie up my time with a band that just wants to hang, drink beers and play the occassion low paying gig. By the same token if they're not locked into that mindset and are serious about quickly getting up to speed and accomplishing something I might give it a shot. I spent a year in the basement with a band years ago. Never again.

Yeah, I was referring to the present. Things could change...

 

[garp]

expects to be payed $75 per practice for gas money.

Where does he reside? Yuma?

There's nothing bizarre at all about his compensation demands. You're looking for a band member, and he's a hired gun. I am, too, and for me, rehearsals – if any – are always factored into pricing. I may not charge a la carte for rehearsal(s), but as noted previously, if I have to stand around twiddling my thumbs at a so-called rehearsal while other folks learn their parts for the first time, then I'm getting paid for it.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I have another job and play for fun. If he wants to live from playing, however bad he might be, he is a pro

There it goes again. How bad might he be?

 

[Brad Johnson]

Yeah, I was referring to the present. Things could change...

All signs point to you being absolutely right.

 

[DanGroove]

I agree with those saying it’s not unreasonable. Why do you need rehearsals. He already showed you he can walk in and play the songs with you unrehearsed. If you need him there for you to practice along with because you can’t do the same then you need to make it worth his time.

Maybe see if he will agree to rehearse for free one time every time the killers drop a new album? As far as having his own minimum pay demands, I’ve seen this before as well from many musicians and I’ve seen situations where not everyone is paid the same. Any idea what a pro level fiddle player can make? It’s quite a bit.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Not acceptable for a gig like that. I've been hired as a sub for things, and part of my condition is I consider the pay to somewhat cover the practices. A few times I've been asked to learn a bands album. They say we'll give you X amount for the show and 2 rehearsals. I say cool, but if they add rehearsals then I have to charge more. There have been cases where someone hires me for a hundred dollar gig, and then wants 5 rehearsals. I do this for a living so there is that difference.

For a long term project you're signing up for the project. This is different.

 

[bbh]

Hey all. I have been playing steady in the PHX area since ‘98, so it’s saying something when I say that this is a new one for me. I joined this “ Killers “ tribute band and we have been auditioning drummers for the last month or so. Had a drummer audition last Sunday, dude came prepared and pretty much nailed everything. Had a great conversation with him afterwords and he really liked what we were doing and wanted to be part of it. Sent him on his way and we all agreed that we should continue on with him, BL said he would call him the next day to offer him the position. Got a call from the BL the next day after he talked to this guy and he said the drummer had some “ conditions “. Come to find out, playing drums is all he does for making money and his “ conditions “ are, he wants a minimum of $150 a gig and expects to be payed $75 per practice for gas money. Like stated earlier, I have doing this a loooong time, been in many high/low profile bands and I have never heard of or expected to be payed for practicing! Many of my projects required a travel time of 45-60min and I never once felt like I should be payed to travel for practice, The $150 a gig is another thing that annoyed me, if we do not make $150 per member at a gig, tough titty dude, we all take the time and effort per gig, and we all deserve an equal share. I expressed my concerns with BL and after a long conversation, he kind of agreed. The BL thinks that drummer is just trying to see what he can get out of us and is going to call him and express our concerns over his “ conditions “, basically calling his bluff. I think that drummer was good, but not that good. Have any of you guys/gals heard or experience this??

One of my old bands paid us for gigs, rehearsals and all expenses. It’s great if you can get it but out of line for most small local gigs.

 

[Hand slap]

This is the type of thinking that guarantees you'll never see the inside of a stadium, theater, or casino other than as a member of the audience.

Dude, I get good gigs all the time, I consider myself a weekend warrior, as well, because I’m not a full time musician. I’ve done many festivals, many nice venues, no stadiums though, most of us probably haven’t. All I’m saying, I play with professional players, and I’m not even close to the top of the food chain, the best musicians in my area, which I know personally, some have played pro venues, if those gigs run dry, and they are back to playing the local scene, no one gets paid to practice. How about you, are you a Rock Star?