Would you walk?

[MoeTown1986]

Simple for me... if I'm not making money, currently or potentially in the future, I'd walk.

My thoughts exactly. I play music to make money. Not spend it. Though, spending is ok if you're making more in return.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Why should you put in your time, effort, and possibly cash, for that guy's resumé?
That's what it sounds like to me.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Only if the vocalist wants to pay for it, or you have some desire to have the songs recorded for yourself. I certainly wouldn't. that's a lot of time and money for what amounts to a gift for the guy who's leaving you on short notice.

 

[Oddly]

I agree with the majority. If you really like the guy and the money and time aren't a big deal to you then sure, do the recording.
Otherwise, no.
I'd be curious to hear the rest of the band's thoughts.

 

[Duder]

I'd walk. I, personally, don't have that kind of money to throw away.

 

[Nev375]

Don't walk, Fire that guy.

 

[carl h.]

no deal

 

[DirtDog]

Nope. his vanity project, it's on his tab. I'd do the session but would expect to be compensated. Ideally money, but beer and pizza would work too. And maybe a rub and tug.

 

[Joe Nerve]

And maybe a rub and tug.

 

[Frank Tuesday]

These are new songs that you're not attached to in any way? If one of my members announced he was moving, I'd be in favor of recording the rest of the songs we already have finished that aren't recorded yet. Not going to write new songs for the sake of recording, though.

 

[DirtDog]

Should clarify: NOT from the BL!! Unless he has small soft hands, and it's dark and I'm drunk. j/k

 

[TedH]

I've been playing with a band for around 4 years, not my "main" band, but still a great bunch of guys and we've recorded 2 EP's in our time.

We, well the singer/BL, decided it was time to record another EP at the start of March. Ok no worries. We start demo-ing stuff and workshopping the tunes and a few night ago I was recording my final bass lines when the singer tells me - 3 weeks after we record he's moving interstate - in Australia this is a 10 hour drive! I was not impressed. He then tells me the only reason he wants to record is to have something to show for the last 18 months with the band. No chance of gigs/promotion/moving forward. Nothing.

CONS - It's going to be 5 hours a week for 7 weeks jamming to get tighter. At least 2 days off work for me to be in the studio (I run my own business so this is going to cost me $$$). About $1700 each to actually pay for the recording.

PROS - Having a few tunes to listen to. Recording is fun.

So my question to you - would you walk? Would you go through with it?

Have you been in a similar situation?

Seems like a gross misrepresentation via non-disclosure in order to extract that much money from others for what could only be demo music. If he offered to pay for it so he had a demo with you guys as his backing, that would have been much more transparent.

 

[Odinbass]

Financially it makes no sense, but when does music ever makes sense in that way? What do you want more the recording or the money?

Sorry to be no help but as others have said, it's really your personal decision.

 

[CGremlin]

No offense to anyone with 7+ months left to live.

None taken, although I can't absolutely guarantee I'll still be here in seven months the way people drive around here.

 

[Duder]

None taken, although I can't absolutely guarantee I'll still be here in seven months the way people drive around here.

It seems worse this year. Yesterday some guy almost ran me off the road twice in less than 2 minutes.

 

[Kragnorak]

We, well the singer/BL,

About $1700 each to actually pay for the recording.

These are the key words in this story: "We, well the BL" + "equal investment". It's odd how many bands are run with an expectation that all members chip in equally even if the rewards or other factors are unequal.

 

[Slough Feg Bass]

sounds like a lot of money to record !

 

[Max Blasto]

Hmmm. You're paying the singer to record his own demo. Are you sure there aren't better charities in Oz?

Sounds to me like it's new singer time.

 

[Max Blasto]

It seems worse this year. Yesterday some guy almost ran me off the road twice in less than 2 minutes.

Oh, that was your girlfriend's husband....

 

[Luke19Boarder]

Would the BL be open to cheaper recording opportunities? If it were me, I would tell him paying for studio time is out of the question, but I would be willing to record the basslines at home (assuming you have a decent interface) and he is free to use those on the recording.