WAAAY Off topic-What would you do!!!?

[robhaerr]

When I started playing in clubs in the mid-80s it was $400 for a band. Now 25 years later, IF you get paid (no door) it's still $400. Like if inflation is inexistent for musicians .

Exactly...but that $400 is worth so much less these days. Here in SoCal, there were real night clubs in the 70s, 80s for live rock bands....with stages, lights, big dancefloors. There was a cool circuit we played thru all of Southern California, Arizona. Now...they are just little restaurant/bars that stuff the band in a corner.

There is a huge contingent of "old guy garage bands"...just check out this site...we have gotten a few gigs from it...search the talent...mostly pretty bad...but these are the bands playing the bars for $200-300...
http://www.socalrocks.com/

To look at a cover band who really has been successful, look at these guys who have been playing surf covers since about 1966. They played my school dances way back...they get that $10,000 a show range...
http://www.papadoo.com/intro.htm

[MRhet]

Well, I don't think you can place the whole blame on bands that play for less money. That is, I don't think the owner is saying "It's a good thing I can get this band for $200 because otherwise, I'd have to pay $1000 for a band." I think he/she says "It's a good thing I can get this band for $200 because otherwise I would play canned music and only make a little less than I do now."

[YamahaPlayer]

These gatekeepers no longer exist. This can be a great thing, but it has made it harder for anyone with talent to rise above the din of mediocrity.

That's the big one right there.

Played a 4 hour gig last night. Said they wanted us back for friday and saturday... the artist I'm playing for said no, she "doesn't like playing the same club back to back"

[willyz]

YamahaPlayer that is classic!

I always enjoy playing clubs back to back... sometimes you can leave the gear there, soundchecks are easier each night...

[robhaerr]

Well, I don't think you can place the whole blame on bands that play for less money. That is, I don't think the owner is saying "It's a good thing I can get this band for $200 because otherwise, I'd have to pay $1000 for a band." I think he/she says "It's a good thing I can get this band for $200 because otherwise I would play canned music and only make a little less than I do now."

At least here in the "Inland Empire" section of Southern Calif...too many "old guy garage bands" emerging after they haven't played in 20 years...they will play for .......

"Teh Exposure"

...and I hate to say this, but most shouldn't even be playing in public for free.

We still get told that "this gig will be such great exposure for you guys, so you should do it for free". The last time was in January when Jerry Mathers (The Beaver) got married in Huntington Beach. "There will be so many photographers, celebrities...you guys couldn't buy that much publicity."

The event coordinator was calling us the Thursday before the Sunday wedding. Who does that for a "high profile " wedding?!? We know she was just wanting to pocket as much of The Beav's bill as possible. We threw out a fair offer but she said only for "Teh Exposure". We passed, although it would have been cool to play his wedding and meet Eddie Haskell.

I saw nuthin' on TV or anywhere. But here is a little blurb from the Orange County Register...I wish I could find out if she got a band to play for free...photos, but I can't see a band...
http://www.ocregister.com/news/beaver-2 ... html?pic=1

[YamahaPlayer]

I always enjoy playing clubs back to back... sometimes you can leave the gear there, soundchecks are easier each night...

Oh I know.. and for an artist who wants to "make it", does her originals throw in with the covers etc, it's just about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Who turns down a paying offer to play on friday and saturday night?

[willyz]

I always enjoy playing clubs back to back... sometimes you can leave the gear there, soundchecks are easier each night...

Oh I know.. and for an artist who wants to "make it", does her originals throw in with the covers etc, it's just about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Who turns down a paying offer to play on friday and saturday night?

Chick singers, that's who.

[MRhet]

Well, I don't think you can place the whole blame on bands that play for less money. That is, I don't think the owner is saying "It's a good thing I can get this band for $200 because otherwise, I'd have to pay $1000 for a band." I think he/she says "It's a good thing I can get this band for $200 because otherwise I would play canned music and only make a little less than I do now."

At least here in the "Inland Empire" section of Southern Calif...too many "old guy garage bands" emerging after they haven't played in 20 years...they will play for .......

"Teh Exposure"

...and I hate to say this, but most shouldn't even be playing in public for free.

We still get told that "this gig will be such great exposure for you guys, so you should do it for free". The last time was in January when Jerry Mathers (The Beaver) got married in Huntington Beach. "There will be so many photographers, celebrities...you guys couldn't buy that much publicity."

The event coordinator was calling us the Thursday before the Sunday wedding. Who does that for a "high profile " wedding?!? We know she was just wanting to pocket as much of The Beav's bill as possible. We threw out a fair offer but she said only for "Teh Exposure". We passed, although it would have been cool to play his wedding and meet Eddie Haskell.

I saw nuthin' on TV or anywhere. But here is a little blurb from the Orange County Register...I wish I could find out if she got a band to play for free...photos, but I can't see a band...
http://www.ocregister.com/news/beaver-2 ... html?pic=1

Well. you're not wrong, of course. I just mean that there are lots of reasons for clubs paying less, that I don't think you can blame it just on bands. The owners hold the cards, the owners can pay more for quality music, but they know that lots of people are going to come one way or the other to drink and hang out. It's the same with weddings -- why do so many people go with a DJ now? Because they know that most people don't care.

True story -- I was walking behind a couple a few weeks ago -- one was excitedly telling the other about some event. She said "we should go -- there's going to be live music -- they've hired a DJ!"

We're doomed.

[Tombo 7/4]

Cover bands that do well are very polished, long lasting and well managed acts.
They also are willing to travel a bit. By only staying local...well you compete for local wages.

My brother plays in a disco band that has been together for 13 years and a Supertramp tribute band. Play only nice venues and festivals.
The disco band played casinos all over the world (played for Celine Dion's wedding and birthday partys). It's a well oiled machine that present a 2-hour non-stop and fully choregaphed chaining of disco hits.

They're in the 10-20k$ range. That's the way to go for good money playing covers IMO.

http://www.boogiewonderband.com/index.html
http://www.trampofthecentury.com/English/Home.htm

[john lamb]

that promo looks awesome

Bands here are cutting each others throats - I've heard of bands going around poaching weddings already given to other bands. "You don't want to hire them - $2,000 is way too much to pay (everyone in the band in question has toured/still tours with various international acts)... hire us for $500. The event planner still came out ahead even after losing their deposit. Guess who got repeat business?


War stories...
I was fired from a band a while back - a no call kinda deal, and weird vibes from the singer/leader regarding upcoming shows. Looking back @ the bank photo, the original drummer, then the bassist, then the guitarist, then they keyboardist, - actually, I made it longer than expected. I've also experienced a situation with a pathological liar - manipulating all around for his own twisted amusement. I've also experienced being asked by a guitarist to come out and sit in for a drummer gig when the drummer in question didn't know. When the drummer found out, the guitarist (and friend) blamed *me* for trying to poach the other guys gig.

I've had the bass player - whom I gave the gig to - break up the band, only to try to reform it complete without me. This is the same guy who once waved his headstock frustratedly to keep me in time. Only trouble: I was using a click. There was a very very good reason I wasn't playing in time with him. The guitar player went with him, the singer went with me, and they keyboard quit entirely. Looking back, there was plenty of warning signs - I didn't know 'em at the time, though. live + learn.

I heard that John Coltrane was once told that the band had lost a gig. He went down to the club to check out the new band - and found out it was his band w/ a new sax player.


If it were me in that situation now (although I realize the times past on it) I'd ring in on the maintain good relations side of things. People talk, reputations spread. The best thing to do is to get your side of the story out there in a friendly way. I wouldn't want to hang out to take further punishment, though.