How Many of You Gig Regularly...

[squank]

Rupe, you're right. As musicians, we are our our worst enemies. I hate it when I hear about these hobby bands made up of well-off, middle aged players who 'play for the love of it.' They have good paying jobs, carry ultra-high end gear to gigs, and don't need the money at all. They are willing to play for free. They kill the band market for everyone.

Hey I am one of those guys with a good job, nice gear and a hobby band!
But I won't accept lowball gigs or negotiate down with bar owners. Not for any reason other than I don't want to screw the next musician that makes his living that way. You are right when you say that musicians are their own worst enemy though. In the last few years, I've seen more career musicians driving prices down than hobby bands. Largely due to fewer venues supporting live music and the competition for those gigs. The way I see it, I'll play for free, but I get paid to haul my gear in & out. YMMV.

Sorry, man, I should have been clearer. You're cool. It's the playing for free that bugs me. Or accepting lowball pay, undercutting every working band out there.

 

[IndyWS6]

IndyWS6, what band do you play in? I live about an hour east of Indy...

I play in an original metal band, we play out on average 2 times a month...But we've played almost every weekend (sometimes twice) since August. We are slowing down now in preparation to write/record a new album. what we get paid varies, and most of our money comes from merch sales. We played with Machine Head in Louisville and made about 1K in merch sales. we generally play 30-45 minute sets (multi band bills)

I also play in a country/rock original/cover band with some friends (all married couples). It isn't serious, but the pay is better. for 2-3 hours, we get from 300-1500 depending. we've only played a handful of shows, though.

Greetings
The band I'm in is called "Sideways" - you can check us out on FaceSpace if you want. We play the typical bar scene, mostly in Madison County (Anderson, Pendleton, Tipton, Elwood, Lapel, etc.), although we are trying to get regular gigs in areas near Indy. There are a limited number of venues around here and some damn good musician's, which makes it hard to book at times. We also share our lead singer with another great band (FM90), which limits the number of possible gig days. We all have good jobs and aren't doing this to make a living, so Friday and Saturday nights are the only days we actively book.

what bands are you in?

Peace

 

[nwright]

I think I've heard of sideways.

I play in Judgement (metal/death metal) and a country/rock/something thing called 300 North.

 

[IndyWS6]

Cool - I'll be on the lookout for you.

Rock on

 

[bgh]

If you count church - several times a week.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I'm stationed 24/7 home riffing these days, but used to play out a lot...
I played a gig once...my band members and the headliner were gathered around to hear our "payment"
It was 2 tickets to use at the bar for 2 draft beers. They Bar guy walks away and everyone in both bands are moaning and groaning "this is crap" and so forth (the place was packed)
Up comes the young guitar player from the headliner band..he hears about the tickets and his eyeballs pop out of his head "We get BEER?!" He looked like a 5 year old on Christmas morning!
LOL, he was so happy

 

[blackba]

2-3 gigs/month plus I end up sitting/filling in more frequently than I would like. We average about $500/gig but things are changing just over the past year. We've had a situation locally where certain bands/performers have gone around to clubs and offered to play for "$50 less than the other guy" which has turned nasty and affected not only pay rates but long term friendships.

One club owner recently informed us (after we had set up) that he was no longer paying $500...that it would now be $100 plus the door. Then he thought we were the "bad guys" when I said to pack it up, we're not playing. We got out money for that gig and I made sure to get it up front, but I'm done with that club. It sucks because its the best room we play with an awesome house sound system but we're not playing those games.

Rupe, you're right. As musicians, we are our our worst enemies. I hate it when I hear about these hobby bands made up of well-off, middle aged players who 'play for the love of it.' They have good paying jobs, carry ultra-high end gear to gigs, and don't need the money at all. They are willing to play for free. They kill the band market for everyone.

"You should play for free for the exposure, you are being greedy charging money for playing."

I can't tell you how many times my friends or I have heard that. Exposure implies that you are going to make it big and eventually get to paying gigs. And to the greedy part, you pay a DJ, you pay a bartender, so you should pay a band.

 

[threadkiller]

Rupe, you're right. As musicians, we are our our worst enemies. I hate it when I hear about these hobby bands made up of well-off, middle aged players who 'play for the love of it.' They have good paying jobs, carry ultra-high end gear to gigs, and don't need the money at all. They are willing to play for free. They kill the band market for everyone.

Hey I am one of those guys with a good job, nice gear and a hobby band!
But I won't accept lowball gigs or negotiate down with bar owners. Not for any reason other than I don't want to screw the next musician that makes his living that way. You are right when you say that musicians are their own worst enemy though. In the last few years, I've seen more career musicians driving prices down than hobby bands. Largely due to fewer venues supporting live music and the competition for those gigs. The way I see it, I'll play for free, but I get paid to haul my gear in & out. YMMV.

Sorry, man, I should have been clearer. You're cool. It's the playing for free that bugs me. Or accepting lowball pay, undercutting every working band out there.

I'll have you know, I don't consider myself middle aged Actually, your description above pretty much fits us to a T, except even though we play for "free" as in the band doesn't get payed, the bar owner still has to pay for the sound guy and come up with some minimum as a charitable donation. This way we feel like everyone wins. Plus we don't have to worry about dealing with taxes on band earnings. I agree about bands playing for free killing the market for real working bands trying to make a living. We are out there to have some fun and raise some money for charity. We found that if we accepted "a portion of sales" or "a part of the door" or anything other than a minimum donation from the bar to the charity we were supporting we got abused. We also do a lot of fundraiser events were the event itself is the charity. These we do for "free" but the sound guy still gets payed.

 

[squank]

2-3 gigs/month plus I end up sitting/filling in more frequently than I would like. We average about $500/gig but things are changing just over the past year. We've had a situation locally where certain bands/performers have gone around to clubs and offered to play for "$50 less than the other guy" which has turned nasty and affected not only pay rates but long term friendships.

One club owner recently informed us (after we had set up) that he was no longer paying $500...that it would now be $100 plus the door. Then he thought we were the "bad guys" when I said to pack it up, we're not playing. We got out money for that gig and I made sure to get it up front, but I'm done with that club. It sucks because its the best room we play with an awesome house sound system but we're not playing those games.

Rupe, you're right. As musicians, we are our our worst enemies. I hate it when I hear about these hobby bands made up of well-off, middle aged players who 'play for the love of it.' They have good paying jobs, carry ultra-high end gear to gigs, and don't need the money at all. They are willing to play for free. They kill the band market for everyone.

"You should play for free for the exposure, you are being greedy charging money for playing."

I can't tell you how many times my friends or I have heard that. Exposure implies that you are going to make it big and eventually get to paying gigs. And to the greedy part, you pay a DJ, you pay a bartender, so you should pay a band.

Exactly.

But you know they only reason club managers tell band this is because sometimes it works.

 

[squank]

Rupe, you're right. As musicians, we are our our worst enemies. I hate it when I hear about these hobby bands made up of well-off, middle aged players who 'play for the love of it.' They have good paying jobs, carry ultra-high end gear to gigs, and don't need the money at all. They are willing to play for free. They kill the band market for everyone.

Hey I am one of those guys with a good job, nice gear and a hobby band!
But I won't accept lowball gigs or negotiate down with bar owners. Not for any reason other than I don't want to screw the next musician that makes his living that way. You are right when you say that musicians are their own worst enemy though. In the last few years, I've seen more career musicians driving prices down than hobby bands. Largely due to fewer venues supporting live music and the competition for those gigs. The way I see it, I'll play for free, but I get paid to haul my gear in & out. YMMV.

Sorry, man, I should have been clearer. You're cool. It's the playing for free that bugs me. Or accepting lowball pay, undercutting every working band out there.

I'll have you know, I don't consider myself middle aged Actually, your description above pretty much fits us to a T, except even though we play for "free" as in the band doesn't get payed, the bar owner still has to pay for the sound guy and come up with some minimum as a charitable donation. This way we feel like everyone wins. Plus we don't have to worry about dealing with taxes on band earnings. I agree about bands playing for free killing the market for real working bands trying to make a living. We are out there to have some fun and raise some money for charity. We found that if we accepted "a portion of sales" or "a part of the door" or anything other than a minimum donation from the bar to the charity we were supporting we got abused. We also do a lot of fundraiser events were the event itself is the charity. These we do for "free" but the sound guy still gets payed.

Yea, it sounds like the bar owner is still coughing up $500 or so for you guys, so it's all good.

Btw, if you consider the average male life expectancy in the U.S. is 76, then 38 is middle aged

 

[koury73]

We've got the same promotor problem trying to disease Houston too. For example, we played with Hed PE a month ago. Our band alone sold 50 tickets at ten dollars a piece. They cram 5 more local bands in there trying to pack the venue, and give all the money to the National Act. Each band should make a portion of the profit from THEIR OWN ticket sales. If the national act doesn't bring enough to suit their fancy, thats their own problem. Fact of the matter is that if the National acts aren't bringing in any fans, we are not getting new exposure from their fan base. We got 30 minute sets as well. I know for a fact that over 400 tickets were sold by the local bands which comes up to about 4 grand that our local bands were getting screwed out of. That money went right into the hands of Hed Pe so they could go buy their cocaine or whatever. We would have been better off playing in my garage, inviting the local bands over, and at least making somewhat of a profit on playing out. I will never settle for a deal like that again. The local bands shouldn't have to do the footwork for the national acts ever. Its supposed to work the opposite way.

 

[Aristocat]

I thought when I moved to a college town in NC there would be a much better music scene but man was I wrong. The college dominates the entire town (city council closed down venues in place of nightclubs) and there are only two places in town to play. Add to it that if you do not either play the following three you're out on your ass: Drop C/B or any sort of variation. Top 40 covers (country more so where I'm at). Or the latest Indie/Art rock and whatever polished turd in between.

Venues are limited to restaurants who move some tables; give five guys one hundred dollars and ask you to be as quiet as possible.

Believe me; I know it sounds narrow-minded but after working in a shop for a while down here (amp/guitar repair) I wised up to what is going on quickly (enough local bands complaining). I tried to find a couple of groups and jammed a little here and there but I'm gonna hold out for something better after college. I know the NH/MA scene is better (city vs the sticks) and my girlfriend and I are moving back next year.

Interested to see what happens.

 

[megamike]

2-3 gigs/month plus I end up sitting/filling in more frequently than I would like. We average about $500/gig but things are changing just over the past year. We've had a situation locally where certain bands/performers have gone around to clubs and offered to play for "$50 less than the other guy" which has turned nasty and affected not only pay rates but long term friendships.

One club owner recently informed us (after we had set up) that he was no longer paying $500...that it would now be $100 plus the door. Then he thought we were the "bad guys" when I said to pack it up, we're not playing. We got out money for that gig and I made sure to get it up front, but I'm done with that club. It sucks because its the best room we play with an awesome house sound system but we're not playing those games.

Fuckin Scabs!

 

[PurposeToMelody]

I gig regularly with 2 different bands.

Pop/Rock (Bright Light Parade)

we play once a week at a church and usually play 2 or 3 gigs a month plus we usually do 2 or 3 2-3 week tours per year reaching out all over the US
We bring a whole PA plus lights to all shows and usually a sound guy
depending on the play all over the place, churches, highschools and stuff like that mostly, ocassionally a real venue like club 3 degrees or 1st ave in minneapolis
crowds range from 50 to 500

Hard Rock (Fades Away)
once a month maybe
we used to tour a fair bit but not so much anymore
bars, churches, whatever. you name it
pretty big crowds for this band also.


I dunno how much longer my sanity will last as I"m also a writer for 2 different bands and help producing at a studio my friend runs.

 

[LP Freak]

2-4 gigs a month. We do mostly arena rock ala...Journey, Boston, Styx, Bon Jovi, ect. Stuff goes over great. $600-$900 for 2-3 50 min sets. Outdoor festivals $1000 and up.

 

[stephen sawall]

6 years ago I was playing a average of 3 nights a week. As the economy changed most places went to DJ. The live scene here is pretty much dead. In general here bands that do original material play for free. Most cover bands get payed in the same ballpark as mentioned above.

 

[Stramm8]

Rupe, you're right. As musicians, we are our our worst enemies. I hate it when I hear about these hobby bands made up of well-off, middle aged players who 'play for the love of it.' They have good paying jobs, carry ultra-high end gear to gigs, and don't need the money at all. They are willing to play for free. They kill the band market for everyone.

Hey I am one of those guys with a good job, nice gear and a hobby band!
But I won't accept lowball gigs or negotiate down with bar owners. Not for any reason other than I don't want to screw the next musician that makes his living that way. You are right when you say that musicians are their own worst enemy though. In the last few years, I've seen more career musicians driving prices down than hobby bands. Largely due to fewer venues supporting live music and the competition for those gigs. The way I see it, I'll play for free, but I get paid to haul my gear in & out. YMMV.

I'm one of these guys too But my band made $250 a piece Friday night playing a Frat party of all things. I'm definitely not in it for the money but the gig needs to be worth the time and hassle. That said, we offered to play a show for "free" on a Wednesday night to show the club our shtick and we killed it. They had us back 2 weeks later on a Saturday night and we've played their consistently ever since. They even booked us for their big New Years Eve show so there's something to be said for playing for free every now and again...

 

[squank]

Rupe, you're right. As musicians, we are our our worst enemies. I hate it when I hear about these hobby bands made up of well-off, middle aged players who 'play for the love of it.' They have good paying jobs, carry ultra-high end gear to gigs, and don't need the money at all. They are willing to play for free. They kill the band market for everyone.

Hey I am one of those guys with a good job, nice gear and a hobby band!
But I won't accept lowball gigs or negotiate down with bar owners. Not for any reason other than I don't want to screw the next musician that makes his living that way. You are right when you say that musicians are their own worst enemy though. In the last few years, I've seen more career musicians driving prices down than hobby bands. Largely due to fewer venues supporting live music and the competition for those gigs. The way I see it, I'll play for free, but I get paid to haul my gear in & out. YMMV.

I'm one of these guys too But my band made $250 a piece Friday night playing a Frat party of all things. I'm definitely not in it for the money but the gig needs to be worth the time and hassle. That said, we offered to play a show for "free" on a Wednesday night to show the club our shtick and we killed it. They had us back 2 weeks later on a Saturday night and we've played their consistently ever since. They even booked us for their big New Years Eve show so there's something to be said for playing for free every now and again...

Don't get me wrong - I'll play a first gig at a place for a reduced rate. That's part of the business sometimes if you are breaking into a new club.

 

[petejt]

I used to......but not anymore because I work out of town a lot.

 

[threadkiller]

I thought when I moved to a college town in NC there would be a much better music scene but man was I wrong...quote]

Where you at, Chapel Hill?

.....
.....Btw, if you consider the average male life expectancy in the U.S. is 76, then 38 is middle aged

Dammit

....Venues are limited to restaurants who move some tables; give five guys one hundred dollars and ask you to be as quiet as possible....

^this sounds familiar, were are playing there Saturday night, minus the hundred dollars apiece. The live scene is dead most places and on life support most everywhere else. College kids are broke and just want to go out and drink cheap for the most part and do the grind on as much ass as possible. Pop music these days is not conducive to live reproduction, since most of it is looped samples, drum tracks, etc.

I think there is a market for good live rock. Like the poster that said they do arena rock and it goes over huge. The demographic that wants to hear this stuff wants to do it in a safe, drama free, fun environment and wants to get home by 1230 or so. WTF is up with bands starting at 11 and playing to 2. My drummer and I had an idea to buy or lease a building, install a real stage and a good house PA and lights, and market it as a music hall. Not a restaurant that happens to get bands in as an afterthought. Not a "club". You want to go out have a few beers and listen to some rock n roll, near home, doesn't cost $50.00-100.00 for a ticket, don't have to be out till 2:00 a.m. Don't have to deal with drunkin college drama, etc, etc. Not national acts but good local and regional talent. I think theres a niche for it in the right size market, just don't have the time or the money to get it going. It seems like your options for live music currently are foo foo acts at restaurants strumming a few acoustics, late night "clubs" with the accompanying drunks, fights and drama, or big national shows at amphitheatres, arenas, etc which often are too far away and too expensive. My idea is more like a "club" that focuses on the music and not the singles club scene, starts and ends earlier in the evening, and doesn't cost more than about $10-15 dollars for a cover. Probably a dumb idea overall but I'd definitely go hear live music in this type of setting.