Band Quandary

ssspert · #1 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 02:50 AM

I had a friend of mine throw this at me today.
His band is going out of town for a one niter, and the venue isn't paying much and only got one room comp'd in a high dollar hotel.
The guy that got the gig has claimed the room for himself, and wife.
He asked what should I say?

The rest of the band is fending for themselves, and what they are getting paid is barely enough to pay for their rooms.

I had 5 things to say to him.

1- You better say something about it.
2- Why can the venue get 2 rooms at a cheaper hotel? (the hotel room at the same hotel for the other band mates is $240/rm a nite!!!!)
3- He better not expect any pay since he is taking the comp'd room.(their pay is like $60 each for a 5 piece band.)
4- F the hotel room. Get the money and drive home.
5- Get it in the open asap. Festering problems never come out good if you let it fester too long.

what advice would you give?

adecou · #2 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 06:34 AM

What a dick! Sorry, but I had to throw that out there.

Say something for sure. I agree with the take the money and run theory too as well as the no pay for dickhead guy (lemme guess, he's the singer HAHAHAHA)... I'd even go out on a limb and make HIM help pitch in for the room for the rest of them, split it 5 ways like you would everything else.

Lerxstcat · #3 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 06:46 AM

Your list sounds about right, but how far out of town IS it? If you're an 8-hour drive away for example, taking the money and running isn't feasible after you've already driven there, set up and played. If it's 2-3 hour drive even that's tough but doable.

You need to talk about this well before the gig because if the guy isn't going to work with you I'd want to be able to cancel on a timely basis. If it's too late to cancel then I'd tell him not to book any more gigs under these conditions or you won't do them.

You can expect this kind of shit to continue if you don't nip it in the bud, and if he's not reasonable it might be time to find a new bandmember, or a new band.

Steverino · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 08:07 AM

With gasoline over 3.50 a gallon, they're already in the hole.

Not worth it.

ssspert · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 01:21 PM

1- Lead singer ...yes How did you ever guess that...LOL
2- less than a 3 hr drive, not too bad of a drive but still.
Wouldn't you want to stay in a hotel instead of driving home.
3- I told him to get the facts straight up about the room.
He said he wasn't sure if they had the room comp'd through a casino deal or something.
So it might be a misunderstanding of the facts on his part.

ssspert · #6 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steverino

With gasoline over 3.50 a gallon, they're already in the hole.

Not worth it.

He said they were getting $100/member now I didn't get that right.

The price of gas is ridiculous.
I had my motorcycle for sale... now it looks like I need to start riding it more.

The Good Reverend, MATCHEW · #7 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 01:29 PM

he'd better come clean with the fellas.
leave the wife at home.

ssspert · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 03:25 PM

my buddy was quite pissed, he never vents about band stuff.
they are a really good band and I told him for the bands sake, dicuss it a calm manner with every one present, and don't let the discussion get heated.
If the guy is in the wrong, for good measure he can make it right.
I'd hate to see someting like this bust up such a great group.
I also told him that they could all crash in swank hotel room together on the floor wife and all.
All is fair in band stuff. Gotta be fair to everyone.
Best that family and spouses are left out of band biz period.

LOL

Lerxstcat · #9 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 04:29 PM

I bet the singer dude wants to impress his wife with the big gig and then bone her in the swank room. That's fine, if he kicks in to cover the second room for the other guys. He better make sure they can even GET another room in the hotel though, they don't need to be holed up in a Motel 6 while someone makes off with their gear trailer all so he can be Casanova with his wife.

All things being equal, it's best to leave the womenfolk home, but you can't always do that since the women get suspicious and that can be a whole other problem. But they don't need to play for free so he can bang his wife in a comp room either, or they'll all be his bitches. Hell with that!

ssspert · #10 (**permalink**) 05-13-2008, 06:01 PM

yup nail on the head there bro.