#780427 - 10/30/99 07:06 AM
band organizational structure
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Brubari
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Registered: 10/30/99
Posts: 21
Loc: Portland, OR USA
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I'd be interested in how others structure their bands. I lead a band in which I do all the organizational work and booking, and split the dough evenly among all the players, unless we're making decent money, then I'll take 10% off the top for my time and expenses. We only get paid when we gig, and I don't pay the band members for rehearsals. Since we play originals AND covers, we're constantly struggling to go in a "direction". Since I'm the one with the vision and the drive, I'll make decisions about what would be best for us (gigs to play, when to record, hiring subs, making schedules etc.) and that seems to work well - except with one member. If I ask him to contribute to the band, he takes offense because I'm not paying him for his contributions (writing, arranging etc.) yet, when I cirumvent him so as not to offend him, he gets upset that I'm taking over and that he's not contributing to the effort. everyone else in the band doesn't have a problem with this - but I want to be sure I'm being on the up and up. How common is it for a band like us (we play 4 nights a month or so, but are working on making it full time) to have "salaried" band members? I can't really afford to do that, but at the same time, If I could run this more as a dictatorship, we'd get alot more done. I'd appreciate any thoughts...
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#780428 - 10/30/99 07:40 PM
Re: band organizational structure
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PJR
Gold Member
Registered: 08/09/99
Posts: 653
Loc: Orange Co, Ny
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This is a very interesting, but sensitive issue.In most bands, or organizations for that matter, it's just a matter of time before someone(s) step up and take charge.It's a natural,needed , progression if the band is going to grow.How the group reacts to this is probably the single key factor to continued success or demise.I truly believe that communication among the band members is vital,and once the band starts making 'real' money is when problems arise if these issues aren't ironed out beforehand. I've been playing in bands for about 18 yrs,(since high-school)and have always taken charge,ie: song selection, gigs, rehearsal schedules .Now that I'm a bit older(wiser),I've learned that for a band to progress beyond the first few gigs, business issues must be sorted out,everyone must know what it is that is expected of them prior to any notes being played.My band is primarily a cover band, we play approx. 4-8 times/month, clubs and private$ .I own the PA ($35k),the van that carries it, and the rehearsal space.My wife does all the marketing ,and bookings, and sets up and runs the sound at shows.(isn't that great?!!!) The band as a unit decides what material to learn and perform.Everyone helps pack and unload .We've enjoyed moderate $ucce$$ and have loads of fun doing it.We split the ca$h evenly (my wife is considered a member) which includes a club gig for $500/nite to the $3000 millineum gig we have booked.Soooooo.... I don't know if I've answered your question directly, but in one word my answer to should an unsigned band pay one member a salary is NO.Find another player. Peter
I too have faced this problem and agree that finding a new member is preferable to offering one member a salary. I do, however feel that it is OK to base gig pay on total contributions. For example, I do all of the biz work for my band and much of the musical work as wellplus I supply rehearsal space and PA. But my trumpet player does virtually all of the horn charting and arranging so, whenever possible, I pay him a greater share of the gig money because his efforts go way beyond the guys who just show up at rehearsals and gigs. I also take a bigger cut (10-20% depending on the gig) to cover my extra efforts.
Bill Evans
[This message has been edited by gigeditor (edited 11-03-1999).]
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#780429 - 11/04/99 04:30 AM
Re: band organizational structure
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Brubari
Member
Registered: 10/30/99
Posts: 21
Loc: Portland, OR USA
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Thank you Peter and Bill for your replies. I obviously didn't phrase the question clearly since what i was contemplating was paying everyone in the band a salary. However, you both brought up some good points, and as it turns out, the offending member is now gone.
Thanks for the advice!
Bru...
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#780430 - 11/09/99 03:37 PM
Re: band organizational structure
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Harmony0314
Member
Registered: 11/09/99
Posts: 4
Loc: Louisville, Ky. USA
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We have similar problems in our band , and we deal with it , but it's a srtuggle. Two ofour members are related, and they own the pa and the practice space jointly. They do not take an extra cut of gig money, even though they are still paying on the equipment. We also split evenly with our sound man. Recently, we have had some equipment need replacing. I think it's reasonable for the myself and the other member of the band to contribute to the purchase of new equipment..after all, the owners of the p.a. could be charging us for it's use. The other member disagrees and feels no need to help buy gear she can't take with her if the band breaks up. I don't know what's fair or how we will resolve these kinds of issues. Somehow we work them out, but at times it creates tension and bitterness. I don't know who will "step up and take charge" All of us want it to be a democracy, but there are times when we just hit a brick wall trying to make a decision.
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#780431 - 11/16/99 03:01 PM
Re: band organizational structure
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miko
Member
Registered: 11/16/99
Posts: 5
Loc: NY, NY USA
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i'm in a band that's just starting to gig. we're a three piece, so logistics are a little easier right now. the guitarist writes all the music, singer/bassist writes lyrics, i play drums and try to chip in on lyrics, coz i'm a writer, but that seems to be getting shot down more and more, which pisses me off. but that's another story. i handle all the financial and booking stuff coz the other two are too irresponsible. however, the guitarist has industry contacts, so he deals with that sort of thing, in terms of calling influential people. all three of us are responsible for promoting our band. absolutely none of us gets a dime for rehearsal time, and we all split the cost equally for rehearsal space. once we start getting money for gigs (be it a cut of the door or a real fee), it will be split equally. the one thing i've been trying to institute lately is a band pool, whereby we each throw in money on a monthly basis to pay for equipment and repair costs, t-shirts, etc. everyone's cool with the idea, but since i'm the only one who makes any friggin money, i'm the only one pitching in. it's ok for now, but i won't stand for it much longer. of course, being the drummer, seems you don't have much of a say in anything. however, i basically like the way we work out. i like having one person in charge, coz too many chefs spoil the soup. also, he's a very accomplished player with unique song ideas, so i'm cool with that. we also all get along, which is key. i think the notion of being paid to come to reharsals is insane, unless we asked like brandford marsalis to sit in.
miko
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#780432 - 11/18/99 07:02 AM
Re: band organizational structure
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Kevin_dup6
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Registered: 03/18/01
Posts: 0
Loc: ,,UNITED KINGDOM
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We have three people in the band and one driver/sound/road guy. We split everything up evenly since he might as well be part of the band and lets us get alot more work done.
Do you play in cover bands or do you do original music? We play original stuff that sounds like the pistols or clash but more current. Mostly small punk ****holes and basements. We are not in it to get rich. It is just better than flipping burgers.
Keep it up!!
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#780433 - 12/14/99 03:00 PM
Re: band organizational structure
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Bart
Senior Member
Registered: 12/07/99
Posts: 44
Loc: St.Paul, MN USA
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I love democracy, but in the case of a band, you need a "fair" dictator. I have been in the democracy bands, it usually starts at the beginning when everyone is excited and wanting to contribute. That equates to building an aresenal to fire off at a later date. In the last band I was in, the PA and lights were split between 4 people. What a nightmare!! Nobody took ownership of maintenance, etc. When something needed to get fixed, another member would get mad because it cut into their pay. One word UGLY!! I stepped up and took care of bookings. I was always the bad guy, and other members questioning your decisions. Surprise, that band broke up. The band I am in now works totally different. I own the production, I charge the band for production costs. If someone wants to contribute, they will get paid by me, not the band. The Guitarists, and the leader and booking person, takes care of the business end. He will take money off the top to cover his expenses. We had a gig that was cancelled on us, after I had the production end up. The leader still pays me for production. I didn't expect to paid for playing. Bottom line, take care of all business aspects up front, if everyone agrees, then you have recourse. I think too many bands fail to do this.
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