Serious freebie gig dilemma

[musicbysterling]

I currently play in a fairly competent rock band that has two law enforcement officers as members. Gigs are on average once (more on this later) a month at casinos and we sellout all ages shows at privately owned theater. Money is good. Anyways, yesterday, one of the men in blue blasts out a group text announcing that we have been asked to perform for the department's motorcycle drill team talent show on St. Patrick's Day 2017. We would perform at the end of the talent show. And it's PRO BONO. Free food, beer and wine. (Where have I heard that line before?)300-400 people. Sound & lights provided. (As all of our shows)

So today the next provides some details. The gig is approximately 19 miles south of where I live. We would set up and sound check Thursday evening and come back the next evening at 7:00, which I'm imagining is the start of the talent show. So far, no idea on how long we are to play.

I guess you know what's the next question - Honestly, I don't want to play another freebie for as long as I live. Would we gain a bigger following? Perhaps, but,I'm feeling that it's not going to be worth my time to drive a total of 75+ miles in two days, not to mention both drive times would be through rush hour traffic, let alone being St Patrick's Day, and guaranteed that traffic's going to really suck.

Obviously, the two men in blue are in. What's not to like about playing in front of your fellow officers? It's a ego boost and I can certainly understand their eagerness to do the gig. Two other band members have said that they're in, and the forthcoming details I got today were because the bass player was asking some questions.

Yesterday, I sent a text saying that I think I was unavailable, but would check my calendar. I'm not busy - I simply don't want to play for free. Simple as that. I've only been in the band for less than a year, so I still don't have that unwavering commitment the others have due to their being together for years. Also, three out the 6 of us live in very close proximity to the venue as well. I should also mention that one of the reasons that we only play once a month is that we have a lot of not available days in our calendar, with a majority of them due to these two guys. The band is split 50/50 between those of us who want to play more and the "others"

So am I being too self centered here? I am surely not happy to be in this particular situation. Should I just be a team player, or should I just hold my ground about doing freebies, especially ones that really are demanding of my time and efforts? OR, should I just swallow my pride and do the gig but at the same time making my personal views about doing non paying performances? I'm conflicted....

Thoughts? Advice? Admonishments?

All (mostly) will be certainly welcome.

[Doerfler]

just a thought. If you want to continue with this band do the gig but make it clear that you won't do any more freebies. IMO everyone should have been consulted first. If they can do the gig without you and you are OK with that then let them. No easy answer here.

[Shamanczarek]

At least see if they will give you a PBA card if you do the gig.

[MusicaL]

For what it's worth, my band was asked to play a freebie private party for our guitar player's retiring friend. (The distance and schlep factor was not as bad as yours though.) About 50 people showed up and we played for about an hour. Close to the end of our playing time, the host asked that the guests "tip" the band. By the time we counted the cash we had made over $250 for a one hour gig. Not great, but, hey, when you expect nothing but a dinner, you're happy to walk away with some pocket change.

 

So maybe the host can do the same and ask the guests at your freebie gig to consider tipping the band. It would be a nice gesture anyway.

 

aL

[CEB]

This shit gets easy when you get old because you just don't care about hiding your professional feelings when it comes to business. If I didn't want to do it I wouldn't do it. If they didn't like it then the gossip chain .... I mean the musical community network is really efficient. I would have a new gig within a month. But if this is some sort of super yuge musical extravaganza of a band then maybe I do it to preserve a magic chemistry.

 

If you are a player then don't go passive aggressive and give yourself heartburn doing freebies you don't want to do. Players can get good gigs if you treat people they way you like to be treated.

[AnotherScott]

If a bandleader wants to do a freebie gig, he should ask and not presume that all the band members will want to do it. And then he should do the gig with whatever band members are willing. If you don't want to do it, he can get a sub, or put together a song list they can manage without keys.

[drawback]

Playing for free is a tough call. It's got to be worth it to you - whether it's a cause or a friend or whatever. My pet peeve is the 'open stage' ripoff but that's a different discussion.

 

If It was me, I'd do it. You might be pleasantly surprised. Or you might want to have a chat afterward and say you don't want to do any more of these. You're relatively new, haven't established your relationship with the others and understand what they believe is right. But you joined to be a member of this band, not as a sideman. Too late to establish ground rules I think. In for a penny, in for a pound - and what goes around usually comes around.

 

 

 

[John Tweed]

You should have been asked beforehand, and not just expected to fall into line. One of my regulars is heavily involved in church functions and benefits, but he always pays the band members a reasonable fee and never expects us just to donate our services.

 

In other bands we have often done private parties for a band member's friends. The other band members are always paid, even if it's out of the pocket of the band member friend. I'm presently organising a birthday party for my girlfriend, where she has asked for us to play. I'm going to pay the other guys myself, so it should all even out in the end.

 

So far as asking for tips it may not be appropriate to ask the audience to contribute, if it's a fund-raiser and they are already paying to attend?

[roygBiv]

One way to maybe split the difference - could you tell them you can't do the night before for sound check, but can come for the show? I imagine they could do most of the set up, etc. without you - that saves you at least one of the trips.

[Baldwin Funster]

When your band leader carries a gun for a living you might want to comply with his requests. Just sayin...

 

id get a small mini rig like a laptop and small controller and just play the minimum to get by and try to have fun. Setup in 10 minutes and dont worry. If they dont like it they shouldnt book freebs.

[Bill H.]

Booking a band that's used to getting paid for a freebie is pretty sketchy just on it's own. Requiring a separate sound check the night before is beyond the pale.

 

I've done these types of events before. Most everyone is there for the contest. After the winner is announced, people gradually filter out - leaving the band doing clean-up to an indifferent audience.

 

They're pure hell. I wouldn't do it - but if you must, get out of that sound check.

[David Loving]

I'd do the gig if I wanted to stay in the band.

[HammondDave]

Do the gig. It's good Karma... and you don't want to be "The Asshole".

[Paul Harrison]

A gig is only really a freebie if you get nothing at all out of it, and a freebie can be an investment in publicity for the band and goodwill among the members, although I would expect the leader to check with everyone first.

 

I would consider what was likely to happen (a) if I did the gig and (b) if I didn't, decide which scenario I would be least uncomfortable with, then go with that ... and maybe negotiate on some details, like the soundcheck timing.

[MotiDave]

Id do the gig as a favor to my band mates, assuming u like them even a little. Its a big deal to them. But If they asked me to do a free gig again in the same month, i'd say i already did that. 19 miles away is nothing imo. Non-factor in the decision. I would bark about sound check a day before, thats sort of silly. See if they can change that to do sound check same day, i mean - what's the big deal with that?

 

I agreed to do a free show at HOB for one of my bands mid-Dec. Its a hassle - worst load-in ever (for me), its downtown about 30 miles from my house. I have to pay to park probably, ... so it'll cost me to play for free. most people there to see us would come see us at one of the venues we get paid at that are easier and closer. but they all really want to do it, so i'll throw them one. To me, part of being in a band is helping band mates once in awhile.

[KeyMoe]

Do the gig. But be up front and tell them you are not interested in doing any future free gigs. Telling them in advance will avoid these types of situations in the future.

[MathOfInsects]

Can you ask them to toss you a couple of bucks? You never know; they might.

 

Anything else I'd offer is covered already.

 

FWIW, one of my favorite gigs EVER was a freebie, a couple of years ago. Off the hook gourmet food everywhere, top-shelf drinks, insanely hot women who seem to have all called each other and agreed there would be no undergarments worn that night, beautiful location and a band of damned funny humans. By the end of the night, pay would have been redundant.

[zxcvbnm098]

It sounds as if the topic of freebies has not really been addressed since you've been in the band? If that is the case, I'd do the gig, but use it as an opportunity to have the discussion after the show. Not right after of course, but at the next rehearsal.

 

It is not unreasonable to expect a call or text to ask each member before assuming all are in. That's common courtesy, and I would state that is your expectation. And I think a group decision as to how many "freebies" should be allotted in a given year should be brought up and decided amongst the members. It sounds like this event will come up again next year, and if that's the only freebie, then that is to be expected annually and perhaps be the only one considering the two men in blue already have a limited schedule.

 

 

[musicbysterling]

Thanks all

We've got a rehearsal Monday evening for an upcoming show and I'm sure this date will be discussed. I'm going to have a conversation with the leader prior to present my view on this. I'll probably agree to playing sans the Thursday soundcheck with the understanding that this is my one and only gratis gig with them. And I'll also remind her that she can always ask the female keyboardist I replaced to see if she's available. She knows the tunes.

[Synthoid]

I'd do the gig as a favor to my band mates, assuming u like them even a little. Its a big deal to them.... See if they can change that to do sound check same day, i mean - what's the big deal with that?

 

This, plus I also like someone else's suggestion of a tip jar.

 

It's important for an audience to show their appreciation with more than just applause.

[BbAltered]

You could simply say you are not available that day. Easy and straight-forward.

 

You could start a band discussion about doing "benefits" and under what circumstances you will do a benefit - what pro quo you want when providing a quid.

 

You could agree to do the gig with limits: one day only; you are willing to provide the talent, but someone else should provide the keyboard and do the set up, sound check, and breakdown; etc.

 

You could tell them you want to get paid "I know YOU agreed to do a benefit, but if you want me, you need to pay me".

 

Or you could simply do whatever it is they want you to do.

 

The situation sounds difficult, but the good news is you have some choices about how you proceed, and fortunately, lots of time before the gig happens.

[Synthoid]

the good news is you have some choices about how you proceed, and fortunately, lots of time before the gig happens.

 

That much is certain.

[ChiefDanG]

Been in similar situations, of course. I would:

Do the gig

Pass on day-before sound check

Ask them to pass the hat to get some sort of compensation

Let them know how you fell about "freebies"

[MotiDave]

Been in similar situations, of course. I would:

Do the gig

Pass on day-before sound check

Ask them to pass the hat to get some sort of compensation

Let them know how you fell about "freebies"

 

+1. This sounds like its a really big deal to the two blue bros. give them that thrill and pride for your band. Tell them you don't like to do free gigs but you're excited to do just this one as a favor to them as you know its important to them. But sorry, can't make a sound check a day before the gig, but don't worry we'll be fine and rock it!

 

Even the Stones sound check the day of the gig, cmon! . If you can't get a sound check on stage before the event, do a line check and go, plan to open with a couple songs that express the full sound of the entire band - the sound guy can dial it in by song #2. Probably 1/3 to 1/2 of the shows I do re multiband line-check starts, not that big a deal for the audience, the bigger deal is the stage monitor mix isn't optimal. Screw it - rock n roll ... run with it

[area51recording]

One of the bands I'm in, a 50's and 60's show band, got caught in the freebie loop a few years ago. After a while, every time a freebie would be proposed (and there were a TON at one point) some of the guys would balk, and I must admit I was one of the more vocal dissenters. If the cause involved anything to do with kids the drummer would have the same response, "AWWW c'mon man! You've got healthy kids!" After a while my response became, "Yes, yes I do.....one of the reasons they are so healthy is I can afford to FEED them on a regular basis...." I don't mind doing a freebie every now and then, but at least around these parts there seems to be one every weekend, especially if you get a rep for doing them....

[Threadslayer]

I agree with several of you.

Do the gig

Skip the sound check.

Let them know how rare it is for you to agree to a freebie (band points)

Meet as many of your bandmate's fellow cops as you can and be friendly (potential blue points)

 

 

[PianoMan51]

Find a philosophy of payment and then stick with it.

 

In my case, it's easy. If I want to support a cause, I return my payment to the organization. Everyone else's decision is their own and is private. And if I have booked the gig, I make sure that my compadres get paid well.

 

When I got married (the first time) I hired my own band, added a great guy to replace me and paid them double. Not half. Double. This is respect. I was broke, it didn't matter.

[allan_evett]

Sounds like you're in a tough place. Considering that there's no precendent for this with the band, it's better if you do the gig; but then I'd make your feelings clear after that regarding 'freebies'.

I won't do 'freebie' gigs, unless it's for a non-professional local charity situation, i.e. for someone who's experienced a serious illness, accident, etc.. But I make that clear upfront when joining an act, or freelancing for a bandleader.

[Moonglow]

...insanely hot women who seem to have all called each other and agreed there would be no undergarments worn that night

Not necessarily the type of insanity suggesting any need for therapeutic intervention.

 

 

MOI, you seriously didn't think that comment would get by us, did you?

 

[Bill H.]

^^ Sadly that's not the way gigs like our OP is describing have ever gone for me. More like:

 

You wait around for hours on end, bored out of your mind, while people you don't know perform one at a time on a stage. In the meantime, the MC gets drunker and drunker - enlightening the room with his wit and charm, and dragging the contest out far longer than necessary.

 

Eventually the winners are announced and prizes are handed out. Yay! Finally you can play! So... after the first few songs (if you are lucky enough to hold them that long) you get a birds-eye view of people grabbing their coats and heading for the exits.

 

Usually you can justify the whole experience by saying to yourself "well at least I'm getting paid well..."