About ten times this past week, I was contacted by people looking to hire a band for some fairly large gigs who asked, "Do you guys actually charge to play?" Anyone else experiencing this?
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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Surf Musician »
"Do you guys charge to play?"
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Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 1778 Star, Idaho. Formerly lived in Surf City USA. 
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Posted on Mar 07 2008 10:59 PM
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Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 1070 Ventura County, Calif.
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Posted on Mar 07 2008 11:26 PM
Ah........Welcome to Surf Music............. —Be careful following the masses. Sometimes the "M" is silent........................... |
Joined: Jul 10, 2007 Posts: 916 San Pablo, CA
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Posted on Mar 07 2008 11:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11053 Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 12:05 AM
Tell them "No, we barter, waddaya got?" Danny Snyder Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF |
Joined: Feb 11, 2007 Posts: 591 Encinitas, Ca |
Posted on Mar 08 2008 12:27 AM
As I like to say..........."We'll play for free...we just charge to haul the gear and set it up" |
Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 2979 Hell\'s Kitchen, NYC
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 12:43 AM
my SURF-ROCK SHINDIGs at OTTO's SHRUNKEN HEAD are FREE - NO COVER, www.ottosshrunkenhead.com but shows I have packaged at other clubs have had tickets sold...venues such as THE CUTTING ROOM, PIANOS, THE CORAL ROOM, THE TOWNE CRIER, and the 3 shows last November in California (WINSTON'S, THE RED PLANET, MOE'S ALLEY), for example generally the club sets the ticket prices, though I usually try and keep the dollar amount as low as possible b/c people that come to my OTTO's shows are used to the NO COVER policy there Unsteady Freddie — |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 1131 Northern CA
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 01:31 AM
Oh man... all the time. No matter what you tell them, it's gonna be too much or out of their budget. Then you get the odd gig where they take your price no problem and you have to kick yourself for not asking for more! A fellow musician and I were talking about this the other day. I told him, you know, if word gets out that you'll play for free, then no one will pay you anything, cause they know you'll do it for free.... and he replied, it's kinda like the difference between a slut and a prostitute.... and he goes, man, I want to be a high class hooker! Paul The Pyronaut |
Joined: Jul 23, 2007 Posts: 666 Oz
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 04:38 AM
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Joined: Mar 15, 2006 Posts: 1487 San Francisco
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 04:49 AM
I'm with Paul on this one -- free gigs only get you more free gigs. So if you're going to play for free, be VERY selective about the shows and make sure it's something that will eventually lead to a lot of merch sales, paying gigs in the future, or wild amounts of exposure. For start-up bands, you gotta take what you can get. But once you have the official trappings of being a "real band" with any amount of following, you gotta see some green if they want you to play. ~B~ |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 5304 the outer banks of north carolina
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 05:52 AM
i used to play out several years ago with a group of people all in fun, for free. we weren't very good but people had fun. the bar and grill owner got the idea he should start charging a $10 cover fee and he was going to keep it all for himself! when we played his bar usually brought in about $2000. we're talking small bar in a small town. we quit playing there. — |
Joined: Mar 17, 2007 Posts: 839 United Kingdom
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 05:55 AM
As someone who makes his living from music, I feel pretty strongly about this. If you play anywhere where the venue is making a profit then you should be paid. Bands who will play venues free, for which other bands are charging are doing nobody any favours as it devalues what we all do and keeps the money low - which, in pubs, clubs etc. isn't fantastic anyway. I have no problem with doing parties for friends, support gigs and charity stuff for free. But even with charity stuff, ask if the bar staff, sound man and lighting guy are doing it for nothing and you'll often find that it's just the musicians that are expected to work for free. That isn't fair. I found that working in Europe (apart from the UK) and Scandinavia, you are afforded much greater respect and money as a musician and that's how it should be. Back in the '80s here, we were getting around $400 (200GBP) for pub gigs - and it hasn't gone up since then. we were on 4 times that in Denmark 20 years ago. The only gigs that pay well here now are wedding, corporate and private functions. —http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery. |
Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 270
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 07:43 AM
We play free concerts but charge $5 if you want to leave. —There is Surf east of Sepulveda. |
Joined: Dec 08, 2007 Posts: 1303
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 08:58 AM
If you don't place a value on what you do, no one else will either. You have to haul all your gear and perform for their entertainment, you should be compensated. I'm not in this for the money, but I'm also not into this to be taken advantage of and work for free, especially if there's a cover. We generally take it on a case by case basis, but for the most part, we charge what we can get —https://www.facebook.com/coffindagger |
Joined: Jun 20, 2006 Posts: 188
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 09:20 AM
Down here people dont want to pay for nothing... |
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Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 1778 Star, Idaho. Formerly lived in Surf City USA.
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 09:23 AM
I think customers may also forget the amount or rehearsal involved, the cost of a rehearsal studio & other expenses that add up. I'm amazed that large corporations or promoters from events where they are charging admission in the $50-$60 range for thousands or people will tell you they only have a entertainment budget of $500 or so. I got a call from another guy recently who wanted to know if the band was interested in opening for a "nationally touring blues artist." He didn't volunteer who the artist was but the band would be paid based on the number of tickets that the band sold. HUH???? Another incident that soured me was reaching a verbal agreement at a very nice club for a very fair fee. When I call the guy back 24 hours later to confirm, I get "Oh, you guys don't do vocals? Thats $100 less..." I know it's just business but sometimes it really leaves a bad taste. I did tell the guy the band sings "Tequila." he didn't think I was funny. Anyone else get this kind of nonsense? |
Joined: Feb 27, 2006 Posts: 3776 tn
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 09:42 AM
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Joined: May 22, 2006 Posts: 500 Hamilton, Ontario 
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 09:43 AM
Another great one: club hires band to play for door... they set the door charge... then they let in all their regulars for free... then their friends... the only people who pay are the band's friends and fans... then at the end of the night, the club deducts beer tickets, advertising and sundry crapola "expenses"(without telling band in advance)... this is a very hip & cool club that, at first blush, you'd be dying to play... —http://www.facebook.com/?sk=lf#!/rockinrio.delrosa |
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Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 1778 Star, Idaho. Formerly lived in Surf City USA.
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 09:56 AM
Another thing I'm seeing lately are requests for charity events. Don't get me wrong, some are for some outstanding causes. Some are so noble you just accept no questions asked due to the nature of the cause. Returning Iraq veterans & Children's hospital for example. I am also seeing requests from people with lesser causes that not only expect you to play but pretty much organize the thing from A to Z & then run it for them. I'm not complaining but I find it educational to compare note on this topic. |
Joined: Aug 23, 2006 Posts: 2123 The jungle 
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 10:01 AM
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Joined: Feb 17, 2007 Posts: 281 Murfreesboro, TN
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Posted on Mar 08 2008 10:07 AM
We did a gig at The Star Bar in Atlanta a few years ago and at the end of the gig when we got paid, the booking lady (Heather Ratt) actually asked me if that was enough money!!! God bless that gal for looking out for the bands!! Of course, shortly afterwards The Star Bar went Rock-a-billy and surf bands had a tough time getting in there. Heather left to work at another venue, but I sure miss her. All in all, I wouldn't mind being paid enough to cover expenses (travel, food, hotel, etc.,) because I know I'll probably never make a full time living at this. But I sure hate to get ripped off!! —Ron (ToneBoy) |
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