How much should I expect?

phobie

Hey
I was wondering if somebody could help me out? I have just joined a 4pc cover band in Dublin City Centre. I will be lead singer how much should I be paid?

Thanks P X

yoursaviour1989

a quarter of whatever the fee for the gig is?

DANNY22XX

unless your on a wage

William_Hicley

25%

marsvolta

first can i say great post......a lot of bands ask how much should they charge for playing pubs, weddings, functions,etc, but never how much for individual members

second i think your respondants should be a bit more realistic(and i would love some professional feedback on this)

you say that you have just joined a band, and basing it on the fact that this is an already established band that may already have in place

1. a setlist (which took time and work to prepare)
2. an arrangement (which needed to be perfect so as not to loose your audiences attention)
3. a p.a. system (i have never known a potential singer to say "i have my own P.A./microphone/monitor. likewise, same goes for all new musicians, this investment tends to be made by the founding band, therefore there are costs associated----you can't hire this equipment for free!!!!)
4. a lighting rig (as above)
5. studio time....presumably the band had to pay for this and is a typical "starting up cost" as with any business and payback will only come as paying gigs come in
6. advertisement costs.....whether it is by telephone,posters,website, tv/radio appearances, etc.,etc. these are also legitimate costs, both time and money
7. a gigging schedule....these gigs had to come from somewhere and somebody spent time negotiating payment
8. travelling costs.... inevitably someone always gets lumbered with the gear

please keep in mind if you are employed into an established company of 100 people you cannot expect 1/100th of the company's PROFITS, let alone its TURNOVER which is what other posters are suggesting.

i have spent a lot of time in the past trying to set up wedding bands with limited success and have also set up 3 successful companies (still running).
these above points have always give trouble with band members expecting EUR300 plus just for turning up for 4 hrs work (inc travel) and i doubt most dont declare it

hope i didnt frighten people off but i think this is a really interesting thread especially in the current climate of a recession and would love to know what other established bands do!

cheers
C

Orando Broom

Twice as much as the other three combined. You're the star attraction after all. DOn't let those others undervalue you. Juyst because you can't play an instrument doesn't mean that you are a lesser person. By them offering an equal share they are undermining your talent. Only for you they'd still be in a bedroom playing Killers covers. SEEK YOUR TRUE WORTH!!!!

Knifey Spoony

Orando Broom wrote: »

Twice as much as the other three combined. You're the star attraction after all. DOn't let those others undervalue you. Juyst because you can't play an instrument doesn't mean that you are a lesser person. By them offering an equal share they are undermining your talent. Only for you they'd still be in a bedroom playing Killers covers. SEEK YOUR TRUE WORTH!!!!

Axl Rose???

Seriously, if you want to create tension in the band and eventually get kicked out, do the above.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Orando Broom wrote: »

Twice as much as the other three combined. You're the star attraction after all. DOn't let those others undervalue you. Juyst because you can't play an instrument doesn't mean that you are a lesser person. By them offering an equal share they are undermining your talent. Only for you they'd still be in a bedroom playing Killers covers. SEEK YOUR TRUE WORTH!!!!

Knifey Spoony wrote: »

Axl Rose???

Seriously, if you want to create tension in the band and eventually get kicked out, do the above.

It made me LOL

Rigsby

This is an interesting thread alright. IMO, it is up to each band to negotiate pay etc before a new member joins. In theory the fairest way seems to be that everyone gets an even amount. Other issues often come into play though.

A while ago I started a thread that got good mileage. The basic theme was "should a singer pay for the PA"? This was the issue in the band I was in at the time. We decided to split the cost. Others could argue that while everyone else in the band pay for their "tools of their trade", more often than not the singer does not own a PA system. A lot of potential venues dont have one. I realise that the amps sometimes need to be ran through the P.A., but the one person who definitely cant do without it is the singer.

My basic point is that there is not a definitive answer to the question posed in this thread. Attitudes, personalities and circumstances all play a part.

BizzyC

I'd say it depends on the makeup of the band....

If it's a professionally run band, then whoever is managing it will probably take the largest share, with the remaining net income split between other members.

If it's just 4 lads going around giggin here and there, i'd say a 25% split after costs.

I only hope Orando Broom was being sarcastic, unless you're in a band making millions where the singer is also the only songwriter, that's just a sure way to get the boot....

soultrain

for what its worth we pay 10% commission to whoever brings in the gig.....this way it ensures everyone is carrying their weight and the organising doesnt fall on one persons shoulders

off.the.walls

soultrain wrote: »

for what its worth we pay 10% commission to whoever brings in the gig.....this way it ensures everyone is carrying their weight and the organising doesnt fall on one persons shoulders

Each member should get 20% and then the remaining 20% thats left at the end should be put back into upgrading equipment and be put into a fund if new equipment is needed by band members.

marsvolta

off.the.walls wrote: »

Each member should get 20% and then the remaining 20% thats left at the end should be put back into upgrading equipment and be put into a fund if new equipment is needed by band members.

so let me get this straight essentially if one person organises rehearsals, books gigs, meets with potential clients (couples, publicans, hotel managers, etc.,) transports the gear, sets up, advertises, makes web site, etc., etc., and the other 3 just turn up and play then not only are you proposing each get an equal share but......now wait for it.......EVERYONE PAYS FOR OTHER PEOPLES INSTRUMENTS:D:D:D

MAYBE IN RUSSIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

off.the.walls

marsvolta wrote: »

so let me get this straight essentially if one person organises rehearsals, books gigs, meets with potential clients (couples, publicans, hotel managers, etc.,) transports the gear, sets up, advertises, makes web site, etc., etc., and the other 3 just turn up and play then not only are you proposing each get an equal share but......now wait for it.......EVERYONE PAYS FOR OTHER PEOPLES INSTRUMENTS:D:D:D

MAYBE IN RUSSIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No i aint saying that i mean tat the 20% thats left over will pay for all that **** that way individuals wont have to do that that money could be used for pa transport etc etc