Some people

hotpickups

I can't believe it. Had a meet with new band members last night at the studio. We hadn't actually played together in that format of personnel and got chatting as you do. I couldn't help noticing after a while that one of them kept mentioning money and what the band could potentially earn etc. I brought the subject up that he shouldn't see this band at this stage as a money earner if that was what he was thinking. His response came back as it was for him in so many words. 

I said well ok but if you want those well paid gigs, as I do to be honest but it is not what drives me, who would be expected to go out and help promote the band. "Promote the band" he said "why should I do that it's your band so your job as you're band leader". I answered that I only expect him to occasionally put a flyer around or mention the band to possible clients if he meets any. "You mean networking?" he said. Not really just basic forwarding people to the website or giving them a card. "No way" he said I don't even drink so why should I go into a pub to promote the band..........

I accepted his resignation from the band this morning as you can probably imagine. Can you guys tell me if this is normal practice that band members refuse to do anything remotely promotional for a band they join?

Shark_Eyes

So he wants the money but doesn't want to actively earn it, just sort of do his thing until he gets rich?

No thanks, pull your weight, especially if you're the one that wants it to go somewhere.

EricTheWeary

I think it's probably rare for someone to outright refuse, much more normal to just fail to do anything.
On the bright side you have his resignation now and not after 3 months of rehearsals.

hotpickups

Shark_Eyes said:

So he wants the money but doesn't want to actively earn it, just sort of do his thing until he gets rich?

No thanks, pull your weight, especially if you're the one that wants it to go somewhere.

Yes exactly my sentiments. I was quite shocked to be honest with you that someone can so small minded

randomhandclaps

Sound like a completely normal practice of dealing with a knob.  I know it's a pain but you're well shot.

I wonder if he would have been happy for you to take say 75% of all earning because "you're the band leader" and due to all your promo work?!

hotpickups

EricTheWeary said:

I think it's probably rare for someone to outright refuse, much more normal to just fail to do anything.
On the bright side you have his resignation now and not after 3 months of rehearsals.

Yes that's the positive thinking around it. I made a promise to myself after the last personnel in the band saga (long story) that I'll sort the week band members out early so they don't waste mine and other band members time

Teetonetal

hotpickups said:

I can't believe it. Had a meet with new band members last night at the studio. We hadn't actually played together in that format of personnel and got chatting as you do. I couldn't help noticing after a while that one of them kept mentioning money and what the band could potentially earn etc. I brought the subject up that he shouldn't see this band at this stage as a money earner if that was what he was thinking. His response came back as it was for him in so many words. 

I said well ok but if you want those well paid gigs, as I do to be honest but it is not what drives me, who would be expected to go out and help promote the band. "Promote the band" he said "why should I do that it's your band so your job as you're band leader". I answered that I only expect him to occasionally put a flyer around or mention the band to possible clients if he meets any. "You mean networking?" he said. Not really just basic forwarding people to the website or giving them a card. "No way" he said I don't even drink so why should I go into a pub to promote the band..........

I accepted his resignation from the band this morning as you can probably imagine. Can you guys tell me if this is normal practice that band members refuse to do anything remotely promotional for a band they join?

Yup familiar story.. people have the dreams but no application. It's amazing how many people think life should be handed to them on a platter, but then moan when nothing is forthcoming. 

good you had the chat upfront.

EricTheWeary

Might have been interesting if you had said okay as band leader I will book all gigs and do all the promotion and in return take the first 20% of any payments as my fee, the remainder split equally between us.

hotpickups

randomhandclaps said:

Sound like a completely normal practice of dealing with a knob.  I know it's a pain but you're well shot.

I wonder if he would have been happy for you to take say 75% of all earning because "you're the band leader" and due to all your promo work?!

Funny enough he did mention that I should take more or for anyone who gets the gig and does the running around to get more but knowing him I feel he'll have a problem with it at a later date

IvisonGuitars

EricTheWeary said:

On the bright side you have his resignation now and not after 3 months of rehearsals.

+1. Sounds like you're much better off without the tit!

nickp

what everyone has said

in my limited experience i feel lucky to be with 4 other musicians that broadly get on well, can play, turn up to rehearsals and gigs, and generally learn new songs at least to a starting poing

as regards organisation they do feck all.  but at least none of them expects to be earning a fortune.  i am struggling to get them to spend on lights, backdrop and promo cd so i can market to the standard that will get us some better gigs but i'll get there

but in terms of organisation generally it seems that one person tends to do the legwork. getting the rest of the variables in personalities to work is hard enough without adding marketing and gig booking to the list

but if they are a knob as well then they can just fuck off

markslade07

@hotpickups Just out of interest (cos I think I'm vaguely local) what kind of band is this one?

hotpickups

Soul/R&B/Motown

markslade07;563268" said:

@hotpickups Just out of interest (cos I think I'm vaguely local) what kind of band is this one?

bigjon

In the band I run as an absolute dictatorship, if we do a gig as a 3-piece, a fifth share goes to each band member, a fifth to me for band expenses like PA gear etc, and a fifth to whoever gets the gig & promotes it etc. Often that's me, but it's been someone else quite a few times.

markslade07

hotpickups said:

Soul/R&B/Motown

markslade07;563268" said:

@hotpickups Just out of interest (cos I think I'm vaguely local) what kind of band is this one?

Sounds good stuff!

hotpickups

Yes we did and will carry that on too. However, after do all the work in my past line up I asked the band members to help out with some small promotion as mentioned. None took me up on my invitation I am a family man and I really can't do it all on my own but do the majority of it.

I will now make it quite clear at the beginning that this is a requirement in being IN the band

bigjon;563291" said:

In the band I run as an absolute dictatorship, if we do a gig as a 3-piece, a fifth share goes to each band member, a fifth to me for band expenses like PA gear etc, and a fifth to whoever gets the gig & promotes it etc. Often that's me, but it's been someone else quite a few times.

Panama_Jack666

Sounds like a complete doofus. Also sounds like my singer. Is it my singer? I bet it was my singer.

hotpickups

Panama_Jack666 said:

Sounds like a complete doofus. Also sounds like my singer. Is it my singer? I bet it was my singer.

I'm looking for a singer but it won't be him for sure LOL

markslade07

Need another guitar?

hotpickups

markslade07 said:

Need another guitar?

Not really. Unless you're a Bass guitarist?

markslade07

Unfortunately not