Members SonicFire Posted September 2, 2005 Members Posted September 2, 2005 So here's the deal... I play in a band (guitar, bass, drums, minimoog) that backs an emcee for live shows. The band works well with each other, three of us have played in previous hip-hop bands together, and the emcee is very talented.... his producer, manager, assistant and publicist are also part of the "team". We've played shows in front of 30 people and 5000 people. We had an agreement that the band would get $200 (50/member) or 40% per show....which ever is more. He also pays his producer each show (we don't play every song...about 1/3 are cued from an MPC)...he also pays "the band fund" and then himself. We think our take is fair and we are fine with it. A few things have happened lately that have made me question some basic principals. We have a show in a few weeks....our drummer will be in NYC giggin the day before. He is going to have to catch a plane to get back to do our show... He was looking for a little help from the band fund to get him back...$50-100 to help pay the ticket. He would take pay cuts the next couple shows to pay back the band fund. It's a big frat party on a big campus and could get the emcee some good exposure... he isn't willing to help! Also....last week we did a show and he (emcee) only paid us $160 ("after I pay the band fund, I don't take any money"). I didn't tell the bad members this...I payed them 50 and took 10 for myself. I told him that future shows have to be a $200 min for the band. So....after rehearsal last night, the producer tells us that they are going to be doing free shows every now and then to give the emcee more exposure..."and if if can't do it...we will find musicians who can". We shared some basic concerns about doing free shows... we are all for doing free shows if there is benefit in moving the project forward. The producer got upset...he does it because he loves music...blah blah...insulting our passion/dedication for music..when we do two rehearsals a week for this guy and really do like backing the emcee. My beef is they are telling us to do free shows to give the emcee more exposure, but won't help get our drummer back to do a paid show which will for sure give him good exposure. I really am not sure that "the band fund" exists. I caught the emcee saying.."you want me to take money out of my account". I'm just uncovering some shady stuff and it's starting to annoy me/us. The band is sitting down with his manager next week to go over our concerns, hopefully that will help. The sad thing is...we are all one big happy family until $$$$$$$ is involved. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Members Zeromus-X Posted September 2, 2005 Members Posted September 2, 2005 If the drummer is willing to repay it, and WILL repay it, I don't see the problem. It sounds like you're right and that the "band fund" doesn't exist. If you want to solve this the easy way, suggest that the "band fund" be turned into a joint bank account, and have everyone get a copy of the statements each month. I assume at least *someone* other than the emcee is keeping track of funds? What is the band fund used for? If it's for equipment replacement (strings, cables, heads, etc), just have the drummer tell the emcee that he's got to replace all his heads before this big show, and use the money to get the ticket.
Members SonicFire Posted September 2, 2005 Author Members Posted September 2, 2005 Well it was made known that the band fund is geared more towards him and the producer...for cables, equipment, cd pressings....etc....but that it would be available to us for specific needs. We have been playing for him for 6 months and this is the first time we have requested any $$. And the fund is fat....the first show we did...we got paid $2000... the band got $500, the band fund got $500, the producer and him split some and their were some gas costs.....female vocalist...extras to pay for. I just don't think we are getting the respect we deserve...and I don't think he understands how lucky he is to have high quality musicians who do sacrifice a lot to do this for him. It is difficult because we are not "one band" it is him w/ a backing band. The dynamics of $$ is much more difficult to manage. Hopefully we can work some of this out with his manager.
Members timmerz Posted September 2, 2005 Members Posted September 2, 2005 A couple of things are nagging at me on this one....if you want my input, that is..... Your drummer is going to have to come back home anyway, isn't he? Didn't he provide for any means of return? Seems a little weird that he's want help for a ticket he'd have to end up buying anyway, or maybe I'm missing something? That being said, if you guys have been rehearsing twice a week with this guy (a lot, in my opinion) you have put out a LOT of effort for this project, and should be taken care of! If you guys got disgusted and split, how long would it take Mr. Star and Producer to put another good band behind him?I'd say you have a little leverage, and producers always bring the crocodile tears and "love of music" out of the woodwork when money becomes the center of focus.....believe me, I've been there....
Members SonicFire Posted September 2, 2005 Author Members Posted September 2, 2005 The drummer is driving to NYC to do the gig. He was going to drive back but won't make it back in time to do the show the next night. The emcee has since apologized and said he appreciates all of our hard work and dedication. He admitted that working with a band is new to him...etc. Hopefully we will all be able to work things out.
Members james on bass Posted September 2, 2005 Members Posted September 2, 2005 I'm sure the producer and emcee are getting paid. I'd say use your leverage as a band, or get the hell out.
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