I'm in a 7 piece band for over a year now. To get the band noticed and more gigs, I've taken the initiative to do the lighting, play music (DJ) during our breaks and as we setuo, get the band coordinated clothes, do all of the website coding, hosting, maintenance, I publish the charts and make the arrangements. I do all of this without getting any additional money. I get an equal share as all 7 members do.

I'm starting to run out of gas having been working so hard. Some of the guys only bring themselves to the gigs and collect a full paycheck. They don't help with the lights, setup or breakdown, or even help me load stuff in my car.

It's not my nature to complain, but I am thinking about "raising my rates" as of the 1st of the year.

Would it be unreasonable for me to charge $10 extra per gig for each light bank, $10 extra per gig for the music for a total of $30 extra per gig for this stuff? I plan on passing along my charges for the Web hosting and domain name.

If they don't want to pay me, I will tell them I will not bring the lights and the MP3 player thus easing my burden.

Do you guys think this is an equitable solution?

Al

Al,
Every band I was ever in had a leader, who had the extra responsibilities. I had no problem with them taking an extra fee for doing all the stuff I didn't want to mess with. That's a fair trade-off IMO. I'd go for $50.
Regards,
Zuki

Hi, I have always taken a double share for the PA system, getting the job, and the the PR work that goes with dealing with people.

John C.

Take 10% over your cut...nuff said!
Don't be a fool.

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www.donnypesce.com

Sound advice so far, just so you know, I am NOT the leader.

Good point, Donny, I don't want to be greedy and offend my band mates since we all get along great and like each other alot. I really don't want to offend them, just get my fair share.

Al

A business is a business....you have to draw a line somewhere. The rest of the band should have offered you the extra cut without asking for doing all that extra work. have a serious band meeting and discuss the issue asap.

Unfortunately you are in a no-win situation. In every band there are people who do more and those who do less and the pay situation is never fairly divided by workload (ask anyone who has ever worked with a girl singer). When you try to give yourself a "raise" it won't go over well and you won't be able to enforce it. Your bandmates aren't blind or stupid and they know full well that they are taking advantage of your enthusiasm and goodwill - they probably think it's funny. Don't even mention the unfairness of your situation to them unless you have an exit strategy planned. If I were you I'd polish my solo act.

Right On Pro!
I used to split 50/50 with a girl singer. She was definately a crowd pleaser and had a following. But, I did feel a bit put out by the fact all she had to do was show up (although...she did spend money and go to extra trouble with her apparel, makeup, etc.). I did all the arrangements, bookings, owned and maintained all the gear, upgraded gear, did afternoon setups and stayed to tear down while she was long gone, etc.

Unfortunately, she became ill and could no longer sing. I thought I was sunk. But, when it all washed out, I didn't lose but a couple of jobs when I went single. In addition I hired another girl as a "standby" for those times I needed to provide a duo. The new girl only works with me on about 10% of my jobs and is happy to get the work at far less than the previous singer. I always try to be fair...but no more 50/50.

Al...in all honesty, your biggest challenge is that you have established a precedent. And precedents can be very hard to change and cause ill will. If you were building a new band from scratch, I don't think you would find any objections from your band mates.
Eddie

Take 10 percent, they won't say a word, and if they do, ask them which part of the job they wish to take over. That's only one of the many, many reasons I do the whole deal myself. Been in lots of bands, most of the members just showed up with a guitar, sax or trumpet, and now that I think of it, they didn't even own a mic.

Cheers,

Gary

Just tell them "We gotta talk" and explain the situation. Make sure you have it down on all the points you want to address. Keep it good natured and ask them what they think as you explain and see the reaction, this will tell you what you have to do. If they balk, which they shouldn't if you're being fair, then you might have to take the action you're thinking about, but it might create bad vibes. If this is bothering you this much, you probably have to clear the air and don't get the idea that they all know what you are feeling, they probably don't have a clue. Good luck.