Creative financing with your bandmates??

[telequacktastic]

I've been cherry picking the right members for a new band I'm putting together and I've found a rhythm guitarist. A friend I've known for the last 12 years and I've seen him grow in that time as a guitarist/songwriter, husband and father with 2 young girls ages 7&2. I'm excited about the hard work he's been doing outside of rehersal, he's really breakin' me off with learning his parts before rehersal.

So, his last band imploded due to some reasons that I've never heard of before. The drummer (also an acquaintance of mine), just recently bought/or is renting a house with an spacious air-conditioned shed outback. Here's the kicker, the drummer wants the other band members in the band to pay $60 a month to reherse for the band at his place. Now this is also a band that has been playing and gigging together for the last 3 years.

I ask, would you all of a sudden start paying another bandmate to reherse at his house? They use to reherse at another band's rehersal room like 2 or 3 times before a show to tighten up. But oh, the drummer and bassist now have this idea that they need to reherse more and write as a band and he needs everyone to pitch in for his expenses... hmm...

What would you do?

[beyondhappy]

I don't see a problem of having band members pay for rehearsal space. Its pretty common in my area. I think the drummer is asking for a bit much, most places around here it's like $150-200 a month for a climate controlled space. So I could see it being like $25-30 per member. But I don't think it's unfair. UNLESS they had been rehearsing there for sometime, and out of nowhere the drummer decides he needs the money, that's kind do douchey.

[telequacktastic]

beyondhappy - that's what I was thinking too. I don't find it totally unthinkable to pitch in on a practice space, say, if everyone lives in an apartment. But this idea that 3 years after the band has formed, and they've never had to pay before, it's all of a sudden "you guys need to start paying me to reherse at my place".

[TeleTim911]

I've been in a lot of bands, and many used to practice at my house. I had to deal with police, ticked off neighbors, higher utility bills, so on. That's the first time I have ever heard of a member wanting others to pay.

I think it best to talk it over with the other members, see how they feel about it.

[telequacktastic]

That's the first time I have ever heard of a member wanting others to pay.

Me too TeleTim! Me too!

[trev333]

I'm a shareholder in a band....
I know, I know.. you can all stop laughing now... ..

I kicked in for some PA gear for a mates band... because I could..
. a 750W Peavey 15" front of house speaker pair and 2 monitor wedges, mikes and cables in a lot... less than half what you'd pay new... auction bargain ..
.their sound guy had got a 600W 20ch Peavey desk to use... the speakers came along at the right time/price...

He's the bass player.. and he built a band room out of cold room panels off his back shed... I go and sit with them at practice sessions...
he wouldn't dream of charging the guys for "using the space".,.

geez, they're getting their act/songs sorted at full volume , recording demos.. and having fun together... my mate did it to work at home plus save money for the band.. because he could....

these guys once did a series of Metallica tribute pub shows for the lead up to the Metallica tour.. and met the guys back stage at the concert.... worth support..

[telequacktastic]

trev - I think that is a totally different scenario. It's one thing to pitch in money for equipment because there's "goods" being purchased.

he wouldn't dream of charging the guys for "using the space".,.

I know it. Me I like people, I enjoy having friends to play music with, and truth be told; this drummer asked me if I would buy his vintage carvin 100 watt combo, or at least give him a loan around christmas time last year. I didn't buy it but I gave him $100 for a loan. Then I called him christmas eve to tell him that it was a gift. I can't beleive he's pulling this with the said guitarist...

But, I've got a new rhythm player so, I'm out ahead on this deal...

[Martin R]

Hmmmm......charging for rehearsal space. There's an idea to bring in some extra cash.

Of course, the band would probably want to start getting paid for rehearsals.

[Jakedog]

If you have to rent a dedicated rehearsal space, then that's what you have to do. I've had to do it before, but not in years. If you can rehearse at a band member's house, I'd not think you'd have to pay for that. I would certainly not ever charge anybody for that. This looks to me like what my seven year old daughter would call a "whack-a-doo" situation.

I was in a country band several years ago. The drummer insisted on having rehearsal at his house, so he wouldn't have to move his kit. So we said ok, even though he lived an hour away from the rest of us. Then when we got there, he wanted to charge us. Said we were causing higher utility bills by using the power and air conditioning while we were there. We said no, so he said if we thought somebody should host rehearsal for free where they live, then one of us should do it. We had rehearsals at the singer's house and the bass player's house, for free. So rather than get to rehearse at his own house, this guy had to haul his kit into town, set it up, tear it down, and drive an hour each way once a week. In a van that got about 10MPG.

He was paying more on a monthly basis for rehearsal than I could imagine, all because he tried to be a greedy bastard. This was the same guy who insisted on using his PA for gigs, then wanted to charge the band for it. So I said we could use mine instead. he was always angling to get money out of the band for something. It never worked. Some guys are like that, and I have never been able to understand it.

I would never charge my own band to use my PA, or come to rehearsal at my house. Some band leaders take a larger share of the gig money for providing PA, booking gigs, or just because it's "their" band. I don't do that either. A band is a unit. Everything gets split evenly. If there are bona-fide expenses, like travel to out of town gigs, hotels, photo shoots, printing, shirts, etc, then that stuff comes off the top, and what's left gets split evenly. Of course, that's providing that everybody agreed to incur the expenses. I would not take it upon myself to print 100 shirts and then tell the guys they have to pay for them. Although I was once in situation where I thought the band could sell shirts, and nobody wanted to do them. So I had them printed myself, sold them, and kept all the money. Everybody voted to kick in on the next run.

There are some people who like to feel important, and therefore take a larger piece of the pie. They justify it sometimes by saying things like "without my rehearsal space/pa/van/vocals/booking or _________, this band wouldn't happen". True, but without a drummer, bassist, keys, etc. I wouldn't have a band to do the gigs with. Everybody is important, and everybody contributes what they can.

[Smokin OP]

My bluegrass band not only practices at my house for free but I also offer up beer that I make at my house for free...

[getbent]

over the last 10 years, our band has bought PA's, lights, a nice trailer and we kicked in on our new metal barn/quonset hut... we have full access.. we all realize that the drummer and I have ownership over the gear, the drummer owns the barn and the trailer... and nobody ever pays for gas on long hauls (drummer covers)... nary a complaint from anyone in the band. We've had a couple of guys come and go (and one return) the terms are the terms...

it is really nice to have a really great place to play, store gear and hang out... if it is free, people don't respect it.

[telequacktastic]

it is really nice to have a really great place to play, store gear and hang out... if it is free, people don't respect it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. There was never a great guitar player without a great drummer behind him. A drummer will make or break the band's sound. Nothing is worse than a bad one, and everything is better with the right one. Sounds like you've got a great one GetBent!

[mistermullens]

No way, plus that guy is charging way to much to practice in a shed. A shed! I don't care if its got AC or not. Here's my other question, does the guy contribute in any other way to the band other than playing? Is he getting gigs? Doing any marketing? Bringing people to gigs?

To me, everyone contributes in their own way other than playing. I especially don't think anyone should pay rent if all he's doing is providing a the space and playing and instrument. May sound harsh, but that's the way I see it.

[telequacktastic]

Here's my other question, does the guy contribute in any other way to the band other than playing?

No, he just plays drums. His dad does photograph the shows and puts the good ones on facebook. But nothing that contributes to any monetary gains for the band.

I especially don't think anyone should pay rent if all he's doing is providing a space and playing and instrument. May sound harsh, but that's the way I see it.

Mullens-I couldn't agree more, I mean, where's his sense of southern hospitality? The drummer is setting up a perfect scenario to ruin the band's future over the almighty dollar. I don't know why he doesn't grow a pair and just find a better job, or just work on his drumming skills more and join a band that gets payed to play, or start teaching drum lessons instead of trying to tax the other guys he plays with. Kinda shady...

[String Tree]

Is the guy Married?

Could be an order directly from the War Dept.

I'm only guessing.

[telequacktastic]

String Tree - LOL! no, drummer is not married... That was funny!!

[Dr. Bill]

As Daffy would say: http://www.hark.com/clips/smztjrhfzk-thats-ridiculous

[T Prior]

$60/month each or total ?

I'm having rehearsal at my home tonight..4 band mates coming..hey that could be $240 in my pocket ! I love it...Yeayyy!!! for me !

problem is

"They Won't Pay " They will laugh though....


I guess if I was in this drummers band and he asked me for $60..I would ask him for $65..to cover the PA gear I bought, own , carry and setup for the "greater good of the band "...


What do you call a Drummer who wants $60 from his band mates to pay for rehearsal space ?

Unemployed...



How about tell the drummer..nahh..we'll practice at so and so's house..you can carry, setup and tear down your drums at each rehearsal..it won't cost you a dime....

[telequacktastic]

$60/month each or total ?

T - That's $60 a man per month he's wanting... I was telling my wife, "If he gets 3 or 4 bands going, he could become independently wealthy from just rehersing"

$60 per month for a trio = $180
$60 per month for a 4pc. = $240
$60 per month for a 5pc. = $300

That would be $720 a month just from rehersals!! This is some very creative financing here.

What do you call a Drummer who wants $60 from his band mates to pay for rehearsal space ?

Unemployed...

No kidding!! lol

[Big John Studd]

Originally Posted by telequacktastic

I ask, would you all of a sudden start paying another bandmate to reherse at his house? What would you do?

Although it may be an imposition (and perhaps even a legitimate expense) to host rehearsal at one's house, typically everyone else is put out in one way or another by the time and money to travel to/from rehearsal, carrying gear in/out, etc. It seems to me that this would just all even out, but you could always get out a pen and paper and do the math if this guy is being a real stickler about it. What would I do? I would offer to host rehearsal at my house and ask other band members if they would be willing to host also. I realize this may not work for every band, but in one of my bands we rotate rehearsal location among the band members every few months.