Newbies Beware!!!

[echosauce1]

The problem with the "verbal contract", however legit it may be, is that it often becomes a case of he said, she said when things go astray. On the other hand, a written document signed by both parties is hard to argue with.

[taw2870]

Many of you guessed just right! The legendary bar refuses to sign any written contract unless it states 75 paying people thru door or no pay what so ever...including the bar tabs! Thanks for the comment from
our atty friend.. weve already started a contract. To the rest of our readers come see us at the Jam Crib July 22nd and we'll be happy to talk to you in person.

[delaloach]

played legends many, many times..... never been screwed on money or drinks....... have had bands added behind our backs last minute, but still got paid...... I absolutley LOVE to complain, but can't about the legends crew....
loach

[7WetCigarettes]

heavens chimney, you're my hero...BTW, is your SN a Mr. Show reference?

I was wondering the same thing.

[Massage...Bored]

heavens chimney, you're my hero...BTW, is your SN a Mr. Show reference?

I was wondering the same thing.

I'm betting yes, even though he biffed it on the Mr. Show reference that Sharkman made. But seeing as how he is who he is, he loves it!

[heaven's chimney]

reference? no, i'm a practicing heaven's chimneyist. we're a nondenominational sect of religion that isn't bogged down with the spiritual bureaucratic redtape of regular organized religions.


WE'RE NOT A CULT.

[Bjart Sod]

I've never been screwed by Legends, but I've never been a promoter and The Sods shows were normally packed (not necessarily due to us).

Well, ok, one time our bar tab was only Miller Light. But that's really the worst. And another time the sound man was a complete freddurst, but you get that a lot when your setup includes banjos and accordions.

[Chris B]

169 people. give me a break. maybe 69 paying customers that night.

Legends can't let outside sound guys work because we had too many problems with stuff coming up missing or broke. We had to stop. Plus with the neighbors....

You should be happy that they only took out my pay and didn't charge for the stage/PA because most venues will do that too.

You got paid pretty decent, i think. I've seen more people their and the band did not get that much money. Stop crying. Your making yourself look like a fool.

Ya know, that show was a lot of fun and you guys are gonna F up any chance of playing there again because your all about the money. It costs money to put on a show too. What happened to playing music for the fun of it. You had a decent show, decent crowd...nothing spectacular so quit acting like your freaking rock star cry babies.

The reason people like loach and garr don't have problems with Legends is because they are in good bands and people actually show up every time they play. They are cool to the staff and everyone has a good time. they promote future shows at said establishment on stage....yada yada yada...notice the only ones B!tchin are the crappy bands that should be thankful to just have a gig.

I have a question. How many bars in fw will sign a contract with a band, especially someone unproven? Im not talking large venues, just bars. Im not saying im against contracts, because that's not it. I believe contracts are a good thing to have but come on. I doubt any will sign one for someone that's only played a couple times and hasn't had that great of success when they did.

Do me a favor, if your gonna complain about getting $200 for a show, at Legends, just don't come back...I promise we won't lose any sleep.

[Massage...Bored]

Those are my thoughts exactly, Chris B.

We have never made that much at Legend's ever and we've played some well populated shows there. (Not complaining, just saying that if you are bitchin' about getting $200 for a 45 minute set of all originals in this town, then you've got a huge chip on your shoulder.)

[sharkmansix]

I have a question. How many bars in fw will sign a contract with a band, especially someone unproven? Im not talking large venues, just bars. Im not saying im against contracts, because that's not it. I believe contracts are a good thing to have but come on. I doubt any will sign one for someone that's only played a couple times and hasn't had that great of success when they did.

I don't think it would have to be some notorized document signed in the presence of an attorney; but if you're promised payment for services you should get it in writing. (or get their credit card number.)

[matthewsturm]

You should be happy that they only took out my pay and didn't charge for the stage/PA because most venues will do that too.

I agree with everything but that statement. I've never played a venue that has done that (at least that I'm aware of).

If you're in a 4 piece band that got 200 bucks for a 45 minute set, then hooray for you. You've now done better than most original bands in this town.

[Oliver's Army]

Is there anything wrong with just telling a band "Your pay WILL BE $150 for your set"... then just PAY them the money when they're done?

Why is this such a dance?

Pay whomever you need to pay... take your cut... dance with the books... fudge the headcount...whetever.

But at the end of the gig, cough up the $150 bucks and call it a night.

As a band improves or draws a bigger crowd, then negotiate a higher payscale.



Is the logic flawed here?

[Chris B]

I don't deal with paying people so I don't know why that is. You bring up an interesting point though. That's how it should be.

[Al Quandt]

Is there anything wrong with just telling a band "Your pay WILL BE $150 for your set"... then just PAY them the money when they're done?

Why is this such a dance?

Pay whomever you need to pay... take your cut... dance with the books... fudge the headcount...whatever.

But at the end of the gig, cough up the $150 bucks and call it a night.

As a band improves or draws a bigger crowd, then negotiate a higher pay scale.



Is the logic flawed here?

Some bars do just that. You usually have to be in a band that will be able to play for at least 2 hrs and have a variety of music that everyone can enjoy. When (before changing our lineup) we had a 3.5 hr set of original music we were getting paid nicely and with a predetermined amount from places like 5th Down and Mid City. That is because because we could hold a night.

With Legends, I will definitely say that there are some internal issues going on there but, when you cant hold an entire night or keep a crowd of different types of people satisfied, Legends is great for you.

Though never totally understanding the way money and booking was run there, I understood that we would get something and a bar tab. So except for one occasion, when booked to play there we have never been disappointed.

Many times there were way more bands there and no scheduled times, which sucks ass sometimes depending on the age of your band members. Again though we always new to expect that, so maybe frustrated, we were not disappointed.

Bottom line is that if you are an inexperienced original band, just be happy as hell that you have a venue that will let you play and also give you many chances to prove yourself. Or if you are a heavier band, same thing you may be experienced but, hell were else beside bottoms up is gonna let you play?

Chris B is a great sound man and as long as you don't piss him off by being dumb with his equipment, he is a fornicatin nice guy. The other Chris isnt as experienced as Chris B but he still works his ass off while there and is getting better every show.

You just have to realize unless you are the Matt Sturms, Dodds, Conley's...exc of this town, its gonna be hard to make the high dollar shows, this is because their music is much more versatile and well excepted, not to mention they are very talented and hard working musicians. We were happy/lucky as hell to be able to being playing the venues that they where for the time we did. But hey then again we worked our asses off to get that much original material.

So, if you are that anal about money then yeah get a contract, I am not sure who will honor it but that's the only way to go.

If you are just out to play and get exposure, then appreciate the amount of exposure and stage experience (not to mention free beer) you get from Legends.

_al

[bassjones]

Ding, ding, ding Ollie.

Here's a concept. Work all this stuff out ahead of time and then stick to it. If the bar guarantees $75 per player for the night, then the bar pays that whether 10 people show up (not booking that band again, though) or 150 people show up (I bet you can get a bigger guarantee next time). Better yet, no guarantee at all. But the bands get the door.

Also, why are bars taking a cut of the door at all? Let alone half. If a band draws in 40 more people than if there were no band there, the bar sells lots more alcohol and makes lots more money. There's no reason they should take a cut from the door when that happens. If people come just to see a band, then the bar should be grateful that many more people came and bought beer. No bands, no reason to go to many of the bars in town. That's just the way it is.

Maybe this legendary place should talk to Richard at Columbia Street about the proper way to treat bands... And yes, I know C-Street takes a piece of the door too, which I still think it shouldn't. But my understanding is they have a higher guarantee.