Hi Tinman, when i was running sound for my uncle n brother's band,(Erich Thompson & the Stone Cold Cowboys) it was a 6 pc band, they split the money equal for the 6 guys then each would give me 10$ from their cut per gig, then they would also each throw 5$ in the band kitty. back then the guys made pretty good money, we were a hot band. the guys chose to do it this way coz they asked me to do sound and lights. and i had a blast doing it. the kitty was used for any equipment that needed fixxed, replaced or purchased. my uncle owns all the PA, speakers, snake, etc. the only thing he didn't own was the guys instruments n amps. oh and when this band split up, what was in the band kitty was split equal between the guys. that was a sad day. anyway, this arrangement worked out pretty good while the band lasted. oh and any time decissions had to be made...they voted, the majority won and that is how it would be. i got to vote one time when their came out a tie. made me feel important but was hard to do.

anyway, hope your situation works out ok. talk to your band mates, see how they feel about it.

I have a classic rock/cover band, I book the gigs, do the promo, create the posters, bring the sound system, lights, and drums, get there early, do sound check with the band,create the set list, play the gig, drink the beer, take down, pack up, and unload again at home. I hope to get some help packing up but don't always.

I pay the guys a flat rate, pre-negotiatated, and I keep the rest. Sometimes I only end up with an equal share anyway. Usually I get a bit more, maybe 100 bucks on a good night.

Don't let a guy hold you hostage over a sound system. But it is a bit of extra work. So negotiate something, like an additional percentage or a couple extra bucks each or what ever works.

I like owning the system because I'm a control freak and it sounds like your guy is too!!!

In the bands I've been in the vocalist(s) usually owns the PA, it's his/her instrument right? Everyone else who sings plugs into it. If your band is a collective effort then the band should own the PA, no need for a sound man, after a few gigs you know what settings work best for whatever venue. Whomever gets the gig(s) gets a few extra bucks, as a commission. The band expenses you should have are any advertising that's done, cost of repairs to the PA and any extras (strings, heads, sticks, cables), once you deduct those it's an even split with extra going to the person who booked the gig.

PS: You guys should be getting no less than $20-$25 per hour, per man. Anything less, you're playing for free.

Interesting question. Most of the band situations I've been in, involved even splits with everyone contributing to equipment & space rental. The last band I played in was an established group (30 years together,) and the pay rate was a flat 'per-gig' rate. No compensation for 4-hour rehearsals which were mandatory once a week. The guys who had been around longer were making more than me (the new guy.) The bandleader and his wife (both of which shared the lead $inger role,) made the most. That's just the way it was structured, I knew the deal coming in, and the per-gig pay was acceptable to me. Truth be told, I would have played with those guys for free! Great Blues band.

But to answer your question, it all depends on the situation I suppose. band3

John

We split all of the money evenly, but I have no beef if the guy who has the P.A. wanted a bit extra. If he's a singer only, that's like his drumset. If he plays guitar and has the P.A., then I'd say he's entitled to a little bit more. Same as if another person in the band played an instrument and brought a full P.A.