BENEFITS - Too many - Your Opinion? Here's Mine...

[Hawk]

We are seeing benefits on a regular basis these days. I know too many bands that are burned out with benefits and constant requests to play for free.

Sound technicians are burned out too. It's a big job, usually with a "thank you" and a pat on the back, without the crowd realizing the effort of loading in, running the show for hours on end, loading out, and probably loading the equipment back into storage. A dauntingly big task for a pat on the back.

Not to mention the lost wages from not being somewhere where you're getting paid.

With all the negative sides of working for free, one must realize the bigger picture. SOMEONE needs YOUR help! Often, no matter how bad things get for you or for me, someone else has it worse. Medical Debts can be HUGE and is most often the focus of benefits.

Helping another without them knowing you're helping them is the greatest thing you can do! Helping them with a simple acknowledgement like a "thank you" should be more than enough compensation.

BUT, what about the bands and sound companies that are overwhelmed by requests? YES, sometimes they HAVE to say "No". I get that. You simply CANNOT go out for free on a regular basis. People have to realize that too!

I also get it when there are people who make a living or use band and production as a side job for extra income. These are the people who are concerned about losing a paid gig when they are doing a free gig. A double whammy of sorts. They often have to turn down benefits, as they should. People who put together benefits need to understand this as well.

My opinion is simple, if someone needs your help, you are not booked that day or don't expect to be booked, open your heart to someone who needs a hand. That's the American way.

At the very least, go to a benefit, pay the "door" and go hear some live music! It's a win win situation!

[kayla]

I think there are a lot of benefits lately. seems more than usual. i dont mind playin benefits when we can. i just like to play. its really cool to see how appreciative the families in need are. someday the shoe could be on the other foot, and it could be me or my family in need. thats the way i always try to look at it.

the only thing that bothers me about benefits is when a bar uses the benefit thing to their advantage. i dont want to ruffle feathers, but a bar locallly seems to have a lot of benefits and not a lot of nights where they are actually paying a band to play (i could be wrong, but from my perspective that's what i'm seeing). as i start getting deeper into the music scene and thinkin about the financial aspects, that kind of bothers me. i know the amount of time and money i have into playing, and sometimes i'd just like to have a few extra bucks to buy myself a beer. but thats a whole different topic.

i like playing benefits, especially well organized ones.

good topic Bill. i hope to read some others perspectives!

- kayla.

[Jo money pig]

Honest Answer. To Many! Almost every weekend last summer there was a benefit.

[onegunguitar]

I think there are a lot of benefits lately. seems more than usual. i dont mind playin benefits when we can. i just like to play. its really cool to see how appreciative the families in need are. someday the shoe could be on the other foot, and it could be me or my family in need. thats the way i always try to look at it.

the only thing that bothers me about benefits is when a bar uses the benefit thing to their advantage. i dont want to ruffle feathers, but a bar locallly seems to have a lot of benefits and not a lot of nights where they are actually paying a band to play (i could be wrong, but from my perspective that's what i'm seeing). as i start getting deeper into the music scene and thinkin about the financial aspects, that kind of bothers me. i know the amount of time and money i have into playing, and sometimes i'd just like to have a few extra bucks to buy myself a beer. but thats a whole different topic.

i like playing benefits, especially well organized ones.

good topic Bill. i hope to read some others perspectives!

- kayla.

Now what bar would you be talking about Kayla? Haha..I think most everyone knows that answer,LOL. I remember playing a benefit a few years ago and one of the family members were over heard "complaining" about our style of music and what not. Whatever,at least we were willing to donate our time to help someone out,that's what's most important.

[Hawk]

Good points!

My point of view is that the bar does make a profit when they have a benefit there, any bar. However it's their house they are letting the benefit sponsors use. I've used the Bavarian Hall for a benefit and while the venue was free (because I'm a member) we had to pay $10 per hour for each waitress plus an additional cost for clean up. Don't get me wrong, John Manion at the Bavarian was incredibly helpful, but it was money out of the benefit's proceeds.

So I think of the venue as free rental for a benefit and if they make a profit, that's a good thing...

EDIT: The bar you might be speaking of, as far as I know, does not seek out benefits, rather the other way around. People ask them to have benefits there. Besides any profit they make, they are very helpful in making things go smoothly and help in many other behind the scenes ways. I know that from experience by just playing at them or letting them use my drums.

[StumbleFingers]

We may or may not be talking about the same bar, but a local bar owner once literally asked us, "We need to have more benefits, do you know any sick kids or dying people?" He was half joking but it made me sick all the same. It's interesting that when you talk to people who attend benefits they often assume that the venue is donating some or all of their profits to the cause. Which is rarely the case from my experience.

Another issue is that there's really no accountability for what happens to the proceeds of the benefit. I've been involved in a few where the family never received any money or the organizers were accused of skimming. Sadly, there's a lot of fraud involving charities and non-profits. We generally don't do benefits unless there's a personal connection to a band member.

On a different note, the benefit experience would be better for everybody involved if they didn't have so many bands and last so long. Those 5 to 10 band benefits are usually a total cluster****.

[Jasaoke]

"too many" might not be the right phrase, although sometimes it seems like there are more benefits than "regular" gigs.

I thought I read somewhere that some people had put together a Benefit Band, which I think is an awesome idea. Just play benefits. I think it would be a ton of fun, and very entertaining, to make up a band JUST for a benefit, then change it around for the next one. Keep changing members, keep changing material. You wouldn't even have to rehearse that much, just agree on a setlist and go.

[tornandfrayed]

I really believe that the whole thing with "benefits" plays into the economy and the state of live music. The bar owner wants people in the door, the bands want to have an audience and there is always someone in need.

This is the perfect recipe for a lot of benefits..

[Big Jimi Cee]

Ironically I have seen a couple of articles and posts on this topic lately and here are the links. You can form your own opinion from what these people say. For me it is on a case by case basis. Several factors come into play, what or whom is the benefit for, where is it being held, and when is it.

What or whom - I am one who believes in helping others whenever possible but I also need to filter some of these events just to accommodate my own life.

Where - basically there are some places that I won't play anymore, the one establishment that is being tossed about is one of them.

When, my schedule is usually pretty hectic so I am not always available.

Here are the links to the two articles that I have seen, again I am neither endorsing or rejecting any of the premises presented.

http://www.onstagemagazine.com/why-musi ... r-talents/

http://musicgoat.com/benefit-play-free# ... KRABf.dpbs

One caveat to my statement above;

I do however like the idea of being paid and making a donation back to the event. This may become part of my model moving forward.

Author's note: Take a look at the comments at the end of the first article. Some interesting viewpoints there as well.

[Jasaoke]

Thanks for the links Big Jim. Well said.

I can't count the times I've read about benefits and thought "Yeah, I'd love to help out here". Then I read the venue and it all goes out the window.

[Jim Price]

Interesting thread, and good points made on both sides of the fence.

I have noted a lot of benefits in the area over the past few years especially. My band gets asked to play a lot of them. We weigh several factors, including our individual availabilities to be involved, how well organized the benefit is and more.

A lot of times we get asked to play Sunday benefits...Sunday is usually our practice day during the winter season, so we often will opt for the benefit to replace practice, and get to enjoy seeing a few other bands and hanging out with other musician friends. Since I do the radio thing on Sunday nights, we usually tend to play early at Sunday benefits.

A lot of the benefits we have been asked to do involve people we know or friends who need the help, and in those cases, we're glad to lend a hand.

We are more selective regarding how well benefits are organized before we accept...We had a couple of instances where poorly-organized benefits recruited us last minute, and we showed up to find out that the sound system hadn't even been booked or set up. We now will ask who is running sound and who is in charge of organizing the itinerary for that day so we don't get burned again.

I deal with this from another angle, too, since I often get asked to emcee benefits. I have grown to be more selective, since emceeing shows takes a longer time commitment than just performing. I now usually ask the organizer or venue to take care of my meal cost if I'm going to emcee, since I am pretty much captive to that event for an entire day or evening, and don't have the option of stepping out to grab a meal somewhere else. I figure the venue can afford to pony up a meal if they want my services.

In general, though, my policy and my band's policy is to consider each benefit request on a case-by-case basis...

[P MAC]

I try to help when I can. I have performed and done production for a number of these shows each year, but I do believe that there are too many benefits. I actually thought that " Three Band Ben" was the name of a new local band when I saw it posted consistently on a local venue's marquee!
Also seems that if you do one, lots of others call you quickly for the next.
I will continue to help as my life and schedule permit.
Just my 2 cents[/quote]

[Skate Toad]

I think "Certain" clubs take advantage of benefits. They get free entertainment and crowds that they make money off of and then look like the good guys. That way they don't actually have to pay a band. Even if no crowd shows the club still makes money off the 10 bands worth of food and drinks. Quite the racket. "certain" clubs have made it their MO lately.

[Skate Toad]

I also have issues with some of the actual benefits. Like the ones for people killed in DUIs or drug overdoses. I don't mean to be a goof but your bad decisions in life should not be rewarded with a tribute and a bail out. I feel bad for the families but maybe they could of taken a more active rule to help prevent these things.
It just seems lately like so and so chipped a nail we should have a benefit.
Sick kids and tragic loses count me in if I'm free!

[Hawk]

I beg you PLEASE refrain from naming venues that have benefits. That's not exactly what this thread is about. I DO understand your opinions about that without turning this thread into venue bashing.

There ARE people who NEED benefits. The alternative to having a venue make money in conjunction with a benefit is to RENT a venue. So what if a venue makes money while a benefit is there? Too many musicians bashed Peter Cs, then they closed.

Focus on who the benefit is for and how well it's organized.

I feel for people like PMac in that if you do a couple of free benefits you get called for more and more freebies. I know of bands who have the same problem. Solving that can be a focus of this thread.

Perhaps a pool could be created of bands and PA systems. Kind of a rotating system so that NO ONE gets overwhelmed with requests.

I'm looking for solutions, not bashing. Problem solving creativity based on good human nature.

[P MAC]

Would it make sense for the local music community and others to do one or two well organized events, establish a charitable trust fund and let the money be distributed based on need and etc. Then agree that individual events would be less necessary and less frequent. Would take some planning, but could be accomplished. The Mac Bash is a good model. That event raise a significant amount of money each year, performers and production are paid, and all who attend get a great night out and more, and the scholarship program is well funded. There is also accountability for the dollars. Just a thought.

[Lowender]

I went to a benefit in Texas once that was basically an open jam. They had 3 bands commit to coming and it was one heck of a free for all. Great music, and some really unexpected mixes of styles.

[Skate Toad]

I have no problem with a venue making a little bit of profit having a benefit. It helps pay the electric and staff etc. My problem is when a club makes it their bread and butter and over does it because they refuse to put time and effort into developing a solid music scene of their own for the business that they run. By the way I would never name a specific bar or club. The guilty know who they are.
I agree with the production side being a challenge. You have to pick and choose because you do get tons of calls once you start doing them. Often you put 12 hours or more in and have to do 10 bands with very little thanks or help. Plus it takes a toll on your gear that now comes out of your pocket. I do a few a year and that's it. I'll mix 0ne or two and play maybe 3-4. after that it is a bit much.

[StumbleFingers]

Since the ultimate goal is to raise as much money as possible for the cause, it'd be great to have feedback from people who've run benefits. What works and what doesn't? For example, is it better to go with a donated venue that profits from the food and drink? Or is it better to rent a venue, have a buffet of donated food, and charge a higher cover?

We also need to think outside our box and ask how band benefits compare to other fundraising methods. As musicians and fans we're inclined to put on a concert because it's something we enjoy. But is it what's best for the cause? If they'd make exponentially more money with a poker run or a hoagie sale, we need to re-evaluate if we should do band benefits at all.

[KeithReynolds]

When you do a benefit, youre helping people. People in NEED. Not just people that wanna be jerks and have benefits thrown in their name for free money. Typically people have benefits because they cant afford some massive medical treatment or there is some other tragedy. Put yourself in their shoes, youd be asking for a benefit for sure. UNLESS of course you can afford to deal with whatever is put on you. Arent you fortunate?

I DO think that if a bar holds a benefit, they should donate. The point of the benefit is to raise money for someone, so the bar owner should support the cause too. I dont know how they get away with not donating. Should be in the agreement id think. Also, selling merch is a great way any band can make money at any gig to increase money made for the band. Always remember that.