Money

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Money

One person should be in charge of collecting and holding and doling out the money. Make sure it's someone who is level headed and honest. You need someone who is able to deal with club owners and get the money without being a prick but also without getting stepped on. Also, he should be able to do simple math and not skim off the till, even if he feels justified because he's fighting hard to get the band 's money at the end of the night. One way this person can get compensated for this task is to not have to move equipment at the end of the night. He still moves it at the beginning, but when it's time for load out, he'll probably be in the manager's office anyway.

This person should keep written records and should also bring copies of the contracts for each show on tour. Often, the booker you did the contract with many weeks ago during the day will not be working that night. And the goon who runs

Figure 16.6. Insecto bass.

Figure 16.7. Guitar at Spaceland.

the place will say, "We never waive the 15 percent charge we take of the band's merch sales," or "We never give guarantees , only a percentage." If you have made contrary arrangements, you can pull out written proof.

One time Bomb played a club called The Electric Banana in Pittsburgh (don't look for it; it's not there anymore). The manager at that time had a reputation for pulling guns on bands when they went to get the money at the end of the night. Tony was like, "Good. I'm gonna tell him 'Go ahead and shoot me'." We didn't even get to the point of asking for the money; the manager cut our electricity three songs into the set to take a phone call, and then left. If you deal with a reputable booking agent, crap like this is less likely to happen.

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