10% is a generous ballpark estimate. I have no empirical data, just my own experience in the business running a moderatly succesful label for the past decade. Before that I was in a signed touring band that put in a pretty decent amount of time on the road and met TONS of other signed touring bands.

Of all the hundreds of signed bands I have played shows with, booked shows with or worked with in the past 10 years, I can only think of 2 off hand that are actually making serious money and rolling around in a tour bus.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of signed touring bands that still work day jobs when they get home because touring doesn't pay dick squat after expenses and splitting things 4 ways. There are tons of medium profile indie bands that would be lucky to get a $200 guarantee. I remember talking to Mae one time when they were touring with The Starting Line and their guarantee was only something like $250 and they had sold quite a few records by that point.

The only thing I really can say is I don't think you have a complete concept of how many bands are really out there doing the touring thing.

Your math is a bit rediculous though. That $3000 they have is more than likely mostly comprised of merch sales. Of which their cost basis can be nearly 40%. ($4 shirt sells for $10, $5 wholesale CD sells for $12 ect). Just because they are holding $3000 doesn't mean the entire thing is profit. That 40% chunk has to go right back into buying more merch for the next tour. It also doesn't mean the entire amount was collected while they were on the road either. Most bands don't leave their house with nothing and hope to make it on

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• Re: Gwen Stacy robbed in Los Angeles, CA by douglas_is_rad on
  

Your comment about having 3k after 3 weeks shows that you're completely and totally ignorant regarding touring and the expenses/costs of it.