I played in a 5 piece band for about 6 months. Keyboards. The guitar players just kept cranking their volumes. No matter what happened. Back then I had good ears. And I'd listen to every piece without playing and discuss volume levels. The objective was to try and get 12 o'clock as everyone's starting point.
When they booked the 1st gig for $500 to be split such that my take would be $80 (only 1 instrument), and we were to setup at 6 p.m. play 10:30 'til 2, I declined. They still play every 2 months or so, but split my $80 bucks. I miss the garage, but it was a 30 minute drive each way. I don't think I'm missing much.

Just got 3 gigs for the wife and I for xmas. I decline to take $'s but we are getting $500 for the 3 of them. Christmas spending money.

I should learn RealBand.

John Conley
Musica est vita