I hear you. The big three automakers should be allowed to get the 15 billion from the same pot the financial companies got theirs especially since half of the original amount is still available.
I lived in Phoenix for three years and the bar managers would force the new bands to pay or play for nothing and if they liked the band they have the band back with $150 to $200 range. I once played at the Rios Solado Brewery downtown Tempe on Mills Ave and my cut was $7.50 of which I never received from the Bass player. Thank GOD in Minnesota and North Dakota they pay us fairly well never less than $400 for a small town bar and $1100 for New Years Eve or about $750 for a large street dance. I like the private birthday partys and outdoor gigs the best.
Tubetwang, are you in Austin. Bands do real good to play for tips on weeknights. Some clubs make bands sell enough tickets to cover the gig before they can play. Can't blame them. If a band sucks or has no following it cost a club money. Thats why you have to play both country and western!
I can tell you the scene on 6th street is Bands play for tips and supposedly 10-15% of the Bar. Only the bar never seems to make any money. The Best thing about Austin is being from Austin . There are quite a few smoking players here and I have had the pleasure of playing with a number of them.
TC's is a great place on the east side and you never know who is gonna sit in.
"Nothing's too expensive for my little Princess" 
It can be boring if it's a DRY reception, but the money's GREAT 
