not only do the bands have to pay for recording costs, tour support, Advertisements etc etc.
They also pay for the stage they play on if it's unique and for warehouse storage when not in use.
When the record company takes a band out for a dinner to negotiate, the band pays for the limos, the executives overtime, accommodation, the meal, entertainment, etc.
I know of some bands where their live appearances are conditional, they have to hire or buy costumes and some have to hire limos to give the appearance they are rich.
Some contracts have bands bound to certain production companies (sometimes owned by the record company) to do their film clips and could have a minimum spend value on the clip to get it to TV quality. All the catering, dancers costumes, actors, location hire, etc. all paid for by the band.
Yep some bands get screwed royally and they have no choice to do things cheaper if it's a condition of their contract.
Many bands stay with lesser known record companies as it's better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond.
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