There's a band that I recorded several records for
between 2000 and 2004. I was friendly with the
members and we hung out a lot... it's a relatively
small scene, so we saw each other often.

Well... in the 9 months after I recorded their last record,
the band went through some lineup changes and
eventually decided to break up. At the point they
decided this, they still owed me $900 on their
studio time. The main guy in the band told me that
they would be able to pay this from their final
two shows in town. (They were a relatively big
band in town and it was sure that they'd draw a
couple hundred people to their shows).

The day before the final show, the guy calls me up
and says they aren't getting paid for the show since
it's also a going away party for a friend of theirs
and, I assume, a benefit for the friend's moving costs. I
suggest that they band put their foot down and demand
the $900 (the door $ was sure to be $2000 at least)
or play a show to benefit me, someone who invested
time into their band. (Beyond just recording their
records, I'd loaned them equipment, driven them to
shows, etc). Well... this wasn't acceptable to them,
so the guy chose to screw me over about the money...
even adding insult to injury by calling me the night
of the show and asking me to run sound. "At least
you'll get $100," he said. I said, "No thanks."

I was pretty devastated by the whole thing and incredibly
angry, so I destroyed all their CDs in my collection and
unspooled several reels of multitrack still sitting around
(they had all the masters).

Anyway... you get the picture. So... 4 years after all
this, said band is playing a "reunion show" and wants
to "patch things up" by paying me. I don't know more
specifics than that since this has been relayed to me
through a third party. So... do I take the money and
let them feel like they don't need to feel guilty anymore?
Or should I take the money and make it clear that I'm
only taking it because they owe me, but that I'll never
be friends with them again. Or what? Opinions are welcome.

take the money and get over it.

if you work with them again, get the money up front.

Ah.. I'm over it.

I don't really care one way or another about
the money or the betrayal or whatever anymore.
I decided they were shitty people and moved
on -- I'm not friends with any of the members
anymore. I just feel that they're trying to buy
a clear conscience four years after the fact.
That's why I'm asking whether or not people
would take the money... obviously it's bothering
the band still, so do I let them feel in whatever
way that they've done the right thing?

I would say, if after all that time someone wants to make things right (or at least better), and if they weren't coerced into doing so, and if there isn't an ulterior motive, then that's kind of a pretty rare and swell thing.

I'd take the money. Hell, even see if they'll cough up some interest on your past owed money, if you can.

No reason you should not get your due pay, unless you happen to despise them so much that it's worth $900 to just have no contact with them at all.

But I'd stay on guard about any possible strings attached, definitely.

"Hey, now that's all settled and we're old chums again, do you think you could help us..."

"Nope, sorry. But thanks for finally getting that money to me."

etc.

But if it's an honest, sincere move, and things eventually do "patch up", then who knows? Maybe you bury the hatchet.

But no matter what, you'll know better than to ever extend them credit again.

You will feel a lot better with $900 in your pants.

Once, a "friend" dicked me around for some money. I bided my time and when he finally got the money, I waited until he had handed it over and THEN kicked his ass. Always get the money first.

get the money then tell them about the interest on the debt.

You've invested time and effort, and have kindly lend equipment to them, and they still fuck you over. I say take the money, and don't work with them again. After all, the money is rightfully yours.

Call the cops.

No, wait...I mean, never call the cops.

take the money and say thanks. dick maneuver to screw you out of it in the first place, but four years can turn even the biggest dick into a decent person (and a decent person into the biggest dick). still, i wouldn't work with them again just in case.

Take the money. You don't have to be their friend or anything.

Honestly, though, if they're offering out of the blue after four years, they can't be all bad.