Exodus guitarist Gary Holt has clarified the realities of making a living as a touring musician. He revealed to Metal.de that most of his income comes from selling band merchandise rather than traditional “rock-star” earnings.
His remarks highlighted the impact of t-shirt sales and rising touring costs on band finances.
“People think, ‘Oh, you’re a rich rock star.’ No. I sell shirts, and I sell them outta my fucking closet. All right. Pack this one up, label it, send it off. But no, that just helps. It doesn’t pay the bills. It helps to keep pay the bills. It helped really a lot in the pandemic,” Holt said. “But I don’t know. If I honestly retired, I’d probably do more producing. I’d stay in music. But sometimes I daydream about not leaving the house. ‘Cause I hate leaving — I hate getting on the plane to leave — but as soon as I arrive, I have fun.”
He emphasized merchandise revenue as a critical lifeline.
“[Selling shirts is] where we make our money. We’re lucky… If you’re in a band where the money you’re paid to play covers your expenses and the t-shirt money is yours, you’re doing really well,” he continued.
Rising costs create ongoing challenges for touring acts.
“Because everything, especially since the pandemic — tour buses cost way more money. Everything costs more. Airfare costs more. It’s fucking hard. We do okay, we do pretty good. But then when you come home and you don’t work for two months, that money you made has to cover, stretch out over all of it. So it’s not what people think.”
Holt’s candid discussion illuminates broader challenges in the metal music industry.
Reports from Blabbermouth revealed the 61-year-old guitarist’s struggles with touring. Physical ailments affecting his elbow, hand, and shoulder may force the band to reduce their future touring schedule.
Recent events underscored the financial pressures of professional musicianship. Lambgoat documented Holt’s efforts to organize a fundraiser for his brother’s medical expenses after an accident in Rome. This situation demonstrated how established musicians still face significant financial challenges.
Metal bands face substantial overhead costs for touring operations. These expenses include transportation, lodging, crew salaries, and equipment maintenance. Profits remain modest despite ticket and merchandise sales, especially for bands outside mainstream commercial success.
The current economic climate has elevated the importance of merchandise sales for metal bands. These sales now serve as both supplementary income and a crucial component for tour profitability during an era of increasing operational costs.
