Doves: why only three members?

[m4roon77]

Does anyone know why the manchester band doves are always reported as having three members when as long as ive been seeing them live(three years or so) theres always been four members on stage....whys the keyboard player not considered as a band member...poor sod!

[requiem]

I think they're a lot like that Clash who didn't have a full-time drummer. They probably hire them from gig to gig.

[rja211077]

i guess if they recruit someone as a permanent member they have to give them a cut of royalties from all record sales, merchandise, etc. If they're just contracted to play on tour it will be more of a fixed fee. The obvious situation where a tour musician would be made permanent is where they were contributing creatively to the band.