This should probably go in the Unpopular Drummer's Opinion thread but, here goes. As someone who has been on both sides of the band thing for many years, that is, as management that hires bands and as a drummer in a band being hired, this is very common. With the exception of concert type bands like Bermuda plays in (or plays, symphony, broad way type shows, etc.) and some festival type events, bands are GENERALLY hired for two reasons. 1) To provide some nice background and hopefully a little dance motivation or in bar situations,2) to bring people in who will buy drinks; it that's simple! To add insult to injury, most patrons pay very little attention to the band until they get drunk enough to want to dance. I learned this many years ago and have accepted it as the way it is. Of course it is always great to play those gigs when people really do get into the band! That just seems to be more the exception than the rule. Perhaps this is just speaks to the talent level of my bands, but I have seen it with other musicians who were much better than my groups!
We have all seen/heard "popular" local bands who are hired a lot that aren't necessarily the best musicians. The reason they consistently get hired is because they put butts in the chairs and the cash register is ringing. Yes, there has to be a certain talent level and showmanship (what I have also found that song selection is more important than most everything else!), but it is a revenue thing. As we all know, it is a self perpetuating thing, especially if you can get the girls to come! The guys will come and so will others to be where things are happening. Again, it is USUALLY more about the social side for people than coming specifically for the band. I am not sure that our true "fans" pay as much attention to us as we think or they let on!
I had this big debate with a band mate many years ago (and we were basically a "bar band"). His position was were "partners" with the bar and thus had more input into when we started, stopped, how loud we played, etc. I can tell you, from the management's perspective, we are an independent contractor HIRED by the establishment (And unfortunately, due to many of the attitudes and lack of professionalism by SOME bands, we are considered a necessary evil, certainly not a partner!) . As such, the establishment makes those type decisions. Yes, in a perfect world there would be more of a "partnership", but we ain't living in a perfect world!
OK, sorry to alienate some, but sadly, that is the way many bar owners/managers and patrons view us!