how is to pay-to-play when bands don't pay to play?
who coined the term?
IIRC, it goes back to an older-variant of this model where bands were required to purchase xx # of tickets to get a spot on the bill. If they were then able to sell them themselves, great, but if not, venue didn't care because the band paid for them. The idea that bands should do the primary promotion and ticket sale responsibilities and assume all risk associated with the event (which is the venue's job, honestly) is probably the more insulting part of this.
I don't see it as insulting at all..if your band sucks or has no following and the only way you can get a place to play is that way then you do it if you want to play live at a place that is not like your garage...its not like its not optional! If you're a band with, you know, an actual fanbase that pays to see you live, then you're never going to have to do this because you'll get regular bookings...
I really don't see the problem..... I might be missing something though...