Unless they are popular and/or major, nobody got money in the VK business. So yes, Buck Tick have some $$$
Acquintance of mine worked in the business told me how it work.
For the scouting to no name new bands, the systems are the label with lend them money, technically, for recording their first maxi, and it will usually have 1 or 2 upbeat songs, 1 ballad, and usually there will be SE too, this happened because budget given aren't big.
I said technically because the band will record their 1st maxi with the label's owned studio, and they are charging the band for it.
And after this maxi released, the band are in debt to the record label, not just for the recording, but also for the costumes, photographer fee and such, and each of maxi sold, the money goes into the label's pocket.
They pay up their debt, by selling their maxis, and another singles, or EPs, or else they will just disband cos they didn't make any money.
As for bands that never sell enough, they will be given options by the label, stop their music activity at once and never to be seen again, usually ended up as salary man, or disband and make a new band with another member of bands who also disband in that label.
If any bands disagree with either option, they will have a name change instead with new direction and looks and gimmick.
Meanwhile, those who always selling out singles after singles, after a year, they will be signed by flagship company (example: PSC). Meanwhile, the 2nd and 3rd best will be signed by secondary (i.e: SPEEDISK) and tersier (i.e: Resistar) labels.
Those who does not get signed by any labels but still want to continue will have to record music, they will have to do so with their own money, this is where shops like Like An Edison takes important role for them because releases below 500 copies will not be accepted for sale in major stores such as HMV and Tower Records. And the same reason why some bands did live show only CD-R album too often rather than official releases.
As for live shows at live houses, the band will pay for the live house fee, hence is why many new bands are always performing with 4-5 other bands to cover the rental fee. And depends in the scale of the event, usually each band will be responsible to pay for 15-25 tickets/band, say ¥1500x25, hence is why you will be asked who do you wanna see when you are attending concerts at Japanese live shows. And as for famous bands or bands who affiliated with very good and reputable booking agency such as DNR, they will be listed as guest instead and free from all responsibilities from paying up the venue or at least they will gather their street team to fill up the venue.
Indie bands barely make any money, instead they got more debts, hence they have day jobs. They are only get money once they becomes big name in the scenes, signed by major labels, got endorsement from brands, and touring big venues all over Japan.
So if we are talking famous and established ones like The Gazette, DEG, Luna Sea, Buck Tick, L'ARC, MUCC, and such they make money and live well. But if we are talking about bands like Sibile Bashir, no they don't, they are dirt poor.
