Brief summary;
We play pubs and at a couple of them local guys (self styled agents I suppose) book the bands for the venues, in return the bands pay said agents a fee of approx 10%. That isn't the cause for my conscience to be pricked, as it is a simple case of, if you want to use them to get those particular venues/gigs, then so be it (as has been said we get booking for two venues from one particular agent); if you don't want to use agents don't do those gigs!
However, we have had contact from one said agent saying that one of the venues wants to go it alone and book their own bands (why that should be so I have no idea because afaik the band pays any fee to the booker/agent NOT the venue... unless they are getting a double kick-back but of this I have no proof). This agent has stated that any band now playing said venue would have any other gigs with said agent cancelled and that band wouldn't get work in any of their venues. To be fair the agent did offer us an alternative gig on the date that he wants us to cancel, though we will obviously still pay him his fee; it could be viewed that the guy is being generous or alternatively he would have lost revenue from us had we decided to continue with the gig, this way he still gets a fee out of us.
My principles have me saying to the rest of the band that I don't want to be part of this agents machinations/schemes to cut bands from the venue in question (possibly forcing the venue to reinstate him as the agent) but equally, I don't like being threatened with this axe hanging over us of; 'Play by my rules or I cut you from other venues.'
The rest of the band have shrugged and said 'Meh! For the sake of a few gigs a year, let's just knock the venue on the head and go with the agent'. I have said 'For the sake of a few gigs a year, let's just knock the agent on the head and play this venue any way'.
Thoughts?