Why do musicians where those stupid wristbands?

[(b)Assman]

edit- Sweatband I mean. edit again- the sweatbands that you wear on your wrist.

Especially those into playing heavier music? Is it just a trend or something or is there some sort of magic imbued on them?

[JohnnyPustular]

In the 70s, Joe Strummer used to wrap his right wrist in cloth and duct tape, because he would tear up his arm from hitting the strings so vigorously. Maybe he started a trend?

[Rune Bivrin]

Could it possibly be to stop sweat from the arms to reach the hands and then the instrument?

[Implosion]

Originally Posted by (b)Assman

edit- Sweatband I mean.

Especially those into playing heavier music? Is it just a trend or something or is there some sort of magic imbued on them?

Sweatbands as in those things that you wear around your head? I have never seen anybody outside Hip-hop/R&B wear those at gigs. Wristbands on the other hand are quite popular. Even I have thought about wearing them because I sweat like a pig on gigs and sometimes sweat gets in my eyes if I don't wipe it properly off my forehead. For this purpose wristbands would be acceptable. And yes, I play death metal mostly

[manicbassman]

also helps with muting...

[Elrend]

Nah, I don't sweat while playing. I have proper technique

[sonic assassin]

i hear a beanie to keep the sweat/hair out of my face.. but never anything on my wrist.

[sarcastro83]

I play with a pick, and I'm a sweaty dude as it is. I tend to drop picks when my hands get all wet... the sweat band on the wrist helps that to a minimal extent.

[bassman1185]

Some people wear them because they think they look cool. I used to, but then I realized that they were pretty much a nu-metal thing and I have avoided them ever since.

Some people wear them to help keep their wrist from getting rubbed raw on their bass. I've gotten blisters on my wrist where it makes contact with my bass. In fact, I actually have a small scar where my wrist rubs against the body of my bass when I play with a pick, which is about 90% of the time with my band.

[spade2you]

I typically wear 'em to keep my bass clean and to let me know if I'm not playing with my wrists straight. If the sweat bands are starting to feel tight, probably means there's too much bend.

[AlembicPlayer]

I wear a large band(the type for sports injury) on my right wrist/forearm...if I don't, my arm sticks to the finish of the bass and restricts my arm movement. it's totally utilitarian for me.

[bassteban]

WEAR, not where. Additionally, they are inanimate objects and acnnot really be stupid, unlike people.
On topic, I think the reason for WEARing them is fairly clear & has been pointed out nicely.

[(b)Assman]

How often would someone be sweating so much that sweat drips off their forearms onto their hands? The bottom of your hands are gonna be mega sweaty already.


edit

not many gigs in the Sahara I don't think.

[AlembicPlayer]

this is how I use it same as lesh.to keep the stickiness/sweat off of that part of the bass so it doesn't restrict movement and make your arm raw from hours of playing

[thisSNsucks]

I used to wear one when I would play stricktly pickstyle during gigs. I would get sweaty, and when my wrist would rub against the body of the bass, it would be sticky.

That and it just looks soo cool

[stflbn]

I believe Richard Simmons wears sweat bands... that alone is enough reason to not wear them.

[bassteban]

(b)Assman, you're from Texas & have never had an issue w/sweat? You're not playing hard enough.

[4bpauly]

Originally Posted by Elrend

Nah, I don't sweat while playing. I have proper technique

what?

i used to wear one on my right arm...because i sweat a lot and it would stop sweat from getting to my fingers.

it has nothing to do with technique, it has to do with hot stage lighting and, with that band... putting on an "energetic" stage show.

i thought i looked like a tool with it, but i had to... later on i moved it a little further up my forearm so it was where i rested my arm on my bass so it wouldn't affect the wood (was a warwick..didn't want to stain it)...it still stopped the sweat from getting to my hands as well.

[The Golden Boy]

I started using a wristband because the edge of the binding on my old Rick wore against my arm. I wear one when I play the T-Bird, as the edge of the body does irritate my wrist if I'm not wearing a long sleeved shirt or jacket.

I have nothing to do with 'nu-metal'

[Pilgrim]

I can think of one reason - I played a gig outdoors with no shade and had to put on sunblock - and it had a tendency to affect the finish on my bass. I'd have been happy to have a wide sweat/wristband on that occasion...would have used it on my right forearm where it touched the bass.