Image and performance

[gribuski]

So I've been thinking about my band. I foresee a possible discussion with them when we start gigging consistently and I want to be prepared for it if it happens.

Its a metal band, and its pretty heavy...progressive, but heavy. I'm not at all from that background. I play MMW, James Brown, lots of soul and funk, mostly improv(ish). I'm good friends with the drummer and guitar player (brothers, who are phenomenal). We had jammed a good bit before for fun, and they asked me to start a serious band with them when their other broke up. Cool. Done.

We found another guitar player, and he looks pretty hardcore. Tattoo sleeve, long beard, long hair, etc. The other guys look the part too...long hair, black t-shirts and baggy jeans.

ANYWAY, when we start playing shows, I'm pretty sure that I'm going to stick out like a sore thumb. That's just not how my personal style goes. I don't even own a black t-shirt. I stick to brightly colored (not preppy) polo shirts and neutral band/goodwill/music instrument t-shirts, cut off shorts and Birkenstocks.

Do you guys think its a big deal if I got out on stage for a metal show in a Frank Zappa shirt?! To me, its seems kind of fake for me to buy clothes to fit the style of my band, but crowds can be weird, as well as musicians, on that scene if I don't look the part (trust me, its happened before). Whether I want to admit it, my style is a part of my personality...I'm a pretty happy-go-lucky, laid back guy. I know I'll smile and laugh onstage too. Not sure how that will go over either. Oh, and I don't drink or smoke (anything)...Dudes in metal bands are supposed to be crazy - not me.

Maybe I'm too nice to be in a metal band.

Anybody have any personal experience with this? Or any advice? Am I blowing this out of proportion? I've done a pretty good job of fitting in as the oddball everywhere I've been, but this seems a little daunting.

[Asomodai]

Hell, i have worn tuxedos when playing a metal gig and i have worn Behemoth all over print t-shirts playing with an indie rock band. It doesant matter as long as you can play you'll be fine.

[Ibanezzer]

dude I think you'd be fine. I'm not much of a pro or anything like that but I do go to a lot of concerts, mostly like heavy rock and punk-rock stuff. I personally think it looks way cooler when everyone is like whereing something completely differnet, as if they were just dressign as they normally would. I know what you mean by not fitting the part, cause i've seen some bands where there is all but one all tatooed and pieced up. You might feel out of place but hey your not there to be a model, you're their to play. So just have fun with it.

peace dude,
david.

[Poop-Loops]

It's down to the skill, not the image. Put on a white t-shirt and some jeans and see how you do.

[tzadik]

Sounds like you already know what to do if you want to

A) draw attention to yourself or

B) mesh with the image of the band.

You can mesh and still be you...I'd just wear all black or jeans/black tee. Otherwise you'll look like the guy who is just sitting in for the real bass player who diesd of a crack overdose.

It feels funny/fake at first...but it's not. Getting into costume is just part of performing. Pros do it all the time.

[EBMatt]

I'm sure you can try to blend in with the band a little, without totally loosing you individuality. Or maybe you guys can do a theme thing. Someone up there ^^^ mentioned suits. Suits are sick, especially if you're in a heavy band. It's kinda like a visual oxymoron. Check my profile pic. Be yourself, but don't forget that you are in that band. Do your take on that image.

[jady]

Originally Posted by gribuski

Do you guys think its a big deal if I got out on stage for a metal show in a Frank Zappa shirt?!

IT IS ALWAYS TASTFUL TO WEAR A FRANK ZAPPA SHIRT!!!!!!!

As for the look of modern metal, it is a lot more varied than in the 80's or even 90's. Just wear something comfortable, instrument shirts just show you are a musician.

Out here in Central California, metal chicks big a good boy gone bad, it makes them feel kinda dirty.

The Birks may have to go tho................

[BrandonBass]

well, bassists are the dorkiest member of the band. its alright

[bassbengoa]

Originally Posted by Asomodai

Hell, i have worn tuxedos when playing a metal gig.

Suits Suits! I wore suits for a year in metal gigs. Did great...




everyone got a goog laugh

Wear what you like, you'll do ok.










Maybe if you wear a pink dress you won't do thaaat well after all , so maybe it's everithing except pink

[Jazzman]

Don't worry about appearance, just worry about the music. If you rock, nobody will care if you look the part. Let the music do the talking. ...at least that has been my experience. Of course, I have been out of that scene for five or six years now...things may have changed.

(BTW, a lot of people who look the part, only look the part, they fall short everyplace else.)

[beyondhairy]

Originally Posted by bassbengoa

Maybe if you wear a pink dress you won't do thaaat well after all , so maybe it's everithing except pink

youve obviously never been a fan of marilyn manson lol

[tzadik]

I respectfully disagree with those of you who say to wear whatever you want. In some genres, that's the case, but metal is metal because of nor only the music, but the bands' images. That's just the way it is. Disagreeing with the principle is fine, but you can't disagree with what it is.

I repeat, there is nothing at all wrong with this...and wearing a costume is NEVER a substitute for playing well. In fact, if you are in costume and looking like a pro, then you'd sure as sh!+ know how to play like one too.

[FrigginChris]

almost every metal band i've been in/seen always pretty much had just a t-shirt and pants thing going on. I say just wear what's comfortable.

[seanm]

How about going half way. A black t-shirt with a huge happy face on it!

The fact you are posting about this shows you are nervous about standing out. And that will probably show when you gig. A black tee and jeans, or maybe army surplus pants if you don't want to spend too much, are cheap and will go over fine.

But I still like the happy face idea.

[AshenBassist]

Wow...

You guys are all wrong. It's NEVER been about the music, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE IMAGE!!!








Just kidding. though polo shirts are a little iffy depending on what kind of metal you play. I've never actually dressed up for gigs, though i've only played two so i don't know if that really counts...

Just throw on some jeans and a T-shirt. I doubt to many will care if the music is good.

\m/

[mrmoonjam]

You said you're pretty good friends with the drummer and one guitar player...you could bring it up with them now, right?

[chaosMK]

It seems to me like the root of the problem is that you arent a metal musician (a "metalist"?)... you are in the wrong band!

If everyone in the band is going all out metal look and attitude, it probably wouldnt be a bad idea if you wore something other than a bright polo shirt. This may sound cynical, but it will probably hurt your band's success a little depending on the climate of the scene for your genre. People might not even take you all that seriously as a musician.

However, the image of metal is changing a bit these days.

[Poop-Loops]

If you search some Death videos on youtube, you'll see that they just wear black t-shirts and some black pants. Nothing over the top, and they were one of the first death metal bands. They also don't wear their guitars real low.

[PSPookie]

You're going to need lots of tattoos and piercings. I’m sorry, but it is the only way. Also, you should probably bite the head off of some sort of live animal while on stage. Start out with something small and work your way up to human sacrifice. I mean, who's going to take you seriously if you just get up there and quietly display competency and profesionalism?

[Vic Winters]

Get a 3 pack of Fruit of the Loom black short sleeved t-shirts, black or dark pair of straight leg jeans, and black shoes. It's not like the clothing is uncomfortable.