Onstage Personas?

[Yankeesfan1115]

Does anyone have an onstage persona? maybe not as crazy as like Ziggy Stardust, just like a crazy hat or something
i wore a viking hat to my last show, it was insane

[All_¥our_Bass]

When I play show I wear sorta gothy things (but I wear the anyway, outside of shows). Not that I identify my self with that crowd exactly, but most black baggy stuff. I got chains hanging from both sides of pants in giant u shapes (they're both clip at two belt loops). And hanging at the end of these chains are...
...

...

...

...


TELETUBBIES!!

One side has Dipsy hanging from it, while the side hangs Tinky Winky.

[cutthroatmolloy]

no personas here. i really am a pirate.

[Skel]

If you mean "persona" as in masking your real personality type, or "becoming" a different person, then yes, big time. Lot's of performers are like this. I'm actuallly a pretty introverted person, quiet if I don't know people, etc. But on a stage I always just felt so good and confident and almost offensively cocky, like "if anybody out there thinks they can out play me...I assure you, you can't" which of course is ridiculous, but that's how I felt. I was just right at home on any stage - I WANTED to show off and I thrived on the attention I got from girls, etc. People didn't realize I was shy and even insecure, but I was. I think everybody is insecure.

[MoD_Scotty]

In real life, I'm a pretty quiet, sorta shy dude. On stage, I go absolutely nuts. I do it because it's fun to get out my aggressions, and it gives the crowd something cool to see. Nobody wants to watch a band that just stands still.

Last night, for some reason there was a rubber chicken being tossed around in the crowd. It got flung on stage, so I grabbed that mofo and started "slapping" with it on my bass. The crowd absolutely loved it. I'm still laughing about it today!

[BigLoopDuke]

Yeah, the only time it backfires is when fans catch you at a restaurant, shopping center, church, etc embarking on some well needed "family time."

My onstage persona was crafted to emphasize what I've always liked best about my favorite performers. Really in your face, super-hype man styled, stuff. The onstage antics make it a show, rather than a lengthy collection of songs.

The best part is it even carries over to our website and to something we offer called the Monday Jewel. Basically, between myself and our main vocalist/MC, we divy up the weeks and just do our thing. Our fans have a whole world to step into. It's time consuming, but well worth it.

[bluestarbass]

I engineer and produce and do session work under a pen name but I guess not really a persona. I am kinda the opposite of you guys, im pretty outgoing nice person. When im on stage im more introverted. I play in a punk band and still go crazy but pretty much calmer than my normal life where im screaming obsenities. I do find its easy to hide behind an instrument and be someone else, and as soon as the bass or guitar goes away its hard to keep up that attittude.

[chakah]

i wear a beanie when i play whip it by devo.

[rfclef]

Yeah...

On stage, I like to act like this 35 year old dorky guy who could be like a music teacher who plays tuba and is lousy with women... Lets me escape from being a 36 year old dorky guy who is a music teacher who plays tuba and is lousy with women...

[Skel]

Originally Posted by rfclef

Yeah...

On stage, I like to act like this 35 year old dorky guy who could be like a music teacher who plays tuba and is lousy with women... Lets me escape from being a 36 year old dorky guy who is a music teacher who plays tuba and is lousy with women...

Well it's a persona. I really think you should shoot for 34. That's kind of the "cut off" date.

[chaosMK]

I transform into a unicorn when I go on stage.

[rfclef]

Originally Posted by chaosMK

I transform into a unicorn when I go on stage.

Wonder Twin Powers: Activate....

[MikeBass]

OK, since this thread came up, I'll confess as well.
My onstage persona is Victor Wooten.

Sorry everyone, but the real Vic is a 38 year old, 6', 220# white guy from Detroit who actually likes Sadowsky's more than Fodera's.

I created him so I could actually play like I do.

When I'm not in "Vic" mode, I play simple stuff so people won't discover me.
And it seems to be working.
No one has discovered me yet.

[The Golden Boy]

I wear leather pants.

I want to wear them all the time. My wife won't let me.

[LAG]

How about Gene Simmons?

[CamMcIntyre]

Since i function mostly as a sideman, it depends on the gig. If i'm playing a rock show [this weekend]-i move around more and i try to get the crowd more into the music. If it's a singer-songwriter gig where i'm playing double bass-i try to just be there to support and not draw any extra attention my way. It typically just naturally happens because of my bass.

[Stanley Design]

I'm in bands that vary so significantly in genre that I absolutely have to have different persona's for each band. If I'm playing an acoustic gig or with one of my more talented bands, I wear nice jeans, and nice t shirt and shower, etc, I do my absolute best job to create the music and look and act presentable. I look nice, I play nice, and do a great job. I put on a show, but in different ways.

I sing in another band where I generally wear torn up shorts that barely cover anything, covered in puke, blood and spit, punch people, puke on them, go absolutely insane until either the show ends or I pass out on stage. I smash beer bottles over my forehead and over band members. My guitarist usually sings half the set as I end up laying in front of the drums half concious at most shows. It's a different persona altogether, and sometimes I like having both kinds.

[Tim Cole]

I'm pretty much a shirt and tie guy daily for my work, but I do have my "rock motif".

Yeah, I am a poser!!!!

[Stanley Design]

Oh right, the weekend warrior thing, I used to laugh at that, now I wear a pair of overalls for 60 hours a week and feel comfy haha.

[Tim Cole]

Actually, I am a rocker at heart. I am being a poser in the shirt and tie getup.