Wearing shoes on stage.

[MatticusMania]

Do you?

I always do. I cant wear sandals, and Im uncomfortable being barefoot or in my socks on stages. I think I did it once, and yeah, I wont do it again.

Our singer, otoh, never wears shoes when we play. He says its so that he can press a button more easily on his multi-f/x, but I think he just thinks it cool.

What say you?

[jmattbassplaya]

Personally, I think the playing barefoot thing has already worn itself out. I've seen a number of bands try to pull it off, and it always ends up looking tacky and borderline disgusting (especially on smaller stages where the audience can literally touch the band).

[millsbass5]

I think the idea is corny as hell, and, it even looks cornier. Wait until one of 'em pulls off gettin' the piss shocked out of themselves. And, on top of that, it's just plain unprofessional as all get out.
Now, I can sincerely see a drummer MAYBE having a legit reason to wanna slip his treads off while playing. But, any other player than that? It's C-O-R-N-Y.

[recreate.me]

I really love to practice/play in socks. However, playing live at a club i think its kinda gross. Also that pedals thing is BS, whenever i try to hit my pedals barefoot the button (think VT bass button, not Boss pedals square) always ends up between my toes and takes way to much work to actually depress.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by recreate.me

Also that pedals thing is BS

Actually, its not BS. He's not hitting a footswitch at all, but rather a small button that sends his pedal into 'edit' mode. I'd say it'd be almost impossible to do so in shoes; he does it with his big toe.

People have actually tried to do this as some sort of look? That seems rather lame.

[62Jazzbass]

Always.

[NOAH_FX]

I don't disagree on principle, i just don't trust bar staff to ensure i'm not going to step on a piece of glass.. Beside's if a melee in the pit start's and i wanna go throw some elbow's, i don't want my delicate little toes damaged now do I?

[bassteban]

I began going shoeless years ago, in a church gig; I could hook up w/the kick MUCH better through the floor vibes. I got so used to it that I am uncomfortable w/anything on my feet- I've played in very cold conditions barefoot.
I may have to rethink it all, at least for awhile- I recently developed foot issues(diagnosed this morning as a neuroma/pinched nerve)making standing barefoot rather painful. The couple of rehearsals I've done since the trouble I self-medicated w/beer(3 does the trick )but I pay double for it later. Got a hydrocortizone injection today- hopefully it'll start to turn around...

Edit: Just read all the naysayer comments- you guys are apparently assuming anyone pays attention to the bass player.

[preside]

Between this and the shorts question I felt I finally had to speak up. Since when did musicians , and mostly rock and rollers at that, become so judgemental about the way people look? I got into music because I found the "real" working world too rigid and confining and excuse me but if you don't like the way I dress F-Off. I will look the way I want to and if the audience thinks it looks corny they can leave. If ya don't like the way I sound ya can leave. I got into this as a way to express my indviduality not as a way to conform to your expectications, it's one thing if your some lame corporate party wedding band type, you need to do exactly as your told but the H*ll with that I might as well get a day job.

[Rip Topaz]

No chance of going without shoes.

Ever step on a stage that's all sticky? Ever wonder what caused the stickiness? Gross.

Then there's glass. It hurts when you step on it.

Then there's the whole shocking the living crap out of yourself thing.

No thanks. I'll keep my shoes on.

[ampelmann]

I'm not a fan of footwear in general, I even drive barefoot! But for the sake of being able to use my pedals I always play with shoes on. Plus it does look nicer.

[invader3k]

I can't imagine playing barefoot. Just sounds like a bad idea to me.

I actually played wearing sandals for the first time yesterday afternoon...it was a beachfront gig (we played on a platform, but had to load in and walk on the sand). I wore regular shoes and quickly found them full of sand, so I switched to flip flops. I will say while I was comfortable, I couldn't move around as much as when wearing regular shoes.

[preside]

PS despite my earlier rant I usually wear shoes

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by preside

Between this and the shorts question I felt I finally had to speak up. Since when did musicians , and mostly rock and rollers at that, become so judgemental about the way people look?

Im not sure. I dont care about what people wear when they play.
I saw the shorts thread, and then was reminded that our singer never wears shoes, so I thought Id ask.

[electracoyote]

If you have a nice plush comfy Persian rug under your feet, it's pretty liberating. Feels good, and when I feel good, I play good.

But no, I don't do it. I should.

[bassteban]

GOTTA has rug. That said, I have often lugged out a large gig rug(no one else does), laid it out to try and get everyone on & ended up w/none for my stinky feet. I don't go for that anymore

[Bert Slide]

I had a friend in high school that stepped on his frayed amp cord while practicing barefoot and landed in the hospital. May have been water involved too, I can't remember the details. RUBBER soles for me.

[preside]

@Riptopaz I did a 1 hr gig on Sat night as part of a multi band lineup. It was in Tempe Arizona 100 deg at 10:00 at night, crowded stage so I could NOT move much when I did my shoe was almost pulled off by some substance spilled on the stage, I don't even want to know...

[Floyd Eye]

Always wear shoes on stage.

[GM60466]

Always played in leather shoes with socks. Never any Nikes or athletic footwear, Never barefoot, No Flip flops, No clogs. I did have a pair of Dr. Martens in Green leather.