Crossdressing and bandmates.

[pcake]

guys like prince and scott weiland never struck me as effeminate. good for them for doing what they want.

cross dressing has nothing to do with being effeminate, although a guy can be effeminate and a crossdresser. it's simply about wearing clothing associated with the opposite gender.

I don't know who Weiland is, but Prince DEFINITELY struck me as, well, "Metrosexual".

And I don't use the word in a complimentary way.

be that as it may, the women i knew in the 80s and 90s went wild for men who wore makeup and some women's clothes.

 

[Robroy]

cross dressing has nothing to do with being effeminate, although a guy can be effeminate and a crossdresser. it's simply about wearing clothing associated with the opposite gender.

Owning a corvette has nothing to do with mid-life crisis, but if you buy one at 45, well, people stereotype.

On a side note, this is the reason I've never owned a corvette.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Not something that would be allowed or tolerated on my scene. Since the reggae scene is rooted in Jamaican culture and Rasta culture, and both of the cultures are strongly anti-LGBT, you'd cause quite a commotion.

I personally could care less how my bandmates dress unless we agree to dress uniformly.

I'd no clue until now that Rasta culture is anti-LGBT.

 

[the yeti]

break it in to me?

 

[BunchyMutt]

Wouldn't have a problem with it except on stage. As there is a social stigma attached to it, it could drive away customers and club owners.
Social stigmas are not always right or fair, they just are.

Depends on where you are. I know a number of grindcore/tech bands that have queer members, explore queer themes in their lyrics, and have it as a band identity. They regularly attract really large crowds, queer or not.

 

[the yeti]

Depends on where you are. I know a number of grindcore/tech bands that have queer members, explore queer themes in their lyrics, and have it as a band identity. They regularly attract really large crowds, queer or not.

this is a good point though. if you're playing to a market that's less than wide open maybe better to save it for the house. or build/join a band that markets in a way that can capitalize.

didn't even occor to me before..

 

[johnson79]

Depending on the situation talking with your bandmates before the show may be best, or hell, do it onstage. Live your life.

 

[trailer]

Black and white are pretty neutral and will go with most things...

Agreed
To the OP I say rock out with your...uh cock out?

 

[BunchyMutt]

this is a good point though. if you're playing to a market that's less than wide open maybe better to save it for the house. or build/join a band that markets in a way that can capitalize.

didn't even occor to me before..

I don't know how I'd feel about it if queer identities were incorporated purely to be commercialized...on the other hand, festivals like Lilith Fair obviously attract huge crowds, I don't know whether the proceeds go to a cause or something similar though. There's obviously a history of bands and venues fostering a space that caters specifically to communities that have had histories of violence and oppression, not to victimize. Gay clubs for example.

 

[GwenOnBass]

I don't know how I'd feel about it if queer identities were incorporated purely to be commercialized...on the other hand, festivals like Lilith Fair obviously attract huge crowds, I don't know whether the proceeds go to a cause or something similar though. There's obviously a history of bands and venues fostering a space that caters specifically to communities that have had histories of violence and oppression, not to victimize. Gay clubs for example.

If crossdressing, the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival's would be best left alone. Their history of victimizing T* people is well documented, which is ironic considering.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Depends on where you are. I know a number of grindcore/tech bands that have queer members, explore queer themes in their lyrics, and have it as a band identity. They regularly attract really large crowds, queer or not.

In venues where it is appropriate, sure. It could even be a band's image. It has been done and is still being done.

 

[the yeti]

I don't know how I'd feel about it if queer identities were incorporated purely to be commercialized...on the other hand, festivals like Lilith Fair obviously attract huge crowds, I don't know whether the proceeds go to a cause or something similar though. There's obviously a history of bands and venues fostering a space that caters specifically to communities that have had histories of violence and oppression, not to victimize. Gay clubs for example.

everything is commercialized, particularlyin entertainment. each to their own though.

 

[TBird1958]

I would go watch that act in a second. They're a good band!

OP, the short version is..... It all depends. It could work in some bands but not in others. If they say no, I would hope it is for business reasons and not personal ones. And if it is for business reasons, it will be up to you to decide what to do.

Thank you!

It's never held us back in the money making end of being a cover band, this is from Halloween a few years back we could only post it recently as well, Prince wasn't letting us. Anyway, it's a big place full of a lot of happy folks on Halloween, I love my band and what we get to do!

 

[AltGrendel]

I would not care. The first thing that came to my mind was Parliament/Funkadelic.

 

[ZBirdV8]

+1. Kudos for asking a potentially divisive question and being a solid enough human being to take the feedback objectively. That's a rare skill.

Best of luck in Fabulous Ferndale, and be sure to post some gig video when you make it to Harpo's! I so miss Detroit...

Hapros?... That's like that forbidden place in the Lion King.

 

[ToneMonkey]

It's hard to know the context from the OP.

If this is an original band and the guy is an important member, I suppose he's entitled to do as he wishes. Other band members could likewise do as they wish.

If this is a working band and one member just arbitrarily decides to let his freak flag fly in a very public way in order to exercise his or her right against employment discrimination, that's very problematic. I can see a situation where the band might potentially have to quit around this person to avoid legal entanglements... you know violating said person's civil rights. Existing contracts could be a problem.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Just wanted to add that my objection earlier was based on the context of the band that I'm in currently. In that band it really wouldn't work. But i guess that as long as you're not wearing shorts, you're probably okay.

 

[Cosmo Dalton]

Rock and metal have been cross dressing a long time. It could potentially add interest to your bands appeal. Besides, people that hate it so much they won't listen to the music are not the target audience anyway.

 

[One Drop]

I don't know who Weiland is, but Prince DEFINITELY struck me as, well, "Metrosexual".

And I don't use the word in a complimentary way.

We get it, you have a firm idea of the way men and women should act and dress, and aren't comfortable with those who think differently. You seem to be crying out for an argument here.

 

[jwr]

I saw be true to yourself. The rest doesn't matter. Tell them and if they aren't cool with it, that's their problem.