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Dressing Alike, Yuk!!!

#121
Ric5 said:
I can't believe this one hasn't been posted yet ...

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I was reading all of the posts, and was going to reference this !! I was in a dance band about 20 years ago, and they wanted to dress in tuxes for EVERY gig ! I refused - and said that they could replace me if they needed a bassist to do that. We eventually came to a compromise - tuxes for weddings and formal events only !
 
#124
electracoyote said:
Absolutely. Just look at some of those pictures.

Someone with a fashion sense and good instincts in the band, or near the band, really needs to weigh in.

But I'm willing to bet Alice Cooper and KISS couldn't care less what anyone else thought. They had a vision and they just went for it.

I've heard KISS got heckled when they first started wearing white face.
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I think it's all about "owning it".
It works if it's you in the most genuine way - not as a gimmick. Finding what really is you and making it work in a genuine sense while being both a musician AND entertaining is the trick.
 
#125
TBird1958 said:
I think it's all about "owning it".
It works if it's you in the most genuine way - not as a gimmick. Finding what really is you and making it work in a genuine sense while being both a musician AND entertaining is the trick.
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+1

This is the best of both worlds: Being comfortable with the wardrobe and having the wardrobe enhance your impact as an entertainer.
 
#130
Ever see how the fleck tones look live? You've got bela looking pretty normal, vic either looking normal or wearing some sort of bright patterned shirt, then you've got jeff coffin in retina-burning purple and orange tie dye with what may appear to be very loose fitting velvet pants, and then you have a pirate playing the drumtar.


I would say the fleck tones do pretty well in the 'music over appearance' department
 
#132
I get a kick out of these guys who want to be all philosophical and attitudinal about retaining their “individualism”, yet want to play in front of people, in someone else’s establishment, no less, and say stuff like “If they don’t like it they can leave!”… haha,

Good Lord, how utterly delusional and nonsensical is that.

I guess it’s just less competition for the wiser people.

:)
 
#134
I've always had the mindset that once you leave the studio, garage, or whatever rehearsal space you have and get on a stage in front of an audience...you stop being just a musician and have to become an entertainer. Dressing the part and somehow looking more impressive than the audience is just part of the deal.

How often does someone say "I'm going to hear a show" vs. "I'm going to see a show"? They can always hear your music on the radio, CD, web outlet, or however you plan to get the music out there. When they have paid cash cash to be there, in front of me, watching me...I almost feel obligated to give 'em something to look at.
 
#135
I'm beginning to see that there is good and bad on both sides of the issue. I do agree that the audience deserves to look at something that entertains them in some way, whether it be dressing alike or not. I always choose my outfit carefully before playing (when we're dressing individually). But, usually it's still a compromise between who I want to be and what fits the rest of the guys as a band, as well as what's approprtiate for the occasion. The main reason I don't like dressing alike in the main band I'm in is that it usually seems unnecessary in our case---and it's not attire that I like, personally. I know, I know, it ain't all about me, it's about pleasing the client.

As far as famous bands go, I've seen bands where dressing alike is very cool, and then others where it looks bad, or plain stupid. It can be tricky as to what works and what doesn't. Then again, it can work or not work depending on the eye of different beholders. What some folks like, others don't, just like on this forum.

At least we haven't been fussing in this thread. Thanks for that, ya'll.
 
#136
I get a kick out of the people who think there is a "one size fits all" answer to this question. The answer lies in the band's goals. There are some of us that don't aspire to play out as often as possible and try to be everything to everybody, not that there is anything wrong with that.

I guess smart people define their goals, and then decide how to acheive them; not choose thier songlist, dress, clubs to play and then try to figure out where they are going.
 
#140
Here's a sort of related question... for local gigs where you have quite a few regulars who show up often, do you try to avoid wearing the same thing too often? Or do you just dress like you dressed at the previous gig?
 

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