Gig clothes?

[BellBottomBlues]

Hey,

I'm in a band mainly playing bars, clubs, and other local venues. We'll be playing mostly hard rock/blues covers in the vein of Led Zeppelin and Cream (we're covering songs not done by either, but the same musical style dig?) as well as originals.

I'm the leader of this, booking gigs, making sure everyone gets to practice on time, making sure we get paid, picking out set lists etc etc.

However, I feel if we're going to act like professionals, we might as well look like them too. We're not just selling our music, we're selling ourselves. I always arrive on time, and dressed for the gig in a button down shirt and jeans.

Its not like a huge step, I just don't want us to look like bums. Is it wrong to ask band members to wear a nice shirt and jeans?

 

[Flongoid]

Most people would say it is, but in my opinion there's nothing wrong with asking band members to wear something a little different if it suits the style of music you are playing - be honest, you'd find it a little wierd to see a load of emos or something like that playing jazz fusion

 

[BellBottomBlues]

The drummer has taken to wearing a vest covering in fake blood and faded gwar patches with camo pants.

The guitarist dresses like a skinhead

and the singer dresses, literally, like a hobo

 

[Ibanezzer]

I agree with you, I think it looks way better when a cover band is dressed up a little more for the occasion. Hard rock, punk, and emo do better with just a plain t-shirt and jeans but I think the cover market is a little harder to distinguish at times and warrants the dressing up more. Plus its cooler to see the band look all nice and professional, it makes you think that they actually care and are going the extra step.

 

[bikeplate]

Hi

Of course you have the right. If you are all "professional" like you indicate, they should not even think twice and show up presentable. Thats all part of being a pro

Rob

 

[BellBottomBlues]

The drummer is one of the guitarists friends, and I've practiced with him maybe 2 dozen times, and played about a dozen shows as well. I've never seen him dress any different...

 

[cheezewiz]

Depends on the job. I've worn everything from a suit and tie to shorts, flip flops, and a t shirt on gigs. My "normal" would probably be nice jeans and a button down.

 

[JimmyM]

Now I understand why some bands wear uniforms. For bar gigs, I've never been a big stickler about a dress code, but I do think people should look like they're in the same band. Doesn't always mean a dress shirt and jeans, but have a little consistency.

 

[IanStephenson]

You say you're playing heavy rock/blues:

The drummer has taken to wearing a vest covering in fake blood and faded gwar patches with camo pants.

Perfect for a heavy rock band...

and the singer dresses, literally, like a hobo

Sounds like he's got the blues look down...

It's a tough call - do you want to like profesionals, or a proffesional rock band? It depends on your market. Ripped jeans work fine for lots of "real" rock bands, but if you're playing the corporate cover band market you'll want to tone it down. On the other hand, I would n't want to turn up to a biker gig, doing "smart casual".

How many heavy rock bands are known for wearing "nice button down shirts"?

I think the answer is to sit down and have a chat, and agree some limits - tone down some stuff, rough up some others, and try and pull everyone in the same direction, but without making anyone change their basic style.

Ian

p.s. the regular poster who plays a kiss tribute band (forget your name sorry!) looks VERY proffesional, given that his proffession is playing bass in a kiss tibute band.

 

[lonote]

The drummer has taken to wearing a vest covering in fake blood and faded gwar patches with camo pants.

The guitarist dresses like a skinhead

and the singer dresses, literally, like a hobo

The Village People of the 21st century!

 

[Atomik Rooster]

. . . Is it wrong to ask band members to wear a nice shirt and jeans?

It's more a matter of discussing what image you want to project as a band and then coming to an agreement regarding how you will all look. Image can be general, as in clean and dressed for a casual social affair, or specific if you're looking to visually entertain your audience. Beyond that, everyone should be comfortable with how they look and the clothing shouldn't interfere with your performance (Nothing funnier than seeing a musician's blingage get caught on something and I've seen it happen).

 

[Bayou_Brawler]

i would say no...but after reading the below quote maybe haha...

i think if y'all are playing original music then don't worry about how you are dressed....people should like you because of your music....part of the reason the music industry is a freaking JOKE right now is because image has become so important in MUSIC...well pop music...

my band is pretty much as ugly as sin from front to back...and we have no fasion sense....but we're packn' rooms wth our music...

but if you're playing cover gigs...or events...or something like that yeah maybe dress it up a bit...

The drummer has taken to wearing a vest covering in fake blood and faded gwar patches with camo pants.

The guitarist dresses like a skinhead

and the singer dresses, literally, like a hobo

 

[tlwaps]

My band plays ugly music for ugly people which is made by ugly people.

 

[buzzbass]

Depends on the job. I've worn everything from a suit and tie to shorts, flip flops, and a t shirt on gigs. My "normal" would probably be nice jeans and a button down.

what no gun belt or hand cuffs ?

 

[cowsgomoo]

we all wear all black... cos it's the color of ROCK

 

[QORC]

Boy, I have to disagree with a lot of this. You can't really dictate what people where UNLESS you're like a wedding band or something. People have different tastes, different personalities. Unless what someone is wearing is COMPLETELY inappropriate for your gig, you gotta shaddap if you want to work with them.

My drummer is like a biker type. Dew rag. Shirts with cut off sleeves. Etc. I wouldn't dress like him, he wouldn't dress like me. nor would either of us try to dress the other. The guitarist, pretty much the same. Always a black shirt, usually an athletic one (like UnderArmor) - the singer...well, she's a chick and got her own thing. Anyway...

 

[chaosMK]

You will look more professional in tight leather pants.

 

[badstonebass]

p.s. the regular poster who plays a kiss tribute band (forget your name sorry!) looks VERY proffesional, given that his proffession is playing bass in a kiss tibute band.

Ha! Do you mean me? I no longer do the KISS thing but......I did walk in the Demon boots.

I don't understand what you are wanting. Zep or Cream sure as heck did not match or wear uniforms. In fact in Metal/rock/hard rock "uniforms" or button down shirts were NEVER cool. I do try and wear something that shows I'm in the band but I surely do not MATCH my bandmates. I'm not in the Temptations or a Wedding Band! In fact I am a pretty big guy and if I dressed like my bandmates I would look ********.

More important I would say is to wash your hair, brush your teeth, put on a clean set of clothes. Look people in the eye when you play and talk to people on breaks. Let the guys wear what makes THEM comfortable.

 

[tZer]

I agree with the idea that the band should look like the band.

I personally don't like to see a bunch of guys who look like they just walked outta the crowd and onto the stage. People are paying to hear and see a band. The Band should give them something to look at other than the same-old, same-old.

 

[chaosMK]

A good way to show bandmates how ******** they look is by taking photos or videotaping a show. Also, negative feedback from female friends is effective.

You should post up a pic so we can diagnose this problem a little better.