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How much do looks really matter?
- Thread starter PennyroyalWe
- Start date
A lot.
Even if you’re not wearing costumes or uniforms or nothing really special at least a “dress code” shared by the members of the band is (should be) important .
Even if you’re not wearing costumes or uniforms or nothing really special at least a “dress code” shared by the members of the band is (should be) important .
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
This rings more true than all the other posts. Whether and individual or better yet, the band. And depending on your age, body style and weight, height amount and color of head hair, sometimes considerable preparation is necessary to “hide” natural, human appearance. And those with serious day jobs to support a family have to really take the temperature of the intermix of the social “waters” between reality and band. The “video killed the radio star” phenomenon is pervasive. Certainly if if your group is new to more public attention in your market. “Looks and charisma” are drivers to local success...but, be warned...that enigma wears off pretty fast with today’s audience. And since compensation is seriously lagging or sometimes non-existant, how many times can you re-tool, re-make for the same level of (no or) little compensation before you throw in the towel. I am talking about local, amateur bands that need to tap their local market.
The answer is the same as for a lot of questions. "It depends . . . . "
It necessarily depends on what type of band and what your audience expects. The fact is, some of the most successful bands, ever, wore street clothes and could have blended in perfectly with anyone in their audience before or after a show.
Think Metallica as one example. Or consider Tal Wilkenfeld playing with Jeff Beck.
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They look like some local group of amateurs, yet they were playing to sold out stadiums and not one of the tens of thousands of fans in their audience was complaining about their appearance.
There are also some of the most successful bands, ever, who dressed up in formal attire that matched. Beatles, for one example of many.
Then, there are the bands who dress theatrically. KISS is the obvious example. Les Claypool of Primus and his other projects comes to mind.
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In these cases, the dress is really a costume and it's an integral part of the show.
[QUOTE="rashrader, post: 22094435, member: 39676"][ATTACH=full]3249039[/ATTACH]Just look natural and relaxed like these guys....[/QUOTE]
RUSH is a particularly interesting case in point for stage attire. According to interviews with the band members, in the early days, they preferred to play in jeans and T shirts but their label pressured them to adopt a coherent stage attire that would present a definite rock and roll image. They tried to comply, but really didn't have any clue what was cool so they just started experimenting with stuff and the infamous "Kimono" picture from the "2112" album cover was the result.
After they became successful following the album "Moving Pictures", they went with the slacks and jacket look for quite awhile. By the turn of the century, they had gone back to more casual jeans and T-shirts on some shows while other times dressing up a bit more. It would seem that they really don't have any rules about what to wear.
It necessarily depends on what type of band and what your audience expects. The fact is, some of the most successful bands, ever, wore street clothes and could have blended in perfectly with anyone in their audience before or after a show.
Think Metallica as one example. Or consider Tal Wilkenfeld playing with Jeff Beck.
Invalid Link Removed
They look like some local group of amateurs, yet they were playing to sold out stadiums and not one of the tens of thousands of fans in their audience was complaining about their appearance.
There are also some of the most successful bands, ever, who dressed up in formal attire that matched. Beatles, for one example of many.
Then, there are the bands who dress theatrically. KISS is the obvious example. Les Claypool of Primus and his other projects comes to mind.
[ATTACH=full]3249026[/ATTACH]
In these cases, the dress is really a costume and it's an integral part of the show.
[QUOTE="rashrader, post: 22094435, member: 39676"][ATTACH=full]3249039[/ATTACH]Just look natural and relaxed like these guys....[/QUOTE]
RUSH is a particularly interesting case in point for stage attire. According to interviews with the band members, in the early days, they preferred to play in jeans and T shirts but their label pressured them to adopt a coherent stage attire that would present a definite rock and roll image. They tried to comply, but really didn't have any clue what was cool so they just started experimenting with stuff and the infamous "Kimono" picture from the "2112" album cover was the result.
After they became successful following the album "Moving Pictures", they went with the slacks and jacket look for quite awhile. By the turn of the century, they had gone back to more casual jeans and T-shirts on some shows while other times dressing up a bit more. It would seem that they really don't have any rules about what to wear.
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My previous post only addressed famous bands but your point addresses the vastly greater number of hobbyist bands or weekend warriors. Looks really do make a difference in some bands, but not so much in others.
If you are in a tribute band, for example, you'd better look the part. Mainstream cover bands tend to do better when they group dresses like the best dressed members of the audience.
Some things are just forbidden. If you're in a serious hard rock/metal band, don't even consider wearing sweat pants or gym shorts or a flannel shirt. Jeans are almost mandatory.
If you are in a genre specific band and want to dress the same way the top bands in the field are dressing you have to be careful. It's a fine line between successfully copying a fashion and looking like a clown.
Back in the early 90's I was in a Black Sabbath cover band so we wore black jeans and leather jackets. That look is pretty much fool proof and we didn't overdo it. I remember a band that once opened for us and they covered Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Poison, etc.. They changed out of their street clothes and put on spandex and scarves, along with nail polish, makeup and giant poofy coifures, they looked like every hair band from the 80's. Unfortunately, it was '92 and grunge had replaced that look. They were ridiculed and jeered at and I really felt sorry for them because they were actually pretty good.
Dress like a pro, not like you hit the stage direct from cleaning your gutters.
60s rock band uniforms - Google Search
60s rock band uniforms - Google Search
No. Their clothes were coordinated. You just didn’t recognize it.
Every time these fashion threads come along some jazz fan remarks that his favorite artist doesn’t dress up thereby failing to perceive the message conveyed by the artists’ clothes.
Metal fans do this a lot but jazz fans are the most clueless.
It depends on the gig, but I think there's a lot to be said for coordinating store. People are visual and understand what they see better than what they hear. Looking good and playing tunes they know are a win.
There's a psychological effect that comes with a uniform, both for the wearers and the viewers. That's why the Roman military used them.
Only two personal observations:
1) People (and musicians, too) hear what they see.
2) I utterly despise the current 'slept in a ditch' look that unfortunately is still an awful hangover from grunge.
But of course, by now, EVERY look has been recycled and re-visited, so there essentially is no more style. Sad.
1) People (and musicians, too) hear what they see.
2) I utterly despise the current 'slept in a ditch' look that unfortunately is still an awful hangover from grunge.
But of course, by now, EVERY look has been recycled and re-visited, so there essentially is no more style. Sad.
If a customer walks into the club and the band is on break, but sees one or more of the musicians, s/he should immediately know they are in the band.
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I'm reminded of Ritchie Blackmore and his pilgrim hat at the California Jam.
