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Is Wearing Sunglasses On Stage Douchey?
- Thread starter Lukc
- Start date
I have been diagnosed with photophobia, so spot, strobe, or any kind of stage lights pointed at you actually cause migraines with this condition; so for me they are both fashionable as well as functional.
I say if you rock them, wear them!!!
The bassist of this band pulls the sunglasses-look off pretty well.
Our drummer wears shaded glasses or sunglasses a lot. He has severe nystagmus (involuntary eye movement), and even though he is on stage and nobody would see it, he's always been self conscious about it and worried that when he does talk to people they will notice it, so he tries to cover it up as much as he can.
For me, my eyes are very sensitive to light. I'm okay in normal room lighting, but anything outdoors and I have to wear sunglasses. I even need them to drive on a cloudy day. Playing an outdoor gig, I figure it's better to have some think I look like a douche than it would be to have them see may face wrinkled up, wincing, and my eyes watering.
For me, my eyes are very sensitive to light. I'm okay in normal room lighting, but anything outdoors and I have to wear sunglasses. I even need them to drive on a cloudy day. Playing an outdoor gig, I figure it's better to have some think I look like a douche than it would be to have them see may face wrinkled up, wincing, and my eyes watering.
My two cents is: who cares what other people think. If you think they make you look rock and roll, then wear them. If they give you confidence to be more rock and roll on stage, by all means wear them. Remember, you're the one on stage. Costumes and accessories are part of the gig.
You know, I always thought that it was a douche move to do this BEFORE I was a stage player. Now that I have "seen the light" (oh come on, that was clever right there) my tune has changed a little. I still have not worn sunglasses on stage, but I have been on several where I wished I'd had some.
I'm 60, at my age sunglasses hide a lot. You know what's not cool? Looking old.
Cool factor is deuchebaggery. Its for the children of the world, after you get over yourself at around age 25 no one else who matters really cares. If your 35+ and still trying to look cool, your likely doing it for that 17 year old groupie, whether your aware of this or not. You then have two issues (one, your a deuchebag who never grew up and two, your probably need help before you go to jail for chasing underage groupies).
Oh there are old players looking plenty cool ... Stones, Aerosmith, etc ... just do your thing with conviction and don't apologize.
This is it right here!
I almost always wear a fedora or Kangol cap as part of my persona on stage, but I tell ya...last week we played a gig and I had a big old white Par 58 can pointed straight down on my head. On a patio gig. If I hadn't had the hat, heat would been unbearable. As it turned out, I was still praying for sunglasses...'cause I squinted the entire night.
Bright stage lights bother my astigmatism, but I wouldn't hasten to wear a hat, sunglasses, a tie, gloves, a lei -- or a feather boa for that matter -- if I wanted to. Regardless of whether or not someone else thought I looked douchey. IYou're the one on stage, and all those guys in the audience can keep their opinions to themselves and GYOG (get your own gig).
dcr
I'm sure he doesn't wear cheap sunglasses.
It's all about context to me.
If you're playing outside at 2 PM in full sun there's nothing douchey about it at all. In fact it's smart.
If you're playing a bar at midnight, you don't have a legitimate medical reason and you're not ZZ Top or Stevie Wonder, then yeah you might be trying a little too hard.
If you're playing outside at 2 PM in full sun there's nothing douchey about it at all. In fact it's smart.
If you're playing a bar at midnight, you don't have a legitimate medical reason and you're not ZZ Top or Stevie Wonder, then yeah you might be trying a little too hard.
No. Thank GOD for whoever invented sunglasses.
I had a severe eye injury at age 14. My left eye let in too much light for 40 years and sunglasses kept everything from looking like it was too bright. Then, a detached retina in that same eye 3 years ago. If you've ever had eye problems or issues, you wouldn't even think about people being a douche for wearing them anywhere during daylight hours. Sunglasses are coolness, and like wearing a smile, they make other people wonder what you are up to.
Plus, you can look at women's bodies without them, or your old lady, knowing that you are staring at their......
One more thing. Just try driving or doing anything else in Texas during the HOT and BRIGHT sunny days and you'll be begging for a pair of DARK shades.
I had a severe eye injury at age 14. My left eye let in too much light for 40 years and sunglasses kept everything from looking like it was too bright. Then, a detached retina in that same eye 3 years ago. If you've ever had eye problems or issues, you wouldn't even think about people being a douche for wearing them anywhere during daylight hours. Sunglasses are coolness, and like wearing a smile, they make other people wonder what you are up to.
Plus, you can look at women's bodies without them, or your old lady, knowing that you are staring at their......
One more thing. Just try driving or doing anything else in Texas during the HOT and BRIGHT sunny days and you'll be begging for a pair of DARK shades.
there have been many a stage where I really wished I had a pair due to the placement of lights. one stage was so bad I had to be the "play with your back to the audience guy" just to see... I tried to make it look like I was the "turn and lock in with the drummer guy" but even that was tough. the drummer was being the "stare at your snare" guy too! it sucked.
Blind people are an exception.
Other than them... Yes. No other exceptions.
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