Lack of style

[Eilif]

I agree - it's a performance. It's just funny for people who think that top musician/performers are not taking the time and money to craft an image. Whether it's Kiss with full makeup or Bruce Springsteen in his "Born in the USA" jeans, you can bet there was an intent in presenting something.

For sure. Even pulling off the "Rockstar that just rolled out of bed" look takes alot more effort than just rolling out of bed. It's easy to spot those who are not putting forth the effort.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I expect bands to dress like me, jeans & a t-shirt.

Metallica have a pretty big following, and I don't recall them ever having costumes.

This depends heavily on the style of music, as to what is "acceptable" stage attire.
When 'taliica first hit they were criticized by the press for not wearing the prevailing "look" of three genre ie: leather, spikes n studs, and big quaffed hair.
Judah priest set the "standard" garb for metal back then.
Of course priest before that wore hippie androgynous bell bottoms and the like.
A "look" is important, a country band showing up in Insane Clown Posse stuff would be hard to accept, but so would Manowar wearing golfing togs.
It's not a uniform, but dressing up for the "show" is just that, making yourself, the band, the stage something to WATCH.
Whatever works, but there has to be something to SEE, otherwise what not just go to the bar down the street with a DJ?

 

[Killed_by_Death]

It's a shame that it's like that, instead of enjoying music for how it sounds.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I have a handful of shirts that are purely for "on-stage" purposes. They are a bit different from what I would normally wear (and most people for that matter) but not clownesque either.

I expect a band to not look as if they just decided on the spot to jam out to some tunes. I like there to be at least a modicum of thought re: visual appearance.

Having said that: black shirts and white ties? It's been done to death.

Love you avatar bro.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

To me it comes down to showing some respect and consideration for your audience. So dress for the occasion (and your age) AFAIC.

I've never been much into fashion. But I don't like walking around looking like a slob either. And that applies whether I'm on or off stage.

FWIW Justin Hayward's more recent dress style on stage comes pretty close to my own. I generally go with a a nice shirt over a black T, with jeans or dark pants; or maybe a shirt + jacket (or vest) combo depending on the crowd and venue. Oh yeah... also some footwear that doesn't look like I just walked through a cow pasture in them.

In a nutshell: most times dress for the ladies, I guess. Guys generally don't care. But the women sure do. (You might be amazed just how much they notice about your appearance - and how much it affects their opinion of you.) So take it for what it's worth.

In respect to "dressing for the ladies"
I'm always shocked at women mentioning my shoes!
And keep in mind, more ladies in the crowd exponentially increases your overall attendance #.
It also positively increases bar sales which is where the band's $$ comes from, unless there is a ticket price at the door.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

It's a shame that it's like that, instead of enjoying music for how it sounds.

It has never been music first in Rock and roll.
Bill Haley and the Comets
Elvis
The Beatles
Jim Hendrix
Van Halen
Motley Cruz

Or Funk music
Or pop.

Bands with a look, it's part of the territory.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I asked a guy recently why he was selling a great bass, and he said he loved the sound, but needed a more traditional "look" for the band he was in. Sad!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Something that's not been discussed yet is balancing a specific "look" or image with your own personal comfort onstage. For instance, my body tends to always run hot so if I were to take a summertime gig outside (especially here in Texas!!) there's no way in hell I'd be wearing a full suit, multiple layers or anything that doesn't breathe or allow some airflow; to me I'd rather dress comfortably within the style for the gig than dress to the nines and be pouring sweat onstage in front of a crowd. My solution is small high-powered fan plugged into my pedalboard (best musical purchase I've ever made!) that's always pointed at me.

Definitely agree that the audience deserves a performance for their money these days! It's always a bit weird to me when I go to see a band play and I can't tell if the performers onstage are homeless or not (insert jokes here).

The Drummer is only homeless if he doesn't have a girlfriend

 

[/\/\3phist0]

If and when I happen to have a band, I would like to wear masks. Not because I'm a Slipknot fan, rather than I think masks are cool, I think I'm ugly and the mask would take away several factors of nervousness and anxiety.
In terms of clothes, tuxedos, short-sleeved or long-sleeved button-up shirts with a tie or tactical gear would be interesting.

Works for Bucket head !

 

[40Hz]

I asked a guy recently why he was selling a great bass, and he said he loved the sound, but needed a more traditional "look" for the band he was in. Sad!

Sad but true unfortunately. It goes with the turf. Depending on the situation, you sometimes either roll with it, or you go home.

Being odd man out for many years with my Ripper, I know how that can go. But in my case, I kept the Ripper and bought a used PBass for as little money as possible to keep the droids happy. Which worked out well because I eventually stopped being such a Gibson snob and came to appreciate PBasses for what they are and can do. And I like to think I became a better bassist because of it.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

What does this guys clothes say about his pro level playing?
Or what does his playing say about his clothes?
Or does neither have anything to do with either?

For one thing this is not a band. This is not a club.
This is an established artist in a small setting, intimate and unpresumios. Appropriate

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Just one more reason I won't be in a successful band.

I won't change my image for anyone, and I won't change my gear unless the music calls for it, not the look.

 

[40Hz]

Just one more reason I won't be in a successful band.

I won't change my image for anyone, and I won't change my gear unless the music calls for it, not the look.

Welcome to the club!

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I don't care about how the band looks as long as it doesn't detract from the music.
Like if I were seeing a band that looked like this I'd rather not look, though in my opinion these guys don't really have music worth detracting from in the first place.

Looks like this picture was taken in the holding cell at a Philadelphia jail.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

View attachment 725843

Those aren't shorts they are high water pants for the impending flood. Since its raining and all.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

If you look at when they came out, that was their costumes. Most other popular bands had different looks. Even if it was a flashy jacket and makeup.
FF

See how subtle their costuming was? Didn't they all dress to the same style?
I consider a band the doesn't come off as wearing uniforms to be the best costuming.

 

[Eilif]

It's a shame that it's like that, instead of enjoying music for how it sounds.

The only place that it's "only about the music" is when you're listening to a recording or maybe jamming with friends. Even in today's MP3 age folks still put real effort into the visuals of the liner notes and on the logos and art that appear next to their download buttons.

Live performance is a performance and the visuals matter.

 

[Fishyfishfish]

Image is king in the music industry. Back in the day the band I was with had a style/image consultant work with us-so did every band just to have "A Look". Music was always second.

 

[Milo Spleen]

It's easy to spot those who are not putting forth the effort.

Dress for success, and always outdress the audience, no matter what.

 

[Max Blasto]

I would bet many of the big bands who "dress down" on stage with jeans and ripped shirts probably spend a lot of money cultivating that look. Far from going to Walmart and getting a pair of Wranglers and cheap t shirt.

I'll see your bet and raise it with the likely employment of fashion consultants by those big bands to make them look properly street legit.