Shorts...

[pcake]

when i was playing metal and punk, i wore cargo shorts below the knee. much cooler (temperature-wise) than jeans, and the right ones looked right for the genre, especially when wearing black work boots and a black shirt.

i wouldn't have worn them for playing goth or covers, although for a casual outdoor show it might depend.

luckily for me, i don't think i can be banned off TB for saying i've worn shorts on stage

 

[Deleted member 271037]

I've never EVER worn shorts on stage and probably never will. It would be very poor taste for the style of music I'm generally involved in. But it depends on the genre I guess (and the climate...).

I've seen people wear a lot worse. But over 50 and shorts.... it makes me think of fishing hats.

 

[pcake]

I've never EVER worn shorts on stage and probably never will. It would be very poor taste for the style of music I'm generally involved in. But it depends on the genre I guess (and the climate...).

I've seen people wear a lot worse. But over 50 and shorts.... it makes me think of fishing hats.

i think whether wearing shorts remind me of fishing hats depends on the shirt (for the love of god, don't tuck it in!), shoes (please don't show us your socks) and the shorts themselves AND how they fit the person wearing them.

 

[lfmn16]

And could we PLEASE stop with the false dichotomy that it's either jeans or shorts? There are other light weight materials available.

 

[Stevorebob]

Fashion advice from... bass players? Ah, no thanks.

 

[lfmn16]

i think whether wearing shorts remind me of fishing hats depends on the shirt (for the love of god, don't tuck it in!), shoes (please don't show us your socks) and the shorts themselves AND how they fit the person wearing them.

My problem with shorts is that most of the time when I see people wear them on stage, they are part of an overall look that says, "I don't care what I look like." Other people's experiences may be different.

 

[Ekulati]

Did you mean intelligentsia op

Yeah, late at night, too lazy to confirm the spelling.

All good comments, keep 'em coming. As for me, well, I lived in Arizona for 35 years. So yes, I have worn shorts on a gig. And it does depend on the genre, but I minimized it. Now, I'm only playing genres where it's not appropriate, although I'm still in good shape (5-10, 165lbs) and still have most of my hair. Keep discussing, this is important.

 

[HardNHeavy]

Only shorts I wore were camo cargos but Never with socks or sandals, or blatant plucked chicken legs with unsightly hair or pores, or tats all over, or Misshapen bow legs or deformities exposed, nothing in the "daisy duke" era line of clothing, unless "that's" your thing.......other than that I'd wear whatever the f I want and the heck with opinions.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

McVie said it was cool... but you have to be playing a vintage Series I.

(even if it was new at the time...)

 

[pcake]

My problem with shorts is that most of the time when I see people wear them on stage, they are part of an overall look that says, "I don't care what I look like." Other people's experiences may be different.

that's your interpretation, but when i'm on stage, i put a lot of thought into how everything i wear looks. if i wear shorts, it's because it goes with the music and the vibe. if it doesn't, i don't wear 'em. i like the tripp convertable bondage pants where the lower part of the legs zip off leaving you with very long shorts with all sorts of zippers and chains on them.

McVie said it was cool... but you have to be playing a vintage Series I.
View attachment 3425775
(even if it was new at the time...)

oh, dear - i can never unsee that...

 

[trevcda]

It really depends on the expectations of the people hiring me to be there, the compensation being offered and, most importantly, of myself. Dad band set list for free beer and a six way split on a tip jar? Expectations of yourself can't get much lower. Where what ever you want. Most of my gigs are adequately compensated; I can suck it up for a couple of hours and look like I belong on that stage. Rest assured, if it's hot out, I will be traveling to and from that gig in shorts.

 

[TreySonagras]

The name of my band is Cargo Shorts Militia

 

[buldog5151bass]

Yes.

Show those gams!

Nothin’ wrong with shorts, people. Life’s too short to worry about what people think of your shorts. Crap, the RHCP played just wearing a freaking sock, and you’re worried about shorts?

Most people aren't the RHCP. They are there to listen to music, and often eat and drink. Would you want the waiter or doorman dressed in a sock?

 

[TheHardOne]

I'll second wearing a kilt on stage. Comfortable and (at least where I'm from) people love it! Have never heard anything negative about it... Drunks will kilt check ya quite often though.

 

[Stewie]

I can't wear shorts, ever. My legs are so sexy that the rest of the band would just be staring and would forget to play.

 

[pcake]

Most people aren't the RHCP. They are there to listen to music, and often eat and drink. Would you want the waiter or doorman dressed in a sock?

i imagined a restaurant where the host, waiters and bus boys wore socks, RHCP style - and couldn't help laughing

 

[Ostie]

I wear shorts at outdoor gigs in the summer. My comfort is more important than someone else's opinion.

And my opinion is more important than someone else’s opinion

I think shorts at a patio gig where others in the audience are wearing them is fine. But not at a corporate event. At those I wear jeans.

 

[Siggy]

Always dress better than the audience, so if you are dressed like a slob I'd hate to see the audience.

 

[buldog5151bass]

And my opinion is more important than someone else’s opinion

I think shorts at a patio gig where others in the audience are wearing them is fine. But not at a corporate event. At those I wear jeans.

Not more important than that of the audience or the venue owner - who will determine how often you play and how much you get paid.

 

[Das Jugghead]

A little over ten years ago I suffered a heat stroke that damn near killed me and left me seriously ill and unable to work. At the time I owned and operated a landscaping company and simply had not hydrated enough. It is an oversight that I regret and the ramifications plague me to this day. I was able to go back to work outside in the sun about five years ago. On a side note I now drink plenty of water everyday and the world is my urinal - but I digress.

During the cooler months I wear jeans on stage but now that the weather is warming up I wear shorts. I won't apologize for it and I could not care less what anyone else thinks of how I look. I am in this to perform music and for the audience to have a great time. We have a show tonight in Elkhart and the forecast has the temps in the 80's - I know it will be 90+ in the bar and so shorts and lots of water are my standard.