Stage Apparel - What's On Your "No" List?

[jaywa]

Curious about items of clothing that you rarely or never wear on a gig... either by personal choice or official/unofficial "band policy".

Mine would be:

1) Shorts - I have worn shorts on exactly one gig the last 20 years and that was an outdoor festival, 1 in the afternoon in full sun with a heat index north of 105. Otherwise, they are a flat-out "no" for me with my blinding white chicken legs.

2) T-shirts / tank tops - Could wear them when I was in my mid-20s (and did)... but now, not so much.

3) Sandals/open-toed shoes - sorry, but on the stages I play I want at least two layers between the floor and my skin. Not to mention you only need to roll a power rack or 8x10 bass cab over exposed toes ONE TIME and you change your ways.

4) Baseball caps - the wife says I look goofy in 'em. I'll go with her on that one.

5) Coat & tie - at the point the client is putting at least $500 cash in my pocket (that's for me, not the band), this policy will change. That hasn't happened yet and I really doubt it ever will.

None of these decisions have been mandated by my band... they're just my choice.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Check my location......


...cowboy hats and boots.

 

[jaywa]

Cowboy hats and boots are a "no" in middle Tennessee?

 

[elgecko]

I'd play Lady of Spain on accordion in a chicken suit if the money was right!

 

[Eublet]

Depends on the gig. I've played in suits/tuxedos before, and also shorts and flip flops, with everything inbetween. I see your in South Dakota. Probably why you don't do the latter much. Down here, at the right gig, you'll be the odd-man out in the whole place if you don't have on shorts and flops. Know your audience and gig.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Cowboy hats and boots are a "no" in middle Tennessee?

Well, they are for me.

 

[ThudThudThud]

White tennis shoes with jeans. Just looks a bit too much like you can't be bothered.

T-shirts and shorts can be fine, but that might just be my geographical area (California).

 

[treekiller]

Spandex and anything pink is a definite no go for me!!!

 

[Blake Bass]

I used to play in shorts until I saw a photo of me doing it..now days I stick to jeans.

 

[kesslari]

I'm with you on "no baseball caps" but that's because I don't wear them, period.

Shorts - I've done some outdoor summer gigs with temperatures in the 90's (or 105, once). I'll wear shorts for those gigs

I don't wear bras or fishnet stockings.

 

[Phalex]

There's not any thing I can think of that I wouldn't wear onstage. I wear things onstage that I wouldn't wear to Walmart.

I usually try to look like a fool as a distraction so people won't be so quick to notice my terrible bass playing. So far it's worked out pretty good.

 

[treekiller]

Cowboy hats and boots are a "no" in middle Tennessee?

I'm guessing that look is only for the goat ropin' crowd.

 

[bassbully]

Spandex or facepaint. I wore shorts to a hot gig myself and after I saw the pics swore to never do it again and won't no matter how hot....looks bad!

I like to dress sharp as I can. I wear nice, hat's , coat, jeans or dress pants etc. I never wear a t-shirt. I played with a guy who performed for over 30 years who told me a band should always dress the part and look good, not look like or blend in with the audience.

 

[TripleDouble]

Jaywa, I agree with your list completely, unless one is playing at a bbq/cookout/pig roast/pool party. The rules of looking cool do not apply in those settings.

 

[bassbully]

There's not any thing I can think of that I wouldn't wear onstage. I wear things onstage that I wouldn't wear to Walmart.

I usually try to look like a fool as a distraction so people won't be so quick to notice my terrible bass playing. So far it's worked out pretty good.

I always told my band's after a few beer's nobody will care how much I suck.

 

[jnuts1]

CARGO PANTS!!!!!!!!! or cargo shorts, i mean come on guys

 

[Stranger Danger]

Definitely no to shorts. I have worn t-shirts before but I am now gravitating to dark colored short sleeve button down shirts, jeans and chucks. Pretty standard look IMO.

 

[jaywa]

I played with a guy who performed for over 30 years who told me a band should always dress the part and look good, not look like or blend in with the audience.

This is the school of thought I come from as well. Step it up a notch from the audience so they feel like they're at an event and not just a jam session in somebody's basement.

Many of the people/bands I play with, however, don't subscribe to the same view. I have played with guys who literally got off the fishing boat and onto the stage.

 

[Phalex]

I could wear shorts 20 years ago, and I can still make a pair of shorts look good today:

 

[coreyfyfe]

I used to play in shorts until I saw a photo of me doing it..now days I stick to jeans.

Haha same here. I think maybe twice I've done it, both in mid-summer heat/humidity in warm clubs. Really not a good look for a gig.