Stage attire 2019

[Christcr]

And the pay I receive from each gig is much broader than I’ve experienced in the past. I do draw the line at nudity though.

And honestly, that's the biggest factor these days--personal enjoyment and making the music. Long ago it was more about income for me when I was doing the touring and club circuits, etc. Now I just do it for fun and if there is pay, great. But I just want to have fun doing it mostly and for me at this point that just doesn't include the loud cloths or dressing up. But, to each his/her own.

Although I do love a '61 reissue custom shop big-flake purple sparkle Fender Jazz bass (with gold hardware). So my basses can dress up. Just not me.

 

[Bodeanly]

And honestly, that's the biggest factor these days--personal enjoyment and making the music. Long ago it was more about income for me when I was doing the touring and club circuits, etc. Now I just do it for fun and if there is pay, great. But I just want to have fun doing it mostly and for me these days that just doesn't include the loud cloths or dressing up. But, to each his/her own.

I am in the camp where it’s easier to be a performer if you’re dressed to perform. I teach college and it is not uncommon for a student to approach me at a show. When that happens, it really helps to not be dressed as the version of me that they see in the classroom. Speaking of clowns, have you seen what the kids are wearing these days?

 

[Christcr]

I am in the camp where it’s easier to be a performer if you’re dressed to perform. I teach college and it is not uncommon for a student to approach me at a show. When that happens, it really helps to not be dressed as the version of me that they see in the classroom. Speaking of clowns, have you seen what the kids are wearing these days?

It's really funny you should say this. I also teach at a university. Yes... the things the kids wear these days, especially the girls... and their hair. I get to think "clown" all day long. But, only think it, mind you!

Just once I'd love to see a female student dressed in 1895 attire. Now THAT would be a way-out-of-the-ordinary spectacle!

 

[buldog5151bass]

This site has some very stylish shirts. Define your style and stage persona. Thanks, I’ll be ordering a few.

When you do, report back as to quality, size match and wait time. Thanks.

 

[Bill Kron]

wear something that fits the music.

 

[Christcr]

View attachment 3321616 wear something that fits the music.

That's the first time I've seen that body shape on a Hamer 12-string. Nice. Is it short or long scale? (looks long)

I used to have a Hamer B12S (short scale 12 string) that I really, really, REALLY wish I had back. Paid about 15 hundred dollars for it new. Now on the used market they are more like 35 hundred if you can even find one.

 

[Calvin Maine]

Over the years I’ve seen and heard musicians who could play the ass off anyone but they couldn’t dress a mannequin if it told them how and sad but true they were overlooked by decision making cats who deem you only as good as the weakest part of your product.(I hate that word but it is what it is for a reason).. Make of this what you will but you have to look as good as your music sounds. There are loads of thrift shops globally, that is where most the cool kids shop for their outrageously garish stage attire ie shirts for $5 pants $8 etc take it seriously folks because it’s a serious matter. If you consider yourself to not have much style per sae, develop it, research it, you will thank me later. Now before you come after me with both fists, style is subjective and it crosses many oceans. Find something that is comfortable to your personality and then up it by 20% and then you should fall into the realms of what is considered a great sounding great looking act! James Brown, Prince, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Hendrix, Bootsy Collins, Michael Jackson whoever, they all dressed to thrill and it added multitudes to their act. Make the effort!

 

[Christcr]

I think the best musicians I've heard over the years would probably be Spyro Gyra or Mike Stern. I've seen Spyro Gyra four or five times. They all looked like they were sitting in a board meeting at some corporate headquarters (nothing I would ever wear, either). Pretty boring attire as you high-style guys would assess. No Michael Jackson thriller costumes, leopard skin, or cartwheels across the stage with flaming 7-inch platform shoes. But then I never went to see them for a fashion show. It was 100% about the music.

And Mike Stern? Well... I didn't even notice what he was wearing. I was mesmerized by his tele (copy). But I'm pretty sure he was dressed kind of like Kurt Cobain used to dress. Just like people you would see a hundred times each day.

I think my heroes for stage attire would be these guys on this particular day:

.... and this is about the way I've always dressed onstage (particularly, Meisner is the Fashion Maven here). In fact, I think I actually had that same John Deere shirt at one time about forty years ago. And, of course, I've worn out about 10 Eagles tees onstage over the years. For me... this is about the only fashion I care to mimic. Well, maybe Henley is overdoing it a bit in this photo. Sadly, I can't do the long hair thing anymore though... I have very little left to grow. But I can still do the tee... and I don't even have a pot gut--pretty good for someone my age.

 

[catcauphonic]

Courtesy of the BL of my busiest band:

Some pretty cool duds here: I got a long-sleeved striped t-shirt as an Xmas gift from my g/f
Invalid Link Removed

Some pretty cool footwear here: got a pair of hightop Chuck-style shoes in blue/purple yin-yang paisley as an Xmas gift from my g/f
YesWeVibe | Bohemian Style Clothing, Shoes and Decor

Be careful clicking if you Google WeVibe from a work computer

 

[catcauphonic]

Jeans, tee shirt (preferably Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, or Eagles tee shirt).

Lame dress requirements = refusal.

If I have to dress like a clown to play, I simply say no thanks--I've quit several bands over the years for that specific reason. I do music because I enjoy it and I want to enjoy it as I'm doing it. Dressing like a clown onstage makes sitting at home playing along with MP3s more enjoyable. So why not just sit at home and play to mp3s? Much less a pain in the tailpipe.

So my first question when asked to perform as a sub or join a band is... do you guys dress like clowns? I base my answer on their response (along with what their band sounds like, of course). If I get any static, my response is, "You either like my playing or you do not. If you like it enough, hire me. If not, don't."

From the other end, as a member of the audience, I've never respected a band that dress like dorks. They either sound good or they don't. That's all I care about. And I felt this way long before Nirvana made the hair bands and glam metal outfits look like dorks.

And honestly, that's the biggest factor these days--personal enjoyment and making the music. Long ago it was more about income for me when I was doing the touring and club circuits, etc. Now I just do it for fun and if there is pay, great. But I just want to have fun doing it mostly and for me at this point that just doesn't include the loud cloths or dressing up. But, to each his/her own.

Although I do love a '61 reissue custom shop big-flake purple sparkle Fender Jazz bass (with gold hardware). So my basses can dress up. Just not me.

I think the best musicians I've heard over the years would probably be Spyro Gyra or Mike Stern. I've seen Spyro Gyra four or five times. They all looked like they were sitting in a board meeting at some corporate headquarters (nothing I would ever wear, either). Pretty boring attire as you high-style guys would assess. No Michael Jackson thriller costumes, leopard skin, or cartwheels across the stage with flaming 7-inch platform shoes. But then I never went to see them for a fashion show. It was 100% about the music.

And Mike Stern? Well... I didn't even notice what he was wearing. I was mesmerized by his tele (copy). But I'm pretty sure he was dressed kind of like Kurt Cobain used to dress. Just like people you would see a hundred times each day.

I think my heroes for stage attire would be these guys on this particular day:

View attachment 3321718

.... and this is about the way I've always dressed onstage (particularly, Meisner is the Fashion Maven here). In fact, I think I actually had that same John Deere shirt at one time about forty years ago. And, of course, I've worn out about 10 Eagles tees onstage over the years. For me... this is about the only fashion I care to mimic. Well, maybe Henley is overdoing it a bit in this photo. Sadly, I can't do the long hair thing anymore though... I have very little left to grow. But I can still do the tee... and I don't even have a pot gut--pretty good for someone my age.

Well, thanks for stopping in and typing out a bunch of paragraphs that are completely irrelevant and useless to the OPs situation Don't let your T-shirt drawer hit you on your way out

Edit: there are dozens of threads questioning the validity of dressing it up vs not... you can argue it there. This isn't one of them

 

[Christcr]

Well, thanks for stopping in and typing out a bunch of paragraphs that are completely irrelevant and useless to the OPs situation Don't let your T-shirt drawer hit you on your way out

Edit: there are dozens of threads questioning the validity of dressing it up vs not... you can argue it there. This isn't one of them

You're welcome. No problem.

Glad I could help out on your forum.

 

[catcauphonic]

@Bodeanly, not sure what size dudes wear you take (as I didn't see it mentioned.) But check this out .. If you're a medium-tall build like me, don't not look in the ladies section of thrift stores ... They have WAaaay more fabric and print choices than the fellas 'boxy and earthtoney' racks. And ladies must sweat less cuz I've found hundreds of interesting things over the years that were worn lightly before being donated, and they actually fit well.

In the end you gotta feel it to rock it!

Can't wait to see what you end up with.

 

[Bill Kron]

Really? There's quite a few, that's a 34" scale, this one is 30.5"

 

[Christcr]

View attachment 3321777 Really? There's quite a few, that's a 34" scale, this one is 30.5"

I have seen that shape with Hamer basses, just not the 12-string. And yeah, that is COOL! Add that one to my "I wish I had" list. It joins the B12S (of Cheap Trick fame) and the long scale version that Doug Pinnick used to play.

 

[catcauphonic]

View attachment 3321777 Really? There's quite a few, that's a 34" scale, this one is 30.5"

I would rock the snot out of that ... Not in an Eagles cover band, but in plenty of instances.

You're welcome. No problem.

Glad I could help out on your forum.

Sorry if I came off like a jerk, but I don't think a John Deere tee will go over well in OPs sitch

 

[Christcr]

I would rock the snot out of that ... Not in an Eagles cover band, but in plenty of instances.

That's definitely another model of bass I'll be watching for on Reverb, Ebay, etc. But if the B12S's that show up are $3500, I'm sure after seeing the price on one of those, I'd be needing to clean my underwear! Certainly a cool bass, though.

Sorry if I came off like a jerk, but I don't think a John Deere tee will go over well in OPs sitch

Probably not.

 

[Bodeanly]

@Bodeanly, not sure what size dudes wear you take (as I didn't see it mentioned.) But check this out .. If you're a medium-tall build like me, don't not look in the ladies section of thrift stores ... They have WAaaay more fabric and print choices than the fellas 'boxy and earthtoney' racks. And ladies must sweat less cuz I've found hundreds of interesting things over the years that were worn lightly before being donated, and they actually fit well.

In the end you gotta feel it to rock it!

Can't wait to see what you end up with.

I am medium-regular. I could probably wear a tall. I'm not opposed to wearing women's clothing, just not on stage. I mean... what?

 

[Scribbler]

Hello.

New band. They wear loud stuff... Like, borderline Hawaiian print, disco era, polyester, paisley kind of stuff. I found some red pants. Need a shirt. Bonus points for links, pics, and/or anything under 20 bucks. Advice welcome. Hilarity encouraged.

Thanks.

Example:
View attachment 3313053

We are a wedding band. We decided to wear black. It doesn't matter what items of clothing as long as it is smart. It keeps life simple and we look like we're part of the same outfit and, most importantly for anyone booked to do something at a wedding, it makes us look what we are - reliable and in control of a situation....
But before that, we'd wear shirts like this, and it was MUCH more fun!

 

[JBassDeluxe]

Looking at some of the photos of the clothing suggestions here takes me back to my high school days in the late 70s....like someone built a time machine and went back in time to 1977 and raided my closet. Lol

How about making your own tie-dye ware. Most think of a t-shirt or a pair of old white jeans as the “canvas” any white or light colored clothing item can be used to serve as the foundation. I had a white, button down dress shirt that was ready to be retired. I did the tie-dye job and it was trippily surreal with the white corduroy same treatment. Don’t know how to tie-dye? Searching both Google and You Tube will net useful lessons.

 

[Ian Lewis]

Hello.

New band. They wear loud stuff... Like, borderline Hawaiian print, disco era, polyester, paisley kind of stuff. I found some red pants. Need a shirt. Bonus points for links, pics, and/or anything under 20 bucks. Advice welcome. Hilarity encouraged.

Thanks.

Example:
View attachment 3313053

Try your local second hand clothing stores.