Tattoos effecting getting gigs

[Exemonium]

It all depends. Yes, I agree that in almost all cases it should be about the music. However, it is the entertainment industry. Unless you're out of sight, part of entertainment is presentation. The people you entertain have a ton of bearing on what's "acceptable". Granted, I say this as a stage actor. Visuals affect people in odd ways. It'd surely be shocking to go to have surgery and the doctor has a barbed wire choker tattooed on. Just like it's odd to see a clean cut guy in a suit in a metal band...when he's not doing it ironically. Are either technically wrong? no. But it's just the way their "customers" perceive them. My tattoo is so I can be onstage in underwear and all is hidden, I made that choice knowing my profession but wanted a tattoo. Playing in a metal band, it's always been the go all out mentality. Imagine even watching Swan lake and a ballerina has a sleeve tattoo, that'd shock me haha. But when it comes to an Orchestra, that's a different story. Again, most people probably won't see you And most I've been in or seen, they all wear tuxes or long sleeved apparel anyway, so that should be fine.
I remember singing in an Opera once where the Baritone soloist came to rehearsal dressed like a lumberjack, but come showtime, you'd never know. I think eventually it won't matter. But in the classical music scenario of things, the hoity-toity uppity crowds usually want that classic look...I say usually because I have seen a couple guest soloists that were not that at all. Very expressive in their appearance with colorful personalities, and they could really play.

All in all just because something is the norm, doesn't mean it's the rule. BUT, it's the norm for a reason.

 

[iJazz]

"Back in the day" our band wasn't rehired by Fuzzy Thurston for a gig at The Left Guard because my hair was "too long", about half-covering my ears. You just never know.

iJazz - And now (Memorial Day weekend, at least, when the warmth is reliable) iMohawk, too.

 

[jordy_on_bass]

It sucks, but it can happen - ESPECIALLY in the work force (even though it is becoming classed as discrimination). I used to work at a 6 star hospitality venue and I was restricted with what I could look like, tattoos were only just a part of the dress code. So when I got ink done, I obeyed the 'collar and sleeve' rule - no tattoos above the collar or below the end of long sleeves on a shirt. Luckily, I don't really want any in those areas anyway.

I used to run a pub and when I hired, I would always look at how the applicant presented themselves at their job interviews. That included whether or not I could see their tattoos. I remember once that I had one guy come in for an interview who had his sleeves rolled up showing his ink, facial piercings not taken out and a beard that would have made Gandalf cry. As casual as the venue was, showing up to a job interview like that isn't kosher in my books. I am all for tats, piercings and beards (in fact, I have all of the above), but you need to show me better than that for an interview if you want to work for me. I kind of felt bad because we spoke a bit about bands (was a drummer) and music, but social life and work life are two separate things, and I like to keep it that way.

I guess if you are a guy with massive sleeve work, a mohawk, piercings and never wear anything other than a singlet and jeans to a gig, you may have trouble getting a gig at a wedding or corporate function. But then again, you probably aren't going to play that gig anyway.

Long sleeves is probably the answer when meeting a promoter for the first time. Or job interviewer.
I won't wear them when meeting a promoter, job interview is a different story...

Just my .02

Cheers,
Jord

 

[LemmyLicious]

I guess if you are a guy with massive sleeve work, a mohawk, piercings and never wear anything other than a singlet and jeans to a gig, you may have trouble getting a gig at a wedding or corporate function. But then again, you probably aren't going to play that gig anyway.

This. I always laugh at people warning about tattoos by playing the Conservative Employer card even if it's rather obvious the soon-to-be inked person is very unlikely to end up working for a church or such. Especially here in Finland, where we tax the hell out of everything, tats are so expensive you can't afford to have yourself inked up unless you have some sort of reliable income.