Wear your own shirt?

[redwingxix]

So I need some help settling a disagreement. My bandmates are divided on whether or not it is acceptable to wear your own band's t-shirt at a gig. We are pretty evenly split on it, two for, two against, one who doesn't care. Keeping in mind that wearing a t-shirt at a gig is the norm, what are your thoughts?

 

[morgansterne]

Our singer had nice v neck pullover shirts made with our band name. I'm proud of my band but I can't even wear it around the house, let alone at a gig!

"Don't be that guy"

 

[jshinal]

It would be OK to wear it during load in, but I'd change it before I got on stage to play.

 

[AngelDeVille]

I would wear a Justin Bieber T-shirt, ironically of course... it's not like I have all his albums and a few rare import singles or anything like that....

 

[gln1955]

Unless you are your own biggest fan, no.

 

[JRA]

i would limit it to one member per gig wearing the band T. cast lots: loser/winner wears the shirt.

 

[dannylectro]

So long as your name isn't embroidered above a pocket, I say you're good to go. Or not. That is unless everyone in the band has their name embroidered above the pocket, then it is a must. Happy shirt wearing.

 

[rufus.K]

i would limit it to one member per gig wearing the band T. cast lots: loser/winner wears the shirt.

I think it's great. I agree everyone shouldn't. its be better if the shirt was well worn, and not new looking.

 

[Drgonzonm]

If the crowd can't read the band's name on the drum. Then they can squint and read the band's name from your shirt, so don't forget wear your bass low.
Remember one of the reasons for firing a drummer is a band name change.

 

[Paulabass]

Just no. As bad as a 'I'm with stupid' T.

 

[Basshappi]

I've worn ours for some band photos but not on stage.

 

[crguti]

I don't think Jason cared so much

 

[redwingxix]

I'll wear it during set up only then change. But certainly no more than one person wearing it onstage, two or more would be really silly. Some of the guys in maiden wear their shirts onstage, but their shirts are way cooler than ours. Maybe it's a more of a metal thing? We're not a metal band, though.

 

[Jokei]

I don't think Jason cared so much

View attachment 3071514

Jason was never really a band member

 

[RichardW]

I don't understand why this would even be an issue. Bands have their names/logos on bass drums, hanging on banners on stage, and sell merch all over the place. But somehow it's not cool to wear a band t-shirt while you're playing?

I don't get it.

 

[40Hz]

Roadies and the person on the door or merch table is ok and probably a good idea. Do theirs in a color you don't sell so your rabid t-shirt buying followers won't be mistaken for your gig crew. Just tell the bouncers: those two ugly ones over there in the acid green band shirts with the neon orange lettering are with the band.

For load ins its ok. If the place has tight security it probably wouod make things a lot easier for the venue staff if your crew was easily identifiable for that. But band members wearing their own band's shirt on stage? Sorry. In my day that would have been considered a major gig foul.

 

[taught]

I don't understand why this would even be an issue. Bands have their names/logos on bass drums, hanging on banners on stage, and sell merch all over the place. But somehow it's not cool to wear a band t-shirt while you're playing?

I don't get it.

I am really against it. This is like your own face: you put it on facebook as avatar, post your face several times a year on your timeline, use it as TalkBass avatar etc... All of these places where your face appeared is cool and people like it and enjoy looking at it.

Now I dare you to print your face on your t-shirt while going anywhere.

EDIT: Although I agree that during loading in wearing your shirt is ok/good idea/can be cool. The same applies to roadies.

 

[interp]

Every member of the band should wear identical band T-shirts, not just during load-in and on stage, but everywhere and ALL the time.

 

[DirtDog]

i would limit it to one member per gig wearing the band T. cast lots: loser/winner wears the shirt.

Yeah! Make it the last guy to arrive has to wear the band T shirt!

At one point someone made up golf shirts with the band name embroidered on them. We wore them once to show our appreciation but not after that!

 

[mellowinman]

Acceptable? What are we? Conformists? Anything you do that doesn't involve the suffering of others is acceptable. Wear your shirts. It's good advertising. NEVER be concerned with others' opinions of you. Others are jerks. This is a world full of very vocal jerks, and the nice people mostly don't offer up opinions on stuff that's none of their business.

Wear the shirts. Don't wear the shirts. Pay busty strippers to wear your shirts. Whatever makes you happy is fine with me.