Wearing shorts on stage.

[invader3k]

Yep, I'll admit, our band is guilty of this from time to time, especially outdoor shows or when it's really hot. We played a gig last Saturday night where the bar had no A/C, and I'm sure glad I did wear shorts. I'm sure it was at least 95 degrees in that place, and no, I'm not exaggerating.

Is this OK sometimes, or breaking a cardinal rule of being in a rock cover band? Just curious what others think.

 

[Stinsok]

I'd rather not. If it's super hot I will do it.

 

[invader3k]

I'd rather not. If it's super hot I will do it.

I agree I would rather not as well. It's just when it's really super hot, I don't feel too justified in suffering for hours on end wearing jeans when everyone else in the place is wearing shorts.

 

[jarrydee]

Seriously? Now this is one I never knew about..I wear shorts and tank top in the summer. Do you guys use hair gel and where dress shoes to? LOL

 

[basslinejam]

How about this guy?

I personally don't go for it. The Blues aesthetic of my band dictates long pants, dress shirts, etc.

 

[Hevy T]

What's wrong with wearing shorts??

 

[preside]

Geez I play outdoors every Sunday in Arizona there 's no way I would wear jeans

 

[Joe Louvar]

Does a sock like Flea wore count as shorts?

 

[Uncle Snake]

Does a sock like Flea wore count as shorts?

It depends how short your sock is......

 

[Mr.Bassie720]

It depends how short your sock is......

Brilliant!

 

[thorplaysbass]

It depends how short your sock is......

Thank you for making my day.

 

[Deleted member 92857]

I live on the gulf coast, and play a lot of outdoor venues. For most of them, if I wore jeans I'd be the only person in jeans anywhere near the place. I wouldn't wear shorts to a wedding gig, a ball, or any upscale gig, but when the temperature and the humidity are both in the upper 90's...

I mean, how can you justify hiding legs like this?

 

[nortonrider]

I personally think that it looks unprofessional, but whatever....I ain't your audience.
Flip-flops? same thing.

Now that I think about it, I'd rather see the band in shorts than wearing some stupid hat that so many think should be part of the bass players wardrobe.

There, I said it !!!!!
Those dumbass hipster hats (porkpie, fedora, etc.) don't make you look cool, they make you look like a Dork!
(man, it feels good to finally get that off my chest)

 

[nickbass79]

My opinion is to be comfortable and dress accordingly for the gig. Outside and it's hot, shorts. Inside at a higher end gig, pants. But I don't judge on appearance, just on the quality of the music made.

 

[mcnach]

What's wrong with wearing shorts??

when your legs are as nice looking as mine, there is nothing wrong at all

 

[raymondl3]

I went to an audition once where part of the guitar player's stage antics was to pull his shorts down to his ankles and continue playing. I respectfully declined to join that band and later heard the guy was arrested for indecent exposure at a gig!

 

[trevcda]

The only people that really give a &%$@ are the other posers who have some preconceived idea gleaned from some magazine of what metal or rock or cool is. "Appropriate" is something completely different .

 

[walkerci]

Summertime Gigs in Central Florida?

You can be sure that I will be wearing shorts and flip flops on stage.

 

[Bassamatic]

when your legs are as nice looking as mine, there is nothing wrong at all

Ditto! I keep tan and in shape - nothing embarrassing or going to cause glare.

However, it really depends on the gig. Tonight our gig is Hawaiian Luau theme - There will be NO long pants for sure. If it is really hot and you are outdoors, still probably OK - just be tan!

 

[invader3k]

I'm glad there's some consensus here. My question was posed after another local musician made a comment on one of our Facebook pics from a Thursday night outdoor gig, saying that shorts were a big no-no unless you're the drummer. His comment seemed to only be partly tongue in cheek.

As long as the people who are paying us don't mind, I don't see the big deal.