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Wearing shorts on stage.

#61
My band has a strict 'no shorts' policy and we are far more likely to be be found rocking suits than shorts, but to each there own. We are also 'full time working players.' I think shorts are just fine for weekend warriors that just wanna gig some. We have successfully targeted the type of clientele that is willing to pay top dollar for entertainment and have quickly become perhaps the busiest working band in the Phoenix area. One way we have achieved this is by always looking 'Clean as a MF'er' as Miles Davis used to say lol (read his autobiography)! Hey, whatever works for you! Rock shorts if ya wanna!

Some pics of our stylee included.
(Notice the dress of the clientele in the live pic $$)
 

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#64
faulknersj said:
My band has a strict 'no shorts' policy and we are far more likely to be be found rocking suits than shorts, but to each there own. We are also 'full time working players.' I think shorts are just fine for weekend warriors that just wanna gig some. We have successfully targeted the type of clientele that is willing to pay top dollar for entertainment and have quickly become perhaps the busiest working band in the Phoenix area. One way we have achieved this is by always looking 'Clean as a MF'er' as Miles Davis used to say lol (read his autobiography)! Hey, whatever works for you! Rock shorts if ya wanna!

Some pics of our stylee included.
(Notice the dress of the clientele in the live pic $$)
Click to expand...

This is definitely a no shorts situation. But I'm not sure this is the situation of most of us. Good for you guys though. Looks like a lot of fun!! I wish my gigs were like that!
 
#65
No shorts. It sucks. I've done gigs on 95 degree days with high humidity and no breeze. I hate it. Too bad. Still no shorts. Shorts don't have a place on stage unless you don't give a f*** what you look like. Beach party? Different story. On a stage for an event or in a club? Never. Wear fabric that breathes well and tough it out. Oh, and drink plenty of WATER.
 
#68
JehuJava said:
I'll assume this was sarcastic.

Shorts don't bother me at all. Its all the phony "I'm a musician so I have to 'look' like I'm a musician" crap that really peeves me. I used to live and play in Williamsburg part of Brooklyn, NY where the phony musician look was king. The funny thing is, the audience can see it right through the fakeness. It's true.
Click to expand...

Right on!!! Couldn't have said it better myself. Being a musician is about... erm... the music. Isn't it.

Let the posers pose, I'll just kick ass!!!!
 
#71
geddeeee said:
Right on!!! Couldn't have said it better myself. Being a musician is about... erm... the music. Isn't it.

Let the posers pose, I'll just kick ass!!!!
Click to expand...
So actually caring what we look like on stage makes us phoney? Okay. You go play your free to $40.00 (and drinks) gigs and I'll take my $200.00 to $400.00 (personal) per gig and have to sweat a little. ;)

Ridiculous...

EDIT: It's okay, there's room for all kinds of us.
 
#72
Craig_S said:
So actually caring what we look like on stage makes us phoney? Okay. You go play your free to $40.00 (and drinks) gigs and I'll take my $200.00 to $400.00 (personal) per gig and have to sweat a little. ;)

Ridiculous...

EDIT: It's okay, there's room for all kinds of us.
Click to expand...

OK, this made me finally feel the need to chime in on this.

I care very much about MY look on stage, and I cannot wear shorts.

However, I do not care at all about ANYONE ELSE'S look on stage, and I am right, and everyone else here is wrong.

Now I think I've made it clear.
 
#74
Craig_S said:
So actually caring what we look like on stage makes us phoney? Okay. You go play your free to $40.00 (and drinks) gigs and I'll take my $200.00 to $400.00 per and have to sweat a little. ;)

Ridiculous...
Click to expand...

If I wore a suit and tie for the style of music I play, I'd look ridiculous.

As mentioned already there is a time and place for dressing up. Just because we don't all dress up doesn't mean we don't care what we look like. We were talking about the trying TOO hard approach, ie: piercings, collars, fedora, leather pants, hair gel and bangs, eye liner, zildjian tshirts, or the average GC employee wardrobe. We get it. You're a rock star. And no I don't wanna buy the extended protection plan or sign up for the GC credit card.

Basically, if you're playing high paying gigs...dress appropriately. If you're having fun...wear what you want.

I do find it funny to what lengths people will go in order to LOOK like a musician though (suits excluded).
 
#75
JehuJava said:
If I wore a suit and tie for the style of music I play, I'd look ridiculous.

As mentioned already there is a time and place for dressing up. Just because we don't all dress up doesn't mean we don't care what we look like. We were talking about the trying TOO hard approach, ie: piercings, collars, fedora, leather pants, hair gel and bangs, eye liner, zildjian tshirts, or the average GC employee wardrobe. We get it. You're a rock star. And no I don't wanna buy the extended protection plan or sign up for the GC credit card.

Basically, if you're playing high paying gigs...dress appropriately. If you're having fun...wear what you want.

I do find it funny to what lengths people will go in order to LOOK like a musician though (suits excluded).
Click to expand...
That makes your point much clearer. I understand completely.
 
#76
Craig_S said:
So actually caring what we look like on stage makes us phoney? Okay. You go play your free to $40.00 (and drinks) gigs and I'll take my $200.00 to $400.00 (personal) per gig and have to sweat a little. ;)

Ridiculous...

EDIT: It's okay, there's room for all kinds of us.
Click to expand...

Phoney is not the word I would have used... A bit strong.
Slightly more than $40, oh and $400 too (personal). Only drink water when I'm playing. I've only been doing this successfully for 25 years, but each to their own.....
 
#78
Craig_S said:
That makes your point much clearer. I understand completely.
Click to expand...

Apparently not. But that's ok.

Music is not my job. Music is fun for me. I wish I picked the road that would have led me to being a professional player that plays corporate and very social gigs. But I know it's just fun for me. I know I'm never gonna "make it.". And that's ok with me.

If I'm playing bass in your band, you can count on me looking appropriate for the type of music were playing. I'll never join a band that I have to dress the part...probably because I don't like the kind of music that requires me to dress outside of my own personal wardrobe choices.

That being said, I do have respect for real working bands. I DON'T like it when musicians try to dress like musicians. That to me is fake.
 
#79
geddeeee said:
Phoney is not the word I would have used... A bit strong.
Slightly more than $40, oh and $400 too (personal). Only drink water when I'm playing. I've only been doing this successfully for 25 years, but each to their own.....
Click to expand...

Phoney was my word. Sorry to drag you into it!
 
#80
Craig_S said:
Good for you! I've been at it as long as you have. Some gig's more "successful" than others. But then how does one gauge success?
Click to expand...

Nice one!!! I suppose 'success' would be gauged on repeat bookings, and still doing it years later.
As long as I feel I've played well, and the crowd go away happy, that's real success for me.

Us 'old dogs' know our craft, don't we??? Ha ha.....
 

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