Who is in a gimic band?

[brownie_bass]

I used to play in a clown band when I was in college. No joke - about 10 clowns (full makeup and everything) playing brass, sax, bass drum and snare drum. Hijinks were abundant - that was the shtick, obviously. We did parades, corporate events, etc.

Best-paying gig I ever had as a musician.

 

[fjadams]

I played bass for Dread Zeppelin for 13 years, does that count?

Oh, I'd think so. Saw you guys a few times in Lincoln and Omaha. Some friends of mine opened for you a couple shows. The Self Righteous Brothers. Another gimmick band that still has a huge following years after they stopped being a band. Except for the reunion shows at the Zoo Bar Anniversary shows.

 

[fjadams]

Seen a couple of Beatles tribute bands. Best was Liverpool Legends out of Branson, MO. A gimmick band, yeah, but a damn entertaining one.

 

[HolmeBass]

I played bass for Dread Zeppelin for 13 years, does that count?

Ok, I worship you. Saw you guys once, and you were AWESOME!! Gimic: check. Butt loads of fun: check. Amazing playing and great, original, inspired arrangements of some of the best songs ever written, check!

I'll totally sell out right now. Just show me where to sign. Thanks.

Yeah, me too. Show me the clown suit, I'll but the silly string, I already know Brown Eyed Girl.

The South Park guys fight this also- I saw an interview where they said, paraphrasing, heck yeah they sold out! That was the whole reason to move to LA from Colorado.

Gimic bands are to the music industry like porn is to the acting industry.

Truth hurts, don't shoot the messenger because I'm being honest about it.

BS! Parliament was a second class band?!? Slash, because he always wears a top hat? Blue Oyster Cult because they'd always drive a Harley onstage for Roadhouse Blues, and they had a 30' tall mechanical Godzilla? Pink Floyd because they built The Wall live, as they performed the album, or had inflatable animals floating around during the Animals tour? Bootsy because of the star sunglasses and star-shaped bass? The Beatles when they all wore the same suits and had the same haircuts? The Beach Boys for writing songs pretty much only about surfing, girls, and cars? You sir, are full of it.

 

[Session1969]

I played bass for Dread Zeppelin for 13 years, does that count?

You were in Robert Plant's favorite band ! You guys were awesome and I absolutely love "Your Time Is Going To Come". So Dope.

 

[Session1969]

Gimic bands are to the music industry like porn is to the acting industry.

Truth hurts, don't shoot the messenger because I'm being honest about it.

You sound like you have nothing better to do than to criticize others.

 

[Spectrum]

suggesting that having short people in a band is a gimmick -- and referring to 'em with the term that you all keep using -- is like saying that Jimi Hendrix was in the band because the drummer and bass player wanted to have a n****r, you know, as a gimmick. It's offensive. Cut it out.

especially if he can sing like Elton John. doesn't sound like a gimmick to me.

 

[Gopherbassist]

I require sound recordings NOW!

 

[Stumbo]

I was in several gimmick bands where the only gimmick was to be tight, have great vocals, play some good music and play lots and lots of gigs.

 

[jay tay]

Gimic bands are to the music industry like porn is to the acting industry.

Truth hurts, don't shoot the messenger because I'm being honest about it.

Jimmi Hendrix, The Who, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Brown, Every Motown act, Elvis, Sinatra, The Beatles, Every Classical Orchestra, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Gabriel/Genesis, Prince, Los Straightjackets, Pink Floyd, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Tool, The Beastie Boys, The Beach Boys, Foo Fighters, Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament, The Roots, Korn, Sepultura, Mudvayne, Misfits, Joe Cocker, Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Countless others...

Costume Changes, Theatrical Shows, Uniforms, Some of the greatest musicians, and music of all time!

"Porn"
Someone needs to grow up a little!!!

 

[Joe Nerve]

Jimmi Hendrix, The Who, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, James Brown, Every Motown act, Elvis, Sinatra, The Beatles, Every Classical Orchestra, Fleetwood Mac, Peter Gabriel/Genesis, Prince, Los Straightjackets, Pink Floyd, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Tool, The Beastie Boys, The Beach Boys, Foo Fighters, Sly and the Family Stone, Parliament, The Roots, Korn, Sepultura, Mudvayne, Misfits, Joe Cocker, Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Countless others...
Someone needs to grow up a little!!!

I think ya gotta clean up your list. I would never consider the bold above to be gimic bands... probably a few others in that list too. And if you do, then pretty much every band on the planet is a gimic band.

I do agree however that the porn statement is ridiculous. But I think that guy just posted it to get a reaction. If he actually believes it, well then... hmm, I can't say anything nice about that.

As for my thoughts on gimic bands, only reason I'm not playing in one right now is that I have trouble finding people to agree with the things I come up with. I will, one day. I wouldn't label The Nerve! a gimic band, but we did lots of things lots of people would refuse to do. And we also went a lot further than a lot of local bands, and had a whole lot more fun. Here's a little piece of what we were about in our earlier days .

Mellowinman, ya brought a tear to my eye. Tbird, your legs frighten me. And knarlybass, if you were dread zep's bassist in the early/mid 80s, you have been an inspiration.

 

[jay tay]

I think ya gotta clean up your list. I would never consider the bold above to be gimic bands... probably a few others in that list too. And if you do, then pretty much every band on the planet is a gimic band.

I do agree however that the porn statement is ridiculous. But I think that guy just posted it to get a reaction. If he actually believes it, well then... hmm, I can't say anything nice about that.

As for my thoughts on gimic bands, only reason I'm not playing in one right now is that I have trouble finding people to agree with the things I come up with. I will, one day. I wouldn't label The Nerve! a gimic band, but we did lots of things lots of people would refuse to do. And we also went a lot further than a lot of local bands, and had a whole lot more fun. Here's a little piece of what we were about in our earlier days .

Mellowinman, ya brought a tear to my eye. Tbird, your legs frighten me. And knarlybass, if you were dread zep's bassist in the early/mid 80s, you have been an inspiration.

I'm not suggesting that these musicians are gimic bands, more that most band's use gimics, in order to put on a good show. Musicians are at heard entertainers, performers, and artists. The Who smashed up their gear on stage, the Foo Fighters (mainly Dave) dress up in costumes (live and in video's) this doesn't stop them from being amazingly influential musicians, that are really talented.

Classical orchestras dress in black tie, it is theatrical, but that shouldn't detract from the years of training they have put in to become as incredibly skilled as they are. Just as Flea playing his bass naked shouldn't detract from his ability to play the bass.

I'm not bashing these bands, just making the point that all music comes from theatrical roots. The op thinks that Los Straightjackets, are sell outs because they wear masks, but I struggle to see the difference in that, and the Temptations wearing matching suits. If someone would turn down the opportunity to be in a good band, making good music, because they don't like the dress code, then in my opinion they are the one's who are really selling out.

 

[MJ_Sotti]

I was in a events band recently and they wanted me to dress up in a pimpdaddy outfit complete with the afro wig. I refused, they were highly insulted and I quit.

Some stuff I just can't do.

 

[JazzneckP]

Whatever................


I'm having a great time just being myself onstage, whichs means wearing wigs, make up and costume changes - you're entitled to your own opinion. Don't like what I do? Don't bother coming to a show

In my opinion, the best bands are those who are genuinely having fun on stage. The more fun you are having, the better time the crowd is having.

You ladies look like you are having a blast!

Wish my legs looked that good when I was on stage

 

[TBird1958]

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Thank you!

Part of the point of my band is that if you come to see us, it'll hopefully be a pleasantly memorable time - I don't want anybody to forget that they got to see my band!
It sounds corny, but when I get to play music with my bandmates, and get a lot people on the dance floor having a good time - it's a high better than any drug, drink. It works because it's genuine.

Rock music has always included fashion as an element, perhaps there some acts that "made it" by not incorporating it, but without question there are far more legitimate musicians that were smart enough to find fashion (and a 'look') as part of their total presentation.


Was Johnny Cash ("The Man in Black") a sellout because he choose to create an identifiable iconic image for himself?

I think not.


As others have pointed out, playing music for the public means you are an entertainer as well as a musician, recognizing that and making it work to your advantage in a genuine way is not "selling out" or a gimick.

 

[Blueszilla]

I can see the OP's point. Apparently him and his band don't need a gimmick. Their music stands alone, without the need for any other non-musical enhancement at all. I look forward to hearing this amazing material, please post access.

 

[F-Clef-Jef]

Gimic bands are to the music industry like porn is to the acting industry.

Truth hurts, don't shoot the messenger because I'm being honest about it.

I don't recall ever searching the internet late at night, drunk as a skunk, looking for "really good acting"...

just sayin'

 

[Chainsaw Willie]

Hey, why are gimmic and sell-out synonomous? That seems to be implied by the thread, but I don't think it is nessisarily true.

Have there not been sell-out bands that had no gimmic?

It seems like there has been a lot of very succesfull bands that followed a formula filled out on paper by some guy in a suit studying demographics and who will buy what.

What was Journey's gimmic?

 

[FretNoMore]

If the audience loves it it's a good show. Calling it selling out and gimmicky is just arrogant and insulting both to your fellow musicians as well as the paying audience. Sitting on that high horse doesn't bring bread to the table either, but I guess some would rather be starving artistes rather than paid entertainers.

 

[Broadstbully22]

Ok so after reading this thread I see a lot of good points. And I guess some of my statements were very close minded. There are talented bands with gimmicks. I guess my frustration comes from when the gimmicks are put in front of the music, and maybe gimmick is not the right word for what I'm talking about. The more I thought about it there are some bands with gimmicks I like. (P funk being the biggest). I still think the over the top stuff is just not for me. I just don't feel the need to wear platform shoes with a pimp daddy suit and a fro to get attention. Also my band is by far not perfect, but we are doing something right and I am grateful that we are not one of those bands. But it was not really my place to bash it because I personally don't dig it.