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Your Look On Stage
- Thread starter bluewine
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Was it Mick Jones of The Clash who said something like "Yes, we're sellouts...our records sell out at the store and our seats sell out at the theaters."
Oh, BTW, The Clash definitely had "a look" and put considerable thought into their "look." It was Phil Simonon's main role (he was also the bass player).
+1 for looking the part. This was from a couple of years ago but, I got the mohawk, the band t-shirt and the cargo shorts. Blasphemy! Since this photo was taken, I haven't been able to find anyone who wants to start a punk band...
Why, because he could wear "grungy" clothes?
Cobain's image was a carefully-crafted statement designed to be different and stand-out from the glam rockers of the '80, who all started to look alike with the stereotypical spandex and hair. But it was still a specific image designed to convey a specific message of "I don't care so f off." That worked for about 90 minutes, then itself became so cliche that even he couldn't stand it any more. What he found out is that the more contempt he held for his audience, the more contempt they had for him. They didn't care about what he wanted to do today, they wanted him to do--again--what he was doing last year.
The point being that image is a powerful tool, one quite capable of turning on you, so plan wisely and use it carefully.
As an interesting aside, I actually had a biker-looking guy come up to me during a break last night, whup out a bandana, and start to polish my red and black vinyl shoes, because "they're so cool under the lights." (You can't make this stuff up.) I doubt that happens much to the sneaker crowd. He'll remember the band he saw last night--presuming he remembers anything at all, of course! (I'll admit that it was kinda weird, though flattering...)
Awesome dude. Wow, you don't see that much these days.
You look like you're waiting for a bus.
No, because talking about stuff like this was probably the LAST thing on his mind.
Cool story about grunge though, really enlightening.
It's a delicate balance to me between looking appropriate for the gig and looking silly when you walk out on the street. Back in my punk-ish days, I started out in jeans and T-shirts, then started wearing a white button-down shirt (out) with the sleeves rolled up (along with the jeans and Chucks). It was comfy and it was a slight step above the audience (it also covered my college weight gain 
).
I lean towards the "OK, we can spend a minute talking about what to wear, but that's all we need" mindset. I do appreciate the classic looks, actually, especially the suit and tie. I wish I could pull that off, but I get so hot when I play (I like to move around) that I'd be completely soaked halfway through the set! Hats are generally a problem for the same reason, plus they rarely fit my giant head.
Some folks go too far and look ridiculous, IMO. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the "stand out from the crowd" and "give me a show" guys looked a lot like this on stage 20-25 years ago.
Me, I'd rather not have to cringe too badly in the future at my old band pics.
).I lean towards the "OK, we can spend a minute talking about what to wear, but that's all we need" mindset. I do appreciate the classic looks, actually, especially the suit and tie. I wish I could pull that off, but I get so hot when I play (I like to move around) that I'd be completely soaked halfway through the set! Hats are generally a problem for the same reason, plus they rarely fit my giant head.
Some folks go too far and look ridiculous, IMO. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the "stand out from the crowd" and "give me a show" guys looked a lot like this on stage 20-25 years ago.
Me, I'd rather not have to cringe too badly in the future at my old band pics.
I think this is a very valid point. Although "old-looking" gear is fine if the vintage look works with your band.
They also know who the Eagles and Phil Collins (not exactly my favorite artists) are. Recall any distinctive outfits of theirs?
With my band, I end up looking like Jason Newstead, but moving around like JPJ - i.e. not much.
For school pieces, we tend to play in suits. There's not much classier than suits.
At the End of 10th Grade Assembley last Friday, I played Baba O'Reilly with some friends, and had a sort of Serie-A manager look going. Suit, no tie, first two buttons undone.
For school pieces, we tend to play in suits. There's not much classier than suits.
At the End of 10th Grade Assembley last Friday, I played Baba O'Reilly with some friends, and had a sort of Serie-A manager look going. Suit, no tie, first two buttons undone.
yes. i remember phil in a video once with his shirt off. hopefully he never ever does that again. guys like phil and i shouldn't perform with shirts off. as a matter of fact, no guy should ever perform with his shirt off. ghey.
I was in a book store once and there was this marble notebook-like book i spotted. it was about Curt, had a bunch of his writings etc. There were TONS of letters to record labels BEGGING them to listen to his stuff.
it's very easy NOT to be a star or "sellout". but chances are, if we're talking about them, they've begged, "sold out" (whatever the hell that means), made deals w/ the devil, hoped, dreamed, PLANNED and climbed on those under them to get where they are! . . . and there's nothing wrong w/ that!
exactly. if you've got a band that charges money for albums and performing, you're a sellout, and that is a wonderful thing. if you don't want to be a sellout, don't leave the house to play music.
btw, i hate the term "sellout." nothing wrong with making money. and let's face it, if you're in a band that takes money, you've had to compromise your beliefs more than once. even kurt admitted he'd done so in his suicide letter. but instead of killing myself like a coward, i would say "thank you" and jet off to tahiti for a week and drown my sorrows in mai tais and bikini girls.
I was watching a great interview w/ Steven Tyler once and he was talking about why they put the big ballads on their records. he said it kept the label happy and afforded them the opportunity to put the songs they wanted on there too . . . "and, I like having a million dollars in my bank account!"
amen to that - what I wouldn't do for that kind of success . . . call me what you will (I wouldn't care one bit!)
amen to that - what I wouldn't do for that kind of success . . . call me what you will (I wouldn't care one bit!)
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