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Let's see your stage wear! (Page 2)

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Author	Topic: Let's see your stage wear!
Jim Sliff Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA	posted 08 May 2006 09:38 PM profile "People are visually oriented and always have been." Then explain the success of the folks I mentioned. Ah - but there IS a visual there, and in other parts of the rock circles...just not the one some people in this thread are looking for. Point - you don't have to wear all the same shirts to be successful. Well - maybe you do if your music sucks, but that's only in circles where the form is more important the the function. ;-)
Charles Davidson Member From: Alabama, USA	posted 08 May 2006 09:49 PM profile Kevin.Good point.Jim ,talking about guys like Bruce,Mick,and also the Kenny Chesneys that look like they have spent the day changing the oil in a 59 beetle,I'm aware they are worth millions,So was Al Capone,but he was STILL a gangster and a Bum.No one will ever change my mind about stage appearance.Some people say [well things change with time]But why does it always have to be for the worst instead of better?Maybe just maybe some one may come along in the future that will have a little class like the real entertainers of the past.They say trends go in cycles,I really hope so,I really don't think I'm alone in saying I've had ENOUGH of this s%#t the [MU-SICK] industry is force feeding the public today.
Jim Sliff Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA	posted 08 May 2006 09:57 PM profile Charles, who says it's worse? Maybe it's just not as pretentious as guys in shiny, threadbare suits. In the 70's a band I was in came in second in a bluegrass band contest....because we didn't all wear the same shirts. We won in all the musical categories - just lost on "visuals" due to votes of 2 out of 3 judges; 2 being traditional bluegrass guys, one being...well, read on: I thought it was hilarious myself. The other judge - Jethro Burns - was incensed and told off the other judges. It was pretty funny. I would have to say the public doesn't seem to agree with your view. Maybe they LIKE "real" as opposed to "fake". Maybe the music IS more important than the snappy suit. Personally, I've never heard a recording that looked good, either.
Charles Davidson Member From: Alabama, USA	posted 08 May 2006 10:01 PM profile P.S,Did Little Jimmys band,The Texas Troubadours,The Texas Playboys,The Brazo Vally Boys,etc,etc,etc,SUCK because they wore matching outfits.If they sucked,sure wish some of it would have rubbed off on me.
Cliff Kane Member From: Long Beach, CA	posted 08 May 2006 10:07 PM profile These guys had style:
Charles Davidson Member From: Alabama, USA	posted 08 May 2006 10:11 PM profile Jim,as usual you and I seem to agree to disagree,But I do think that is a downright spiffy shirt you are wearing playing your Fender.
Skip Edwards Member From: LA,CA	posted 08 May 2006 10:16 PM profile Therein lies the conundrum of the music biz, at least from our point of view as players. Probably 99% of the audience can't play an instrument, so the whole musical experience is seen (key word here) from a different perspective. Y'know... these are the folks that would be really impressed if they saw you use a beer bottle for a bar. They way I see it, we play our best for the other players - either in the audience or on the bandstand - and we try to look nice for the rest of 'em. JMHO
Charles Davidson Member From: Alabama, USA	posted 08 May 2006 10:22 PM profile Cliff, That's COOL,PUN intended!!!
Charles Davidson Member From: Alabama, USA	posted 08 May 2006 10:36 PM profile J.W.My possom buddy,where are you when I need some help,They are ganging up on me.I'm sure you wore some nice outfits when you were playing your banjo in those Virginia blue grass bands.
Cliff Kane Member From: Long Beach, CA	posted 08 May 2006 10:40 PM profile It's no joke, dude: they were a great band, and really fun to watch. http://www.residents.com/ [This message was edited by Cliff Kane on 08 May 2006 at 10:50 PM.]
Henry Nagle Member From: Santa Rosa, California	posted 09 May 2006 12:16 AM profile There are genres that require you to look like a slob to fit in. I'm not hung up on uniforms or formal dress but if I'm going to go on stage and present myself as a spectacle I do try to change out of my work clothes. To what degree I disguise myself depends on the occasion and the crowd. If the audience is pleased by the way you look, they will be more inspired to pay attention and appreciate the way you sound. Dressing spiffy is not always key to pleasing the crowd, but it rarely hurts. It is a show after all. I do agree with Jim that the music itself is way, way more important. If I see a band that is all dressed up and they suck, I think I dislike them even more. One thing, though. Sweatpants are totally unacceptable. [This message was edited by Henry Nagle on 09 May 2006 at 12:17 AM.]
Henry Nagle Member From: Santa Rosa, California	posted 09 May 2006 12:19 AM profile Well said Skip!
Jim Sliff Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA	posted 09 May 2006 01:06 AM profile Charles - again, you're using dated examples, and those from a genre where stagewear was part of the whole "aura". I sure do agree with Henry's point - a spiffy-looking bad that's bad musically really kicks up the suck-o-meter.
Charlie McDonald Member From: Lubbock, Texas, USA	posted 09 May 2006 04:08 AM profile Jay, you could change your name to Freddy Fender. BTW, Chas Smith has actual records that you can get from b0b. He's one of my favorite artists.
Mark White Member From: Michigan, USA	posted 09 May 2006 04:32 AM profile IMHO it really depends on the gig. If you're warming up a national act at a big place it's usually good to spiff up a little. On the other hand, if you walk into a beer joint wearing sequins you look a little silly. A band I was in warmed up for The Allman Brothers here in Detroit when they first came out a few times. They looked horrible, but then they started to play and blew everybody's mind. If you suck there isn't a coat in the world that'll help you. The bottom line....it's all about the music, dressing up is just icing on the cake. I admit though, I DO enjoy seeing a big act dressed to kill. Just my 2 cents..... Oh yeah, I agree, NO SWEATPANTS [This message was edited by Mark White on 09 May 2006 at 04:35 AM.]
Russ Tkac Member From: Waterford, Michigan, USA	posted 09 May 2006 05:12 AM profile Well, this was a fun topic. Thanks Charles.
Dave Zirbel Member From: Sebastopol, CA USA	posted 09 May 2006 05:27 AM profile Years ago a band I played with did a morning local TV show so for kicks we all showed up in our pajamas and did the set live on the air. I wish I had a picture to post. I had on a bathrobe and cowboy boots. The fiddle player actually stood there and played in his boxer shorts and T shirt. We were all unshaven with messy hair. A friend who saw the show told me after, " don't ever do that again." DZ
Parr Bryan Member From: Texas USA	posted 09 May 2006 07:20 AM profile Chas, I didn't think that was a bow you had one them strangs. I thought it was the arrow you was a shootin' at an ungrateful listener!! What a good idea!
Ben Jones Member From: Washington, USA	posted 09 May 2006 07:31 AM profile Jim-Neil, Bruce..Madonna... whoever...all those tank tops ripped jeans cone bra's whatever they are wearin is a part of their act also. So yes clothes are a part of the musical performance wether they be ripped jeans or tuxedos. If you still wanna go start a habadashery website , more power to you.
Steve Walz Member From: USA	posted 09 May 2006 10:20 AM profile Someone mentioned that dressing up is fake. I guess that means nothing other than what you wear on a daily basis is real. If you are a landscaper does that mean you are fake unless you show up to a show in dirty shorts, redwings and sunhat? I doubt a landscaper would go to a show like that... he would change clothes...so I guess he's fake? I actually don't care what you wear. I'm not better than you for dressing nice on occasion so for those of you who think you are more real than us just keep in mind your "value diversity" ideas and be happy that we are all different. [This message was edited by Steve Walz on 09 May 2006 at 04:47 PM.]
Glenn Suchan Member From: Austin, Texas	posted 09 May 2006 11:24 AM profile Regarding stagewear, the arguement was made that as long as the music is good, appearance is not that important. To an extent, that may be true. However, if you respect your performance and your audience, dressing appropriately goes a along way toward having your audience appreciate what your show is all about. (The key word is appropriate.) Keep on pickin'! Glenn
Ben Jones Member From: Washington, USA	posted 09 May 2006 11:46 AM profile worst stage outift ever? Mr Elton John.
Dave Zirbel Member From: Sebastopol, CA USA	posted 09 May 2006 11:54 AM profile I think I'll play my next show wearing nothing but a loincloth and high top sneakers!
Larry Bell Member From: Englewood, Florida	posted 09 May 2006 12:20 PM profile Bovine beat you to it. ------------------ Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar' 2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1984 Sho-Bud S/D-12 7x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps
Jim Sliff Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA	posted 09 May 2006 02:19 PM profile Dave - that's Flea's outfit with the Chili Peppers. I've got nothing against stagewear. I have some things I only wear on stage. But I think there are two points to be made: 1) A snappy suit or matching outfits aren't always "appropriate", nor do "nice clothes" have ANYTHING to do with respect for the audience...unless you're playing in a retirement home, and 2) putting appearance before the music is, to me, completely and utterly ridiculous. I'll sort of repeat something - I've never seen a well-dressed hit song. I've never "seen" a great player. you can look really good at something and be totally inept. and music is about music...it's sound, not visuals. Sure, there is something called "stage presence" - but it's amazing how REAL talents don't need fancy dress to get the message across. Clapton wears jeans and t-shirts. Then there's Cher. ;-) [This message was edited by Jim Sliff on 09 May 2006 at 02:29 PM.]
Dave Zirbel Member From: Sebastopol, CA USA	posted 09 May 2006 02:44 PM profile I'm not really attached to snappy suits. It's fun to dress up every now and then and people really like it, but wouldn't want to do it all the time. The best shows I've had were wearing T-shirts and jeans playing to a packed house, great pay and we burned the house down and left the crowd in a frenzy. It's all about transmitting energy, dude! This is what I look like a lot of the time. I try to dress appropriately for the occasion. A lot of shows I do are rock shows so the snappy duds aren't neccessary. [This message was edited by Dave Zirbel on 09 May 2006 at 02:44 PM.] [This message was edited by Dave Zirbel on 09 May 2006 at 07:19 PM.]
Jim Sliff Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA	posted 09 May 2006 03:05 PM profile Same here - the "nice" shirt I was wearing in the jam pic was one I just yanked out of the closet because I was working that morning and had to meet a client at a site - otherwise I probably would have been wearing shorts, a Becker Surf Shop T-shirt and a pair of Hurley or Tony Hawk skate shoes. Or Uggs. Which is how I would normally dress for a gig, come to think of it. My son's band has played the Whiskey in their underwear. The crowd loved it. And if they wore suits to a gig, they'd probably get the snot beaten out of them by the moshpit crowd. It's not the big-band era any more. Nor do men look sharp wearing hats. And bands wearing matching suits are sort of cool in a retro way...but barely.
Jim Peters Member From: St. Louis, Missouri, USA	posted 09 May 2006 05:00 PM profile Playing the GOO would mean "cowboyed" up, most of the clubs in St. Louis would not appreciate the look. My wife is the focus of our group, and dresses as such. Here's a link to pics: I'm the slob on guitar. (new pics,wife not dressed up, I'm still the slob) JP [This message was edited by Jim Peters on 14 May 2006 at 09:00 AM.] [This message was edited by Jim Peters on 14 May 2006 at 09:01 AM.] [This message was edited by Jim Peters on 15 May 2006 at 08:21 PM.]
Dave Mudgett Member From: Central Pennsylvania, USA	posted 09 May 2006 06:27 PM profile Sometimes it's like this: and sometimes it's like this (from the Penn State University Collegian, Jan. 31, 2005): IMO, Glenn is right - it's about what is appropriate. As usual, De gustibus non disputandum.
Kyle Everson Member From: Nashville, Tennessee	posted 09 May 2006 07:48 PM profile I think you oughta wear what makes you look like yourself. Or better yet, what makes the band look like they sound. If you play ole Hank songs for the whole show and show up in blue jeans, then that's fine. But it would enhance the SHOW part of it a lot more if you've got nice suits and/or cowboy ties/hats on. I always critic bands on their musicianship first. Within the first 30 seconds I have formed my opinion about their sound. The way they dress is either an added bonus (for a good band) or proof that they are just a bunch of posers (for a crappy band). But I agree it's a fun topic. Here's me at a University talent show after I got out of class . And at a casual bar in Athens, GA. ------------------ Kyle Everson Sho-Bud Pro-II Fender Twin Reverb Goodrich 120
Damir Besic Member From: La Vergne,TN	posted 09 May 2006 08:53 PM profile hmm,maybe I shouldn`t have show you this Db ------------------ "Promat" ~when tone matters~ www.promatsteelguitars.com
Jim Sliff Member From: Hermosa Beach California, USA	posted 09 May 2006 09:22 PM profile Something comes to mind about the cones of silence, but... ...never mind. ;-)
Jim Cohen Member From: Philadelphia, PA	posted 09 May 2006 09:36 PM profile The Cohens of Silence? I'll never tell...
Charles Davidson Member From: Alabama, USA	posted 09 May 2006 11:03 PM profile Since I'm a hardheaded, opinionated,non conformist old geezer that NO ONE can make me change my mind on this subject,I'm bowing out now[If I can resist the temptation to jump back in]You guys have a good time expression your opinions.
Chris House Member From: Mesa, Arizona, USA	posted 09 May 2006 11:06 PM profile Hmmm...I've been reading these posts and chewing on this for a while...everyone has good points. But I really think it's the gig/situation. I remember a long time ago seeing a band at the Arizona State Fair come on stage in the middle of summer wearing old football jerseys and ripped Levi's backing up some girl named Linda something or other and was blown away by how good they were and thinking what the ? the band before them had these really smart looking matching outfits. Which was about all I remember of the openers. The next time I saw the backup band for the headliner was when they were playing one of their hits...Take It Easy, I think it was. We play every Wednesday from 6:30 to 10:30. Solid. No breaks. Started out 2 years ago as 2 acoustic guitars and an acoustic bass. Now I switch between dobro, 6 string, 12 string, mando, dobro, pedal and lap. Until about 2 1/2 months ago, I also moved around to drums during the set. Now, when our drummer can't make it, I still bring the drum kit too and play it for parts of the set. So I'm hauling a D-10, a mando, the other guitars, a drum kit, a Steel King, a California Blonde amp, a pedal board and all the other stuff in my gig box. It's July at 5:00 PM. It's still about 112 degrees outside. I gotta set up. then I get play for four hours straight. Tear down around 11:00 PM. 'Course, the temp's dropped to about 110. But, it's a dry heat. We play on an outdoor stage that looks out on a hugh patio with misters and fans blowing over the tables below the stage. Behind that is two sand volleyball courts, two horseshoe pits and about an acre and a half of grass, filled with tables, chairs and people. Everyone in the place is in shorts, tank tops and flip flops. Which is what I'll probably be wearing on stage also. Nope...I WILL be wearing that. This winter, when the temp drops below 40 or 50, I expect I'll be wearing a sweat shirt and Levi's over long johns like I did last year. A few months ago, we played a wedding (inside) where everyone was dressed appropriately for the event. I guess it's what the situation calls for. I'd love to wear a nice jacket and such, but I'd pass out from the heat before the end of the first song!
Alvin Blaine Member From: Sandy Valley, Nevada, USA	posted 10 May 2006 12:09 AM profile My stage wear is pretty much the same thing I wear all the time. I've have worn cowboy boots and a hat almost every day of my life since I was about eight or ten years old. I don't think I'll be changing my style any time in the future. I don't do the matching outfit thing, but I usually show up to gigs dressed better than anyone else. I even wear the same type cloths on outdoor gigs, even if the weather is 120 degrees or 30 degrees. Me in the '80's In the '90's with the original "Comets". At Gilley's Vegas in '99 At Harrah's in 2002 Last year at a rodeo in France Last month on a gig with Rex Allen Jr. [This message was edited by Alvin Blaine on 10 May 2006 at 12:18 AM.]
Charlie McDonald Member From: Lubbock, Texas, USA	posted 10 May 2006 04:44 AM profile Ok, I'm ready to vote now. Mine goes to Alvin Blaine.
Roger Francis Member From: Indiana, USA	posted 10 May 2006 06:29 AM profile http://usera.imagecave.com/francis4/
Jack Francis Member From: Mesa, Arizona, USA	posted 10 May 2006 07:57 AM profile I gotta go with the "Francis" guy!
Andy Sandoval Member From: Bakersfield, California, USA	posted 10 May 2006 08:46 AM profile How about this guy?

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