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Crip2nite got me thinking about something. How important is image to your music? Do you stick to a certain "look" or just go on in your street clothes? Do your street clothes have a certain look?

Chaeya has a steampunk thing going on. Crip used to do the spandex thing back in the day.

Marsha used to wear semi-goth outfits in N-2 Submission. The Impaler wore a black cape (and usually a Wendy's or other fast-food employee's shirt) Mark St. Christopher kinda looked like a gothed-out Robert Smith when we played with them.

I've used some theatrics while doing noise music. But, I usually just wear my regular clothes when I play rock and roll. T-shirt & jeans (usually black) with a long sleeve or jacket. I'm probably gonna wear more hemp when I buy clothes next time. I usually get clothes (and everything else) at Salvation Army, Value Village, Goodwill, garage sales, etc.. Shoes are usually black industrial worker's slip ons with oil-resistant grip soles (professionally used in restaurants and auto garages). They're good on my feet and last a long fuc*ing time. I often wear out shoes every 9-10 months. These have lasted SIX YEARS. I might go back to Converse Chuck Taylors again if I can find good support inserts. Finding my size in stores is a pointlessly futile search, size 13 wide. So, I just order 'em online now. I'd like to find someplace that sells quality Nehru suits affordably. But, it's not something I'd have the money for right now anyway.

"fairly or unfairly, rock and roll is about image" ~ Gene Simmons

I never understood with metal why you gotta have bondage pants and a battle axe. I'm plenty BRVTAL in my t-shirt and jeans.

Done the spandex thing too. we all had clothes made in the same colors but our own designs, black and red... now I live in sweatpants and love them LOL, I like short sleeved shirts though for playing

I always suspect somebody who is trying to create some kind of "image" onstage. The redeeming quality of the music SHOULD be enough. But unfortunately a lot of the public needs to identify people with superficiality. I don't dress up at all, usually just work pants, fishing shirt, baseball cap, nothing the average Joe wouldn't wear to their favorite fishing hole. I don't want anybody in my audience to think that I think I'm better than anybody in my audience by the way I dress. I'm just one of them. Maybe I can play bass and sing better than anybody in the audience, maybe not. As long as they enjoy the music that's good enough for me...Maybe I'll get a repeat gig out of the deal.

Music is a form of expression. A style of clothing is not a form of expression through music. The only "look" I've ever thought made sense was Johnny cash's reason for only wearing black. The 80's hair metal, disco being flashy and bright, new bands with their tight pants. All that is pop culture. Nothing to do with expression through music. So to me, its never made sense to wear certain clothing and relate it with a style of music.
but hey thats just me. There could be different reason guys wearing spandex.

[quote="PaperFork"]Music is a form of expression. A style of clothing is not a form of expression through music. The only "look" I've ever thought made sense was Johnny cash's reason for only wearing black. The 80's hair metal, disco being flashy and bright, new bands with their tight pants. All that is pop culture. Nothing to do with expression through music. So to me, its never made sense to wear certain clothing and relate it with a style of music.
but hey thats just me. There could be different reason guys wear spandex.

The guys in the bluegrass band got all pissed off when I showed up for a gig with my usual multi-colored daishiki...until I showed them the plain white button-down that I brought to wear on stage.

I've worn everything from bike shorts to a wizard's robes to a tux to a pink nightie to "regular" casuals. I think I prefer to stand out a little bit (perhaps not so far as the pink nightie, though).

I really wouldn't ever try to "blend in" with the audience, if I were the one on stage. That makes no sense to me...well...except in country music, if I didn't have the belt buckle what looks like a hubcap & the 20 gallon hat & the high-heeled cowboy booties & the sequined western shirt (which I don't have).

I think grunge ruined stage presences for way too many acts.

70's: silk shirts and bell bottoms

80's: leather pants and a striped shirt

90's: flannel shirt and ripped up jeans

00's: t-shirt and jeans

10's: whatever I can zip up

I dress by the weather and or the venue.
May be a tank top, shorts, sandals, straw hat, & sunglasses occasion.
Maybe jeans, sneakers, & my tiger shirt I love to play in.

Just some of my various stage outfits. I never show up looking like I just left someone's backyard BBQ. If I'm going to be an entertainer, I'm going to look like one, and that means NOT looking just like everyone in the audience. I don't have to wear spandex, sequined jackets, all that rot, but I do tend to dress for the show and never in sloppy jeans and t shirt...it's just tacky. Plus the crazy hats, wigs, other stage props...like the hat in my avatar. I use that one now and then, not all night. After a while people start to expect it, and wonder what I'll come up with next. Hey if it gets them to the shows, that's what it's all about...

I do believe that your look should support your art. If I am going to play classical music, I am dreessed for that. If I am playing in a rock venue...jeans it is. If I am doing jazz, it depends on the event. I am not going to show up for a cclassical or chamber performance dressed like I was going to a bar. Now, that being said, whatever I do wear it must be comfortable. I do not want to have my mind on my clothes while I am performing.

The guy standing next to you looks REALLY familiar Paul.

I've always worn my street clothes. I don't have the courage to wear biker boots and a bikini top yet.

Depends on ur fans I guess
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