General Music Chat

I think it matters. When I perform, I consider myself an entertainer. My personel preference is whatever attire makes me look as good as possible within the 'casual' dress catagory. We are visual entertainment as well as audio, and looking attractive is part of the visual. ..

You're a God. Thank you, someone really needed to say this.

unless of course it was considered hip to not dress nice... which is almost the same as dressing nice at that point.

I agree with you completely, With our band we may go from playing at the Eagles, AmVets, Moose, [Private Clubs] Weddings, etc. Thats when I go for the casual to a suit & tie attire. The next week we might be playing for a Bikers Poker Run. The Jokers, Devils Deciples, etc. Bikers are big in this area. And they are some of the best people that you could ever meet. Do more for benefits than any other org. around here. Its better to dress for the occasion, If you know what I mean. No suit & tie. Time to break out the leather, bandanas, Harley Cap & shirt, Boots, etc. Versatility to fit the occasion. 'I Love It'!

Wouldn't that be great if it was hip not to dress nice! MrMV, I kinda like that idea! As a woman, that would make my gigs a little less complicated.Don't get me wrong, I think the whole visual thing is important, but I always found that when I saw a band in let's say jeans and some simple t-shirt or jacket , with boots or sneakers, not too much flash, they just look so comfortable and all about the music. But then again, I'm a big Prince , Areosmith, fan and so I like the flash, too. Elton John has down sized the wardrobe thing and I miss the insanity at times, LOL. I also like the shock value of people thinking you are there to see the band and then they realize, hey, you're in the band? Okay, that's a great excuse to just be comfortable, drop the rake, and go play some music!

Oh, V&B, I might have to try that painted boot thing just for kicks! Are you serious, LOL, that IS creative! Last time I did something like that, I was wearing an ugly bridesmaids dress in someone's wedding and I had to dye my shoes to match! You guys just crack me up!

Oh, V&B, I might have to try that painted boot thing just for kicks! Are you serious, LOL, that IS creative! Last time I did something like that, I was wearing an ugly bridesmaids dress in someone's wedding and I had to dye my shoes to match! You guys just crack me up!

Well..That was back in the 70s, Hell...Everything was different then. Kiss, Disco. And now at my age, You know the old saying." Have to pull out the brush & paint the barn every 30 yrs!"

my image isnt something i use as a platform, its who i am, i think that if you can prove that your a good enough musician/performer, then the "fashion image" is irrelavent...(although it can be uselful to "recruit" some of the more niave younger crowd)

"Bikers are big in this area." -I'm from milwaukee, there's one or two of em around here too! Good peeps.
"Have to pull out the brush & paint the barn every 30 yrs!" -I admit... no idea what that means.
dang v&b... did I miss something? I wasn't that offended by that limey bturd.
"my image isnt something i use as a platform, its who i am" -I agree somewhat... if you'd wear it on stage why not everyday? ...unless your job prevents.
"(although it can be uselful to "recruit" some of the more niave younger crowd) " -perhaps that is a hair 'not-so-nice' depending on how you mean it... but I'm not young or niave(spelling) and I like me some dressed up bands... like zztop!

the thing is... if you dress up: you'd better bring it. if you dress down, people expect a lot less out of ya... little less pressure.

Yeah, I bet there are alot of bikers in Milwaukee Mike. [Big Dogs] They come from all over the states here a few times through the summer. They are having a Memorial Run here May,27th. Alot of bands will be playing where they end their Run at the 'Watering Hole' [Bar & Grill] just a few miles from where I live. We are playing there on the 26th. Looking forward to it! [Maybe I can use the gig as a Platform & Recruit some of the more Niave younger crowd]. They would get a 'Kick' out of that one!

yeah it gets crazy here. brady street was closed off by biker so they could have wheelie and burnout contests... with topless chicks on the back!

When in doubt, you could always do what guitarist Brian James of "The Damned" did - and play completely naked.

didn't rhcp do that too? I mean I am aware of the poster but didn't they do it as well? hmm, not sure I have any baby socks.

So, what I'm getting is that visual is important in a performance and that dressing for the occassion is the best way, for example, wedding, party vs biker week, bar gig. I think that's how most would approach it. I mean wouldn't that be a hoot, your band gets hired for a wedding, and they all show up wearing purple bandanas and boots ( of course the heels are painted purple to match ), sorry VB, I could not resist! Anyway, my question now is, say a band is really good, they keep the crowd, and they are booking gigs, but they just do the good ol' denim shirts , T's, jeans, you get the picture. What do you think? Do they need an image or is that their image? This is not about making it or anything , this is your average cover band, who wants steady work, and THAT IS IMPORTANT to them and of course to have fun doing it! I think it's different if you are doing originals and you want to go BIG TIME. Then I can see the visual thing being an issue. But, when you go to a local bar/restaurant to see a band or maybe you just go to eat and the band happens to be playing that nite, do you ever think , NICE MUSIC, but they need to dress better? Do you think a band has a better chance if they "LOOK NICE" or is it all about the money the bar is pulling in while you're playing?

In a visually oriented culture such as ours, I think anything you do to improve or excite an appearance is a plus when it comes to performance. Not saying I like it, just that that's the way it is.