wraub Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Jeans and a t-shirt? Silver lame' and a cowboy hat? It seems like a lot of bands still dress in street clothes on stage, but I notice a lot of acts dressing up more for stage wear, even if it's just nice pants and a real shirt. I know that the way you have to move on stage, and what instrument and styles you play will dictate what you wear, to an extent. And we all obviously think alot about how we sound. But how much thought and effort do you put into how you look on stage? Peace, wraub I'm a lot more like I am now than I was when I got here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyote Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 It depends entirely on two things: venue instrument In the old wedding/clubdate days, it was simple: WEAR A TUX regardless. Aside from that, when I was drumming or playing percussion I'd typically wear a tanktop plus comfortable cotton slacks - while for bass, guitar, or keys I like to wear clothing that 'flows'. Nice shoes. Slacks with a bit of a flare at the bottom, a shirt open at the neck with no pockets and preferably mid-forearm-length sleeves that flare out a bit too. Comfortable, moves well, AND stays out of the way while playing. I used to think I was Libertarian. Until I saw their platform; now I know I'm no more Libertarian than I am RepubliCrat or neoCON or Liberal or Socialist. This ain't no track meet; this is football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I have always felt that a truly unique and killer chapeau (i.e., a sweet lid) can go a long way, but it's definitely a risk. Comfort definitely rules the decision making for me. If you're dead sexxxayyyyy you have more flexibility (or you can go with black, right CMDN). It helps to have something in your appearance that makes you stand out a bit so that your adoring fans can track you down following the performance with relative ease and tell you how great you were. Peace. --s-uu spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moot Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I don't believe I'm the only one here who collects Hawaiian shirts. I usually will wear one open with a matching or complimenting tee underneath for the cover band gigs. In the summertime it's strictly shorts, sneakers and tank tops though. Once in awhile, the guitarist and I will wear Raiders garb and spend the night hearing how much our favorite team sucks. Our drummer has a thing for hats. Not caps, but hats. Tall cat in the hat type hats. He has several and you never know when he's going to show up with something new. Always outrageous and funny. Original gigs are different. We tend to all wear black and I like to wear a shirt with a message on it. My fave is "Pissing off the entire planet, one person at a time." "He is to music what Stevie Wonder is to photography." getz76 I have nothing nice to say so . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I go with all black. Simple and usually appropriate for all occasions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Hoffman Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Well, I never played weddings or nice classy joints but if I did I would dress for the occasion. I have played lots of dive bars, block parties, and fairs. What I wore all depended on what band I was in and what page we were all trying to be on. In the blues band I would wear jeans/slacks depending on venue, always a nice airy light shirt w/ short sleeves usually dark colored, and a cap I have its one of those leather ones looks like a driving cap or something... In the metal bands it was jeans, sometimes shaved head w/ goatee, bandana, some offensive t-shirt(I used to wear one that said "Hitler's World Tour" on the back looked like a concert T shirt but instead of tour dates it had the cities he took over), and I always wore old sneakers. The metal days were a while ago. Lately I've been playing in classic rock cover bands, and one or two original bands. What I wear now for everything is nice loose black slacks, loose casual collared shirt, and comfortable black shoes. The darker colors really bring out the sunburst finish on my bass. "The world will still be turning when you've gone." - Black Sabbath Band site: www.finespunmusic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred TBP Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Originally posted by mattulator: I don't believe I'm the only one here who collects Hawaiian shirts... Our drummer has a thing for hats... No, matt, you're not, I love Hawaiian and Caribbean shirts. On my last trip to San Juan I stumbled onto a clearance sale for these light-fabric shirts with various colors and patterns. Bought up a dozen in different sizes and mailed them home. Jeans or slacks, blue and black, sometimes white or off-white depending on the shirts. I've collected some mean hats, but usually don't wear them under lights as I tend to work up a sweat as I go along. Those I use for "dress up" or holidays. My latest is an English bowler. My most ancient is a top hat formerly owned by a Virginia coach driver about 80 years ago. I do have a few suits I use with either black tees or something continental if I'm doing a formal gig or if I'm expecting to impress some femme fatale. Haven't bought a tux yet because I haven't settled on my optimum weight yet, but that's in the future, so for now I rent if the occasion demands it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc_dup1 Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Depends on the band, the occasion. Most bands - street clothes (or maybe a slightly hipper, more ostentatious version of what you'd wear in the street for some bands when I was younger). But I have been in bands that dressed up to look different/put on a show. Most outlandish costume: white paper boiler suit, black boots, black Afro wig, black (Mexican porn star style) fake moustache, star shades a la Bootsy. The band was called The Afronauts. Happy days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
57pbass Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Depends on the venue Tux for all corporate/wedding type shows Suit for private parties - anniversary signifigant b day etc... Neat casual for restuarants ( no jeans - nice button down shirt and dress pants / shiny shoes) Bars - jeans and whatever type of shirt you want to wear... Outdoors venues - at the beach we can wear neat casual lite colors and sometimes shorts are OK. Neat casual for other outdoor events For the outdoor winter gigs we usually wear down coats gloves boots hats scarfs depending on the occasion. www.danielprine.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 I've nearly always been in groups that had some sort of dress requirement. For many years of top 40 bands, we wore matching polyester shirts and matching pants. Once when the gig ended we tried to burn our shirts under the flagpole of the hotel. They melted. In the disco years, we actually all had matching white suits, a la John Travolta. These days, on most of my gigs I am required to wear a tuxedo. On the rest, I am supposed to wear a coat and tie. I do have a collection of snappy suits and sportcoats and sufficiently loud ties. And I never wear a white shirt. On those few gigs wear I am allowed to wear what I like, I usually wear all black, of course. Black dressy pants and a black silk shirt. It is a stage after all, you should look better than the audience. Unless you want to look worse than the audience. But you should never look the same. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenstrum Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 t helps to have something in your appearance that makes you stand out a bit so that your adoring fans can track you down following the performance with relative ease and tell you how great you were. My sequin thong usually sparkles really pretty from the disco ball... Tenstrum "Paranoid? Probably. But just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face." Harry Dresden, Storm Front Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike H. Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 It depends on how soon I get off work and how quickly I need to be there. I've played a few gigs in my dirty work clothes and a ball-cap. Other times, jeans and a t-shirt, nice shirt, or a sports jersey of some sort. http://www.identity5.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wraub Posted January 6, 2005 Author Share Posted January 6, 2005 Originally posted by jeremy c: It is a stage after all, you should look better than the audience. Unless you want to look worse than the audience. But you should never look the same.Ladies and gentlemen, I believe this is the right answer, or at least the one that sounds like the truth, and is therefore beautiful, hence right. Or something. Thanks JC! (and thanks all for replying) Reason I brought this up is because the guitarist in the band I play with is all gung-ho for "stage wear", i.e. looking better than the audience, or at least looking like you dressed up for the stage. It is a show, after all. I am not opposed to this at all, but now he's talking about going for broke, being silly, kilts, hats, whatever, the works. Just curious where y'all are at... Thanks again. Peace, wraub I'm a lot more like I am now than I was when I got here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted January 6, 2005 Share Posted January 6, 2005 Kilts work. As do sequin thongs. Then there's always brightly, unnaturally colored contact lenses -- candy apple red, metallic lake placid blue, shoreline gold, olympic white, etc. Peace. --s-uu spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73 P Bass Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 I've got this great beige cowboy suit from the seventies that I'm dying to wear on a gig. Wasn't quite right for my last band, maybe the next one... "Start listening to music!". -Jeremy C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcbn Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 I played through the sound check in my boxers once. White with bright green flowers ala Hawaiian shirt. Lost my nerve when I saw all the people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyD Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 I just wear something tight. My site | Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Depends on the band and the venue. The rock band is all black. Because it's louder. And more rock. The 80's cover band is an assortment of stage clothes that vary slightly based on the location of the gig. I have an assortment of highly fashion un-conscious items that I wear; including the dreaded skin-tight red velvet pants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Originally posted by Bumpcity: ...including the dreaded skin-tight red velvet pants.I fear them. I really do fear them. Peace. --SW spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicfiend Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 We've played shows in bunny costumes and bear costumes. I also played a show once with a ginormous digusting wig because the drummer had a mohawk and the guitar player had polka ots. I also once played a show in the drummers boxers and bulls jersey with a jester hat. I remember once showing up to a show and the guitar player was wearing the same shirt as me. At one show during acoustic show where i had broken my wrist i wasn't playing i decided to model our girl's tanktops for the crowd during a couple song. In my first cover band we use to wear matching bright blue shirts with the band name written on it.....man, now THAT looked stupid Hiram Bullock thinks I like the band volume too soft (but he plays guitar). Joe Sample thinks I like it way too loud (but he plays piano). -Marcus Miller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Eldon Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 I tend to not wear shirts on stage, because if I don't sweat all over it I can keep wearing it, and that means I can wear the same shirt for weeks at a time on tour. http://www.purevolume.com/seaneldon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATM Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Originally posted by Sean Eldon: I tend to not wear shirts on stage, because if I don't sweat all over it I can keep wearing it, and that means I can wear the same shirt for weeks at a time on tour.For reeks, I mean weeks at a time, eh? ATM http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/atmofmn/Bass/DeepThoughtsBS.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoney McRing Ring Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Well im playing this very afternoon at our drummers 18th party and i recon im wearing my new Rush 30th baseball shirt my dad got me for Chrimbo, its very comfy and just the right size so its good to move in. Im quite a built guy (not with muscle but with...ya know...pies) so its baggy jeans and a good size shirt mostly. Much Love Dave "I am just an instrument cos the lord is playing this funk"-T.M Stevens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moorso Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Mainly casual stuff - what I would wear about the street normally - although in the Rosetta recently (a top quality venue in Belfast) the stage lighting rig was hot so I took the shirt off. The first time I've ever done that and have to say it was nice. Although the advancing and ever spreading gut means I probably won't be able to do it for much longer. The pic in my profile was taken while I was on-stage. He who decends to the level of a beast takes away the pain of being a man. www.popmachine.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JUNK MAN Posted January 7, 2005 Share Posted January 7, 2005 Mainly street cloths. Depending on the gig, maybe nice slacks & shirt. Somtimes funny stuff. One year, for opening day of Baseball, We wore our favorite team uniforms, complete with stirrup socks & eye-blackout. I was the former centerfielder for the Red Sox. Of course, an audience member, who was crocked beyond belief, screams out after the guitar player introduces me & says he "remembers" me! That was a good chuckle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DONUT Posted January 9, 2005 Share Posted January 9, 2005 Tux or suit for weddings. Blazer,untucked shirt,jeans and nice shoes if I can get away with it. For bar gigs I wear the same stuff I always wear. Army hat (think Klinger),Unusual t shirts or hoody,jeans,and one of my many fine pairs of kicks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bass_god_offspring Posted January 9, 2005 Share Posted January 9, 2005 well, even though i have never performed live for anyone yet, i do have an Idea. Proably Dickie's or Jean pants, or Dickie's shorts depending on the weather, and probably a good looking shirt, something that i can be comfortable in and i can sweat in. Besides, i am a teenager in a rock band right. -BGO 5 words you should live by... Music is its own reward --------------- My Band: www.Myspace.com/audreyisanarcissist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73 P Bass Posted January 9, 2005 Share Posted January 9, 2005 Originally posted by Bass_god_offspring: Proably Dickie's I can never understand how my work pants can be fashion. Oh, to be young again... "Start listening to music!". -Jeremy C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted January 9, 2005 Share Posted January 9, 2005 When we play our annual backyard thing at the guitarist's house, I wear a Hawaiian shirt or music-related tshirt. Not too different from the crowd, but it's OK. I've sprayed my hair (orange one year, blue another) to be sure I look different. I wear black work boots (Smith - $19), black work pants (Sears $29), and a blue flame black bowling shirt (Kohls $18). You've seen pics of this outfit. Sometimes I just wear a black button down or black t. I mention the prices because you can get the gang to dress alike without losing your paycheck. At least as a rock band. Connie hasn't stepped in, but she's arranging a whole different thing. That's a show! Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCunha Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 Usually it is just street clothes. Probably the same thing I would wear if I was going to check out a band. You know it works good for big rock star types like me so, I can blend in without having to be bothered during a break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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