Stage Clothes?

[Z0S0]

Okay so as a gigging local guitarist, I've been pondering on a dilemma - What to wear on stage.

From the start I wore a normal t-shirt and jeans, as do the rest of my band; but that is starting to make us all feel really boring. We play hard blues rock, I feel like we should at least try to be bad asses

Now I'm not saying we want to go all out Hendrix or Page with our attire, but what are some suggestions to spice up our image a bit?

 

[FUS44]

We're playing a metal fest today.
I'm going on stage naked. F-these hessians.

Guess I'm not helping much.

 

[TOMMYTHUNDERS]

Here's a tip: fashion has never made anyone a "bad ass" ever.

Dress like you, don't put on some goofball costume... and if it's not your everyday clothing it's a costume.

 

[River]

 

[Z0S0]

Here's a tip: fashion has never made anyone a "bad ass" ever.

Dress like you, don't put on some goofball costume... and if it's not your everyday clothing it's a costume.

I beg to differ, as much as any guitarist would love to deny it, the majority of us idolize the rock gods and legends. Part of what made them legends was their style, their image - the pedestal that made them look like deities. Of course it was 90% innovation and skill that contributed to their legacy, but style was still relevant.
I wasn't intending on putting on a costume, but merely not be so bland looking.

 

[Skintaster]

I use to wear a lot of fake leather and latex bondage clothing, but it fit the band, and was a pretty honest reflection of who I was. I also wore that stuff off stage.


But I'm a complete freak, and your mileage may vary.

 

[sonar1]

I always used the Allman Brothers Band as my inspiration for stage wear and stage craft (at least when I wasn't required to play in a tuxedo in some dimly lit orchestra pit).

 

[Z0S0]

I always used the Allman Brothers Band as my inspiration for stage wear and stage craft.

That's a great idea actually!

 

[FUS44]

If I don't go naked, I'm going to wear my school teacher outfit. Pleated, polyester khakis and buttondown short sleeve shirt from 1985.
I openly laugh at bands and their make up, leather poses. It just seems ridiculous to show up at a bar gig in leather and mascara. If a blues guy can play, I'll let their attire slide. But if I see a SRV hat I wanna throw bottles.

"THE CLOTHES YOU WEAR HAVE LOST THEIR STING SO THE FURY'S IN THE SONGS YOU SING!"
mackaye

"Every girl's crazy bout a sharp dressed man". zz top

YMMV.

 

[sonar1]

That's a great idea actually!

Yup. Jeans and flannel shirts.

 

[SteveGangi]

We're playing a metal fest today.
I'm going on stage naked. F-these hessians.

Guess I'm not helping much.

For the grand finale, be sure to do the "Helicopter Dance"

 

[FUS44]

For the grand finale, be sure to do the "Helicopter Dance"

Well it won't be like airwolf or anything. More like the gyro copter from the road warrior.

 

[RichBrew]

Pink corduroy jeans and combat jacket with vermillion wings. Occasionally a perspex liberty bodice and stackboots. Those items, or a nice suit and tie. It depends on my mood and the venue.

RichBrew

 

[coldsteal2]

band uniforms like these, hell you dont
even need to iron them

 

[12watt]

Pink corduroy jeans and combat jacket with vermillion wings. Occasionally a perspex liberty bodice and stackboots. Those items, or a nice suit and tie. It depends on my mood and the venue.

RichBrew

I eagerly anticipate the next jam.

 

[MeKevin]

Yup. Jeans and flannel shirts.

Yep. This, OR

Why not? I'm 31, I got a few of these shirts. Why the heck not, that's what I say. Flame on.

 

[your idol]

Listen.. I rock a black t shirt . Dark blue cuffed levis and my docs daily.. Maybe some vans.

I have done this for years and while im not the flashiest guy in the world no one has ever said "what is that toolbox wearing" and i have never looked at a picture even several years old and said " what was i thinking" unless there was a girl in the picture.


Look at clutch... They dont wear fancy crap and they rock hard blues...
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx6FV2qR2TY&feature=youtube_gdata_player]Clutch - "Electric Worry" DRT Entertainment - YouTube[/ame]
They dont even dress up for music vids..

 

[12watt]

I don't think what you wear is as important as looking like you all belong together. Personally I can't stand seeing a band show up with one guy in a button down shirt and jeans and another in camo shorts and an Iron Maiden t-shirt, one playing an Ibanez RG and the other with a 335. Does it really matter? Probably not, but it irritates me just the same...

There's always Rufus Thomas at WATTSTAX

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSxyU-AbF6M[/ame]

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Image matters in getting a gig, and like 12er says, it should not look something like you guys were picked randomly from the 5:15 Metrolink to Van Nuys.

Me, I go mostly in streetwear: jeans, t-shirt or occasionally button-down, Vans or boots. I just make sure they're clean, mainly.

 

[Skintaster]

I don't think what you wear is as important as looking like you all belong together. Personally I can't stand seeing a band show up with one guy in a button down shirt and jeans and another in camo shorts and an Iron Maiden t-shirt, one playing an Ibanez RG and the other with a 335. Does it really matter? Probably not, but it irritates me just the same...

There's always Rufus Thomas at Watt Stax

WATTSTAX - 1972 - Rufus Thomas - Breakdown - YouTube

I feel the same way. It's always weird to see a "band" where every member dresses completely different. Having some sort of cohesive look is more pleasing to see. I'm going to have to disagree with Tommy, and say that image matters. Even if you choose to dress the way you dress off stage, you've made a statement... For good or bad. Taken to its furthest extreme, it can become a costume, which is sometimes silly, but image does matter.

Besides, I can't tell you how many punk rockers I know that go by a name other than the one given to them. "Cliff Anger"? Did your mom name you that? Point is, changing the name is also a form of image.