How much attention should a band pay to their clothes?

[Whoopysnorp]

With Devo having been the first band I got really into, I find the idea of band uniforms kind of cool. The silly ones like Devo's radiation suits are great, and I also find myself attracted to the militaristic ones that kind of convey the idea that the band is a disciplined, razor-sharp rock outfit (like Cardiacs' current stage gear). On the other hand, the closest I've ever gotten to having a band uniform of my own was in high school when one of us stole some aprons from the Home Ec room and we spelled our band name across them with markers.

In both the bands I'm in now, everybody dresses kind of different and we're too busy working on the music to think much about the stage look. Sometimes I wonder if we should be, though. I don't really like the idea of everybody making an effort to wear the same kind of regular clothes, like major label image consultants have bands do. Having a more bizarre kind of band uniform would be fun, though, and it would make you pretty easily identifiable. In you guys' band experience, was the clothes thing a big factor, or did you not worry about it?

[GearJunkie]

honestly, if you're looking at impressing label impressarios, i'd say SOME sort of clothing couldn't hurt, but don't do a uniform or anything like that unless the music calls for it.

i don't understand bands that go onstage just looking like a schlub. i think it instantly makes you look less professional.

<waits for flames>

[Whoopysnorp]

Oh yeah, I forgot possibly the best band uniforms of all time: the various costumes employed by The Residents. Of course, these were necessary for anonymity in their case.

[Professor Riffs]

For the band I play guitar in, we all wear lab coats on stage. This is because our stuff is all about science and crap. We find it amusing and that's all good and fun because it's for us, not the audience.

That said, if my on-stage attire can influence a person's opinion of my music, I don't want their opinion at all. They're not into it for the music and as far as I'm concerned if you're not into music for the music, you shouldn't be into music in the first place.

[dolivas]

I do agree with with original post. There has to be some kind of show put on by the performer and forgetting about the visual side of it can downplay the aural aspect of your performance. Case in point for example would be how I couldn't imagine a band like Roxy Music looking or sounding other than the way they performed:


Likewise someone like Kate Bush would in my opinion suffer if it wasn't for her own stage precense, the look or the visual of her performing the music:


If you're having someone pay to see your show at least provide some eye candy that adds to your music. If not you'll start looking like those laptop acts that bore the hell out of people quick.

What would the Beatles be if not for their overall aesthetic; mop tops, mod wear to psychedelic garb an all?

[Professor Riffs]

Originally Posted by dolivas

What would the Beatles be if not for their overall aesthetic; mop tops, mod wear to psychedelic garb an all?

An amazing group who wrote amazing, groundbreaking music. Hair & clothes don't come out of the speakers......YET, muwaaaahahahahahaaaa

I don't know what the laugh was for.

[Whoopysnorp]

The music is, of course, always going to be the largest part about what draws people to listen to a band (well, it should be, anyway). However, the right type of visuals can accentuate it really well. I remember the first time I heard about Primus was from my dad, who had happened to see them on Saturday Night Live. They performed while all wearing penguin suits, apparently. He still would have dug the music even if they had been dressed normally but he was really excited about the combination of the music and the costumes.

[smopo24]

Originally Posted by GearJunkie

honestly, if you're looking at impressing label impressarios, i'd say SOME sort of clothing couldn't hurt, but don't do a uniform or anything like that unless the music calls for it.

i don't understand bands that go onstage just looking like a schlub. i think it instantly makes you look less professional.

<waits for flames>

no flames here. when playing live, you are taken more seriously if everyone is wearing something that's clean, fits, and has no holes. you don't have to be cousteau (easily the most handsome, well-dressed band i've ever seen); but some people won't pay attention to your music if you look like you don't care. i don't mind either way as long as the music is good. besides, you never know who is watching!

[Bellringer]

Obviously there are pros and cons eather way. If it works for you, by all means dress up. It will likely get you more attention and people will either enjoy a costume to go with the music or you might start a fashion trend that will attach itself to this particular era of your music. You may be given the option to become a designer as well. I've been in a band where black was all that was allowed (that was the uniform so I played along).
You have to remember this is you, and will always follow you. If you choose to wear something, try to imagine how you will be perceived in ten years. I'm sure everyone here can think of a positive costume (ex. Tom Waits) vs. a costume someone wishes they would have thought twice about (Vanilla Ice?). Sometimes who you are is actually cool enough. Maybe, some of the people you imagine were playing dress up for photos and shows actually preferred to dress the way they did.

[dolivas]

Originally Posted by Bellringer

Obviously there are pros and cons eather way. If it works for you, by all means dress up. It will likely get you more attention and people will either enjoy a costume to go with the music or you might start a fashion trend that will attach itself to this particular era of your music. You may be given the option to become a designer as well. I've been in a band where black was all that was allowed (that was the uniform so I played along).
You have to remember this is you, and will always follow you. If you choose to wear something, try to imagine how you will be perceived in ten years. I'm sure everyone here can think of a positive costume (ex. Tom Waits) vs. a costume someone wishes they would have thought twice about (Vanilla Ice?). Sometimes who you are is actually cool enough. Maybe, some of the people you imagine were playing dress up for photos and shows actually preferred to dress the way they did.

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