I have no sense of fashion. When I put on a t-shirt that has concert dates from the summer of 1997, a small part of my wife dies inside. I think it makes her cry sometimes. Frequently, her reaction is to go buy new clothes for the kids. She knows I have no hope, and prays that such a lack of style will not be passed on to our children. My high school guidance counselor once asked me what I wanted to do for a career. After a long pause, all I could come up with was “I don’t want to have to wear a tie.” Out of all the aspirations I had as a child, this is the only one I was able to accomplish. My choice of jobs and clothing pretty much followed that one goal. Ahh, my wife is sooooo proud.
So when Fashion Week took over Charleston, it came as no surprise that my calendar did not include one such event. I’m not better dressed, more cultured, or hipper than before the throngs of fashionistas invaded our town.
(For your additional entertainment, I present video of my good buddy Dave Hill covering New York Fashion Week last year. He is one of the funniest guys I know and also shreds on guitar. If you like this, he's got a book, too: Tasteful Nudes:)
However, I have to admit that it matters how you look on stage. It has been a topic of conversation in most bands I’ve been in. “What are we going to wear for our first gig?” someone will ask. One person might have an idea for a look, such as dark suits and skinny ties, or trucker hats and delivery man shirts. Another band member will resist any plan to dress up in any way. Yet every band I have been in has benefitted when we’ve had a look that sets us apart from the people sitting at the bar. Like it or not, your fans care about your appearance.
So, in the spirit of Charleston Fashion Week, I’d like to encourage bands everywhere to think more about developing their own style. Here are a few thoughts I have on the topic:
1. Your style matters more than how you look. You might not be model-quality, with high cheekbones, zero percent body fat, and eyes that pierce the soul. That does not excuse you from having at least some sense of style and looking like you care about what you put on. The worst look you can have is the one that says you just rolled out of bed and kind of have to play this gig, but really want to be at the bar. Take the time to present your own style—whatever it ends up being—and wear it with confidence. Don’t be shy about changing for a gig. You’ve got roadie clothes for load-in, but nobody wants to see the roadie take the stage. Become the rock star. Part of that is dressing the part.
Right now in Charleston, a friend of mine claims that everyone is going for the “prairie rock” look: flannel shirts, ranch mama dresses, trucker caps, and cowboy boots. I have to agree that this look is getting a bit too popular for my taste. But, if it is what you love, try to make it your own and wear it proudly.
2. What you wear says something about the type of music you play. If you see someone with big hair, spandex pants, and a shirt unbuttoned to his navel, you’re likely to hear power ballads and metal riffs.
One good local example of a band departing from the beard-and-flannel look to form their own is A Fragile Tomorrow. Yes, I’ve written about them a lot. But I have to include them again here, because they recently made a clear shift in their appearance. Gone are the name-brand sweat shirts and ball caps. The band plays a bright style of power pop with intelligence. To reflect that style, they are now all wearing brightly colored jackets and shirts, fedoras, Elvis Costello glasses, and playing custom pop art guitars. They look cohesive, pop, and professional. Like the look or not, and even if you think it’s over the top, you can’t help but think “these guys are in a pop rock band” from the moment you see them on stage.
Another fantastic example is the Two Man Gentleman Band. This duo’s fashion sense simply makes me smile before I ever hear them play. With their slicked back hair, dapper suits, suspenders and vintage tie styles, they look like ghosts from another era. The music they play is reflective of that era, but updated, smart, and funny. With their look, you can tell they are “all in” with their music.
When your band has a signature look, the press bio photos also help you stand out from the crowd.
3. You can’t buy style. Sure you can spend $200 on a pair of jeans that have strategically placed holes in them. But anyone will see they are $200 jeans and not believe your struggling artist persona. Same with anything Ed Hardy. You can’t claim to be tough because your shirt got a tattoo.
4. Shorts. Don’t. Just don’t. I know it gets hot around Charleston, but shorts almost never look good on guys at the front of the stage. I’ll give a pass to drummers because they use their legs so much, at times pants can get in the way and affect the playing. Also, they are in the back of the stage and can be hidden behind their kit. Who am I kidding anyway? A drummer with style? That just means the guy lucked on to a rich girlfriend. Everyone else: no shorts. Unless you are Jimmy Buffet, Jack Johnson, or a band that typically covers those bands.
Bottom line: I've seen thousands of bands do the jeans and a t-shirt look. It does not impress. Give me a costumed band any day. I’ll tend to care more about your band if it looks like you care about being on stage.
For an example of over the top, I’m in the process of starting an 80s cover band here in Charleston. It’s unique in that it is a franchised concept. We have set lists, backing tracks, and even dance moves dictated by a management company in LA. It’s one I played with in the Cleveland and Chicago versions. This management also requires a dress code. Check out this sexy, sexy bio photo. It is way over the top. But when the night begins, and we take the stage looking like a nerd fraternity, everyone laughs along with us (or at us, whatever). It’s a good start. We’re not exactly going to get the chicks, but once we start playing out—soon, I hope—we want everyone who comes to our shows to have some fun.
Isn’t being in a band and seeing a show supposed to be about having fun?
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