What Does Your Group or Band Wear?

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 25 Nov 2007 12:23 am

(3) its not a Tee shirt

(5) it would be nice if it were pressed

is that to much to ask...

Err - yes, Calvin - it is. Tell you what, just don't come to my gigs and I won't come to you...errr, never mind.

Jack Francis · Post by **Jack Francis** » 25 Nov 2007 5:35 am

Press my t-shirts?? I don't think so!!

Stephen Silver · Post by **Stephen Silver** » 25 Nov 2007 8:42 am

Er, don't forget to starch those undies....wouldn't want someone to think you weren't properly attired for your hospital visit....they may think you're a bum and throw ya out on the street.

SS

John Roche · Post by **John Roche** » 25 Nov 2007 11:49 am

G Strout wrote
[quote]I always wear clean underwear in case I am in a wreck on the way home.

If you were in a wreck you would s..t your pants anyway.

Calvin Walley · Post by **Calvin Walley** » 25 Nov 2007 11:54 am

seems to me that you fellas are painting a pretty good picture of yourselves for everyone on the forum to see...don't seem like you even respect yourselves

enough said

Mike Winter · Post by **Mike Winter** » 25 Nov 2007 1:22 pm

That's OK...you've done an admirable job of painting a picture of yourself, too.

Colin Mclean · Post by **Colin Mclean** » 25 Nov 2007 1:51 pm

This thread is hilarious.

Wear what's appropriate for the gig/audience/occasion. I prefer gigs/audiences that let me dress a little more casual. Apparently so does Neil Young.

In answer to the original question, what do I wear?

Jeans, tee shirt. NEVER shorts, though I do wear those on the street*. When the "alt-country" (or whatever) band I joined up with starts gigging again, I'll probably be wearing: jeans, button up plaid shirt. Then when it starts getting hot, the button-up shirt is coming off, to reveal...*gasp*... a tee shirt.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, and I agree with Dave Mudgett that some of us could be a little more respectful in expressing ours.

Whatever your opinion, if you walk out of a show because of what the musicians are wearing, you could very well be missing out on some great tunes. But if you're not there for the music in the first place, then I guess you're not going to miss anything.

*OK, I used to play in a reggae/rock band, and wore literally just boardshorts/swim trunks to some gigs, such as on/at the beach. No shirt/shoes, just trunks and sunglasses. Again, dress for the occasion.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 25 Nov 2007 3:25 pm

I think it all has to do with how much self respect one has and how much respect he has for his audience. Jody.

Colin Mclean · Post by **Colin Mclean** » 25 Nov 2007 4:12 pm

...As far as whether or not you wear what's appropriate for the gig/audience, you're absolutely right.

Larry Hutchison · Post by **Larry Hutchison** » 25 Nov 2007 6:56 pm

WoW! Lots of harsh words in this thread.

I am an old guy and most of our band members are old guys, and we dress alike. That is: we all wear the same shirts, color and style. And usually dark pants. (Some times a vest) We like it that way.

Like Tim Harr said above if your band's gimmik is vintage country music and that is the music we play, and it works for us. In addition most of our following are vintage folks, that like the older (vintage) country music. We have a really good following so it works for our band.

I have known Tim for a long time, and his band is also great and they have a good following too. Lots of the same people follow both bands. And Tims band all look nice on the stage. By the way, folks, Tim his a heck of a picker.

I personally like to see a band dressed similar, but thats just me. That has nothing to do with their abilities on the stage. So I guess it just boils down to the point that what ever works for you is what you should do. Or I guess I should say "wear". I've heard some bands that may have looked a little bit (what I consider) on the rugged side that could blow your socks off and have a packed house every night. So Its all down to personal preference.

Forum Members: Anything I have said in this response is not intended to hurt anyone's feelings nor to challenge their opinions.

Warm Regards
Larry Hutchison

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 25 Nov 2007 8:22 pm

Calvin,

I "think" what most everyone is saying is to dress what you feel comfortable in and what the particular venue requires. Some will rquire a suit and tie, some matching stage clothes, others a pair of jeans and tee-shirt are fine. [I do like mine with no rips in them, but definatly NOT starched and ironed, again,,,,,,,,,,,,what the venue requires]!

A few years ago I used to play a lot of outside jam session in a small town on what everyone there called the board walk. Lots of good singers and pickers showed up for the fun, I felt comfortable playing in a pair of bib over-all's, John Deere cap, and tee-shirt. [have lots of pic's of just that]

.

Now I wouldn't think of showing up for a casino gig, or even a Fraternal Org. dressed like that, I surley wouldn't feel comfortable anyway!

As I've posted earlier, I'm not much on matching uniforms [unless the gig calls for them of course] but I like to look nice.

Now I certainly wouldn't have felt comfortable at that casual outside jam session I mentioned wearing a flashy shirt and rhinesone vest!

My opinion, I think "most" everyone on this discussion is on the same page, wear what you feel comfortable in, and what's appropiate for the particular gig!

All my opinions of course.

Larry

admin · Post by **b0b** » 25 Nov 2007 9:00 pm

I can't believe that you guys are still arguing about this!

Micky Byrne · Post by **Micky Byrne** » 26 Nov 2007 2:36 am

Here's my opinion on this thread. In terms of playing gigs, I agree that Musicians see with their ears, but the audience Hear with their eyes! Scruffy jeans and old T shirts don't seem fit for any clubs. The audience pay to come and see a band and dress up for the occasion. We in turn should dress up for them.They are paying to see us! All the bands I play with have smart stage wear, but all "individual" the "matching" look is way out of date IMHO. I don't wear a hat....having a shaved head makes me too hot, besides that's my look

David Wright must agree

Micky "scars" Byrne United Kingdom

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 26 Nov 2007 8:53 am

b0b wrote:I can't believe that you guys are still arguing about this!

Yeah, what a bunch of girlie-men! Always talking about what they are gonna wear.
I gotta go to the mall to look for an outfit for the show in Phoenix.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 26 Nov 2007 9:31 am

What Earnest, you don't have a tailor?!?

Dave Stagner · Post by **Dave Stagner** » 26 Nov 2007 10:50 am

I think this thread stopped being about clothes long ago. Now it's about a cultural divide, and to some extent a generation gap. And in my experience, most people have some dignity and respect for their own appearance - within their own cultural norms. So when two sides are arguing about such things, it's usually the ones looking down their noses at the others who are wrong (and sometimes, this is both sides).

And I think there's a generation gap in the steel community. For the most part, pedal steel is a country music instrument. But since modern Nashville country has largely abandoned the pedal steel, it's kept alive in two other branches of country... old country, and alt-country. The old country music is an outgrowth of the "Western" in "Country and Western music", and the style in Western music was very much about, well, cowboy suits. Band uniforms mattered a lot. Alt-country is more an outgrowth of rock and post-punk, where the style was very much about working-man's clothes... "the flannel flag", we used to call it. Jeans, t-shirts, and flannel were our uniform. So to those from the older C/W generation, band uniforms and cowboy clothes ARE what the cool bands wear onstage. But to those from the younger alt generation (even as we approach middle age), flannel and jeans are what the cool bands wear onstage.

So it depends on what your cultural references are, what music you listened to and what images you liked BEFORE you became a pedal steel nerd. If you came to the steel through Hank Williams, Buck Owens, and Porter Wagoner, of course you'll like the uniforms. But if you came to the steel through Neil Young, the Grateful Dead, and Uncle Tupelo, you'll like t-shirts onstage.

What saddens me is the hostile attitude some of the older C/W generation has to the clothes of the alt-country generation. I mean, we're at least SYMPATHETIC! We can understand the matching outfits, even dig them, without wanting to dress that way ourselves. Go hang out with modern Nashville country types (or anyone outside country music altogether), and they'll just sneer and mock you for being corny old hicks (I've seen "corny" and "hick music" in ads by modern country bands looking for musicians, stating what they DON'T play and DON'T want).

It's just not good to insult the people who feel kinship to you, who like and admire what you're doing, especially when you don't have a lot of understanding folk to begin with. We're trying to keep the high and lonesome sound alive, y'know.

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 26 Nov 2007 2:08 pm

I think also the earlier criticism in this thread was directed at some of the new "hot" country folk who play Nashville, more so than the alt-country types. There was a reference to disrespecting the Ryman which I assume was directed at some of the new acts that dress trashy on purpose to these old venues. Lot of interesting things to mull over in this thread,,was a good one. Hope it ends soon!

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 26 Nov 2007 7:59 pm

Bob, I think it is time to give this thread its last rites and bury it. Jody.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 26 Nov 2007 8:17 pm

Before killing the thread, I'd like to note that Dave Stagner made a superb post, and laid it all out very well. The only thing I'd add is the "alt"/post-punk types (like me among others) were exposed to steel through the Byrds, Burritos, Poco and Commander Cody long before the Dead, Neil (as a solo act) and Uncle Tupelo and its offshoots, who were influenced by the same bands.

But the noted divide is certainly there - and it's readily apparent that while some of us may poke a little fun at the matching suit or "dressup" thing, some of us secretly want a Nudie suit more than a '57 Tele...but for the kitsch factor, not because Porter Wagoner (sp?) wore one. But we don't fault guys for wearing that stuff if it works for them - whether it's a style issue or a regional one.

However, when the "traditional" (for lack of a better phrase) crowd disses us for OUR circle's accepted dress, something's patently unfair. Especially when non-gigging types start preaching about what's right or wrong on stage - that's totally non-credible. Like I've mentioned - try wearing the shoes before you decide they look like "bumwear". But don't preach to others about how they look on stage - worry about your own clothes and whether they work for you. If you are insulted by a band's dress in a club - my guess is you went to the WRONG club.

Just like I'd be a fish out of water at one of these "critter clubs" (that I thought no longer existed) Calvin or some of the others who think the "others" dress like bums would be WAY out of their league at the Whiskey, Roxy, Key Club, etc. The immediate question asked would be - "so whose dad are you?"

Mike Winter · Post by **Mike Winter** » 26 Nov 2007 8:32 pm

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 26 Nov 2007 8:37 pm

I hear what Jim and Dave are saying, except that the "generation gap" and the "whose Dad are you?" comments imply that age is a factor. And some of us, certainly myself, who came into the instrument from the "counterculture" perspective are getting on a bit. And when I look at Calvin's Avatar picture (Calvin, I'm not picking on you - just using you as an example here...), I think that while I might not be old enough to be mistaken for his "Dad", he's sure not going to be mistaken for mine! So I don't think age is the key to understanding why some people are offended by the way the two Buddys were dressed in those pictures and some of us weren't.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 26 Nov 2007 9:26 pm

I posted the "two buddys" photos to show that even the pros sometimes don't give a hoot about what's considered "proper attire". I shoulda waited until one of them was used as a "shining example" of how to dress, then drop the bomb.

I find it amusing that so many folks can get so riled up about what someones wearin on stage. In fact, I'd be willin to bet that no one here ever paid big bucks for a ticket to a concert and when they saw what the band was wearin, walked out in disgust.

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 26 Nov 2007 9:41 pm

and the "whose Dad are you?" comments imply that age is a factor.

Not at all. Hey, I qualify for the senior discount at Denny's and I have no problem blending with the crowd at Hollywood clubs. I'd probably stand out like a sore thumb at a Texas dance hall, though, and age is completely irrelevant.

And that's the point - I respect the players that use the "uniform" or "dress better than the crowd" thing to their advantage - it works in their market. More power to 'em, and some good natured ribbing should be no big deal.

What I - and some others - resent are the "bum" comments and such that seem to get tossed the other direction. Those are not good-natured - they are flat out insults.

Steve Norman · Post by **Steve Norman** » 26 Nov 2007 11:15 pm

I think and I may be wrong,, but I think that the bum comments where directed at people playing the Ryman, not the roxy.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 27 Nov 2007 5:16 am

From what I saw the other week, the picture was pretty typical of how Cage dresses with NRPS. They filled a theatre here the other week, and played two very long sets - more than twice as long a show as I have seen from some big name country acts. No fancy stage gimmicks - nothing but good music. They worked their tail off for the audience, till after midnight, and came out and graciously met fans who stuck around afterwards. If that's not respectful of an audience I don't know what is. I know that I wasn't the only person in the crowd who first saw the original version of the band at Festival Express in 1970. Maybe the old freaks/straights dichotomy is still alive and well?