Nearly all the stoner bands I know of have long haired guys with tattoos and piercings and beards. And everyone drinks and smokes heavily. Why is that? How important is image to a band getting out there and doing some small pub gigs? Do skinny little straightedge computer nerds just get laughed off the stage?
Fuck image. Just go do it.
No one will give a shit in a bar gig.
I suspect it's more important than we'd like to think, but that doesn't mean you need to look like everyone else to have an image. If you're playing live, you're trying to be an entertainer and if you're not using an image to further communicate whatever you're trying to say with your music then you're just wasting opportunity. That said, my band has literally never spent energy thinking about or doing something about our image. It's worth noting that my band is not popular at all. If we spent some time putting some creative effort into our image it probably wouldn't hurt our chances of success any. You also have to be good and stuff.
Quote from: AgentofOblivion on February 06, 2014, 03:19:27 PM
You also have to be good and stuff.
I'm not really sure, which is kinda why I'm asking. There are plenty of bands out there that are definitely not good, but still raking in the cash. Yet I can't think of too many that don't have an image :-/
Sounds to me like you've answered your own question then. If you want to be in a good band, focus on being good. If you want to rake in the cash, do something else.
A good beard is much more important to me than good music. Bonus points for overly hairy nips.
Being skinny is fairly normal when you are young which I assume you are. Being skinny and cute and young is nice for getting signed and long hair surely helps.
People smoke because they've been smoking since they were 13. A lot of people drink heavily because they are alcoholics. This generally destroys all hope of getting anywhere with a band but some manage it. Personally if I have more than a couple of drinks before playing live I start forgetting lyrics and fucking up guitar parts. Weed? Forget it, that's for after we play if at all but I'm not a stoner.
Regarding image, that's all over the place. From 100% leather to business casual, you've probably seen it all already. Some bands all wear the same crazy outfit and sometimes it looks ridiculous and other bands just wear whatever they normally wear and end up looking cool onstage, or not. Whatever you do you've got to own it. The music is the important thing.
I'm hairy as fuck, maybe I should play shirtless to get the Bigfoot loving chicks.
Oh and you're probably pretty young it sounds like. So make sure you get an assload of tattoos right away to attempt to make yourself look like a seasoned biker even though you're obviously 20. Spend your money on tatts instead of decent gear.
I'm neither young, nor clean shaven. I just thought it was an interesting question.
Im straightedge and jam stoner/doom. People can suck it.
I'm old and cranky. Don't mind me.
old and cranky is a killer image. I just have to work on cranky more and i'll be right there too.
Actually, i'm going with old and retarded...see how that flies.
Quote from: sanovine on February 06, 2014, 04:00:24 PM
I'm neither young, nor clean shaven. I just thought it was an interesting question.
Just be real. Of course you have to figure out what that means for you.
Image can be as important or unimportant as you want it to be.
Image is important to a point, as in its better to at least look like you play in a band onstage rather than you just came from mowing the lawn.
But at the end of the day, if you BRING IT onstage it doesn't matter what you look like. Even if you did, in fact, just get done mowing the lawn.
As per stoner dudes with beards, it's more of similar people with similar mindsets expressing themselves in similarly comfortable ways than it is an actual fashion or scene id uniform.
Sent from a can on some string using Tapatalk
I dont think it matters, in fact I would think it was cool to see heavy rock played by dudes in nerd outfits or executive suites!
I saw tweak bird and they dont have much image
I saw RED FANG and their singer looks like a square nerd that wears glasses
and so on
image shouldnt matter but it does to some. those who it matters to wouldnt like my band anyways.
In a perfect world, image wouldn't matter at all. Unfortunately, you're going to find douchebags and posers everywhere. There are too many people out there willing to discriminate you just because you don't look like a badass rocker.
I love heavy rock music but I don't fit in the rocker stereotype at all: short hair, no tattoos nor piercings and I don't do drugs, don't drink alcohol and not even coffee for one simple reason... I don't like the taste of it (and yes, I've tried all kinds of liquors and beverages)... I know it sounds weird but hey, at least I tried. To make things worse (or weirder) I had an acoustic trauma a few years ago, luckily didn't suffer hearing loss but I started using ear plugs when going to gigs. I've been rejected by people in at least two occasions because a) I didn't drink booze and b) I didn't look too rocker to them.
I don't know if image matters that much but it's probably necessary to have at least one "party trick" that you can be remembered by. People who like bands but don't know music will still talk about your band if there is something memorable about it. Like be "the band with 5 drummers", or "the band with the video projector show", or "the band with a lot of cabinets", or "the band that all wears hoods on stage", etc.
there's image, anti-image, ironic image, scenester adherent image, etc. the music world has become so complicated.
i say just be you and if your band gel as a unit, (sonically and as people), and i think you'll be fine.
i remember playing in grindcore bands in the early 90's and we believed that image was stupid and what we were doing was a reaction/response to metal and punk becoming mainstream and marketed. "we're gonna change the world dude!"
but we still had long hair, (and whipped it all night), leather jackets, and hightop sneakers. there WAS a dress code. it wasn't cool to like anything on the radio, (which we did), or drink/smoke, (which some of us did).
what was really a game changer for me was getting to hang out and play with the guys in bands like godflesh, napalm death, carcass, etc. the euro dudes sincerely didn't care about that stuff, (if they dressed like that or not), the girls, or the parties. they just believed in their message so sincerely. that's the essence of a band assembling as a team to show others that share their outlook with others that gravitate toward common interests. or so i think.
rock out in YOUR OWN WAY and if it goes somewhere, (even in a small way), it's a sincere effort and will satisfy you greatly.
my opinions again.
most of all, remember to have fun!!!
I'm going to go ahead and say what we're all thinking: that a band is way better if they're hanging serious dong.
Going to see live music is an audio/visual experience. If a band is visually entertaining, it's a more enjoyable experience for the audience. It doesn't mean you have to look "cool". The Melvins and Devo have proved that, but regardless of how great your music is, image counts.
Imagine a world with no image. Thank you. :D
This forum may not be the right place for the question and have a skewed concept of image. I think most of us a grizzled veterans who have lived/played through numerous fads/styles. Each had its own image which was very important to the corresponding scene/movement. Would it have been possible tor David Lee Roth to sing about fondling young girls without his cock showing? yeah, but it "drives" the point home. Possible for Kurt Cobain to sing about depression without looking like a homeless person? Yeah, but it made it seem more realistic. My point is that without a corresponding image/visual to accompany the music, its a one faceted attack. I don't care what a band looks like on their record, but a live show is different. Visual is half of the performance. Bands that have a great visual image along with great music seem to go farther.
Quote from: The Riffer on February 07, 2014, 11:28:27 AM
Imagine a world with no image. Thank you. :D
This forum may not be the right place for the question and have a skewed concept of image. I think most of us a grizzled veterans who have lived/played through numerous fads/styles. Each had its own image which was very important to the corresponding scene/movement. Would it have been possible tor David Lee Roth to sing about fondling young girls without his cock showing? yeah, but it "drives" the point home. Possible for Kurt Cobain to sing about depression without looking like a homeless person? Yeah, but it made it seem more realistic. My point is that without a corresponding image/visual to accompany the music, its a one faceted attack. I don't care what a band looks like on their record, but a live show is different. Visual is half of the performance. Bands that have a great visual image along with great music seem to go farther.
Where do you hang on the "serious dong" issue?
Another reason you should have been in glam/cock rock bands, Mark!
I used to like to look the part when I was much younger. Not so much nowadays. I prefer to hide in front of Les Pauls and loud tube amps.
Yours truly, cock-rockin' back in the day:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Racerx420/Music/Alanredphoto-1.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Racerx420/Music/Alanguitarred.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Racerx420/Music/Alanstripes-1.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Racerx420/Music/Alanguitaryoung.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Racerx420/Music/redeye.jpg)
Still rocking the cock. What can I say?:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y46/Racerx420/Music/561585_3462828024288_1376214108_n.jpg)
I dig that axe!
Seeing photos of my long-lostpawned Mockingbird always makes me sad.
Pawned for tofu :D
At the end of the day what's the difference between hair farming and beard farming? Really? :D
Location, location, & location.
Like everything else, the answer is "it depends" and there are always exceptions.
Quote from: The Riffer on February 07, 2014, 11:28:27 AMVisual is half of the performance. Bands that have a great visual image along with great music seem to go farther.
True. If you want to "make it in music" then it's more important. It's easier to get peoples' attention if they want to fuck you. It's not the kiss of death if they don't, but it's a potential advantage you won't have, which young, cute, skinny boys with long hair will have. Not convinced? Compare the careers of The Sword with Crowbar, and get back to me. "People want to be you, or be with you" is how people have phrased it. If you just want to make music and be in a local or regional band, no problem with your below average looks. If you entertain delusions of "making it big" then looking good (and looking the part) makes a difference. There are exceptions of course, and the style of music makes a difference. And amazing talent can trump a lot of negatives. Authenticity also matters... I could teach my 60 year old neighbor how to play the bass, and he could become good enough to play in a black metal band. Could he be on the cover of Decibel some day? Probably not. Could he play in a band and do some local shows, maybe get some local attention? Sure.
I'm putting together a surf green jazz bass with chrome lipstick pickups, maple board. Will it have the right image for doom?
Theater. I had this girlfriend when I was 19 (I'm 46ish now) who was a singer/dancer/actress and a darn good one. At the time I was digging Zep, Metallica and moving toward The Cult, and guitar driven post punk. So, my DJ buddy spins me some Iggy and some Dead Boys. And it hits me like a ton of bricks, music, especially on stage, is theater. After the whole Iggy thing sunk in I was trying desperately to explain to my girlfriend how the concept of theater and/or performance could catapult a crap band like Kiss, Twisted Sister, or Wasp into the atmosphere and how live music or any music for that matter was an exchange of ideas/opinions/thought and how blah blah. She looks at me with the most boring expression and says "yeah". One word. No enthusiasm, like I was an idiot. She was a child of theater and performance and understood this shit from her Annie/nutcracker days. Gwar OWNS it, Bucket Head, who is a virtuoso, is booooooooring. Every band that hits the stage has their own comfort level of theater. One of the things that was so appealing to """grunge""" was the thankful demise of Cinderella, Bon Jovi, Lover Boy, and their hair stylist. Cobain couldn't play guitar to save his life but that cross dressing junkie could bring the hate.
Quote from: dogfood on February 07, 2014, 09:54:05 PM
Bucket Head, who is a virtuoso, is booooooooring.
Not sure I'd have come up with Buckethead as my first example of not being theatrical, but mostly checked out live footage with Claypool, with the murder during the drum solo.
Just ask KADAVAR. I'm fairly certain that the 4th member of their band is a photographer. If you want an example of a band with more focus on style than music, it's them.
Quote from: Mr. Foxen on February 07, 2014, 10:12:17 PM
Quote from: dogfood on February 07, 2014, 09:54:05 PM
Bucket Head, who is a virtuoso, is booooooooring.
Not sure I'd have come up with Buckethead as my first example of not being theatrical, but mostly checked out live footage with Claypool, with the murder during the drum solo.
Yeah, he is got the theater and is still a dreadful failure. Quite the point.
And, if I ever get my hands on that French jhazz molester I'm gonna rip his goddamn eyes and arms from his frog body...not that I'm jealous.
Quote from: koi on February 07, 2014, 11:04:28 PM
Just ask KADAVAR. I'm fairly certain that the 4th member of their band is a photographer. If you want an example of a band with more focus on style than music, it's them.
Hahaha spot on.
Quote from: RacerX on February 07, 2014, 12:38:50 PM
Where do you hang on the "serious dong" issue?
There's no business like show business.
Quote from: SunnO))) on February 07, 2014, 12:40:50 PM
Another reason you should have been in glam/cock rock bands, Mark!
Yeah, that one passed me by. I was too ugly to be pretty, and if it were called acorn rock I coulda been a contender.
It's too easy to wear dark clothes and call your band BLACK POISON WITCH. The original point I think was to provoke people with frightening or mindblowing concepts. So we just changed our (relatively new, 3 shows in) band name to RADIANT BEINGS OF LIGHT and are going to dress all in formal whites, with spray-on sparkles. This town is like a mini-Sedonah, with so many "healers" offering Angel Readings and Astrological Shamanism workshops, so we will offer Anal Chakra cleansing. Several of the local metal scene People already hate the name. This makes me happy.
I think one of the questions underlying the op is if you want to provoke or comfort the audience.
Quote from: agent of change on February 08, 2014, 01:29:40 PM
It's too easy to wear dark clothes and call your band BLACK POISON WITCH. The original point I think was to provoke people with frightening or mindblowing concepts. So we just changed our (relatively new, 3 shows in) band name to RADIANT BEINGS OF LIGHT and are going to dress all in formal whites, with spray-on sparkles. This town is like a mini-Sedonah, with so many "healers" offering Angel Readings and Astrological Shamanism workshops, so we will offer Anal Chakra cleansing. Several of the local metal scene People already hate the name. This makes me happy.
I think one of the questions underlying the op is if you want to provoke or comfort the audience.
This is awesome. I'm serious.
Quote from: agent of change on February 08, 2014, 01:29:40 PM
I think one of the questions underlying the op is if you want to provoke or comfort the audience.
If they're listening to my band, I want the audience to feel awesome. I want them to carry in their minds the image of a wolf on a motorcycle racing a hawk flying right beside him, Top Gun style, with mountains in the distance and no finish line.
Just be yourself, but times 10...wear what ever you like don't be afraid of what people will think.
I dress California Casual
(http://forward.com/workspace/assets/images/articles/slideshow-weiner-031412.jpg)
Madras blazer? That is casual.
Radiant Beings of Light quickly garnering hate from metalheads. That's how you know it's good.
Quote from: mutantcolors on February 09, 2014, 03:40:07 AM
Radiant Beings of Light quickly garnering hate from metalheads. That's how you know it's good.
Going with image of anti-image. That's a great image to undertake.
Have you heard Three Day Stubble? They had an intense nerd thing going on. But it's comedic. (Punk rock band)
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/31/101889510_637db12f06.jpg)
Also, Life Sex & Death was like a glammy rock band with a homeless-looking guy on vocals (I saw them once in the 90s, they were a great live band, especially the vocalist "Stanley" was an amazing performer, walking across tables etc). Somebody told me that Stanley actually reeked, when they met him back then.
(http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/5641063/Life%2BSex%2B%2BDeath%2Blsd.jpg)
is image important and how you interact or gather a crowd/following? maybe a little ;)
(http://atomictoasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/nerd.jpg)
Quote from: Lumpy on February 09, 2014, 10:35:36 AM
Have you heard Three Day Stubble? They had an intense nerd thing going on. But it's comedic. (Punk rock band)
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/31/101889510_637db12f06.jpg)
This looks like a good time.
I Am looking to start a new band I am in need of a guitarest bassest drummer rythem guitarist and pianist also would love to have anyone who can play trumpet or saxophone any aplacants must be willing to be creative as a group must be willing to play any type of music and must be able to work well with others and take constrative criticism I am looking to start a reggae / hip hop band with me as a singer and I also have a friend who would be our hip hop artist this will be a serious Band not something to take lightly or blow off must be able to dedicate at least two nights a week for practice and you don't have to smoke weed but its a pluse haha I am looking to make serious music that deals with actual issues such as political topics world conflicts war poverty and so on I am a song writer and singer and I take my craft serious as I hope the applicants will be I hope to hear from you guys soon email this poster to contact me my name is lawrence
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/muc/4326419745.html
You really should brush up on your spelling.
Is this image good enough to make it big? This is us (+some random dudes):
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/307823_251332091567263_1126285_n.jpg)
It's impressive that you hired a midget unless the midget is you and then I apologize.
nice van
My understanding is that vans are giant amps that need to be constantly 're-tubed' but instead of spending $100 or whatever it's $700 to $2,500.
Quote from: liquidsmoke on February 12, 2014, 02:33:34 PM
My understanding is that vans are giant amps that need to be constantly 're-tubed' but instead of spending $100 or whatever it's $700 to $2,500.
I prefer my transportation solidstate.
lol ya solidstate van
Quote from: Volume on February 12, 2014, 07:23:38 AM
Is this image good enough to make it big? This is us (+some random dudes):
(http://hg)
Why are yall "attacking" (????) those four random guys in the pic????
the midget seems most alarmed and aware at this. I am perturbed.
What van? That's their house in the background..
http://youtu.be/XtIbRVFLWoI
We want to appeal to the anti-midget crowd. Our market research shows that they like their stoner rock.