Band look

Question? Do you think the look of a band can make or break them?
Like would Poison or Kiss have made it without make-up?

KISS and Poison were successful because of the era in which they lived in... Think if KISS or Poison would have came about now. They would be a wierd freak show... probably with a small cult following. But they wouldn't be the huge act they are now. You can't really compare then to now. The 80's were a weird time for just about everything....

Do I think a bands image is important the overall success of the band? Yes. Do I think a bands image SHOULD be important to the overall success of a band? No.

Unfortunately that's the society that we live in... In a world where it's not alright to judge a book by it's cover.... We judge every book by it's cover. I personally hate emo/screamo/punk bands... not becuase they wear eye shadow and where their bangs long with pink highlights... it's because they make ****ty music..........

Music is music and it shouldn't be about anything but music. I blame MTV for making an image so important... Way back when the radio was the only source of music you never had to see what your favorite rock stars looked like... Then MTV came and ruined it all... Once again, MTV is the most worthless thing ever.

You make alot of good points, Image is important in music today as well.
If your band members are ugly and dress wrong there may be no success for your band. No matter what the music sounds like. Record lables WILL try to change Image.

Aschelman hit the nail on the head. It shouldn't be important, but it is. Its saddening really. If I ever get to perform, I'm not dressing up in anything. I'll wear the same clothes on stage that I wore to Wal Mart that same day. If you make good music, I'd like to think image isn't gonna have any impact on what people think of that music. Its the art of sound, not of sight.

Just take Metallica for example. They didn't dress up or put on makeup or anything like that. They just went up on stage dressed is jeans and T-Shirts and they became one of the best and most popular heavymetal bands. And the sweet thing is that they are still around.

Gwar, barf. They look dumb and their music sucks but apperatly they have a lot of fans.

When Im on stage I wear Black Tee shirt and Blue jeans NO MAKE UP.
But I try to move around as much as room will allow bouncin all over the stage rockin out. I hate it when bands just stand and jam no show.

Originally Posted by: DAMAGED ONEI hate it when bands just stand and jam no show.

You just described the Greasy Knots perfectly.
We don't really do much imaging stuff though. The only thing we really do special is wear mega-ripped jeans at shows. Oh, and I wear my hat. But that's just because I think my hair looks stupid.

aschleman is right on with timing, when it comes to a certain look being accepted or not. Nirvana couldn't have picked better timing to launch with their "Who Cares what we look like" attitude. Which was still a look and started a Huge public trend.

Originally Posted by: dvenetianaschleman is right on with timing, when it comes to a certain look being accepted or not. Nirvana couldn't have picked better timing to launch with their "Who Cares what we look like" attitude. Which was still a look and started a Huge public trend.

Yeah, thats right no more stage costumes

IMO, not all music can be played with the band going nuts or doing a whole lot of moving, it doesn't look natural. Look at Floyd, they dressed their show up with lights and its considered to be one of the best performances you could have gone to. So if you don't wanna move around or doesn't fit the music, mabey some cool light effects would be suitable.

aschleman really summed this up. I will say that those bands targeting an older crowd probably could get along fine in street cloths. But an EMO band coming out dressed like the Grateful Dead in jeans and flannel or tee shirts and just standing there probably won't make it. And if you go to see a band already with a dress standard for example Kiss you would probably be disappointed if they where in jeans and teeshirts with no makeup. Or worse yet in 3 piece suits. They have created an image and you expect to see that at their shows. The only guy that can do anything dress wise I can think of is David Bowie. That's what's expected of him. He can come out in a 3 piece suit or high heels. Doesn't matter because you expect the unexpected from him. :D

Originally Posted by: acapella Oh, and I wear my hat. But that's just because I think my hair looks stupid.

Take it from a guy with NO hair - all hair looks fine. :D

Originally Posted by: hunter60Take it from a guy with NO hair - all hair looks fine. :D

I shave my head cause i like it that way, I will not conform for anyone but me. (and my wife) ya know! :D

Originally Posted by: DAMAGED ONEI shave my head cause i like it that way, I will not conform for anyone but me. (and my wife) ya know! :D

Woo woo - I'm with you!!! All hail brothers of the benuded pate! Unite!!!!

Quite frankly, I'm at the point where I think having hair is a pain in a**. Bald is quick and clean thank you very much. Plus, add a goatee and some stylish shades and you da' man. :)

Originally Posted by: hunter60Woo woo - I'm with you!!! All hail brothers of the benuded pate! Unite!!!!

Quite frankly, I'm at the point where I think having hair is a pain in a**. Bald is quick and clean thank you very much. Plus, add a goatee and some stylish shades and you da' man. :)

Hairy is so 70's I love bald women too.(you know what I mean) ;)

I think the whole look matters, it probably shouldn't, but it does. Clever bands have learned to take advantage of this (like the White Stripes, who dont go over the top, but have a pretty strict colour scheme going on).

Originally Posted by: DAMAGED ONE I love bald women too.(you know what I mean) ;)

Must spread rep around before giving to Damaged One.

Originally Posted by: aschlemanMust spread rep around before giving to Damaged One.

Brittney Spears :D