Premier Rock Forum

Have at it. I know I used to feel a lot more strongly about this than I do today. I think it's all those childhood weekends watching The Warriors on VHS and thinking everyone should turn out like a gang.

Today, less so, although there's a certain degree of earnestness in some music that I feel should be matched by a non-casual visual aesthetic.

You mean like Urge Overkill?

Even when it's corny I appreciate the effort. NC

cargo shorts and sandals on stage are cool only if we all are wearing them!

As I get older I don't really care. Either way, just act like you've been there before.

Being too self-aware in presentation is worse than being completely un-styled.

Had to go with "It depends" since it was offered as an option.

Examples where it works: The Ramones, Devo

Example where it does not: I fucking hate Kiss

As a thing per se, not crap.

Devo, yes.
Clinic, with their scrubs and surgical gear, was cute for about 30 seconds.

Many hair, metal, and punk bands did this, I guess. Not crap there.

Ska bands in the 80s, not crap.

I suppose Gwar doesn't count...

I feel like even bands that don't explicitly do this often fall into line naturally like, "ok we're a denim jacket band" and is maybe just a part of being on the same aesthetic wavelength. I even can appreciate bands that that were so rigidly and consistently anti-fashion they dressed in rags like Fugazi and Grateful Dead - I still consider that a unified aesthetic.

Not Crap, I like how the guys in Ghost (Ghost BC now?) have kept up the whole visual presentation.

Can be achieved with gear as well. An example that comes to mind is Young Widows with their speaker cabinets and symmetrical lights.

If there's more than four band members, and you aren't playing big venues, it's an effective way to make the stage look less jam-packed.

Assuming you wear matching colours, obviously.