Band 101- One of these things is not like the other.

What to wear on stage at your band's show? On my home planet, we don't really wear clothes, just a body covering exo-skeletal layer. Unfortunately for you humans, clothes are considered a basic social requirement here on Earth. While it may be difficult choosing clothing on a day-to-day basis for the fashion challenged, what you wear as a band is a much more important decision.

Of course, there's really no one thing that a band should wear at a show. I've seen bands of all genres wearing any number of different styles, and most of the time, it works. But not always.

I don't want to name names, but somewhat recently, I saw a hardcore/metal band with a female singer. They were awesome. Musically, they rocked, and everyone in the crowd was into it. There was just one problem. The singer, drummer, bass player, and one guitar player were all dressed in a similar "hardcore" style. Some of these band members were tattooed and pierced to the hilt, while others were appropriately tough looking in spiky hair, jeans, and black t-shirts. However, the second guitar player looked like he had just finished a day of substitute teaching. He had on a polo shirt and something like cargo slacks, and his hair was slicked back in a nice men's haircut from Supercuts.

Now, this guy was shredding on the guitar right along with the rest of the band, but visually he just didn't fit in. It's nothing a ripped up t-shirt and jeans couldn't have fixed, but apparently he missed the before-the-set meeting.

Is this really all that bad? I mean, the guy was a great musician. In fact, I've seen plenty of pop/rock band members dressed the same way on stage and the look worked perfectly. The problem is, as the crowd walked away, some of them were talking about the guy who didn't fit in. A few even chuckled with each other over pictures on their digital cameras. Unfortunately, it may have resulted in fewer people buying CD's and, ultimately, becoming a fan of the band.

The lesson to be learned? Do a little planning ahead of time with the band. Make sure what you're all wearing is appropriate for the image you're trying to project as a band. It doesn't have to be matching uniforms (although this can be very effective in the right setting) but as a band, you should be a cohesive unit. However, if you're in a hardcore band that wants to dress like yuppies as an ironic statement, go ahead. Just make sure the rest of your band mates, and the audience, are in on the joke.

Brax.