saibuster Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Hello guys, didnt write here for a while and its good to be back! My band went to Vodafone's unsigned bands competition today and we passed the first level. The second audition is going to be for the area's finals (before the national final event). We received some papers with information on what we need to prepare for the second event and apart from the music, it seems like the put a lot of emphasis on performance and [b][i]image[/i][/b]. Now here is the thing, we are playing hard rock, or melodic metal, what ever you want to call it, none of us is into indie or any of the more mainstream rock that is happening at the moment. This also means, we are not going to wear the current rocks uniform (black skinny jeans, insanely tight worn out t-shirt, big glam curly hair). This puts us in a problematic area, how can we deliver a contemporary image that fits our music without looking dated or skinny? If it was up to us, we would all wear a plain t-shirt and straight jeans, but its obvious that this would reduce our chance to win. I would love to hear the trusty forum members thoughts about it, also, are there any "style" or "image" agencies that could help us? we take this band very seriously and would invest money in image if needed. cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Interesting one. You could certainly employ an image consultant - Google - but I doubt it'll be cheap. Some bands have a kind of "theme" to their image as opposed to simply wearing the genre uniform. Allows them to be a bit more flexible. Might be worth considering; but you need to think carefully and come up with something good for it not to appear lame. Battered, ripped, muddy old suits? Like you'd just been dug up? Lol. I dunno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YouMa Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Get skinheads/short cuts or dress like joy division, i bet you it will work as long as you play well and tight. Just make sure people move around dance at your gigs.Best of luck mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 You could copy The Darkness They ripped off the '80s look. The fashion these days,more than ever seems to be tattoos. Maybe you could copy Nikki Sixx or something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 Don't forget ,when taking group photos the singer always wears something different to the rest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 There you go ... sorted. [attachment=19926:cc.jpg] No need to thank me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saibuster Posted February 7, 2009 Author Share Posted February 7, 2009 I agree with having a theme, i mean those country church guys deliver the goods! The problem begins when you try to look cool but have no idea about image, than you end up looking like this georgian group: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Happy Jack' post='403078' date='Feb 7 2009, 10:05 PM']There you go ... sorted. [attachment=19926:cc.jpg] No need to thank me.[/quote] I'm currently wearing a cardigan that orangey-red colour. Edited February 7, 2009 by thisnameistaken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saibuster Posted February 7, 2009 Author Share Posted February 7, 2009 [quote name='Eight' post='403064' date='Feb 7 2009, 09:41 PM']Battered, ripped, muddy old suits? Like you'd just been dug up? Lol. I dunno.[/quote] I like the idea of a suit any time but the guys said its been done before. But maybe a zombie suite is actually a good idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 How about capes? Capes are nice, and no one else is wearing them. [attachment=19929:swedish_...ands_012.jpg] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eight Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 (edited) [quote name='saibuster' post='403088' date='Feb 7 2009, 10:21 PM']I like the idea of a suit any time but the guys said its been done before. But maybe a zombie suite is actually a good idea![/quote] Think through anything you're interested in; any books you liked; any paintings or movies etc. etc. I once saw a ska punk band play in suits and mexican wrestling masks. The music was good (not great) but people really got into seeing those guys jump around in those crazy outfits. Edited February 7, 2009 by Eight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dudewheresmybass Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 whatever you wear must be a reflection, if exaggerated, of yourselves. the whole eighties thing became a parody of itself, but the strange thing is that i look at bands like my chemical romance among others and see 'rock fashions' of the past re- appearing time and again. the other option is to take inspiration from elsewhere, and add your personalities into the mix. if you take a band like kiss, they started looking like bad Alice Cooper imitators, but when they added their own personalities into the melting pot, four distinct characters emerged. Separate yet bound together with the same idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_citizenbass Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 i don't think you should have to think about your band image these days. if you guys all wear plain tshirts and straight jeans i guess thats your image. don't bother with these competitions, approach a small indie and start from there. well thats what i think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 (edited) Personally, I'd go for all black clothes, work boots and bullet belts. But I'm a silly old f***, so don't listen to me. Basically, this is a function of 'marketing' So look at your market. 1) Check out up and coming bands in the same genre - what are they wearing? What does your (target) audience wear? Now spin a variation on it. Maybe bigger, more flamboyant. or: 2) Go so completely outside the box that you're perceived to be outside any genre and [i]appear [/i]to be 'letting the music speak for itself'. But don't end up looking like a clown troupe (google Split Enz) 3) It's not just about clothes. If circs permit, could you work in some choreographed moves - and I don't mean synchronised dancing - maybe like a staged 'fight', some speaker climbing, singer using a megaphone, drummer trampolining right over the kit Maybe some props. 4) Image is a component of the show. Try to tie it all together. And a big opening and a big ending. People remember the first 30 secs and the last 30 secs. Use that time to make your statement and nail it home. All part of image, all part of the show. 5) Approach hats with extreme caution. Anyhow, it may [i]say[/i] they're emphasising image. I'd be looking some clarification on that...what's going to win you the comp is strong presentation of strong songs with strong hooks. After that, review. Edited February 8, 2009 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARGH Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Basically the filmakers dont want you to look like a joke or piss them off.....The day of recording will be boring,and you will hate the 'take' they use... the rest is up to them...sorry,enjoy,Ive the same sh*t to deal with this summers end... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I'd go just wearing speedos & goggles, & maybe flippers if it's raining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William James Easton Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 [quote name='saibuster' post='403061' date='Feb 7 2009, 09:31 PM']Hello guys, didnt write here for a while and its good to be back! My band went to Vodafone's unsigned bands competition today and we passed the first level. The second audition is going to be for the area's finals (before the national final event). We received some papers with information on what we need to prepare for the second event and apart from the music, it seems like the put a lot of emphasis on performance and [b][i]image[/i][/b]. Now here is the thing, we are playing hard rock, or melodic metal, what ever you want to call it, none of us is into indie or any of the more mainstream rock that is happening at the moment. This also means, we are not going to wear the current rocks uniform (black skinny jeans, insanely tight worn out t-shirt, big glam curly hair). This puts us in a problematic area, how can we deliver a contemporary image that fits our music without looking dated or skinny? If it was up to us, we would all wear a plain t-shirt and straight jeans, but its obvious that this would reduce our chance to win. I would love to hear the trusty forum members thoughts about it, also, are there any "style" or "image" agencies that could help us? we take this band very seriously and would invest money in image if needed. cheers![/quote] vodafone hey.....i think you should all splash out on some orange amps and maybe wear a devo style boiler suits but in orange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saibuster Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Hey guys thanks for your replies! Going to use these points on our next band meeting and do a little brain storming. Did any band ever used prison uniform? (you know black and white strips, boots... ) I could even have one of these big old round weights around my leg, good excuse not having to jump around! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Slightly more serious than my previous offerings, had you considered the look from [i]Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels[/i]? Get everyone to wear drab brown warehouse coats. Cheap as chips, distinctive, free cultural references ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Don't fake an image you're not all comfortable with. There's nothing more phoney and it will be noticeable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 [quote name='Happy Jack' post='403078' date='Feb 7 2009, 10:05 PM']There you go ... sorted. [attachment=19926:cc.jpg] No need to thank me.[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 [quote name='saibuster' post='403088' date='Feb 7 2009, 10:21 PM']I like the idea of a suit any time but the guys said its been done before. But maybe a zombie suite is actually a good idea! [/quote] looks like my work colleague is in there somewhere..and ex wc's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 [quote name='Happy Jack' post='403096' date='Feb 7 2009, 10:37 PM']How about capes? Capes are nice, and no one else is wearing them. [attachment=19929:swedish_...ands_012.jpg][/quote] That fella on the left went on to form ABBA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 [quote name='William James Easton' post='403210' date='Feb 8 2009, 09:54 AM']vodafone hey.....i think you should all splash out on some orange amps and maybe wear a devo style boiler suits but in orange.[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 [quote name='saibuster' post='403267' date='Feb 8 2009, 11:08 AM']Hey guys thanks for your replies! Going to use these points on our next band meeting and do a little brain storming. Did any band ever used prison uniform? (you know black and white strips, boots... ) I could even have one of these big old round weights around my leg, good excuse not having to jump around![/quote] That's been done. I remember Henry Rollins doin' it on the Jools Holland show few years back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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