Okay, time to dredge this topic back up.

Thoughts on the recent photos of the day?

And just so it is fair, honestly, in the new 'Verb photos that Kyle posted is my tie a little too thick? It looks okay when I glance down at it but in photos it looks weird. Also, pants too baggy and perhaps a little short.

I'll post a friend's thoughts on the photo of the day. She is 21, has little interest in most surf music(although she does like some stuff), and is a non-musician. She thought the band was a "Don Ho coverband or something like that". When I pressed her mind more she brought up that she would much rather stop and watch a band that was dressed uniformly in some sort of non-everyday wear versus a hawaiian shirt band in jeans and shorts. In all fairness she though the Kilaueas looked great in the hawaiian shirts under their suit jackets.

Louie7
......when a professional musician takes the stage in street clothes.....it's a political statement...even IF said musician doesn't understand that it is.

I am really curious to know what meaning of the word "politic" you are using?

--ferenc

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I dig this look by The Eliminators....

Buck Owens & his Buckaroos look cool too.

I think the coordinated clothing thang can really help the vibe of the band and depending on your name, genre of surf, gear & stage personna, etc., it can really enhance the show - sorta the way good looking packing helps a product stand out in a store.

With that said, our band doesn't coordinate clothing, gear or surfboards - might be something for us to think about. Until then, the music has to carry us through the night.

CUTBACK

Joelman
I'll add another reply..

SurfgitarI think the coordinated clothing thang can really help the vibe of the band and depending on your name, genre of surf, gear & stage personna, etc., it can really enhance the show - sorta the way good looking packing helps a product stand out in a store.

With that said, our band doesn't coordinate clothing, gear or surfboards - might be something for us to think about. Until then, the music has to carry us through the night.

Yes absolutely! The music is what you are there for. But as you said, why put a great product in a poorly packaged display.
BTW I'm not saying that all band members need to dress exactly alike. I think a theme will work just as well.

Joel

After our show on Saturday at a place we have never played. At first people were more who da hell are these freaks??
But after the show. People were really digging and buying into the whole concept of Zombie Surf Camp. Even got a couple of Kudos on the shirt , tie and make-up thing.

JakeDobner
And just so it is fair, honestly, in the new 'Verb photos that Kyle posted is my tie a little too thick? It looks okay when I glance down at it but in photos it looks weird. Also, pants too baggy and perhaps a little short.

well, here's my two cents. Im not trying to put down the Verb in any way, but since you asked....
also:
- it's hard to tell on just a couple of pics,
- it's just my personal prefference
- it's the #1 issue is whether you're able to put on a show, move, communicate with the audience etc. if you put on a show, clothes really arent that important.
- and mostly, I guess 3/4 of what Im about to say, I could say about my own band. I am - just like the Verb I guess - trying to 'build' something and I fail miserably, but it's about getting a bit closer every time, I guess. so please, dont take offense, I'm only giving my opinion.

tie: no, I dont particularly like your tie. more then it being too thick (though I prefer slimmer ones, but I haven't found one either) which is not really that big a deal, it's the color and the material. the shiny red silk makes it very much late 90's wedding tie, with no vintage appeal whatsoever. also I dont really like the all black but colored tie theme. why not a black tie or no tie at all? Also, but now Im being absurdly anal over the top, but nonetheless, I mean it - A silk medium broad tie like that should be tied with a bulky double winsdor at least, not the slim knot you used.

trousers: too baggy, for sure. in fact, 60's suits usually have rather slim pants, carrot shaped even sometimes, and low breast slim cut jackets. also, but it's hard to tell by the pics, the suits don't seem to fit very well, and seem to be made of rather shiny material.

what Im trying to say is, there's suits and there's suits. and it is very difficult to find a well fitting suit with a vintage cut for a reasonable price. I know, Ive been looking for them constantly for ten years or so. The closest I ever got was about 100 bucks and it wasn't that close. I havent found anything yet with which Im really satisfied. it's just hard. But your suits don't seem to go that well with the surf theme. If you are judging by 'appearance' I think that white levis and a striped T is actually closer to 'Eddie and the showman" suits than the Verb suits. just cause it seems to match the age of the amps, which the current Verb wardrobe doesn't seem to. apart maybe from the drummer it's hard to tell from the pics but it looks like he's the only one with a properly fitting suit (I think I could be jealous about that suit)

but it's all about the image you want to project, if any. Rest assured, Ive played in baggy Oxfam $10 suits for years, and if you all wear the same style it is "a" style, just not the style Im looking for right now. These were old suits though, your suits seem to be fairly new. Also, all this of course doesn't say anything about how the audience percieves it, it's just my personal opinion, based on three pics or so. and of course it might differ per country. and of course, what really matters is if you are happy with it. But to me, this kind of suit with that tie just doesn't really ring 'surf band' with me. more like you're a cumberbund short of taking Molly Ringwald to the prom. - Id prefer jeans.

again, I think this is not half as important as whether you can put on a show, and judging by the reactions, the Verb can. so dont read too much into it.

WR

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"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

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Take those suits to a tailor and get them fitted for you. It will make a huge difference.
Wear solids--no prints (stripes are OK). No one can see the details on Hawaiian shirts from any distance, they work for the Kilaueas because of the suits they wear over them. Since they veer into Exotica and Jazz they don't come off as a strictly "surf band". If you wear solids you will cut a better silhouette, don't camouflage yourself.
Unless you are a tribute band there is no reason to try to look like it is 1961. It could help bring surf music raging into the 21st Century if it's purveyors look more contemporary.

Stormtiger
Take those suits to a tailor and get them fitted for you. It will make a huge difference.

that's a good ide aof you can find a reasonbly priced tailor. pants are doable but getting a jacket fitted here is expensive. but it's worth checking out.

Unless you are a tribute band there is no reason to try to look like it is 1961. It could help bring surf music raging into the 21st Century if it's purveyors look more contemporary.

sure, I agree, this was just about what kind of suits one (I) prefer(s). I do like it if there is some connection between music and appearance though. It could be a sixties suit. but a band like PDM would look weird in those, just doesn't match he music.

i dont know about needing to look 'contemporary' .. most of the popular indie bands now look like it's about 1978.

Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."

https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/

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SurfBandBill
Kinda like the tuxedo t-shirt, it says "I like to be formal, but I'm here to party".
~B~

I like mullets: business in the front, all party in the back.

You like Adrian Smith's mullet circa '88? That was a good 'un....

Ivan
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I think car mechanic pants and shirt make for a truely cool surf band look. You know, with the name of the band above one pocket, and a cool red grease rag in the back pocket just for extra coolness
Engineer boots optional.