matt
Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 651
Boston, MA
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 12:34 PM
things are looking up for my band; we have tentatively landed a monthly gig at a new tiki bar in town, which would do wonders for our momentum. we technically have a "uniform"
the dickies work shirt & hat. However, the drummer keep losing them, I haven't been very strict about it.
I'm thinking about a change! we've been doing a lot of spy type stuff lately, considering a white shirt/black tie/fedora type thing.
what do you think? who all manages to get a bunch of grownups to wear costumes? 
— Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com
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DeathTide
Joined: Apr 13, 2018
Posts: 1377
New Orleans
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 01:19 PM
This is a great question that pertains to “gimmick-ry” and how widely used it was. I was gonna start a thread about it but didn’t get around to it.
I think “uniforms” (meaning all band members dressed the same) is totally cool. I like it, when I feel it’s tasteful. In fact my organ player and I looked at about seventy five 50s record covers to see what they used, to get ideas for ours! (Didn’t want a google search haha.)
Here in NO there is a guy. A guy who drives to you and takes your measurements. He gives you fabric and cut options, charges under $300, and in six weeks delivers a SWEET ASS perfectly-tailored suit. I want to get coordinated suits for the band. But how tacky is tasteful?
That Jewish surf cover band is a great example of completely over-the-top outfits and a distinct “gimmick” of playing Jewish songs adapted to surf. It’s super cool! The Mummies are another band that comes to mind.
The question is “what impression do you want to give?” In my case, I’d like to give homage to the look of late 50s - early 60s bands, which means suits. Lots of string and bow ties but I think those look goofy. Not Vegas-style trimmings either, just sharp straight cut suits. Some were baggy like jazz guys zoot suit-ish. I kinda want gold foil lapels and cuffs, but that might be too dang flashy. Plus, I want to play in it. (It’s gonna get a lot of “honest wear!”)
So that’s the question - what do you want the band to look like? A noisy garage band, a group of Jews, brosephs, slackers, professionals, doctors, scientists, construction workers, bikers, or perhaps 80s aerobic workout instructors? Muppets could work too, like that crazy Japanese drummer videos.
Baseball caps and t shirts are what “indie,” “shoegaze,” “punk rock,” “regular rock,” and about a billion other kinda of bands look like! What is the look of your surf? (I love the Dickies over t shirts!)
— Daniel Deathtide
Last edited: Jan 23, 2019 13:21:49
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simoncoil
Joined: Sep 28, 2012
Posts: 915
Berlin, Germany
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 01:37 PM
They are called Meshugga Beach Party, and they look like Rabbis. And they are not just playing cover songs.
What is happening to this forum lately? 
— Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin)
"Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms!
"Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records!
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matt
Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 651
Boston, MA
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 01:50 PM
you had me at custom made suit for $300....
— Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com
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DeathTide
Joined: Apr 13, 2018
Posts: 1377
New Orleans
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 02:16 PM
simoncoil wrote:
They are called Meshugga Beach Party, and they look like Rabbis. And they are not just playing cover songs.
What is happening to this forum lately?
A discussion is what’s happening, and they look like Mardi Gras rabbis. Also, not all rabbis dress like that. None of mine ever did. But you seem to have missed the point of this thread - to talk about uniforms. Do you have any thoughts about em, or do you just want to add more clutter?
— Daniel Deathtide
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murph
Joined: Dec 16, 2010
Posts: 341
Chapel Hill, NC
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 02:43 PM
Congratz on the landing a regular gig at a tiki bar! I definitely think something slightly upscale would be cool. Not saying y'all need Hawaiian shirts (although what better venue?), but something that blends a bit better with the exotic vibe tiki bars are trying to create.
My band, El Mirage, was onboard pretty early with the "matching outfit" approach. We started out with converse, Dickies khaki pants, ringer tees and plaid shirts from Old Navy (usually around $10 on sale). Over the last couple of years, we've branched out to Levis, Vans, and even argyle sweaters (again, super cheap on sale). All the stuff mixes and matches well, so depending on the venue/weather, or how many shows we've played recently, we change things up.
People definitely take notice and it's really not THAT much extra work. I've heard the following quote a few times recently and I think it's pretty accurate, especially for a live show: "People listen with their eyes". I figure anything a band can do to put a best foot forward and help create a vibe/image/experience that supports their music is a good thing.
Okay, so maybe the surfboard is going a bit far.
Actually, this photo was from a "Surf'n Tiki Shindig" that we put together with our pals at City Tap. The bar passed out leis, brought in a frozen drink machine, and sponsored a Hawaiian shirt contest with prizes. Yeah, it all sounds kinda smarmy and cliche, but the bar was packed on a sweltering North Carolina Sunday afternoon!
-murph
— http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy
"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball
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simoncoil
Joined: Sep 28, 2012
Posts: 915
Berlin, Germany
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 02:48 PM
Yes, I have an opinion: Band uniforms can be great fun, if people put in some effort, but I personally wouldn't want to wear them. I understand, that some outfits will evoke criticism by people who are close to the cultural context, from which they are taken. This is not only true for Rabbi outfits (although this is the first critical remark I hear concerning them), but also for Fez'es, Tiki themed outfits etc. I thought a lot about the problem of cultural appropriation in the last year or so, but I don't have a solution.
Concerning my tone in my last post: There have been several threads on this topic in the last few years, and I have to admit that I am a little bewildered by some posts in the last week, which (to put it mildly) do not show the same care as I am used to here on SG101. Tackling themes, that have been broadly discusses, ignoring friendly hints from other members concerning this, rambling on about things while acknowleding a lack of experience or specific knowledge at the same time. And just calling MSB "that Jewish surf cover band" was something like the last straw. I'm sorry, I overreacted. I'm going to take a break from the forums for a bit.
— Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin)
"Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms!
"Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records!
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Brian
Joined: Feb 25, 2006
Posts: 19292
Des Moines, Iowa, USA
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 02:57 PM
Some related threads for reference (not trying to shut down the discussion here).
https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/284/
https://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/676/
You're fine Simon.
— Site dude - S3 Agent #202
Need help with the site? SG101 FAQ - Send me a private message - Email me
"It starts... when it begins" -- Ralf Kilauea
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11053
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 03:17 PM
simoncoil wrote:
And just calling MSB "that Jewish surf cover band" was something like the last straw. I'm sorry, I overreacted. I'm going to take a break from the forums for a bit.
I appreciate your support Simon, but it's all good, no offense taken. I say far worse about us 
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
Last edited: Jan 23, 2019 15:17:19
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stratdancer
Joined: Dec 11, 2013
Posts: 2533
Akron, Ohio
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 04:33 PM
I opted for something that represents cohesion. You will not find another band in NE Ohio that wears anything like a uniform so that's why I did it.
— The Kahuna Kings
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kahuna-Kings/459752090818447
https://thekahunakings.bandcamp.com/releases
Last edited: Jan 23, 2019 16:33:40
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matt
Joined: Oct 18, 2010
Posts: 651
Boston, MA
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 05:47 PM
some fine looking folks in this thread! definitely considering the balance of looks good and easy, since this isn't a full time gig for any of us!
— Matt Heaton & the Electric Heaters
Boston's Premier Surf/Noir Combo
http://www.heatonsurf.com
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SixStringSurfer
Joined: Sep 23, 2014
Posts: 1401
Memphis, TN
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 05:59 PM
We wear bowling shirts, similar to what The Eliminators wear. As soon as we have a group photo on our website, I'll post a link.
— MooreLoud.com - A tribute to Dick Dale. New Singles "Finish Line" and "Paradiso" on Bandcamp and website.
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The_Cholla
Joined: Jan 21, 2015
Posts: 191
Newport Beach, CA
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 06:32 PM
After 3 years of black and white stripes we are switching for a more classic outfit. The stripes were fun, a bit risky (some people don't like it) but a least you could see us from far away ! Once during the soundcheck a woman asked if we were a group of mimes, I think she quickly got her answer when I turned the Showman on
— Yannick
Lead Guitar in Blackball Bandits : https://blackballbandits.bandcamp.com/
Solo project : https://thechollasurf.bandcamp.com/releases
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DeathTide
Joined: Apr 13, 2018
Posts: 1377
New Orleans
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Posted on Jan 23 2019 07:45 PM
I really like the preponderance of bowling shirts! Always loved those.
— Daniel Deathtide
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3805
North Atlantic
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Posted on Jan 24 2019 07:09 AM
I like the look of a band in a uniform, though I always wondered how the Volcanics can play in sweater vests. They look great, but I would be afraid of getting heat stroke. We have several sets of matching shirts, including the much maligned matching Aloha shirts 
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
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ScottyBravo
Joined: Jul 14, 2008
Posts: 92
Chandler, AZ
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Posted on Jan 24 2019 08:08 AM
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ScottyBravo
Joined: Jul 14, 2008
Posts: 92
Chandler, AZ
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Posted on Jan 24 2019 08:09 AM
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h3dg3h0g
Joined: Jun 27, 2015
Posts: 236
San Francisco East Bay Area
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Posted on Jan 24 2019 09:16 AM
ScottyBravo wrote:
Oops... OUR UNIFORMS!
WINNER!!! I love the fezzezzes!
— Jonathan the Reverbivore
The Reverbivores
Please check out our latest album The Reverbivores Watch TV!
www.thereverbivores.com
Facebook
YouTube
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Agent71857
Joined: Apr 15, 2014
Posts: 164
Pittsburgh, Pa
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Posted on Jan 24 2019 09:23 AM
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Agent71857
Joined: Apr 15, 2014
Posts: 164
Pittsburgh, Pa
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Posted on Jan 24 2019 09:31 AM
Btw. Our gear is all in the same gang too! We got the amp grilles and drum head from vintage logos. They did a great job! Not expensive either. I think uniforms are great. It’s important to project an image on stage especially for instrumental bands. We often don’t talk at all on stage our drummer will make occasional announcements Thru a bullhorn. So the image we project visually is really key.
— www.instagram.com/_the.outer.limits_
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX7iIpcAvL8In2HY9I7QoPw
www.theouterlimits.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/vertigogo.surf
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