Members tim_7string Posted September 9, 2011 Members Share Posted September 9, 2011 I'm a huge fan of The Cars, but I am pretty sure the reason critics called them "detached" and "aloof" onstage is because of Ric and Elliot Easton's tendency to wear sunglasses. If the crowd can't see your eyes looking at them, they might go see another band that has all of their eyes uncovered. Personally, I see very few bands/artists that can pull it off and look cool without looking like an asshole. Tom Petty. Ric Ocasek. Lou Reed (well, the verdict is out on him lol). And, of course, these guys: http://spanglishbuffet.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/blues-brothers.jpg [ATTACH=CONFIG]338573[/ATTACH] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kmart Posted September 9, 2011 Members Share Posted September 9, 2011 I'm a huge fan of The Cars, but I am pretty sure the reason critics called them "detached" and "aloof" onstage is because of Ric and Elliot Easton's tendency to wear sunglasses. If the crowd can't see your eyes looking at them, they might go see another band that has all of their eyes uncovered. Pretty sure it's more to do with the fact that the band really didn't/still doesn't move onstage. the sunglasses aren't helping, but if you just stand there like a tree, nothing much is going to... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TIMKEYS Posted September 9, 2011 Members Share Posted September 9, 2011 ray ban wayfarer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Alex_SF Posted September 9, 2011 Members Share Posted September 9, 2011 "You know who wears sunglasses indoors? Blind people and assholes." - Larry David Unless you've got a white cane in one hand or you're wearing them as a goof, NO. And I say this as someone who used to commit horrific violations of this rule as a teenager. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Lee Flier Posted September 9, 2011 Members Share Posted September 9, 2011 If the crowd can't see your eyes looking at them, they might go see another band that has all of their eyes uncovered. Depends on the band. Some audiences like a band that looks aloof.* And some people look cool with sunglasses onstage, others don't. * A friend of mine who is a guitarist in a somewhat famous band once told me: "I'm a very direct person. I like to look people in the eye and talk to them. And what I've found being in this band is... a lot of people don't like that." His band has the reputation of being dark and mysterious, and a lot of their fans are maybe the type who feels a little alienated and socially awkward, so I think to some extent they'd like to think the band was too, and are put off by someone being outgoing and friendly toward them. Never would have thought of that, but I've repeated this story to other people and they agree - certain kinds of bands, especially if they're goth or emo or "ambient" or whatever... they like the band to have a certain mystique about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WynnD Posted September 9, 2011 Members Share Posted September 9, 2011 Our singer wears sunglasses while performing. I'm thinking this isn't a good idea. When I'm an audience member, I like seeing musicians who pay attention to the audience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheRinger Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 Eh, it doesn't bother me at all when I see shades on stage. They do help when you have a bunch of girls on stage so they can't see your eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Iamthesky Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 If I wore sunglasses on stage I couldn't see my synth panels well enough to play. I use my own accent lights on them as it is. (Keys I can find, but little knobs with little white marks on them are fundamental to my playing and I can't see those in the dark.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members J.Paul Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 Los Lobos doesn't bother me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mineame Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 About 2 months ago, I gave up the battle against male pattern baldness. So I shaved my head... Turns out, I have a symmetrical head. So with a goatee, I can pull off a bald head. I will admit, I have given serious thought to wearing sunglasses. But I need to be comfortable playing with them. So every so often I practice blind folded. Once I can pull that off, the sunglasses will probably happen. I just wonder what it will be like, up on stage wearing sunglasses, then taking them off for break. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members YeahDoIt Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 I'm going to say with complete confidence and without apology we rock: shorts, sunglasses, keytars, santa suits, blond wigs, headbands, viking hats, burger king masks, tranny pumps, cheerleader outfits....When you're 'selling' good times to the masses there's really little that really makes you seem that pretentious. Suddenly I want to see your show and I'm looking at the pictures on your website. Does your banner read "Dedicated to music AND underage drinking?" I can't see all of it but that's pretty cool, makes me laugh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members trevcda Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 The thing with sunglasses on stage at night is that there is an extremely well defined line between looking cool and looking like a douche. You have to really be self aware enough to know which side of that line you fall. You're either "cool" or high or trying too hard to look like one or the other. Add frat boy spiked hair to that mix and we all know the answer even if you don't! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NeverTheMachine Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 No, this is not a troll post. I'm serious- What are your thoughts on wearing shades on stage? Obviously daytime outdoor events might be an easy yes, but what about a Saturday night inside a local bar or club? I think its old hat, lame and pass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NeverTheMachine Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 The thing with sunglasses on stage at night is that there is an extremely well defined line between looking cool and looking like a douche. You have to really be self aware enough to know which side of that line you fall. You're either "cool" or high or trying too hard to look like one or the other. Add frat boy spiked hair to that mix and we all know the answer even if you don't! This. Lawyer acquaintance of mine had a one off cover band and dude did every cliche in the book ... Spiked hair, shirt off, and sunglasses. It was hard to watch and most of the audience were his friends. I love sunglasses, I like being sort of hidden from the outside world, but I'm not going to pull it off because I already have to think about it. If it was daytime I'd wear the {censored} out of my shades though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thy God Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 "You know who wears sunglasses indoors? Blind people and assholes." - Larry DavidUnless you've got a white cane in one hand or you're wearing them as a goof, NO. And I say this as someone who used to commit horrific violations of this rule as a teenager. What about people with ridiculous sensitivity to light? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MartinC Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 Performing is about un-masking yourself. Shades deny a part of you to the audience. Outdoor gig, sure I guess. But it's hardly a deal breaker at any gig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lsits Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 Works for Ian Hunter, John Kay, and the dude from ? and the Mysterians. For me, not so much unless it's an outdoor gig in bright sunlight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wenrealityhurts Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 Outside facing the sun/Inside lights in my eyes - Yes Dark stage, making it harder to see the fretboard - No When Dealing with idiots musicians at the blues jams, sometimes wearing sunglasses is part of a overall strategy that includes being drunk, hiding behind the drummer, facing my amp, etc that helps me to ignore them and play in my own little world. I think my next strategy is to go wireless, and play outside on the street, maybe in my car, so I don't have to be on stage with these morons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kmart Posted September 10, 2011 Members Share Posted September 10, 2011 Outside facing the sun/Inside lights in my eyes - YesDark stage, making it harder to see the fretboard - NoWhile wearing a bathrobe - ABSOLUTELY FYP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Hegmatronicon Posted September 11, 2011 Members Share Posted September 11, 2011 Outside facing the sun/Inside lights in my eyes - YesDark stage, making it harder to see the fretboard - NoWhen Dealing with idiots musicians at the blues jams, sometimes wearing sunglasses is part of a overall strategy that includes being drunk, hiding behind the drummer, facing my amp, etc that helps me to ignore them and play in my own little world. I think my next strategy is to go wireless, and play outside on the street, maybe in my car, so I don't have to be on stage with these morons. Listened to your clips.....i think maybe concentrating on learning how to play in time and learning when NOT to play - would be a better use of your time. Learn your craft first - then you can think about what to wear and how to look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members itorres008 Posted September 11, 2011 Members Share Posted September 11, 2011 "You know who wears sunglasses indoors? Blind people and assholes." - Larry David Unless you've got a white cane in one hand or you're wearing them as a goof, NO. And I say this as someone who used to commit horrific violations of this rule as a teenager. ha, ha, ha! I couldn't remember where I had heard that... Although, not necessarily my opinion. It could help to prevent or hide stage fright. Only problem is I'd need prescription shades. I can't see well to begin with, then it's going to be really, really dark... Iv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members MusicalSchizo Posted September 11, 2011 Members Share Posted September 11, 2011 He's pretty cool, as far as I'm concerned. He doesn't wear them all the time, but he does wear them. Brian V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members fingerpicker Posted September 11, 2011 Members Share Posted September 11, 2011 WheresGrant I NEED TO SEE YOUR BAND!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thy God Posted September 11, 2011 Members Share Posted September 11, 2011 Works for Ian Hunter, John Kay, and the dude from ? and the Mysterians. For me, not so much unless it's an outdoor gig in bright sunlight. John Kay also refers to himself in third person as "The Wolf". And demands Perrier water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chevybusa Posted September 11, 2011 Members Share Posted September 11, 2011 I'd say it all depends on the venue, type of music, geographic area/social scene, etc., etc.... No offense to those that do wear them but while there are obvious excpetions for things like old guy blues bands, ZZ Top cover bands, etc., for the most part I must say that in my own perosnal opinion that unless they're a major national act playing on a huge stage for tons of fans, every time I've seen musos wearing sunglasses on stage it just SCREAMS cheezy and like they're trying to be cool but are failing miserably and are actually making themselves look stupid, and I have a hard time even taking them seriously.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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