When I was younger, I was absolutely convinced that image is very important to a band. These days, I still think it is important but less so...

Some bands are very strong on image like Kiss, Rammstein, King Diamond, Dimmu Borgir.. some bands were/are very anti image, like some grunge acts and modern guitar orientated indie bands.

Although not as obvious as Kiss etc, bands like Metallica and Megadeth still had an image.. scruffy, jeans, long hair, trainers etc.. when these bands were young and making a name for themselves I think the image was important in securing their status. When they get a certain level of success though, it doesn't matter so much if someone cuts their hair or wears plain clothes etc..

What do you guys think ? Is image important to a band or artist ? Will a strong image attract or repel you and will no image bore you ?

well, what you call image, with people who have been very creative artists in the past, I think was just them being themselves, very unique individuals doing what came natural to them, something different, and it had appeal. It is not like they tried to create an image. They just were unique people, and it showed.

unless you want to be a cookie cutter pop artist. they get manufactured by the entertainment industry. probably the most important thing to have if you aspire to go that rout, is great teeth.

Lady Gaga teachs us that even ugly guy/girls can have image... even if you fail it gets hits on youtube like crazy!

It's very important for a band to have an image, wetter it's the from of fashion style or story that follows the band. It's what makes the band look serious and dedicated, it creates uniqueness. I think it is very important, and as the years go by, I find it even more important. Unique people with great image will be spotted more easily and will be more attractive to others, it's just the way it goes.

Yes.. although I think that bands can exist without an image, a strong image or atmosphere surrounding the band, their music, their artwork, merch etc is much more likely to arrouse my interest and capture my imagination. It makes me want to travel into their world and immerse myself in the atmosphere of their music and image, to get the whole experience.

It doesn't have to be a real strong image, like facepaint or costumes, but just a visual presence that is consistent with the music they make.. instead of making metal music but dressing like surfers or teenge drunks or something !

P.S. Good points from fkalich and Azza but what do you guys think about image ? Does it have any influence on your interest in a band or not ?

This post has been edited by Ben Higgins: Jul 22 2011, 11:58 AM

Image is important. Of course, music is even more important, but image sure helps.

I don't usually watch music videos, but sometimes I come across a song I like, and if the video is good, I like it even more, or understand its message better.

This post has been edited by Fran: Jul 22 2011, 12:02 PM

I dont think there is nothing wrong with having an image or having someone making one for you, i mean, i would love to have someone dressing me, i'm a musician, i love to play guitar, write music, sing on my band, i love a lot of things about music but i don't know anything about clothing, or how to dress "cool"

so what would be the problem if someone tells you what to wear? this person is a professional too, why not leave it to them?

I think image could play or not a major role into a musicians career, but saying no to a cool look if you can have it looks a little bit immature to me, dressing well wont take anything from your art, it doesn't make any difference at all.

The thing about image, especially in the music world, is that even having no image is an image. If you look at bands like Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and even REM, their wardrobe on stage was no different then what they wore in everyday life, and also no different than what everyone else wears. So their image is has been categorized as a "working man's" band by various so-called music journalists. There is no escape from being labeled with an image.

With that being said, I think the metal scene image is getting very boring and predictable. I can tell exactly what a metal band is going to sound like before they even strum the first chord. It seems to me like bands are now playing the music in order to fit the image, instead of the other way around.

Uh-oh, so you're telling me that when I come out dressed in my yellow gimp suit and a cowboy hat, you know exactly what we're going to sound like ?

Maybe in that case, I won't bother...

This post has been edited by Adrian Figallo: Jul 22 2011, 04:11 PM

If you come out wearing nothing but a donut then I'll really be left dumbfounded and flabbergasted

Oh C'mon.. you don't recognise the signs of English Rural Folk-Thrash when you see it ?

Yes this is a very good point, and image is important, but not something predictable, but something unique, original. Like Ben said, gimp suit would definitely be something different

Very good point. It's often to easy to just adopt the "look" of a given style, especially hard rock / Metal, and end up looking generic. Ideally, an artist/musician can let their "Look" be just another part of their creative expression of self that goes along with their music. Hopefully, there is some originality involved with both the Look and Music.

It's important to remember that your Visual Identity as an artist/musician, is hard to separate from your Musical Identity. Also, your "Image" is a form of Branding so when you get in front of a camera, go on stage for a show, etc. Keep in mind that you are engaged in an act of Branding/Marketing. This is not something comes naturally in most cases and it's easy to feel that the music should speak for itself. I agree, it should. But still, it may not. If someone doesnt press play on your youtube video because you look like a schlub and there is a pair of dirty socks and various debris in your video shot, then you've lost the battle.


*EXAMPLE OF LEAVING LAUNDRAY BASKETS IN THE SHOT (BAD FORM)



EXAMPLE OF CREATING A DECENT SHOT GOOD FORM


So while "Image" should be a secondary consideration, it should still be a consideration. When you make a video, of any kind, that your playing in, always "Dress the Set" so to speak as much as you can. Try to make it look less "Bedroomy" if possible, or shoot green screen and do something fancy in post. Anything you can do to separate your vids/performances from the crowd, the better.

Todd

This post has been edited by Todd Simpson: Jul 22 2011, 08:55 PM

Image is a part of a musician or a band - image can be a simple t shirt and jeans...I had the great honor of meeting Scott Henderson 4 years ago and he was just looking like a raggedy homeless dude T-shirt (a little bigger than his size) and some scruffy jeans... But his aura was so strong that I was barely able to utter a few words in amazement...so for me, his image was tremendous

On the other hand, image can sell more than music - now the balance is created by some decision factors (management, or the band itself if there's no management) because some acts are less musical but have an image so strong that it can turn the tables for them.

In my opinion, you have to find the right balance as usual

I can definitely say that image is important. And as Todd was saying, try to get a good video so people will click on your video. That's what I do now. I have become more aware and try to get things looking right.

Of course, bands can do whatever they please to represent who they are. I think it's a great idea. I makes them who they are.

As long as image is the byproduct of your music, then it does not matter. King Diamond is a great example of this, always changing his face paint and costumes as he develops through the years. Theatrics are great, they really add to live performances.

If your music is a byproduct of your image, then to me that's being dishonest to yourself, dishonest as a musician, and just a downright fool.

A creative Image is fantastic, amazing even. But it always be secondary, no matter how essential it has become, it must always give way to music first.

I think that Image is important in music depending on the style... In rock/metal/pop music a photo could make people to pay attention and listen to a band, a photo could make them know that maybe they will like it or at leat it could generate some curiosity so if we talk about the marketing and the music business, the image is important. When you see a live concert, the image is also important since it's part of the show... the musician is acting over the stage and the clothes are part of the show... no matter if you are seeing Kiss or Pearl Jam, the clothes and image are also saying something.

As they say "Clothes Make the Man" I'd agree with you. It really is important to consider what you are putting forth as your "image" even when you are not really trying to put forth an "Image". Every decision we make impacts the "brand" that is US. So making good decisions, even on the small stuff, that leads one towards goals and not away from them is important.