Gimmicks

[Haphazard]

Pretty self-explanatory. List some of your fav gimmicks by a band/performer.

I'd have to say -- off the top of my head -- that GWAR is/was by far the most elaborate; gimmicky band that I am aware of. Other than the obvious outlandish costumes...they spray tons of blood into the audience, as well as some other concoctions as well (demon-semen)????? Anyway, the list of gimmicks goes on and on with them.

http://www.sonic.net/~goblin/gwar.jpg

[Haphazard]

HAHAHAHAHAHAH! Whatever you do...don't ever post any pic from their official site. I posted what I thought was a pic of their lead singer...but when you post it...it says I LOVE COCK!!!!

LOL!

That would figure...I hate you GWAR!

*shakes fist*

[Sedated_replica]

I hate Gimmicks, they get boring after awhile. Gimmicks are good for the eyes. But if want to see something unique watch a movie or look at some art. Music is for the ears...

okay besides that. I like the Hives, They're Gimmick always makes me laugh at how fucking cocky they are. But they're music sucks, it makes no sense

[urgeok]

there is a band out of Boston called the Upper Crust.
they dress like 17th Century British Lords and the lyrics are all topical ... but they have the ACDC sound.

sure its a gimmick but its as funny as hell, and their music stands up on its own ...



then there is Dread Zepplin.
again .. funny as hell gimmick .. but it works.

[Haphazard]

Originally posted by Sedated_replica
I hate Gimmicks, they get boring after awhile. Gimmicks are good for the eyes. But if want to see something unique watch a movie or look at some art. Music is for the ears...

okay besides that. I like the Hives, They're Gimmick always makes me laugh at how fucking cocky they are. But they're music sucks, it makes no sense

Well, just to be clear...I'm not usually of fan of these types of bands...GWAR, KISS, Ozzy, whatever...but their gimmicks are as much -- if not more -- a part of their identities as their music.

Also, regarding gimmicks...there seem to be so many that when a band has NONE like Nirvana, White Stripes, etc. THAT ends up being their "gimmick."

[kpropain]

Don't forget Green Jello, they had quite a gimmick themselves..

[Hate_Breeder]

96' Fits and their horror type dress was an awesome gimmick. The Warlock Pinchers once went on stage wearing diapers, Carpe Noctem wears like long priest robes, Demented Are Go's makeup is awesome, and whats their to say about the Adicts?

Bad Gimmicks:Slipknot, Motogrator, Mudvayne (although i like the band..the alien thing was gay as shit, so was the clown deal. Better without a gimmick, Limp Biskit, Kid Rock, Bubba Sparx and so fourth...

[Haphazard]

Originally posted by Hate_Breeder
The Warlock Pinchers once went on stage wearing diapers

The dude that plays with George Clinton in Parliament has been wearing a diaper onstage forever. Clinton himself is a walking gimmick. They're whacked out.

http://mirrorimageorigin.collegepublisher.com/media/paper247/stills/6opy10fi.jpg

[urgeok]

Originally posted by kpropain
Don't forget Green Jello, they had quite a gimmick themselves..

the bear went over the mountain
to see what he could see
the other side of the mountain
was all that he could see.


poor damn bear

[Hate_Breeder]

Ever hear "Cereal Killer?"

[Sedated_replica]

Originally posted by Haphazard
Also, regarding gimmicks...there seem to be so many that when a band has NONE like Nirvana, White Stripes, etc. THAT ends up being their "gimmick."

I don't know what to say to this. The White Stripes Balantly have a gimmick and thats dressing in red, black, or white.

And Nirvana doesn't have a gimmick but people labeled them. I don't think that gives them a gimmick, it gives them a label. Well maybe besides trashing they're equipment, but they wanted to quit that.

also, trashing a stage is fucking sick. Who doesn't love that?

[urgeok]

there is a canadian fella called Nash the Slash ..
plays distorted electric mandolin/violin .. capable of doing amazing
works of art .. horror landscapes (musical)

He wraps himself in bandages, and wears a tophat and lennon sunglasses and ..... well, like below.

A gimmick for sure but his music is great ..

[newb]

Originally posted by urgeok
there is a band out of Boston called the Upper Crust.
they dress like 17th Century British Lords and the lyrics are all topical ... but they have the ACDC sound.

sure its a gimmick but its as funny as hell, and their music stands up on its own ...



then there is Dread Zepplin.
again .. funny as hell gimmick .. but it works.

Holy shit....I saw The Upper Crust a few years ago.....I tell ya Urge...if you lived a little bit south...we would probabaly hang out.

or maybe not.....I would have you drinking too much and your wife would bitch.

[newb]

How about Alice Cooper....his whole stage act is a gimmick....and a pretty successful one at that.

[Haphazard]

Originally posted by Sedated_replica
I don't know what to say to this. The White Stripes Balantly have a gimmick and thats dressing in red, black, or white.

And Nirvana doesn't have a gimmick but people labeled them. I don't think that gives them a gimmick, it gives them a label. Well maybe besides trashing they're equipment, but they wanted to quit that.

also, trashing a stage is fucking sick. Who doesn't love that?

Well, ok...I'll give ya the White Stripes thing. But I was just saying that they don't do anything "over the top." Their image is pretty bland.

Regarding Nirvana...that's exactly what I was trying to say. They didn't have a gimmick, and seemingly the media can't stand that...so they have to come up with some kind of label anyway. So even though they weren't gimmicky...we always gotta hear about how they killed hair-bands, and started the grunge revolution. The media feels the need to label everyone.

[urgeok]

Originally posted by newb
Holy shit....I saw The Upper Crust a few years ago.....I tell ya Urge...if you lived a little bit south...we would probabaly hang out.

or maybe not.....I would have you drinking too much and your wife would bitch.


she wouldnt bitch about me drinking - you would .. it just makes me fall asleep !

The Upper Crust kicks ass, i loved them ..saw them here in Toronto a couple of years ago too .. they stayed totally in character ..

funny thing - at the show was Janeane Garofalo and at one point she was using me as a sprinboard to see over me ..she's tiny and i felt these little hands on my shoulders... hauling herself up trying to jump up ...cute gal.

[kpropain]

Originally posted by urgeok
there is a canadian fella called Nash the Slash ..
plays distorted electric mandolin/violin .. capable of doing amazing
works of art .. horror landscapes (musical)

He wraps himself in bandages, and wears a tophat and lennon sunglasses and ..... well, like below.

A gimmick for sure but his music is great ..

LOL he looks like the Darkman...

[Sedated_replica]

Originally posted by urgeok
there is a canadian fella called Nash the Slash ..
plays distorted electric mandolin/violin .. capable of doing amazing
works of art .. horror landscapes (musical)

He wraps himself in bandages, and wears a tophat and lennon sunglasses and ..... well, like below.

A gimmick for sure but his music is great ..

Now thats a guy who can ROCK!

[newb]

Originally posted by urgeok
she wouldnt bitch about me drinking - you would .. it just makes me fall asleep !

The Upper Crust kicks ass, i loved them ..saw them here in Toronto a couple of years ago too .. they stayed totally in character ..

funny thing - at the show was Janeane Garofalo and at one point she was using me as a sprinboard to see over me ..she's tiny and i felt these little hands on my shoulders... hauling herself up trying to jump up ...cute gal.

I always thought she was kinda cute.

Yeah..I saw the Upper Crust a few years back in Boston. My first thoughts were AC/DC as well.....but I loved the coustumes.
http://www.whatawaytodie.com/uppercrust/7-23-03/up-19-272.jpg

[urgeok]

Originally posted by newb
I always thought she was kinda cute.

Yeah..I saw the Upper Crust a few years back in Boston. My first thoughts were AC/DC as well.....but I loved the coustumes.


she's cute and she's unbelieveably tiny.
the funny thing about the live music clubs in Toronto is that everyone is trying to be soo cool that they didnt even aknowledge her.... which is great for a celeb - to get to go out as a regular person and enjoy a show.

as far as the Upper Crust goes... that must have rocked to see them in their home town ..

i hope they come back here again.

[Death By Jell-O]

Originally posted by kpropain
Don't forget Green Jello, they had quite a gimmick themselves.. '

Until they had to change their name to Green Jelly....Then they sucked.....:D

[Death By Jell-O]

In actuality it seems that you almost have to have a gimmic in music now-a-days.......Music doesn't seem to transcend the way it used to.....If the record labels can't sell your gimmic, they WON'T sell your music.........Damn corrupt, money grubbin' bastards......

[urgeok]

if you make a video .. you've made a gimmick ..

[Death By Jell-O]

Only to a point though........You have to have a gimmick to make the labels notice you before you can make a video.....Unless you can shell out the cash to produce your own.......and get someone to play it....

[urgeok]

Originally posted by Death By Jell-O
Only to a point though........You have to have a gimmick to make the labels notice you before you can make a video.....

or hopefully be good ..
from what i've seen through friends, (bear in mind i'm in Canada)you generally have a local following that grows in time ..
If you get popular enough or get lucky you will be seen.
That or sending your demo everywhere and getting lucky that way.


If a record company wants you - Then they make your video .. it sells records so its in the best interest of the recording company once they sign you.

[Haphazard]

Originally posted by urgeok
or hopefully be good ..
from what i've seen through friends, (bear in mind i'm in Canada)you generally have a local following that grows in time ..
If you get popular enough or get lucky you will be seen.
That or sending your demo everywhere and getting lucky that way.


If a record company wants you - Then they make your video .. it sells records so its in the best interest of the recording company once they sign you.

Linkin Park is just one of many bands/singers I can think of that are HUGE acts and top sellers....certainly not based on their talent.

NOTE: That really wasn't meant as a reply to you urge...I just wanted to throw that out there about how talent doesn't mean all that much in entertainment.

[urgeok]

Originally posted by Haphazard
Linkin Park is just one of many bands/singers I can think of that are HUGE acts and top sellers....certainly not based on their talent.

NOTE: That really wasn't meant as a reply to you urge...I just wanted to throw that out there about how talent doesn't mean all that much in entertainment.

I agree - quite often it doesnt.
For a sad long time image is more important ..
They can sell an image easier than music ..

look at milli vanilli for chrissakes ..
Or Frankie Goes to Hollywood ..
Or the Sex Pistols ..
The Monkees

the last 3 were formed without anyone knowing how to play an instrument..

if the talent comes later .. more power to them .. but it kills me that there are people out there killing themselves night after night rocking their asses off .. but if they dont have the right sellable look .. nothing will come of them.

How many bands have you seen with an unconventionally unattractive lead female singer ?

I can name a couple ... thats all.

[The STE]

does Richard Cheese count as a gimmick? Ya know, the whole lounge act of popular songs

[Hate_Breeder]

Originally posted by The STE
does Richard Cheese count as a gimmick? Ya know, the whole lounge act of popular songs

Hmmm....i dont think of it as a gimmick really...

[urgeok]

Originally posted by The STE
does Richard Cheese count as a gimmick? Ya know, the whole lounge act of popular songs

ya think ?

and mike flowers ...

[Sedated_replica]

Maybe I should focus more on how cool I look on stage rather than how good my songs are. :(

[urgeok]

Originally posted by Sedated_replica
Maybe I should focus more on how cool I look on stage rather than how good my songs are. :(


sad but often true.

[Haphazard]

Originally posted by Sedated_replica
Maybe I should focus more on how cool I look on stage rather than how good my songs are. :(

If an agent/manager got in your ear...I bet that is the main message they would try to convey.

[urgeok]

the thing that kills me is that when someone does see a band they want to sign, they love the show - the raw energy, the kick ass rock and roll.
Then they get them into the studio and suck every little bit of life out of them...

i think what they see is potential - to be molded into something the studio can use.

kind of like a girl that wants you - then tries to change everything about you - because she saw some kind of potential for you to be the way she wants.
and all you do is scratch your head and wonder what the hell she ever saw in you in the first place ..

[Death By Jell-O]

That's only because the people who sign bands are like girls.....they don't really know what they want...so they ruin it for everyone else.....

[urgeok]

Originally posted by Death By Jell-O
That's only because the people who sign bands are like girls.....they don't really know what they want...so they ruin it for everyone else.....


oh hell no man, they know EXACTLY what they want.
and it comes from a scientific formula based on record sales.

how the fuck do you think we got so many Creed clones out there ?

[Death By Jell-O]

There're Creed Clones? What the hell is this world coming to?

But case in point......Clones.....No originality...Hey, how many bands can we find that all sound the same? Silly Bastards....

[Sedated_replica]

Originally posted by urgeok
the thing that kills me is that when someone does see a band they want to sign, they love the show - the raw energy, the kick ass rock and roll.
Then they get them into the studio and suck every little bit of life out of them...

i think what they see is potential - to be molded into something the studio can use.

kind of like a girl that wants you - then tries to change everything about you - because she saw some kind of potential for you to be the way she wants.
and all you do is scratch your head and wonder what the hell she ever saw in you in the first place ..

You're absolutely right. My band has had offers to be signed too some indie labels but I have to question they're motive. And I know that all they see in us is money $$.

I want a label that I can agree with. That likes our music and understands it, Not just some dudes that like Hip-hop and takes a good percentage out of our shows.

People say to me "when you play this show, I want you guys to stand out so people will know who you guys are". I wanna say "fuck you. this is how I dress, plain and boring".

but now, I'm getting to the point where I just wanna be signed so I can put a record out... Music is a bad business

[Death By Jell-O]

Originally posted by Sedated_replica
You're absolutely right. My band has had offers to be signed too some indie labels but I have to question they're motive. And I know that all they see in us is money $$.

I want a label that I can agree with. That likes our music and understands it, Not just some dudes that like Hip-hop and takes a good percentage out of our shows.

People say to me "when you play this show, I want you guys to stand out so people will know who you guys are". I wanna say "fuck you. this is how I dress, plain and boring".

but now, I'm getting to the point where I just wanna be signed so I can put a record out... Music is a bad business

Don't get signed just to get signed....it's a bad idea....My band lost a lot of money in a record deal....We were signed, recorded our album, and it was never released.....they kept giving us the runaround on what was going on and eventually dropped us when our contract was up......

[urgeok]

Originally posted by Death By Jell-O
Don't get signed just to get signed....it's a bad idea....My band lost a lot of money in a record deal....We were signed, recorded our album, and it was never released.....they kept giving us the runaround on what was going on and eventually dropped us when our contract was up......

i have an incredibly talented buddy who could have been signed 3X by now but he has the smarts to know what to get in a contract and they werent giving.
He has been 'doing' music his whole life and has been exposed to every aspect of the business so thank god he had the sense to know when he was being offered something less than stellar.

A lot of guys have been destroyed by the business ... you dont expect to have your souls sucked doing something you love ..

[Death By Jell-O]

Yeah, and sadly more often than not they chew you up and spit you out......It's ruined a lot of people's perception on being in a band and making music.....

We were able to negotiate our contract to get everything we wanted, forgetting that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is......Well, I guess after losing over 7 grand you live and learn.......

My buddy actually went down to L.A. to find the guy who runs the label that signed us....He waited outside of the place where the company has it's P.O. Box until he heard the guy on his cell phone and recognized his voice.......The guy was getting out of his SUV and my buddy called out his name....Dood jumped back in and peeled out of there....He MASHED into someone's car and took off....The guy who's car it was got totally pissed understandably.....My buddy gave him the guys name and cell phone number.....He was reported to the police where they found out he was driving with no license and no insurance......Haven't heard about the aftermath of that one, but dammit, he deserves whatever he gets.......Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy....:D

[urgeok]

Originally posted by Death By Jell-O
Yeah, and sadly more often than not they chew you up and spit you out......It's ruined a lot of people's perception on being in a band and making music.....

We were able to negotiate our contract to get everything we wanted, forgetting that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is......Well, I guess after losing over 7 grand you live and learn.......

My buddy actually went down to L.A. to find the guy who runs the label that signed us....He waited outside of the place where the company has it's P.O. Box until he heard the guy on his cell phone and recognized his voice.......The guy was getting out of his SUV and my buddy called out his name....Dood jumped back in and peeled out of there....He MASHED into someone's car and took off....The guy who's car it was got totally pissed understandably.....My buddy gave him the guys name and cell phone number.....He was reported to the police where they found out he was driving with no license and no insurance......Haven't heard about the aftermath of that one, but dammit, he deserves whatever he gets.......Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy....:D


I LOVE payback.

[Death By Jell-O]

Yep, what goes around comes around.......and when it comes around, damn, it's sweet! :D

[Haphazard]

Originally posted by Sedated_replica
You're absolutely right. My band has had offers to be signed too some indie labels but I have to question they're motive. And I know that all they see in us is money $$.

I want a label that I can agree with. That likes our music and understands it, Not just some dudes that like Hip-hop and takes a good percentage out of our shows.

People say to me "when you play this show, I want you guys to stand out so people will know who you guys are". I wanna say "fuck you. this is how I dress, plain and boring".

but now, I'm getting to the point where I just wanna be signed so I can put a record out... Music is a bad business

Just keep doing what you do. It's cool that you are even getting recognized by labels at all. But I agree with urge...hold out for as long as you can. Don't just sign for the sake of signing.

I have a female friend who is a singer. I've gone to many recording sessions with her in NY, and she just signed with some dudes in hopes of at least getting a single out...but in the studio, they pretty much stripped her of any creative control whatsoever. They were more interested in her look. There is nothing more frustrating than if you are a stifled artist.

Also, regarding the same person -- but on a totally different level or how shady the music biz can be -- she was in a limo with a bunch of dudes who were telling her all this bullshit, and literally whipped out their CACKS! like it was no big deal...fully expecting her to oblige them.

THAT'S phucked up...yet not too surprising.

[friday13thfan]

i like mushroomhead gimick which many do not know that mushroomhead was wearing mask before slipknot (1993 is when they started)

http://mclub.te.net.ua/images/art/artist_3049.jpg

[Sedated_replica]

Originally posted by Haphazard


Also, regarding the same person -- but on a totally different level or how shady the music biz can be -- she was in a limo with a bunch of dudes who were telling her all this bullshit, and literally whipped out their CACKS! like it was no big deal...fully expecting her to oblige them.


Thats wild man, really fucking crazy.

You gotta understand, when you play shows for 4 years and keep recording just demos. A band gets desperate and just wants to put out a real album. The chances of a BIG break are 1 and a million. Even if you're band is fucking great.

I'll hold out until I can't hold anymore... Meanwhile shitty bands get picked up faster than I can write this post

[urgeok]

Originally posted by Sedated_replica
Thats wild man, really fucking crazy.

You gotta understand, when you play shows for 4 years and keep recording just demos. A band gets desperate and just wants to put out a real album. The chances of a BIG break are 1 and a million. Even if you're band is fucking great.

I'll hold out until I can't hold anymore... Meanwhile shitty bands get picked up faster than I can write this post

the frustration is understandable ...
being in a band you must have relationships with other guys in bands .. any of them signed ? any positive experiences ?

[Sedated_replica]

Originally posted by urgeok
the frustration is understandable ...
being in a band you must have relationships with other guys in bands .. any of them signed ? any positive experiences ?
All the bands in my town are unsigned... I think. One band from my city got signed to a BIG label. "Revolution smile" is they're name. I don't wanna sound "cocky" but my band is the best my city has ever seen. but what band doesn't think that? :)

No positive experiences but I don't really ask about labels because I don't trust any. But that gives me a good idea, why not ask?