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THE INSIDER
Contact:
mariosalazar
@chicagosrock.com
mariosalazar
@chicagosrock.com
...not much of a crowd at your last gig?
Maybe your advertising strategy is to blame.
...you do advertise, right?
August's 'Insider' continues with our ongoing series on
the business of making music. In this issue, we'll discuss the importance of
having and projecting a good, professional image. This is part 1 of a 3-article
series on the subject. As always, I hope this information can help you take your
band and your music to the next level, whatever that next level is for you.
Enjoy & keep rocking out there!
-Mario
Enjoy & keep rocking out there!
-Mario
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Contact:
mariosalazar
@chicagosrock.com
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MONUMENT DEDICATED TO TED NUGENT'S MOM
When they say "You don't get a 2nd chance to make a first
impression", they are not kidding. The term "looks aren't everything" does not
apply in this instance. A band is about the music they play but, that is only
part of the success equation. Stage presence & appearance is another major
key element. We at www.chicagosrock.com decided it was time to address the
image/appearance issue. Once I got going on this project I realized this was not
going to be a small feat. There were different aspects to this. There is the
image consultant, the record label, and the bands themselves. I took the time to
contact three professional people from each [field] as I did not want to come
across as preaching to the choir, and trying to come across as an authority on
this issue. So instead I took a different approach on this and took the words
straight from the professionals! I hope everybody learns as much from the three
segments as I did while working on this!
You have to be open-minded, and remember your idea of "cool looking" may not be everybody else's. Image consultants are professionals are they are hired for a reason. They know the market and they know what is catching people's eyes! Image consultants are a great investment for the success equation. Yes, there is effort and work that needs to be put forth, -nothing is ever an easy ride, but the end result makes it worth it! You could be a phenomenal musician, but a baseball hat, white t-shirt, flannel and jeans doesn't grab a person's eye.
Image consultants usually have pre-packaged prices. Do not let that discourage you. You don't have to do it all at once! Take it a step at a time! Do what you can afford. You don't have to do a $2,500 Platinum package! Ask if they will work with you on an hourly basis. Maybe they will do a hair or make-up consultation for an hour. Shopping, wardrobe & stage wear consultations usually have an hourly minimum, and a budget allocation requirement charge.
Goldie, of Rock Art Chicago, a local image consultant since 1985, had the following comments on the subject:
"...I think a uniform look is important. Now that does NOT mean that everybody has to have long hair, nor does everybody have to have short hair. Long and short hair in the same band is fine. The only thing about hair I would caution is really big 80s hair, unless you are in an 80s cover or tribute band. I think a "look" is more about the clothing style, than hair nowadays. For example, if the front man, has a "mod" or "retro" 60s look, then the rest of the band shouldn't be in studs and leather, or ripped t-shirts and baggy jeans. A "look" or "style" doe NOT mean that all members have to be dressed the same, but there should be a cohesive image. I think leather still can look current, if you don't have a "tummy or "midriff bulge". And of course there are the skinny jeans kind of leather that gives a totally different look than the low slung, lace up the side, 80s leather. I think you have to pay attention to details. And for god sakes, if you don't have the body for it, PLEASE don't wear leather at all!
Make-up is another thing that bands have to pay attention to. If you are a guy and you are going to wear it, then make sure your complete look, makes sense with the make-up. In other words, heavy eye make-up and black nail polish can still work, but not if you are wearing long baggy shorts and beat up Chucks, and you look like you just got finished shooting some hoops! Choose the make-up and accessories that go with your clothes and music.
Two more things that I think are worth mentioning. Look like you are glad to be there. Maybe sullen and insulting worked (for a time) for Morrison or Cobain, but your fans want to feel you are happy to be there, even if you are not. Mostly, they just want to at least feel that you are glad THEY came out and paid to see you. I think you should try to communicate with the audience on some level. Eye contact helps, and some crowd interaction. Some of the most successful bands got popular because they CONNECTED with the audience. How many times have we seen a marginally talented front man, grab the crowd with his enthusiasm and charisma, even if he doesn't have the world's greatest voice? Many times I would say. Another thing I have seen over and over, even with touring national acts, is to come out and talk to your fans after the show. Don't have the "rock star 'tude" Even if it's just "thanks for coming out", or a handshake, it means a LOT to people, even if you don't know them, or they aren't the "coolest" person in the room. Just acknowledging them after the show, could be enough to bring them back the next time, with their friends. I just recently went to a show, where a previously HUGE band's only original member couldn't be bothered to even come out after the show to say hi, the others in his band did. And guess what, there weren't many people at his show, my, how the mighty have fallen, I wonder why. "
I think Goldie painted a pretty good "image". I want to thank her for taking the time to give us the professional insight.
There is still quite a bit more to be touched on the subject of image, which will be continued in our next issue.
If you are interested in contacting and working with Rock Art Chicago, their contact information is below.
Website: http://www.angelfire.com/rock3/rockartchicago/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/rockartchicago
You have to be open-minded, and remember your idea of "cool looking" may not be everybody else's. Image consultants are professionals are they are hired for a reason. They know the market and they know what is catching people's eyes! Image consultants are a great investment for the success equation. Yes, there is effort and work that needs to be put forth, -nothing is ever an easy ride, but the end result makes it worth it! You could be a phenomenal musician, but a baseball hat, white t-shirt, flannel and jeans doesn't grab a person's eye.
Image consultants usually have pre-packaged prices. Do not let that discourage you. You don't have to do it all at once! Take it a step at a time! Do what you can afford. You don't have to do a $2,500 Platinum package! Ask if they will work with you on an hourly basis. Maybe they will do a hair or make-up consultation for an hour. Shopping, wardrobe & stage wear consultations usually have an hourly minimum, and a budget allocation requirement charge.
Goldie, of Rock Art Chicago, a local image consultant since 1985, had the following comments on the subject:
"...I think a uniform look is important. Now that does NOT mean that everybody has to have long hair, nor does everybody have to have short hair. Long and short hair in the same band is fine. The only thing about hair I would caution is really big 80s hair, unless you are in an 80s cover or tribute band. I think a "look" is more about the clothing style, than hair nowadays. For example, if the front man, has a "mod" or "retro" 60s look, then the rest of the band shouldn't be in studs and leather, or ripped t-shirts and baggy jeans. A "look" or "style" doe NOT mean that all members have to be dressed the same, but there should be a cohesive image. I think leather still can look current, if you don't have a "tummy or "midriff bulge". And of course there are the skinny jeans kind of leather that gives a totally different look than the low slung, lace up the side, 80s leather. I think you have to pay attention to details. And for god sakes, if you don't have the body for it, PLEASE don't wear leather at all!
Make-up is another thing that bands have to pay attention to. If you are a guy and you are going to wear it, then make sure your complete look, makes sense with the make-up. In other words, heavy eye make-up and black nail polish can still work, but not if you are wearing long baggy shorts and beat up Chucks, and you look like you just got finished shooting some hoops! Choose the make-up and accessories that go with your clothes and music.
Two more things that I think are worth mentioning. Look like you are glad to be there. Maybe sullen and insulting worked (for a time) for Morrison or Cobain, but your fans want to feel you are happy to be there, even if you are not. Mostly, they just want to at least feel that you are glad THEY came out and paid to see you. I think you should try to communicate with the audience on some level. Eye contact helps, and some crowd interaction. Some of the most successful bands got popular because they CONNECTED with the audience. How many times have we seen a marginally talented front man, grab the crowd with his enthusiasm and charisma, even if he doesn't have the world's greatest voice? Many times I would say. Another thing I have seen over and over, even with touring national acts, is to come out and talk to your fans after the show. Don't have the "rock star 'tude" Even if it's just "thanks for coming out", or a handshake, it means a LOT to people, even if you don't know them, or they aren't the "coolest" person in the room. Just acknowledging them after the show, could be enough to bring them back the next time, with their friends. I just recently went to a show, where a previously HUGE band's only original member couldn't be bothered to even come out after the show to say hi, the others in his band did. And guess what, there weren't many people at his show, my, how the mighty have fallen, I wonder why. "
I think Goldie painted a pretty good "image". I want to thank her for taking the time to give us the professional insight.
There is still quite a bit more to be touched on the subject of image, which will be continued in our next issue.
If you are interested in contacting and working with Rock Art Chicago, their contact information is below.
Website: http://www.angelfire.com/rock3/rockartchicago/
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/rockartchicago
LOOKS AREN'T EVERYTHING.....OR ARE THEY?
The Image Consultant (Segment 1)
by The Rock Goddezz
Ted Nugent was in town to honor the memory of his beloved
mother, Marion "Ma" Nugent, and to play a few Chicago area gigs. Why is there a
monument to Ted Nugent's mother? It's quite an interesting
story.
Although Ted spent most of his youth growing up in Detroit, (hence his nickname, "The Motor City Madman") he did spend two years living in Hoffman Estates and Palatine when his father got transferred. He was attending St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, when he formed the first version of The Amboy Dukes, which later brought him fame with their chart topping "Journey To The Center Of Your Mind".
Marion Nugent always encouraged her son Ted's musical abilities, and became a booster, of not only Ted's band, but his friend's bands as well. After he graduated high school, Ted returned to Detroit, while his family stayed in Palatine. Ted's mother remained friends with the musicians here in the area. Eventually she was asked to write a column for the widely respected Illinois Entertainer. She became one of their most popular writers for the eight years she wrote her column. One of her favorite musicians, Dirty Dan Buck of The Boyzz, attended the event, and told us "Ma hardly ever missed any of our shows, and she was always on hand to offer support. She was a lot of fun to hang out with, and an inspiration to so many of us."
Marion "Ma" Nugent passed away in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of support and affection not only for her musician friends, but also for their fans, through her column in The Illinois Entertainer. One of the musicians she befriended, Erik Kinkel, came up with the idea to honor the contributions she made to the music community.
Although Ted spent most of his youth growing up in Detroit, (hence his nickname, "The Motor City Madman") he did spend two years living in Hoffman Estates and Palatine when his father got transferred. He was attending St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, when he formed the first version of The Amboy Dukes, which later brought him fame with their chart topping "Journey To The Center Of Your Mind".
Marion Nugent always encouraged her son Ted's musical abilities, and became a booster, of not only Ted's band, but his friend's bands as well. After he graduated high school, Ted returned to Detroit, while his family stayed in Palatine. Ted's mother remained friends with the musicians here in the area. Eventually she was asked to write a column for the widely respected Illinois Entertainer. She became one of their most popular writers for the eight years she wrote her column. One of her favorite musicians, Dirty Dan Buck of The Boyzz, attended the event, and told us "Ma hardly ever missed any of our shows, and she was always on hand to offer support. She was a lot of fun to hang out with, and an inspiration to so many of us."
Marion "Ma" Nugent passed away in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of support and affection not only for her musician friends, but also for their fans, through her column in The Illinois Entertainer. One of the musicians she befriended, Erik Kinkel, came up with the idea to honor the contributions she made to the music community.
So on August 1 in front of almost 300 friends and fans,
an 8,000 pound rock was unveiled to honor "Ma" Nugent. It is an appropriate
memorial, because she was "a big rock" fan. Her likeness was sandblasted into
the granite rock that sits in front of Durty Nellies Pub in downtown Palatine.
Several speakers including Palatine's mayor Rita Mullins, Erik Kinkel, and
former Illinois Entertainer staff Ken Voss, Guy Arniston and Ron Ramelli gave
short tributes to Ma and then Ted Nugent stepped up to the podium. He thanked
everybody who was responsible for making the monument a reality, including Paul
Munagian a local landscaper who donated the granite rock, and Kinkel who paid
for the sandblasting. He also thanked his fans for coming out, some of whom,
waited in the 95 degree heat for several hours.
In his speech Ted stated, "I'm 59 years old and I'm having the time of my life because my mom and dad made me the best I can be. My mom is with me every day, which is why I'm so funny." He credited his parents for being strict with him while he was growing up, and instilling good values in him. Ted also spoke of how
important it was for him to stay away from drugs and alcohol, in order to remain successful in the music business for so many years. He urged his young fans and musicians in the audience to do the same. He closed by saying "Kids, the most important thing is hug your moms everyday, tell 'em you love 'em and do your damn chores."
In his speech Ted stated, "I'm 59 years old and I'm having the time of my life because my mom and dad made me the best I can be. My mom is with me every day, which is why I'm so funny." He credited his parents for being strict with him while he was growing up, and instilling good values in him. Ted also spoke of how
important it was for him to stay away from drugs and alcohol, in order to remain successful in the music business for so many years. He urged his young fans and musicians in the audience to do the same. He closed by saying "Kids, the most important thing is hug your moms everyday, tell 'em you love 'em and do your damn chores."
by Goldie Rox.
Photos by Rock Art Chicago.
Photos by Rock Art Chicago.
Ted Nugent at Durty Nellie's in Palatine.
Dirty Dan Buck of The Boyzz with Mario from
ChicagosRock.com
Ted always draws a crowd!
More tips and information on next issue...
Click image to enlarge.
