One might reply that it is better to be OTT and stupid-looking, even
if you do wind up looking like an idiot, than to get up onstage in
plaid and scuffed trainers or the like, like just about everybody else
does.
Why?
I mean, personally, Todd Rundgren posturing in his pink hair
with ankh-spaped electric guitar is more likely to keep my attention
that Liam Gallagher in a hoody, squatting onstage like he's about to
take a dump.
Does that really keep your attention? For how long? Why?
It's more interesting to look at. this is a false
dichtomony, black & white, yadda-yadda. If ELP's mighty stainless
steel drumkit and persian rug, or Yes' fibreglass mushrooms is OH NO
BURN IT W/FIRE WAGE KULTURKAMPF UPON IT then what is actually OK for a
band to adopt as a look I wonder.
Oh don't misunderstand me. I think most rock bands look idiotic on stage, largely because they think they have to, and that might be dictated by the audience.