HIM fans waiting before Sydney show at Luna Park, 23rd March 2006
|
|
|
At gigs these
days, a lot of the fans make an effort to stand out in the crowd and
can sometimes be more of an attraction than the band themselves!
You're more likely to see people wearing the most outrageous outfits
at festivals (and sometimes nothing at all!) because of all the
different kinds of bands playing and varieties of music, the same
goes for the people. I once saw a guy who had made an outfit entirely
out of bubble wrap and guys bravely walking around only wearing
thongs and sandals at Reading 2003! During the early 1990s grunge
era, music fans thought it was cool to look as
though
they 'hadn't washed for a month' or 'been dragged from the back of a
truck'. After a weekend camping at a festival, you can get away with
looking bad but no excuse otherwise! Here are some tips on how you
can look like a rock star and be a popular attraction, even if you
aren't in a band. Make-up and Hair A lot of people admit to spending ages on hair styling and make-up and it can be expensive wanting all the right products. Don't overdo the make-up, especially if you're prone to sweating. You could end up looking like a freak circus performer or badly dressed Halloween party guest. Brightly colored eye-shadows bring out your eyes and glitter looks great but red eye make-up can make you look like a tired junkie if you're pale skinned. Guys in make-up isn't unusual nowadays. You're likely to see plenty of males wearing just as much slap as their girlfriends at shows by Marilyn Manson, Turbonegro, Kiss, Placebo, Cradle of Filth, AFI, Murderdolls, Jane's Addiction, HIM and any glam or goth type bands. Men wearing eyeliner and powder is no big deal. The trend was popular in the 1970s glam rock period when David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Sweet and the New York Dolls were rarely seen without made-up faces. Then came the New Romantics in the 1980s. For make-up especially for men, go to: www.malespecies.com MAC (Make-up Art Cosmetics) do a big range of fabulous eye colors, from shimmering sparkly shades to attractive fluorescent colors. AFI even thanked top MAC make-up artist Lisa Torrez on their album Sing For Sorrow. For MAC products guide and stockists go to: www.maccosmetics.com Urban Decay also do great colors and a good range of glitter, plus body jewels or Urban Decay Rocks as they are called.
Brian Molko of
Placebo, Marilyn Manson and Dave Navarro are said to be fans of Urban
Decay nail paint, which comes in some awesome metallic colors. For
full info. Go to: www.urbandecay.com
If you're on a budget these brands aren't cheap, but there are
several less expensive options, like UK cosmetics company Stargazer
who do great lipsticks and hair dyes. Before you dye your hair, make
sure to wear gloves, unless you want stained hands for several weeks
afterwards! New York based company Manic Panic also have stockists
outside the US and do a brilliant range of hair dyes in an assortment
of colors. For details go to: www.manicpanic.com Clothing I've seen all sorts of mad outfits at gigs over the years, from girls wearing black bin liners to guys in fishnet tops and PVC bondage gear. Leather and PVC can look wild and it's very rock 'n' roll, but it's also sweaty in the heat of a music venue. Justin Hawkins from The Darkness has brought back the 1970s trend for tight catsuits, Turbonegro prefer denim, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club wear leather and Slipknot fans have been known to wear proper boiler suits like the band members. Whoever the band, fans like to copy the look. Slogan t-shirts are everywhere, but can be expensive. You're best bet is going to thrift shops (charity shops), markets and garage sales for original designs at affordable prices. For alternative punk and rock clothing, plus Stargazer products go to: www.redhaze.co.uk There is a big online guide to hundreds of clothing and accessories stores all over the UK on: www.netgoth.org.uk Rock stars with their own clothing lines Musicians and fashion have always gone well together (well, obviously not if they're members of Oasis or dull bands like Coldplay) and many successful bands have set up their own clothing and accessories labels. Good Charlotte's Benji and Joel Madden started their own business with their older brother Josh a couple of years ago with the MADE clothing line. It's grown into a huge success, thanks to to the guys promoting the designs while wearing them onstage and in photo shoots. Every dedicated Good Charlotte fan owns at least one MADE item, whether it be a shirt, hoodie, baseball cap or the expensive stirling silver MADE logo (which is the shape of a knuckle duster!) pendant on chain which Joel is often seen wearing. The Maddens work with different designers and put in their own ideas. In the UK, MADE clothing doesn't come cheap, so buying from the official website is recommended. Good Charlotte guitarist Billy Martin has been a talented artist since childhood and his quirky cartoon characters and comic book style designs with a gothic twist now appear on his label, Level 27. Pierre Bouvier, Chuck Comeau from Simple Plan and their friend Patrick Langlois, (who works for the band organising merchandise and the official website), run the Role Model clothing range. It seems that constant touring and hit album sales just isn't enough for these talented businessmen. AFI singer and songwriter Davey Havok joined forces with Hollywood punk and rock clothing store Serious and now has his own label called Glitterboy, which was launched in May 2005. Serious is located at 7569. Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles. There is no way of buying Glitterboy items online or in other stores yet, so best to keep a look out and if you live in California, go check out Serious. Inspired by her love of Japanese style, Gwen Stefani launched L.A.M.B (Love Angel Music Baby) in 2005 and it ranges from purses, bags, tops and tracksuit pants to sports shoes. All designs match up to Gwen's cool, customised glam rock chick style and items are available to buy online and on Ebay. www.shoptobop.com - For Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B label www.rolemodelclothing.com - For Pierre, Chuck and Patrick's label www.madeclothing.com - For Joel, Benji and Josh Madden's label www.level27online.com - For Billy Martin's label www.seriousclothing.com - For information about Davey Havok's label Accessories
The popular
spiked dog-collars
and cuffs are still everywhere but I wouldn't recommend wearing them
if you plan to mosh and body surf at a show, you may do yourself or
somebody else in the crowd an injury. Some venues are strict about
fans wearing wallet and belt chains and on a lot of occasions
security staff demand they are removed, so check beforehand. The cute
beaded bracelet look is still in, I saw hundreds of you wearing them
all over arms at Reading 2003. You can buy beads yourself at craft
stores and make your own bracelets, but something equally original,
hand-made neon bead bracelets are for sale from me through this site,
too, at only 4 pounds each ($6) including postage. If you have to
bring a bag to a rock event, bring one that can zip or close securely
for security reasons. A ruck sack is best if you want your hands
free, as it's easy to pick pocket and bag burgle amongst crowds and
you don't want to lose your belongings. American label Emily The
Strange does a really cool range of bags, wallets and accessories
favoured by rock and punk fans. For information go to: www.emilystrange.com Tattoos and Piercings Piercings on rock fans are all the rage, but can look unattractive on certain people and just downright scary if you have too many in the face. Don't get addicted and end up looking like a human magnet attractor! Before you think of getting a piercing, follow strict guidelines and don't just 'go for it' because Benji from Good Charlotte or Davey Havok from AFI has them. After you get a piercing, use the after-care properly. Nobody wants an infected belly button or lip (nipples even worse!) The same goes for tattoos. Unlike a piercings, tattoos are for life and can't be erased unless you can afford expensive several sessions of laser treatment which is also more painful than getting a tattoo itself. Go to a respectable and licensed tattoo artist and choose your design wisely. Lovers' names are not recommended! And I wouldn't advise band names, either. If you go off them, you might find yourself being stuck with the words Limp Bizkit or Metallica written on your flesh for the rest of your life. So be sensible. |
|
Click on photos for enlargements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HIM fans waiting before Sydney show at Luna Park, 23rd March 2006 |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
Detailed back artwork by Terry at Bodycraft Tattoo Studio in Nottingham |
||
|
|
|
||
|
Living
it up at Rockworld in Manchester for my Marilyn Manson aftershow club |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
Slogan T-shirts are seen everywhere but you have to be brave to wear one like this guy at Reading 2003 |
See-thru shirts are always popular! (Best wear a bra underneathif your're female, though!) |
Yet more DIY T-shirts and cute bead bracelets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
These two rock fans have obviously taken a lot of time in achieving their chosen goth-rock look - complete with chain necklace and leather bracelets |
The classic punk 'Mohican' style pictured here on Bal from Portsmouth at Reading 2003
|
A classic 'Mohican' hair style complete with the popular spike collar is a must for this rock couple pictured outside Bristol Academy
|
Spiked leather jewelry and accessories are often worn
|
|
|
