Reed Triller
58 posts
Jun 19, 2013
9:07 AM
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When did this become the norm? Is it because they don't want people to see the strain in their eyes that happens when they really get into playing or is it just monkey see monkey do?
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Bend it like Ricci - Me
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rbeetsme
1257 posts
Jun 19, 2013
9:13 AM
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Oh no! The sunglasses really do help! Without them you couldn't play a lick! The Fedora helps too.
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tmf714
1805 posts
Jun 19, 2013
9:16 AM
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For players like Rick Estrin and some others they are by prescription. Rod donned the shades early in his career,and is sponsored by Oakley Eyewear-he gets those $250.00 shades at a discount.
Mark Hummel may also wear prescription-not sure.
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chromaticblues
1410 posts
Jun 19, 2013
9:26 AM
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I don't think it is the norm. I actually like playing outside with sunglasses on. I would rather play outside with them than inside without.
Unless it's raining!
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Reed Triller
59 posts
Jun 19, 2013
9:57 AM
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I can see playing outside in the sun but inside for a gig?
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Bend it like Ricci - Me
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HawkeyeKane
1791 posts
Jun 19, 2013
10:16 AM
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I partially wear them for the look, as do most of my bandmates. It's just our style. But I also wear them for other reasons. I tend to play with my eyes shut a great deal of the time. It just helps me feel my way through my playing, and having shades on can hide the fact I have them shut from the audience. Another reason is that I, and at least one other member of my band, have an innate tendency to react facially to musical mistakes onstage. Can't help it. An out of tune note, a dragging in tempo, missung lyrics, overblown amp volumes...I could name others. Having shades on can disguise my grimace and chagrin from the audience as well. Finally, at the risk of sounding slightly voyeuristic, they can let you ogle things that are ogleworthy from the stage without betraying your wandering eyes to the ogled parties therein. ;-)
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Hawkeye Kane
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Mojokane
703 posts
Jun 19, 2013
10:27 AM
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Interesting thread indeed. I often wondered why myself.
If I could "see" the same with them on (inside), I would probably wear them more often. There's a tendency to scan crowds, lose concentration, be taken out of the head space...perhaps...with them off. Who wants to see details, of peoples faces anyway? Whether they approve or not(?).
It's about the song and its content. Which is usually pretty "dark" anyway...
The blues is a "bad boy" kinda theme, for the most part. Correct me if I'm wrong.
But even when I'm right,...I'm wrong.
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
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Reed Triller
61 posts
Jun 19, 2013
10:32 AM
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I can see the concentration thing being a good reason. Like how some singers make sure the crowd has no lights on them so the singer cant see them and see just how big the crowd is and freak out,lol
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Bend it like Ricci - Me
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KingoBad
1326 posts
Jun 19, 2013
11:08 AM
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I would much rather have eye contact when I want it. There is plenty of power using your eyes during a performance.
Plus, I need eye contact with everyone else on the stage. You cut off a lot of communication without the use of your eyes. I play with a rack quite often, so sometimes my eyes are all I have to communicate.
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Danny
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jim
1440 posts
Jun 19, 2013
11:17 AM
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Fedora = Noooo
Fedora + Sunglasses = Press NEXT.
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Free Harp Learning Center
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Reed Triller
63 posts
Jun 19, 2013
12:08 PM
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"Fedora = Noooo" Says the man wearing one in his profile photo :)
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Bend it like Ricci - Me
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Rick Davis
1982 posts
Jun 19, 2013
12:35 PM
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I wear perscription Ray-Ban Wayfarers when playing sometimes, usually at festivals.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Tip Jar
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jim
1442 posts
Jun 19, 2013
12:57 PM
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hehehe I was waiting for someone to notice that!
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Free Harp Learning Center
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HawkeyeKane
1796 posts
Jun 19, 2013
1:24 PM
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@Rick
I had a pair of Wayfarer-esque shades (Knockaround brand) at one point with nice blue lenses. Lost them when I traded my truck in a few years back. Still kicking myself for that.
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Hawkeye Kane
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FMWoodeye
674 posts
Jun 19, 2013
2:33 PM
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@Mojokane...."even when I'm right, I'm wrong."
Obviously a married man.
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Mojokane
704 posts
Jun 19, 2013
8:04 PM
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@fmwoodeye...funny...I was married once, yup.
Actually, "lifted" the phrase from an early Rod Piazza song...great song...slow blues..can't recall it at the moment. But a goodin. Had to laugh.
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
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shanester
565 posts
Jun 19, 2013
8:14 PM
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And I thought it was so people couldn't tell how high you are!
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Shane,
"The Possum Whisperer"
Shane's Cloud
1shanester
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bigd
471 posts
Jun 19, 2013
8:31 PM
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I'm sure there are some musicians (harp or otherwise) that wear them because the stage lights are blinding. I play regularly in a venue like that...and sometimes (last night to be specific) there is a videographer with a high beam light aimed at the stage - so they help a lot with the spotlights.....In my case the audience started to associate me with the sunglasses asking me where they were when I'd forgotten them....d
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Facebook
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dmitrysbor
80 posts
Jun 20, 2013
12:01 AM
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yeah,
I like my Ray Ban. Nobody see my crazy eyes when I play! ;) My emotions are my emotions
Last Edited by dmitrysbor on Jun 20, 2013 12:21 AM
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harpburn
69 posts
Jun 20, 2013
5:44 AM
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Anyone here know the actual type/make of glasses Estrin wears? Just curious is all.
@Hawkeyekane are those Eon 515s behind you? If so, I have those exact speakers!
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myspace.com/mightynightjars
thenightjarsblues@gmail.com
Last Edited by harpburn on Jun 20, 2013 5:47 AM
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5F6H
1642 posts
Jun 20, 2013
7:38 AM
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Perhaps someone could specify a committee approved uniform so that we all know we are wearing the "right" thing? This "personal freedom" thing is a right minefield...such choices should clearly be taken out of the hands of individuals...;-)
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www.myspace.com/markburness
http://www.facebook.com/markburness
Last Edited by 5F6H on Jun 20, 2013 7:39 AM
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HawkeyeKane
1799 posts
Jun 20, 2013
7:58 AM
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@harpburn
Yes, indeed they are. And I hate them beyond any comprehensible explicative. Bar none, they're the most poorly constructed powered speakers I've ever come across. The heat sinks are nowhere near big enough to cool their transformers and circuits. The drivers might as well be made of Kleenex. And their electrical grounding and surge protectors are banjaxed beyond belief. We quit using them as mains long ago. Why? Simply because they kept breaking, and we had to keep sending them out for warranty repair. Meanwhile, what are we gonna use at gigs? We had 4 of them originally. We sold two of them and got a pair of Yamaha DSR115's, which have turned out to be very reliable howitzers with 1300W a piece as opposed to 450W. The remaining two EONs we use as floor monitors, but the pain they inflict doesn't end there, oh no. They both have to be run, not just on the same circuit, but the same exact outlet or power strip as our board, or they put out a buzz that'd make you think the Luftwaffe was dropping by for a swift half. JBL is NOT the JBL of repute and legend anymore. Since they got bought by Harman, their quality has diminished drastically. The old EON speakers, the ones that were angular instead of curved, were solidly built and reliable. The new ones, my bandleader has taken and kicked across a venue floor in frustration.
Wheeeeeeeewwwwww......I've been waiting to vent about those SOB's for a long time.
And now, back to our regularly scheduled program....
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by HawkeyeKane on Jun 20, 2013 8:00 AM
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harpburn
70 posts
Jun 20, 2013
11:05 AM
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I see. If you don't mind my asking, without opening another can of worms on this, did you find the speakers loud enough for your purpose? And how many in the band? Mine are XTs, not sure if there is much of a difference, though.
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myspace.com/mightynightjars
thenightjarsblues@gmail.com
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MP
2785 posts
Jun 20, 2013
11:40 AM
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it looks like jim has a pork pie or some European equivalent, not a fedora. i like Homburgs but never wear hats anymore.
i've worn wayfarers since flying dinosaurs stole our children. i only wear them when not playing- (all day long) or when i'm indoors.
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MP
affordable reed replacement and repairs.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
click user name [MP] for info-
repair videos on YouTube.
you can reach me via Facebook. Mark Prados
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HawkeyeKane
1804 posts
Jun 20, 2013
12:16 PM
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@harpburn
The two that broke down the most were XT's. The other two were standard 515's, and those are the two we hung onto. The XT's are actually rated at 625W as opposed to the standard 515's 450W, but they still went out the most. Granted, our band is a five piece, and we use the speakers at least two or three times a week. And yes, they were loud enough for our purposes for the most part. But they would break again only a week after getting them back from the repair facility. Long story short, JBL has earned its place on my aversion list of PA equipment along with Behringer and Kustom.
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Hawkeye Kane
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atty1chgo
656 posts
Jun 20, 2013
1:14 PM
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First time I ever wore shades on any stage was this past weekend. It was outdoors, and somewhat sunny, but I kept them on because I thought that they looked good for a change.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25451372@N07/9093991929/
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Jun 20, 2013 1:16 PM
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Moon Cat
273 posts
Jun 20, 2013
2:26 PM
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First a Shout out to Reed Triller : "Respect back ".
Second Today I wanted to make a video but I noticed I looked tired, The solution of Sun Glasses (Saint's Sun Glasses no less) came to mind for just a second...Till I was instantly sure I would not be able to do a video at all this day! Meow Dat!
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Martin
381 posts
Jun 20, 2013
3:57 PM
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Most people wearing sunglasses on stage and elsewhere think that they look cool with those shades, indoors as well as outdoors. Apart from the minority with some medical motive, that´s the reason.
People not wearing them think they look like assholes.
I´m firmly of the second opinion. Loose the shades and hats and whatever and concentrate on playing good harmonica.
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atty1chgo
657 posts
Jun 20, 2013
8:35 PM
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@ Martin - maybe some of us aren't pretty like you and need some covering up. :)
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HawkeyeKane
1805 posts
Jun 20, 2013
9:48 PM
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Two words.... Elwood Blues.
Case closed. ;-)
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Hawkeye Kane
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SuperBee
1235 posts
Jun 20, 2013
11:32 PM
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I don't habitually wear shades. I don't always wear a hat. But I sure don't get around judging people on the basis of what they wear.
Sometimes I wear shades and a hat. Why should I take them off to play harmonica? And what's wrong with a bit of dressing up for the show anyway? Depending on the circumstance, it can be completely appropriate. Me, I'm a old balding geezer. Who wants to look at my moth-eaten bonce? And that scone gets cold, and its subject to sunburn. I'll wear a hat if I want and if you want to think I'm an a-hole on that account I'd say that's your business mate.
I've played in faux leopard-skin, in a mankini, in a floral frock, in a cycling leotard...as well as Hawaiian shirts, and fedora, bike helmet, straw hat, beanie, trilby, flat cap, bald noggin. Shit, I've even stripped on stage. I've done 4 costumes in one gig.
It's a laugh, it's a show. I don't often wear shades because I don't see that well in low light. But if I did, and that makes me an arsehole...get real cobber!
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JellyShakersTipJar
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Leatherlips
211 posts
Jun 20, 2013
11:51 PM
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Hawkeye, love the expression 'ogleworthy'. OK if I use it?
As for wearing sunnies on stage, well I do wear prescription glasses so as I can read the set list, so they might as well be tinted as well.
As for the fedora, well I bought one years ago and wore it to a gig we did at a winery and haven't worn it since. Maybe I'll drag it out.
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King Casey
20 posts
Jun 21, 2013
2:17 AM
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The other night I dreamt that I started busking wearing a cape! Hmmm. may have to try it out sometime :)
cheers, Mark.
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kudzurunner
4130 posts
Jun 21, 2013
4:25 AM
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Many years ago I wore a long red bandanna in the butt pocket of my jeans when I performed, as a sort of tail. Later I got rid of it.
Around the same time, I also experimented with mirrored sunglasses. I think I saw a movie where some cool-looking guy was wearing them. Later I got rid of them.
I also wore a white panama hat for a while, playing on the streets in Harlem. I felt naked and unprotected and not fully bluesy without the hat. Later I got rid of it.
After I got rid of the white hat, during my first winter in Harlem, I wore a beret. I looked like a Village character, somebody with an artistic bent, or a French Resistance fighter. Later, when the weather warmed up, I got rid of it.
I'm playing much better now than I was then.
I know plenty of very good blues players who wear hats. Bill Sims, Robert Ross. The hat is just part of who they are.
I don't remember ever seeing William Clarke playing in a hat. But he wore sunglasses most of the time on stage, and it didn't hurt his playing.
The only mistake a developing player could make in the matter of hats and sunglasses would be wasting any time imagining that the hats and sunglasses actually helped them play better. But if it makes you FEEL better, by all means, console yourself. Juice yourself up. Whatever. But don't let it cut into your practice time.
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Jun 21, 2013 4:25 AM
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Buzadero
1086 posts
Jun 21, 2013
5:45 AM
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I consider it to be a sort of resistance training. Practice intensely wearing your clown outfit. Get comfortable in it. Then when you get out in front of a gig crowd, drop the costume and your confidence will be stronger.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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blueswannabe
210 posts
Jun 21, 2013
7:31 AM
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I 've worn sunglasses during gigs when they are either outside in the sun, or when I feel like I need to concentrate. I happen to wear RayBans, not because Jake and Elwood wear them but becuase I use to wear them long time ago as a teenager and like the looks of them. Those glasses apparently are "in" at preesnt from what my teenage kids tell me. It seems cliche but it's not intentioanl. People have either liked the sunglassses or not. The bottom line, I wear them to focus and not have people see my crazy eye movements.
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