I KNOW WHAT I LIKE IN YOUR WARDROBE

Prog’s Reviews Editor says, “Bands, stop dressing down. Bring out your wild and wacky threads!”

Codpieces, capes and pointy, propellerhead pixie hats. Yes, prog’s earliest days were peppered with an array of of brilliantly out-there visuals. As the pop art and paisley of the psychedelic 60s became the florid LSD hangover of the 70s, competition was rife and every music act needed something eye-catching. And if a man in a red evening dress wearing a fox head didn’t do it, there’d be a head-to-toe medieval leather two-piece just over the horizon, its wearer wielding a selection of knives to throw at his keyboard just to make sure you were really paying attention. Re-read the first sentence of this column – you’ll know three bands instantly just by association.

It’s a different era now, and fashions have changed. The stuffing’s been knocked out of things politically, socially and economically since the 80s, and everything seems grimmer and greyer these days. But does that mean that prog bands can’t bring back a bit of Technicolor, some inspirational visual signifiers? Isn’t it more of a reason to do so, as a counterpoint to the ocean of shit that we’re bobbing about in on a daily basis?

A perennial problem magazine teams have is the press shots and artwork we receive from acts. Either there are none – the old chestnut of “We’re letting the music speak for itself” – or the ones we do get are several blokes lined up in band T-shirts or leather jackets, looking uncomfortable. And playing live? The same people hiding behind instruments and laptops in dimly lit rooms, with the barest attempt at between-song communication. Live settings are also where we need your visual side to shine through. Obviously a light show helps, but so does how you look. It’s part of the performance, and how you fit together as a band. Female artists seem to be expected to make the effort – as Kim Seviour mentions in our Women In Prog feature this issue (see page 80), “I saw a review of a gig. My outfit was the first thing that was commented on. You wouldn’t see that for guys.”

Well, that’s a whole other kettle of sexist aquatic craniates. Prog’s visual quirks can be more subtle these days – Mike Portnoy’s blue beard, the red flash of Steve Hackett’s velvet scarf, Fripp and co’s suited elegance. Even Steven Wilson has designer specs and Big Big Train look smart, splendid and individual. You might not have Tarja’s couturier, or the confidence to go the full fur’n’feathers of Nordic Giants, but look at Public Service Broadcasting’s J Willgoose Esq – it could all start with a great bow tie. Maybe in five years it’ll be time for the full Slipperman costume, or the dunce hat and tutu…

JO KENDALL Got an opinion on the matter that you’d like to share? Please email us at: prog@futurenet.com.