There's a vicious trend that has been going around for quite some time. Musicians have increasingly been dressing down on the gig and they always give the same excuse, "I don't care how I look, it's all about the music." It churns my stomach to hear this.

First of all, Americans are pathetic dressers. Being an ex-pat in Tokyo I can always tell the Europeans from the Americans. Most Europeans dress sharp, _all_ the Americans dress sloppy. Baggy knee-length shorts, baggy jeans, ugly shirts hanging out, sandals, ballcaps... it's pathetic. I don't even like wearing jeans anymore because of this embarassment. When you look good you feel good. America has gone down the toilet for many social and politcal reasons. One is apathy. How can a public who places comfort above all else ever be expected to overthrow a dictator. They won't!

Secondly, you're an entertainer. It doesn't matter what kind of 'artist' you think you are, when you're getting paid you're an entertainer. People don't pay you to wank off (unless you're an adult performer) they pay you to do a job. In this case your job is to provide entertainment for people who need a break from the worries and struggles of their lives. People have been at work all day/week and now they need to let their hair down and have a good time. They deserve your best. Wanna quit your day job? Keep that fact in mind. It's those people paying to listen to you who are providing you with the gigs you have. You have a responsibility to them.

Showing up to the gig dressed like you just got back from fishing is inexcusable. It shows a lack of charcter, self respect and respect for your audience. In my band there's a dress code. Musicians who show up in shorts, baggy jeans, sandals, etc... get their pay docked and don't get called back again.

Dressing for the gig shows you take pride in what you do, have respect for yourself, and for your audience. It's also a mark of proffesionalism and it doesn't matter if you're gigging locally on the weekends or have had hit records, you owe it to yourself and your audience to maintain that proffesionalism at all times.