[bomp] Response to various uniform code citations

["Immortal Porpoises" <immortalporpoises@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks to all for the intelligent replies on when uniforms might be cool.

As one might expect in context, there is general agreement about bands
wearing "uniforms."

In my opinion, largely formed by a 27 year career performing and enjoying
the performances of others in which outfits may or may not have matched, a
band wearing either matching or complementary outfits is in the same
category as rehearsing and performing matching and/or complementary music on
their repsective instruments to create the ensemble sound that is the band's
individual craft. In other words, a band like Devo or the Beatles outfitting
themselves as a unit is indistinguishable from individuals assembling their
own public face. So it can be considered cool (depending on the results, of
course), but by my standard doesn't really constitute wearing a "uniform,"
which I maintain connotes uncoolness by its very being.

For example, the Beatles choosing to match their haircuts, suits, and shoes
to be "The Beatles" (as opposed to what they wear as individuals when not
performing or doing photo shoots or press conferences) is their artistic
choice as a unit. If they pull it off, and its novel and funky and maybe in
a bit of contrast to expectations within the art form, then coolness may
have been accomplished. But when you walk into a record store a month later
and see 400 new albums with covers that look like you can't tell one band
from another, everyone with mops and boots and jackets, and you go to a show
and sit with 10,000 look-a-like fans, then you actually have a uniform, and
the cool and uncool become indistinguishable from each other, and the whole
situation has become uncool.

For a musical illustration, I would suggest that everyone find a copy of
Robbie Fulch's "Roots Rock Weirdoes" and give it a close listen. He
summarizes and satirizes the sartorial and behavioral uniformity of his own
audience as well as you'll ever see it done, giving the audience a chance to
look and laugh at itself, and ultimately reinforce and be at ease with
itself), and even in the studio version you can sense how berserk he goes
doing this live. Every Fulchs record contains at least a couple of tracks
that flirt with career death-wish, but he's so damned fun he gets away with
it time and time again. He's a genre of one. Very cool.

I may have changed the subject.

Steve

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