A discussion a long time coming Options

[patrick W BURG]

Hello,

I've been browsing this board for a few years now, just to keep up with the latest on my favorite band, Live. Today, I finally decided to register, so I can actually contribute.

I read in the tour section a few differing opinions about something that may or may not even be that big of deal, but I have an opinion, so I figured I'd share, for sharing's sake.

I personally can't stand when Ed takes his shirt off at shows. I understand he is the artist, and his expression should ideally be unfettered, but still... I think he loses the connection with the audience. I know he's been doing this for years, but maybe we've just grown numb as to how lame he actually looks.

I've been an AVID Live fan since 94, and I still love the band, and I still love the shows. For me, this is something that I have just learned to tolerate. I recently took one of my buddies to a show, and when he started stripping, I couldn't help but cringe inside. Same thing when I took my girlfriend to a show. It just gets awkward. And both my friend and my girlfriend agreed that the stripping made the show much more cheezy and "gay" and much less cool.

You want to get into the songs wholeheartedly, but something just prevents you from doing so.

So, what do you guys think?

[PurdueSteve]

It seems to be a hang up that a small percentage of fans have. Most don't have any issues with it. In fact many fans "want it".

I don't think it's stripping per say, it's simply him being a rock star. He gets sweaty, he sings his balls off and he probably feels better taking the shirt off. Do you feel the same way about Anthony K or Flea from the Chili Peppers do it?

It's nothing new... it's just a facet that you don't enjoy or that doesn't appeal to your personality. As a person that plays acoustic guitar and does a little singing I know how hot it gets. I sweat like a pig at home in an air conditioned room and typically "strip" when no guests are home. I couldn't imagine being outdoors in the summer air.

It seems to have bothered you more because of your friends reaction, do you feel ashamed or something for your friend to see the lead singer of the band you always talk about strip?

Welcome to the forums....

[patrick W BURG]

Nah, It bothers me just as much, independent of my friends. I just used them to show the opinion of a 3rd party/non-fan.

I understand your "rockstar" point, and I know that simply removing your shirt is not a crime on its own. Its just something specifically about the way that Ed does it, that just makes me enjoy it less.

I figured I was in the minority on this issue, I just wanted to see if are people who feel the same way as I do and not speaking up.

[Existentialist]

No, you're not in the minority. Remember, most of the people who post here think LIVE can do no wrong. I have been to four LIVE shows in the past year and all of those times have taken people who have never seen LIVE before but have been fans for a while. Without fail, every single one of them said something about Ed's stripping being pretty gay, and all but two of the people I brought are young women. There's a difference between taking your shirt off because you're hot and taking it off because you think the ladies like it. There's also a difference between singing with your shirt off, and singing with your shirt off while you fondle yourself like you're god damn Prince, who at least can pull it off. I agree, this is a discussion that's a long time coming, and although only a minority of posters might agree, I am certain that the majority of people attending shows agree.

[Heather]

Nah, It bothers me just as much, independent of my friends. I just used them to show the opinion of a 3rd party/non-fan.

I understand your "rockstar" point, and I know that simply removing your shirt is not a crime on its own. Its just something specifically about the way that Ed does it, that just makes me enjoy it less.

I figured I was in the minority on this issue, I just wanted to see if are people who feel the same way as I do and not speaking up.

I'm sure there are others that feel the same way. I guess for me it's just not that big of a deal. Don't get me wrong, I do think it's cheesey as all hell but he's been doing it for years so I guess most people have just gotten used to it.

It would be different if he was doing it spontaneously because he is hot but he does it at the exact same point in every show, that is what makes it cheesey. But then I have a problem with all of the things that the band does at the exact same point during every show. The sunglasses, the tummy rub during AOY, the group hug during LC and the stomp/kick ring around the rosey thing during LJ. I don't know maybe they have stopped doing those things as much, I haven't been to a show in awhile. I guess I'll see in a couple of weeks.

[FishOutaWater]

I have to say that I could care less if he takes his shirt off, leaves it on or sets it on fire. It doesn't bother me in the least that he takes his shirt off and I really don't get why people complain about it. Why does it bother people? Can you articulate what about it bothers you? Do you feel gay when you see it and you think there is somethign wrong with that?

Ed wears sun glasses for the first 3 songs and takes his shirt off at some point in the set. Chad stomps at the same parts of the same songs. The band is very specific about the sound, monitors and lighting. It's all a part of the show that they put on. That's what it is and it is what it is. I see the shows and I'm at the point where I don't even think of the fact that he takes his sirt off. It seemed a little forced at the end fo the short set, during a song like Lightening Crashes, in the Triple Play concerts for him to take his shirt off, and I thought that it wasn't necessary for about a nano-second, but it doesn't bother me.

[crazy1]

Hello,

I've been browsing this board for a few years now, just to keep up with the latest on my favorite band, Live. Today, I finally decided to register, so I can actually contribute.

I read in the tour section a few differing opinions about something that may or may not even be that big of deal, but I have an opinion, so I figured I'd share, for sharing's sake.

I personally can't stand when Ed takes his shirt off at shows. I understand he is the artist, and his expression should ideally be unfettered, but still... I think he loses the connection with the audience. I know he's been doing this for years, but maybe we've just grown numb as to how lame he actually looks.

I've been an AVID Live fan since 94, and I still love the band, and I still love the shows. For me, this is something that I have just learned to tolerate. I recently took one of my buddies to a show, and when he started stripping, I couldn't help but cringe inside. Same thing when I took my girlfriend to a show. It just gets awkward. And both my friend and my girlfriend agreed that the stripping made the show much more cheezy and "gay" and much less cool.

You want to get into the songs wholeheartedly, but something just prevents you from doing so.

So, what do you guys think?

OMG!!! What is the big DEAL!!! Some people act as if he takes all his clothes off!!! JEEEEZ!!!

[Existentialist]

It has nothing to do with his taking his shirt off. It has to do with his whole gay pop stage persona. LIVE used to be a ballsy band that would put on an energetic show and leave the frills to other bands. Now, Ed is up there fondling himself during AOY, stripping and strutting around like a bitch, sticking his hands down his pants during Show, etc. The shirt is just a part of it all. And Heather is right, he does it at the exact same point in every show, so it's obviously a planned act. That's not what LIVE used to be. I'd sure love to go back in time and tell a 20 year old Ed that in 15 years he'd be planning when and how to take his shirt off, how to fondle himself and stick his hands down his pants during their shows....he'd probably kill himself right then and there.

Also, a big what up to Patrick W BURG, who had the balls to actually register just to post this. A huge from me and welcome to the board!

This post has been edited by Existentialist: Aug 3 2007, 11:12 am

[Godiva]

It may be because I'm a girl, but I've never had a problem with it. He climbed scaffolding with no shirt the last concert I went to... the crowd seemed to love it. Are you just saying he's not cool enough to pull it off? Or do shirtless men really bother you for some reason? He's very in touch with his sexual side and I think he enjoys it.

I am seeing them again tomorrow night, but I don't care one way or another if he takes his shirt off again. As long as he doesn't dance like he did on the American Idol show during Mystery...

[Godiva]

It has nothing to do with his taking his shirt off. It has to do with his whole gay pop stage persona. LIVE used to be a ballsy band that would put on an energetic show and leave the frills to other bands. Now, Ed is up there fondling himself during AOY, stripping and strutting around like a bitch, sticking his hands down his pants during Show, etc. The shirt is just a part of it all. And Heather is right, he does it at the exact same point in every show, so it's obviously a planned act. That's not what LIVE used to be. I'd sure love to go back in time and tell a 20 year old Ed that in 15 years he'd be planning when and how to take his shirt off, how to fondle himself and stick his hands down his pants during their shows....he'd probably kill himself right then and there.

Also, a big what up to Patrick W BURG, who had the balls to actually register just to post this. A huge from me and welcome to the board!

Now that you mention it, I do remember that. I saw them twice last summer and I think he did that both times during All Over You, and I know he did it both times during Lakini's Juice. Oh well... we do go to be entertained and Ed can make his own choices. Who am I to judge?: I certainly do enjoy it. It may be cheap, but it's still fun.

[Heather]

It has nothing to do with his taking his shirt off. It has to do with his whole gay pop stage persona. LIVE used to be a ballsy band that would put on an energetic show and leave the frills to other bands. Now, Ed is up there fondling himself during AOY, stripping and strutting around like a bitch, sticking his hands down his pants during Show, etc. The shirt is just a part of it all. And Heather is right, he does it at the exact same point in every show, so it's obviously a planned act. That's not what LIVE used to be. I'd sure love to go back in time and tell a 20 year old Ed that in 15 years he'd be planning when and how to take his shirt off, how to fondle himself and stick his hands down his pants during their shows....he'd probably kill himself right then and there.

Also, a big what up to Patrick W BURG, who had the balls to actually register just to post this. A huge from me and welcome to the board!

Amen! I just think they would put on a much better show if they just got up there and played and did what came naturally. I mean, how into a song can you be if you are thinking the whole time that a minute into the song you have to go over and stand on that piece of tape on the floor so that you can pose a certain way during a certain part of a certain song. It just all seems so forced to me.

[Godiva]

Amen! I just think they would put on a much better show if they just got up there and played and did what came naturally. I mean, how into a song can you be if you are thinking the whole time that a minute into the song you have to go over and stand on that piece of tape on the floor so that you can pose a certain way during a certain part of a certain song. It just all seems so forced to me.

Do you think everything is really that rehearsed? It must get exhausting doing the same thing weekend after weekend. It makes it so he can still give a decent enough show even if he isn't all that into it... it would be nice to see them get inspired during a concert I attend, but I guess that's showbiz. At least I don't have to see them completely suck either. I was hoping that the nature of this Triple Play concert would be different.

This post has been edited by Godiva: Aug 3 2007, 11:48 am

[Godiva]

No, you're not in the minority. Remember, most of the people who post here think LIVE can do no wrong. I have been to four LIVE shows in the past year and all of those times have taken people who have never seen LIVE before but have been fans for a while. Without fail, every single one of them said something about Ed's stripping being pretty gay, and all but two of the people I brought are young women. There's a difference between taking your shirt off because you're hot and taking it off because you think the ladies like it. There's also a difference between singing with your shirt off, and singing with your shirt off while you fondle yourself like you're god damn Prince, who at least can pull it off. I agree, this is a discussion that's a long time coming, and although only a minority of posters might agree, I am certain that the majority of people attending shows agree.

I must say you might have a point... I just don't know that there is much we can do about it. I guess we all just expected better of Ed, but he's human after all and we don't truly know his motives anyway. I try not to get bent out of shape over it. Who cares? It's about the music and the love for me.

This post has been edited by Godiva: Aug 4 2007, 12:36 am

[Heather]

Well I can't say for sure it is still that way, haven't been to a show in over a year, but I attended a lot of shows in the past, one after another, and Ed did they exact same thing at the exact same point during every show. I guess for a casual fan that only sees them once in awhle it's fine but if you see more than one show in a short period of time you will notice the stage moves don't change much.

[tiger]

I hardly ever post here but had to agree on this one. Ed has evolved into and embraced the whole rock star thing. Back in the day Ed never would have done this or acted this way. In fact, when they shot their first video for MTV and were asked to take their shirts off, they all cringed and took issue with it. I've been there since day one and I've seen the evolution. It really kicked in during the V era when he got all into Henry Miller and tantric sex. It's all very cheesy and nothing like the beginning. I remember a show from the Mental Jewelry tour when he came out in his hoodie, stood in one place and sang with such conviction. It was pretty mesmerising and menacing. I'd say things are a little different these days.