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.

[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.