Halloween Special: Costumes for the rock ’n’ roll poseur
Article Tools
Unlike soldiers of the Kiss Army or Insane Clown Posse’s raging legions of Juggalos, most fans don’t go to the show dressed to mirror their favorite performers. But what better time of year than now to pay loving homage to those groups you wouldn’t normally imitate (especially not with caked-on acrylic makeup and fake dreadlocks)? There are a ton of bands stopping through Denver/Boulder this weekend, and as a tribute to those who have chosen to spend Halloween with us, here are a few quick A.V. Club costume suggestions for the true rock ’n’ roll poseur.
Nashville Pussy at the Bluebird Theater
Costume: white trash
Dressing up for a Nashville Pussy show has a plethora of inexpensive options, from simply donning a bra and pair of nice undies to throwing on a wife-beater and a dirty mustache. If you’re a fat and/or bald dude, grab a beer-stained T-shirt (preferably a promotional one from Jack Daniels) and forgo a shower for a few days. Slap a trucker hat on over your greasy, receding ponytail, and you’ll easily resemble Nashville P’s lead singer Blaine Cartwright. For the ladies, a simple pair of leather pants and a box of do-it-yourself highlights or a frosting kit from Walgreens are all you’ll need to resemble Karen Cuda/Cory Parks/any of the band’s previous bass players. Need further inspiration? Catch the latest episode of Police Women Of Broward County on TLC, and check out Deputy Julie Bower’s home perm and peroxide hairdo.
The Sounds at the Ogden Theatre
Costume: scene trash
While it does help to be a petite, blonde girl from Sweden, it’s not required to imitate the look of The Sounds’ Maja Ivarsson. All you need to do is borrow your boyfriend’s blazer and a pair of short shorts. To complete the look, spend a good 30 minutes applying black eyeliner around each eye, while simultaneously smoking a full pack of cigarettes to capture Ivarsson’s signature gruff voice. If you’re a guy, this costume is even easier: Simply pull the hair at the crown of your head outward, and cut it down to an inch in length, keeping it longer around the front and sides. Apply a massive amount of product to the hair until it looks Justin Bobby dirty, grab your skinny jeans and a cardigan, and you’re good to go.
Meese at the Gothic Theatre
Costume: See men’s costume section for The Sounds.
Ghostface Killah at the Fox Theatre
Costume: several to choose from
Although Ghostface Killah’s style isn’t as flamboyant as some of his fellow Wu-Tang Clan members, he’s still gone through enough wardrobe phases to take good Halloween inspiration from. For a “Mystery Of Chessboxin’”-era Ghostface, find a white pullover hoodie and draw the “W” symbol on your left breast. Put a piece of black fabric over your eyes, pull the strings of your hood in tight around your face, and, boom, you’re a Clan member. If you’ve got some Timberlands lying around from the ’90s, a good pair of Dickies, and a Carhart jacket, you can always go as a “traditional” Ghostface Killah. Looking for something more festive? Dress up like a leprechaun pimp and act like you’re Ghostdini from the rapper’s latest, Ghostdini: The Wizard Of Poetry. It doesn’t make sense to us either, but when your costume is Ghostface Killah, it doesn’t really have to—just don’t forget the gold chains and goofy facial expression.
