Representation of men in alternative music

Below are a few pictures of prominent male figures in alternative music. You can clearly see one similarity between them all; body modification. Each one of them is covered in various tattoos of sorts, and lots of them boast piercings too. Appearance is vital in the genre, and 'what's in' tends to be the same three things - tattoos, piercings, and beards. These three are the golden ingredients to make the ultimate band member. There is a very strong female gaze in alternative music; girls (or boys for that matter) idolize the band members and often worship them, creating a sort of god-like persona to them, which is heavily focused on their appearance and the sound of their voice. It's widely acknowledged that first appearances give the best impression, and it seems in this form of music that appearance makes the man. (or woman, usually a male dominated genre)
The male gaze can be extended to a form of brotherhood, and respect or admiration for that particular frontman, with many aspiring to look like, or be like them in order to gain the affections of others or admiration of others.

Huge chest-piece tattoos aren't uncommon, and often displayed as often as possible. Jason Butler is an example of a front man who is often eager to show off his ink.

 Knuckle tattoos are just as popular, and more associated towards the heavily-tattooed, or musically dedicated. Frankie Palmeri has heavily tattooed hands, and is frequently photographed gripping the microphone to show them off.

Then, there is the beard. Jeremy McKinnon is always bearded; beards have always been a part of heavier music, and now they have become mainstream fashion. Another point is the piercing culture: stretched ears are common in alternative living. Jeremy has stretched ears in this picture. It is not uncommon to see ears stretched beyond 10mm - 30mm.

The next type is the raw, all in black, unkempt image that front mean like Laurence Taylor might keep. His tattoos are random, mismatched and not usually thematic -block, black colours usually. Long, unbrushed hair isn't an unknown feature, but it tends to be the case that hair is very well refined, and kept neat and particular.

There are also the icons. The front men that younger generations have been looking up to all throughout their childhood years. The ones that are covered head to toe in tattoos that people want, or dress just how they want to dress, or sing and say just what they want to say. (excluding the attire of the picture). Oli Sykes has been at the forefront of 'emo' and now is at the forefront of the 'mainstream' alternative image.

Then, there is the simple 'pretty boy' image. The front men that don't stand out for anything more than their looks, and don't receive much recognition to the quality of their music or the quality of their vocals, but instead are usually judged for their appearance at their latest festival, or how they look in their poster/interview in this weeks Kerrang! magazine. Daniel Winter-Bates is often judged in such a manner, and his actual musical career has suffered as a result. He is the victim of the female gaze, and the visual idolisation in music.