Fancy Franz Pants
Rock fashion is all over the map, from grunged-out hippies (See Palace of Wonder), punk-spirit indie kids (mostly Red Marquee and White Stage) to the tight-suited British invasion (big on the Green Stage). Fuji Rock might be the last place you'd want to break out your Saville Row tweeds and linens, but bands from Maximo Park (2005) to The Hives and The Strokes (2006), have been known to don cocktail party outfits to rock the the big stage with thin ties and pointy shoes.
The most unabashed about this is Franz Ferdinand, who first brought their fashion sense to Fuji for a sunny afternoon slot in 2004. Since then, FF have gone from the brashness of their eponymous first release to the dark-club, dance-provoking intimacy of their latest, ''Tonight''. Though not scheduled yet, expect them to hear them on the Green Stage again for the band's third Fuji appearance (second was in 2006). And don't be surprised to see them wearing what are being widely reported as their favorite new duds by traveling Dutch fashion label Clemens en August.
And while you think you might know FF, if Fuji is lucky they'll be playing live some of the new dub interpretations of songs from ''Tonight'' that they are putting together for ''Blood,'' an album of dub remixes to be released June 1. Imagine Roxy Music meets Lee Perry. Hopefully. Till then, polish yr wingtips and press your pants, Naeba awaits rock's latest attire. And if fancy ain't you, then there is always rock, a la Joe Strummer and Hysteric Glamour (still sounds fancy, though, don't it?).
