Are band T-shirts a thing of the past? Let’s discuss.
Over the weekend, I got this email from Danny out in Alberta in which be brings up some interesting points about the venerable band t-shirt. Thoughts and comments welcome.
I thought of something this morning that I’d be curious to hear what your thoughts and even your followers (if you want to ask them) thoughts are on.
Are band T-shirts a thing of the past? More specifically, who was the last band to have an iconic t-shirt. The record store I worked in during the early 90s (Tramp’s Music in Prince Albert, SK) carried a wide variety of band t-shirts and being the guy who had to reorder them I learnt very quickly which shirts were the ones we HAD to have in stock. RUN DMC, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Slayer, AC/DC, KISS shirts with just the logo, Misfits Skull, Guns N’ Roses Cross, Metallica Ride The Lightning, pretty much any Iron Maiden shirt (but mostly Killers) and during my time two new ones became extremely popular Nirvana Smile and Pearl Jam Alive. Chances are you could probably picture each of these as your read this. Today, pretty much all of these can be found in Walmart or Old Navy. Why? Because they were iconic t-shirt designs.
Who was the last band to truly have an iconic t-shirt. I googled Iconic Band T-shirts and found a list of the Top 100 and the most recent artist’s t-shirt design on the list was for My Chemical Romance’s Black Parade which came out almost 20 years ago. Blink 182, Green Day American Idiot and The Strokes were some others from the 2000s but again, all around the 20 year old mark.
T-shirts still sell at shows. Last couple arena shows I was at, the merch booth’s were lined up and you saw people walking around with t-shirts in their hands or already on. You can still tell when there’s been a big concert in town because the next day you see a bunch of people where the artist’s t-shirt. But that’s it. Are the shirts making their way to the back of a closet never to be seen in public again?
Has the era of band t-shirts faded into memory? What does that say about today’s bands or today’s fans?
I’m one of those guys who still wears band shirts exclusively. My wife was commenting the other day on how many I have, that are still in regular rotation. I’m easily over 50 shirts that are worn on the regular. Each and every one a concert shirt – so while there may not be an iconic (re generic) band shirt that’s become mainstream the way the Nirvana shirt did, I think the “band shirt” in general is still relevant and popular, but now it’s just easier to get something more your taste or more your style or more unique, instead of the one-style-fits-all of the 90’s. I tend to shy away from ones that are just a simple band logo, and look for something that appeals to me more.
I have my ‘concert shirts’…that rarely see the light of day. But I have my favorite bands shirts, that I buy from them directly, to make sure they have money to live and continue touring. One of my favorites is my ‘NUCLEAR ASSUALT’ T-SHIRT.,..which I WILL NEVER BE SEEING IN WAL MART!
Long time follower, first time commenter here! Born and raised Ontario boy in the 90’s and now in Calgary. The band t shirt has taken on some sort of new life out in Calgary. I can only speak for myself, but I find they are being sported by local bands more than your average person. I make it a point to purchase a shirt from each and every band that I share a stage with. I wear them to work, out walking my dog, and hitting up the grocery store. I feel it’s my job to help support local acts rather than become a billboard for some shoe company or the latest cool brand. We all wear each others merch! Keeps our little scene alive
My concert shirts that rarely see the light of day I bought a size or two too small 😀