Shania Twain's Ramones T-shirt: C/D?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Not all messages are displayed: show all messages (381 of them)

http://www.thestar.com/images/030114_lavigne_avril_250.jpg
Fans go crazy for Avril's shirt

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 17:37 (twenty-three years ago)

Dave225 is evidently first to really camp out on the money, above: has no one noticed that "vintage rock t-shirts" have recently become a popular fashion item quite apart from anything having to do with the particular band they're for? (The message, obviously, is what Tom delineates above: a vague appropriation of the air and aura of the period, not particularly different from e.g. that American Idol contestant with the dyed-red hair and "punk" attitude.)

In fact I predict that within the next twenty-four months major American retail chains such as the Gap and Old Navy will be selling distressed t-shirts featuring faux-vintage rock art (but either no band specified or one made up); probably sooner, as you can already buy the standard Ramones or CBGBs t-shirts at Urban Outfitters.

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 17:50 (twenty-three years ago)

Nabisco = OTM.

― mark p (Mark P), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 17:55 (twenty-three years ago)

"shania fan looks at t-shirt, thinks "hmm, i don't who that is, let's investigate", is somewhat non-plussed by what they hear, but persists bcz their heroine shania is after all wearing it, and gradually realises that HEY they like it, it's exciting and funny and [insert ramones qualities here], ok it;s not shania but it's good also, and maybe they shd look further"
Quoting a documentary I saw once: "The first time you hear a Ramones song, you say to yourself 'this is just silly'; the second time you hear the same Ramones song you say to yourself 'Hey...this is kinda catchy...'; the fifteenth time you hear the same Ramones song, you say to yourself 'I could worship this band.' "
Question is can you replace the word 'you' in the above quote with the word 'Shania' and still be logical, possible or plausible?

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 18:51 (twenty-three years ago)

the avril story is funny but doesn't relate to this really. will the ppl that buy that t-shirt go and shop at that place?

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 18:55 (twenty-three years ago)

Dude, it's HOME HARDWARE, home of the handyman! Now, people that are Avril fans will think of Home Hardware every time they need nails or electrical tape or, like, batteries! Whether they actually make the pilgrimage to Napanee is another story.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 18:59 (twenty-three years ago)

.. I can't wait for this, if the band names are indeed made up. "Happy Rock Fire Bang"

― dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 19:01 (twenty-three years ago)

well, in that case the shania hataz 'lose' heh!

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 19:01 (twenty-three years ago)

Exactly, Julio. Now every time Shania fans want nails, electrical tape and batteries, they'll call up The Ramones!

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 19:02 (twenty-three years ago)

i doubt grown-up working established musicians grown to WORSHIP other bands: they know too much abt how it's done, how it all works etc etc

there's nothing intrinsically ridiculous about shania growing to like the music of the ramones, even a lot, for exactly the reason you give custos

― mark s (mark s), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 19:05 (twenty-three years ago)

you forgot glue sean. they'll supply that.

― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 19:06 (twenty-three years ago)

Nope...they never have any left. They all in the back room using it.

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 19:07 (twenty-three years ago)

haha in a surprise burst of speed in the closing stages, custos wins best post of the thread

― mark s (mark s), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 19:13 (twenty-three years ago)

and now for my next trick I'm gonna pull a rabbit out of my hat.

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 19:50 (twenty-three years ago)

"Alex you're just going to have to accept one day that one person's product IS another person's passion"

Yes -- the passion of people unaware of options of SUPERIOR quality.

"trying to apply your tiresome cock-rock standards as a universal norm is just dumb."

Hey Tom -- UP YOURS! By this point, you should know my tastes run well beyond 'tiresome cock-rock'. That was wholly unecessary.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:02 (twenty-three years ago)

One person's superior quality is another person's hideous shit.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:04 (twenty-three years ago)

.. must ... resist .... temptation !!!

― dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:09 (twenty-three years ago)

No apologies this time Alex, yr comments about Shania fans pissed me off and no matter what I characterise your tastes as, the solipsistic attitude's still the same - 'if other people understood music like I do they'd like what I like'. Yeah, like a Shania fan would renounce her if they suddenly heard one of your mix CDs.

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:13 (twenty-three years ago)

The secret catch to Alex's post: if the people are "unaware of superior options" then Shania's Ramones t-shirt is just what the doctor ordered!

Right?

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:14 (twenty-three years ago)

One person's superior quality is another person's hideous shit.

... except for vocals.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:15 (twenty-three years ago)

Actually Alex we can TRY IT OUT!! If you want to mail me a CD full of superior options I will get my fiancee to hear it and report back to you!

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:17 (twenty-three years ago)

that was pretty pompous Alex. I'm sure Shania will influence many. Hell, having Mutt Lange produce her stuff has already broken down the Nashville monolith to some degree. Just like monoliths like Garth Brooks and Michael Jackson before her, she'll reign huge on country.

Plus that "Getcha Good" song is pretty spiffy.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:18 (twenty-three years ago)

Ooooh, good catch, Dan.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:18 (twenty-three years ago)

though Shania does seem cold as all fucking hell in interviews.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:19 (twenty-three years ago)

"The secret catch to Alex's post: if the people are "unaware of superior options" then Shania's Ramones t-shirt is just what the doctor ordered!"

No, there is no secret catch. The Ramones and AC/DC shirts (whether they were Shania's doing, or -- in all likelihood -- some stylist's) are just crass tools to juxtapose the country-pop diva with genres she has really has nothing to do with (any argument there?) for the sake of fresh take beyond: "here's Shania in a tank top" or "here's Shania in a leopard skin jumpsuit" or "here's Shania with a cowboy hat on." It's just that the appropriation is offensive to we that take the iconography she's adopted a bit more serioulsy (then we arguably should). No apologies here either!

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:22 (twenty-three years ago)

"Actually Alex we can TRY IT OUT!! If you want to mail me a CD full of superior options I will get my fiancee to hear it and report back to you!"

Your fiancee's tastes are your own problem, Tom.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:26 (twenty-three years ago)

I think we were critiquing your claim that her fans are ignorant spuds who aren't (drum roll) Inspired! Not the damn shirts at this point.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:27 (twenty-three years ago)

Your fiancee's tastes are your own problem, Tom.

Oh come on Alex, THAT is fucked. I didn't see Tom saying anything about what your significant other thinks of your taste.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:28 (twenty-three years ago)

I didn't bring anyone's significant others into this debate, did I? Tom shouldn't bring to the table what Tom doesn't want discussed. My wife has tastes that conflict with mine, but that doesn't make her a bad person. We simply agree to disagree. Moreover, by her own admission, she doesn't take music as seriously as I do. It's not a character flaw, it's simply a trait of one's personality.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:30 (twenty-three years ago)

I didn't see Tom saying anything about what your significant other thinks of your taste

Her husband's tastes are her own problem, Ned. (And ours).

I'm not offended at all by that - but the fact is Alex claimed that if Shania fans were exposed to superior options they wouldn't be as passionate about Shania. Now I happen to know a Shania fan very well and offered to test this claim: why Alex would turn down such a challenge I have no idea!

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:34 (twenty-three years ago)

All I can come up with this the classic line: certain people are ignorant and "unaware" of superior options ==> Shania's shirts are big billboards alterting them to the existence of supposed options ==> Alex in NYC sputters and rages ==> Alex in NYC secretly prefers them to stay ignorant so he can continue to beat up on them.

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:36 (twenty-three years ago)

Alex is arguing from a position of hyperbole and he knows it. Why should he back up something that should be dialed down several degrees before being analyzed?

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:37 (twenty-three years ago)

What interests me is that if Shania wore a Killing Joke shirt and loads of pop-country fans went out and bought the entire Killing Joke back-catalog Alex would complain, wouldn't he?

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:38 (twenty-three years ago)

But that just means that Shania is Honouring the Fire. Whats wrong with that?

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:39 (twenty-three years ago)

"Her husband's tastes..."

Try "His".

"Now I happen to know a Shania fan very well and offered to test this claim: why Alex would turn down such a challenge I have no idea!"

Because it's a stupid, pointless challenge. For a start, I shouldn't *NEED* to make a tape for your fiancee, as after reading my posts here for the last year and change (and being that you seem to be convinced that I listen exclusively to what you so charmingly characterize as 'tiresome cock-rock,') you should be able to save me the trouble and dowload the stuff for her yourself. Moreover, I don't *CARE* if your fiancee chooses to sully her aural cavities with the soulless warblings of Shania Twain. They're her ears -- she's perfectly within her rights to do so. Just pardon me if I think your wife-to-be is rather undemanding when it comes to music.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:39 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh come on Dan, he should back it up because presumably he believes even the dialed-down version a little bit. I'm being hyperbolic with my 'challenge', too, obv - though if he did send a CD it would be fun! I just don't believe in this correlation between seriousness about music and what music you like.

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:41 (twenty-three years ago)

"His husband's tastes"???

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:43 (twenty-three years ago)

(and being that you seem to be convinced that I listen exclusively to what you so charmingly characterize as 'tiresome cock-rock,')

Memo to ILX: after 2 years trying we have found a counter-weapon to 'mindless pabulum' - use at all times!

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:44 (twenty-three years ago)

"Shania's shirts are big billboards alterting them to the existence of supposed options ==> Alex in NYC sputters and rages ==> Alex in NYC secretly prefers them to stay ignorant so he can continue to beat up on them."

Wrong. Shania's sporting of Ramones shirts will assuredly *NOT* prompt any Shania fans to rush out and buy up the Ramones' back catalog. It's merely a shallow fashion statement. The Ramones don't stand to make one thin dime from her sporting of the shirt.

"What interests me is that if Shania wore a Killing Joke shirt and loads of pop-country fans went out and bought the entire Killing Joke back-catalog Alex would complain, wouldn't he?"

I wouldn't complain, but it wouldn't happen, would it? The shirt isn't functioning in this context as a marketing tool, but merely as a artefact to lend its wearer a modicum of perceived coolness that would otherwise seem completely illogical.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:44 (twenty-three years ago)

""His husband's tastes"???"

Goddammit. I fucked that one up didn't I. In my rage, I misread that statement. Fuck, I hate that.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:45 (twenty-three years ago)

Well then Alex perhaps you should stop saying that people like stuff like Twain because they're "unaware" -- your word -- of "superior options": she is standing there with the name of what you consider a "superior option" on her chest (which is always an easy place to look at Shania Twain) and you're largely upset because you think it does more for her than it does for them. But her fans already like her -- if you're gonna claim they'd stop as soon as they were aware that stuff like the Ramones existed tagging her across the torso with an explicit announcement of that existence should strike you as a positive thing.

― Alex in Vermont (nabisco), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:49 (twenty-three years ago)

Oops, sorry: Alex in Vermont was the tag for the obvious joke I was making before I got your cross-post and revised.

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:50 (twenty-three years ago)

Well, of course Alex is wrong about that. The whole "classical"/"other" schism should render that entire line of thinking moot. All I'm saying is that expecting someone to seriously back up a hyperbolic statement is an exercise in futility (unless it's me going for a laugh).

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:51 (twenty-three years ago)

What would be more distasteful to you personally:

Shania wearing a Ramones T-Shirt
or
Billy Idol wearing a Billy Ray Cyrus T-shirt?

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:53 (twenty-three years ago)

Iggy Pop wearing a shirt.

― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 20:54 (twenty-three years ago)

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drd000/d097/d09762unor9.jpg

C'mon, Tom, you prefer this?

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 21:03 (twenty-three years ago)

What would be more distasteful to you personally:

Rod Stewart singing "Do You Think I'm Sexy?"
or
Iggy Pop singing "Do You Think I'm Sexy?"

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 21:06 (twenty-three years ago)

The idea of Rod Stewart being distasteful is laughable. He DEFINES taste. Even when twistin' the night away with Martin Short to promote "Innerspace".

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 21:12 (twenty-three years ago)

I love Rod Stewart, but the second 'n' in Anthony's last post really oughta be deleted.

― robert jelinek, Wednesday, 22 January 2003 21:42 (twenty-three years ago)

Oh fuck it all, who cares? I'm too exhausted to keep up this debate (in between struggling to put bookshelves up in the new apartment I share with my Killing Joke-tolerating [but ultimately fire-dishonoring] wife). If Shania wants to wear a fuckin' Venom shirt, she can go right the fuck ahead -- so long as everyone agrees that it simply makes her a *POSER* (or *POSEUR* for you Brits). Some people consider that a crime. Others don't. I'll fully admit that I'm pretty strong-willed and big-mouthed about my opinions, but what's the point of having opinions if you can't get righteously indignant about them? I *CERTAINLY* didn't mean to drag poor Tom's fiancee into this (and I didn't, mind you), and I don't think anyone's less of a person because they happen not to share my affection for certain types of music (and if I really did indeed feel that way, would I continue to post here with such regularity?) I'm fucking exhausted and I just injured my fucking thumb cutting some makeshift shelves of cork-board for my stacks and stacks of discs of tiresome cock-rock, so please do extend me the courtesy just the once of a break, you nation of Shania Twain zombies and Corrs orcs! And for the record, I think Iggy Pop singing "D'you Think I'm Sexy?" would be fucking hilarious.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 22 January 2003 21:56 (twenty-three years ago)

Skipping 281 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.