This came up in the context of a diss on Pete Buttigieg and I have extremely strong Opinions about this; I suspect others do, too.
― totally unnecessary bewbz of exploitation (DJP), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:09 (four years ago) link
my strongly held belief on this is that it's fine to do
― bold caucasian eroticism (Simon H.), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:10 (four years ago) link
My Strong Opinion about this is as follows:
fuck you for telling me what I should or shouldn't wear on my own fucking body, you controlling fuck
― totally unnecessary bewbz of exploitation (DJP), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:11 (four years ago) link
This is basically "have you seen PCU? y/n"
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:13 (four years ago) link
I wear band shirts of the band I'm seeing all the time.
Fuck haterz
This is sometimes discussed on a podcast I listen to. The consensus is (a) it’s totally fine; and (b) where better to wear it?
― Mocha Sauce (morrisp), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:14 (four years ago) link
When I used to wear band shirts, I would absolutely do it. What I can't stand is listening to the band that I'm going to see on the way to the show. That drives me nuts.
― ☮️ (peace, man), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:16 (four years ago) link
I suspect that the people wearing the band's shirt at the show are enjoying themselves more than those who decided not to because it was uncool.
― enochroot, Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:17 (four years ago) link
Band T shirt Etiquette
― Suggest Banshee (Hadrian VIII), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:17 (four years ago) link
I feel like this is one of those 90s "sellout rules" no one has actually cared about for ages.
― bold caucasian eroticism (Simon H.), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:20 (four years ago) link
This rule was created and enforced by indie-rock pseuds. Go to an Iron Maiden concert without an Iron Maiden shirt and you'll be stared at. Same thing for Slipknot, Slayer, Amon Amarth, Motörhead once upon a time, AC/DC...
― but also fuck you (unperson), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:22 (four years ago) link
Go to an Iron Maiden concert without an Iron Maiden shirt and you'll be stared at.
this is equally stupid tbh
― bold caucasian eroticism (Simon H.), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:22 (four years ago) link
Guys the way to get a band to like you like you is to pretend you don't like them enough to wear their shirt
Also whenever they ask who has the new album, do the Freeform Jazz Odyssey thumbs down
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:23 (four years ago) link
Slayer shows, you wear Slayer shirts to.
Death metal shows, you don't not wear the band you're seeing. You need to find the oldest, most obscure metal shirt in your collection, and strut around with your nips out making sure everyone knows you're not a poser.
Also if you find a poser, you must fight them
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:24 (four years ago) link
my strongly-held opinion is that you should wear a KISS t-shirt to every concert you attend
― ooga booga-ing for the bourgeoisie (voodoo chili), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:25 (four years ago) link
What if I don't like KISS?
Asking for me.
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:26 (four years ago) link
owning a band's T-shirt and purposely *not* wearing it at their show seems weird to me
― frogbs, Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:26 (four years ago) link
I agree that is a dumb thing to police, but if I'm going to wear a band shirt to a show, it's going to be a shirt for a different band. Shirts are basically ads for bands and if I'm at a show, we already know we like x band so maybe I want to rep for y band instead.
― may the force leave us alone (zchyrs), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:27 (four years ago) link
yea that's why I always wear my Kansas City Royals gear to the Brewers games
― frogbs, Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:28 (four years ago) link
In my case it's usually because I gained 20 pounds in the last year and half of my band shirts are in my "old" size.
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:28 (four years ago) link
It's like the guy who i saw once wear a Brett Favre Falcons jersey to a Packers playoff game watch party.
It was important that everyone knew his vast knowledge of sport.
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:29 (four years ago) link
LOL bands aren't sports teams guys. No one is going to be mad at me for wearing my Lightning Bolt shirt to a Sleep show, or w/e
― may the force leave us alone (zchyrs), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:31 (four years ago) link
If yr going to a Sleep show your shirt is supposed to not be washed and covered in food stains
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:32 (four years ago) link
Actually, to be honest, if you're going to a Sleep show, you need to be in cosplay as the guy on the cover of Dopesmoker (a real thing I have witnessed at a Sleep show)
― may the force leave us alone (zchyrs), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:34 (four years ago) link
Shirts optional at Sleep/High On Fire shows.
― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:38 (four years ago) link
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Thursday, February 13, 2020 10:26 AM (eleven minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink
doesn't matter, rules is rules
― ooga booga-ing for the bourgeoisie (voodoo chili), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:38 (four years ago) link
Guy in the post office the other week was wearing a faded 1993 Cliff Richard tour sweatshirt, now THAT'S what should be worn to a Maiden show
― it's after the end of the world (Matt #2), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:39 (four years ago) link
I mean it's true, there's no "winning team" or "losing team" at a concert, but we're all rooting for the band to be their very best and I like them to know I'm out there supporting them
― frogbs, Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:39 (four years ago) link
Idk, the one time I saw Meek Mill, he definitely *lost* that concert
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:41 (four years ago) link
Probably the best one I've seen was a guy wearing a Cro-Mags shirt at a Belle & Sebastian show.
― Deflatormouse, Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:49 (four years ago) link
I've never worn a band t-shirt. I probably should.
― romanesque architect (pomenitul), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:51 (four years ago) link
Strongly in favor of wearing the shirt to the show if you want. Even when I dont do it myself, I like seeing it done bc shows are more fun when you know the audience is excited. This is basic Showgoing 101 stuff. Also if I am at a show by myself it can be a good opening to strike up a conversation at the bar bc you kow the person is probably stoked on the band and interested in talking about them.
People who have vehemently argued against this IME rely on the argument that it's "trying too hard" and will make you look like a dork who purposely picked an outfit to wear or w/e, oblivious to the fact that they themselves are caught up in a web of status anxiety, overthinking and concern about what others will think of their specially-chosen outfit, which is what is actually lame and dorky.
― turn the jawhatthefuckever on (One Eye Open), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:51 (four years ago) link
Other argument I've heard more than once: "the band will see it and it will make them feel weird and awkward." Idk they're selling the shirts at the actual show, I think they are OK with the idea of ppl wearing them?
― turn the jawhatthefuckever on (One Eye Open), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:55 (four years ago) link
Other argument I've heard more than once: "the band will see it and it will make them feel weird and awkward."
wtf?!??!
― High profile Tom D (Tom D.), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:55 (four years ago) link
I will forever associate Iron Maiden t-shirts with this lady
― Wuhan!! Got You All in Check (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:56 (four years ago) link
critical support for this king
― Homegrown Georgia speedster Ladd McConkey (bizarro gazzara), Thursday, 13 February 2020 15:58 (four years ago) link
I wanna mock this guy but then again I do own a jersey of Giannis's brother Thanasis just because it's funny to me
― frogbs, Thursday, 13 February 2020 16:02 (four years ago) link
Sometimes this topic is like casually discovering someone you know is into Qanon or something - I'll be having a conversation about it with someone I thought I knew well, they'll say something like "you can't let the band see you in their own shirt or they'll get freaked out", and I'll think wow I didnt realize this person has been insane all this time.
― turn the jawhatthefuckever on (One Eye Open), Thursday, 13 February 2020 16:03 (four years ago) link
lol @ "the band will see it and it will make them feel weird and awkward."
― totally unnecessary bewbz of exploitation (DJP), Thursday, 13 February 2020 16:04 (four years ago) link
"oh no, they are wearing our merch; how on earth can I step out in front of all of these people and play now"
Some bands like Kiss and the Grateful Dead are more about the merch, they are fashion/lifestyle brands as much as anything else. I had a Kiss shirt when i was 9 years old but never owned any of their records or attended a show. To this day, I've only heard about 3 of their songs. For pre-teen me, all the mystique around Kiss or the Dead was shattered the moment I heard a note of their music.
― Deflatormouse, Thursday, 13 February 2020 16:05 (four years ago) link
"I feel like you all like us for the wrong reasons. We are not a commercial cash cow.
Btw we are selling thongs with our name on them 2 for 10 at the merch table which is also the pool table"
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Thursday, 13 February 2020 16:06 (four years ago) link
Xpost
I do believe that if the band sees you in the crowd wearing their thong when they walk on stage, things might get weird and uncomfortable unless you are at a Lords of Acid show
― totally unnecessary bewbz of exploitation (DJP), Thursday, 13 February 2020 16:08 (four years ago) link
or if youre at a belle and sebastian show, and its a cro mags thong
― turn the jawhatthefuckever on (One Eye Open), Thursday, 13 February 2020 16:10 (four years ago) link
I stopped wearing band t-shirts to gigs after I went to see My Life Story (sorry!) at a festival and in front of the stage were loads of couples wearing matching MLS t-shirts, it was just sort of icky.
― Wuhan!! Got You All in Check (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Thursday, 13 February 2020 16:11 (four years ago) link
I'm not really into wearing band tshirts at all,or just generally any shirt with writing on it. i currently own 1 band tshirt - teenage fanclub t that I bought in 2017 - that gets worn on laundry day.
― frederik b. godt (jim in vancouver), Thursday, 13 February 2020 16:16 (four years ago) link
T shirts should not have graphics or writing imo
underrated arbitrary t-shirt rules i have loved
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Thursday, 13 February 2020 16:18 (four years ago) link
idk dud but I only ever had…3 band t-shirts and they’re all defunct and I don’t buy t-shirts with stuff on them anymore
― Swilling Ambergris, Esq. (silby), Thursday, 13 February 2020 16:23 (four years ago) link
when you see these shirts, do you think about what kind of parent(s) buy this for a child and dress their child in said garment? Do you perceive that the same parent could dress their kid in a Swans shirt one day and a "Troll hair don't care" shirt the next?
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 17:51 (four years ago) link
I feel like we've had hundreds of threads about this or related topics ... maybe someone can just link them?
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 17:53 (four years ago) link
"Promiscuous"
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Sunday, 16 February 2020 17:53 (four years ago) link
xp Yes, I do perceive that. I don’t really see different “class markers” in any of these shirtsOk, don’t wanna open a can of worms if this is something that’s been talked out elsewhere
― You have seen the heavy groups (morrisp), Sunday, 16 February 2020 17:54 (four years ago) link
eh, it's just that in ILX's 20 year history, undoubtedly someone, or ilx collectively through discussion, has articulated this better than I would at 10am on a Sunday.
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:10 (four years ago) link
I will say this (to add color to my own p.o.v.): occasionally, I’ll see a Very Metal or Goth couple whose kid is dressed in a totally normie toddler style (conventional, colorful clothes), and I’ll think — cool, they’re on my wavelength; they’re not using their child as a canvas to express their own unique style, they’re letting him or her make that choice layer.
― You have seen the heavy groups (morrisp), Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:29 (four years ago) link
*later(also want to stress, once again, that I don’t go around judging very harshly how anyone dresses their kid; I would just roll my eyes a bit at something like the Swans edge case.)
― You have seen the heavy groups (morrisp), Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:30 (four years ago) link
do you know the kid made that choice? Did you ask it?
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:31 (four years ago) link
all I'm getting at is -- we can find any mode of dressing a kid to be annoying and smug, even all the ways ... but the specific annoyance at Swans shirt babby, does seem to have class connotations.
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:33 (four years ago) link
Kids should be naked to respect their right to choose
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:35 (four years ago) link
I’m sorry, I will still need those class connotations explained!And you may be missing my point — the kid didn’t make a choice to wear any particular clothes (I’m talking baby or young toddler here), so the couple dressed the kid in a “default” way. Obviously, it’s always the parent making the choice when the kid is that age.
― You have seen the heavy groups (morrisp), Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:36 (four years ago) link
here's something that could be useful:
http://www.icosilune.com/2009/01/paul-fussell-class/
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:41 (four years ago) link
I understand the concept of class markers, I don’t get how that applies to the Swans example.
― You have seen the heavy groups (morrisp), Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:43 (four years ago) link
(I’ve also explained why I specifically find it cringe-y, and it sounds like you’re saying, “No, you’re having a class-specific reaction, let me not explain it...”)
― You have seen the heavy groups (morrisp), Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:44 (four years ago) link
the link describes what some of the markers are, and how/where the Swans example and the "Troll Hair don't care" example would fit
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:44 (four years ago) link
I think my impression of Fussell's Class was that poetry scholars don't necessarily do the best sociology.
― With considerable charm, you still have made a choice (Sund4r), Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:47 (four years ago) link
also, as individuals embedded in, or products of socio-economic classes, we are going to have class-specific reactions to things ... it's not like I'm saying you're racist and/or a bad person.
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:48 (four years ago) link
I guess you’ll have to take my word that the only difference I would infer about parents dressing those kids in those two shirts is that one likes the idea of advertising that they‘re into the Swans.
― You have seen the heavy groups (morrisp), Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:49 (four years ago) link
I'm also not clear on what the link says about Swans shirts, though.xps
― With considerable charm, you still have made a choice (Sund4r), Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:50 (four years ago) link
― With considerable charm, you still have made a choice (Sund4r), Sunday, February 16, 2020 10:47 AM (two minutes ago)
hahah -- fair point! There is definitely overlap between Fussell and Bourdieu fwiw
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:50 (four years ago) link
The legibility of messages on clothes is an important factor. The more legible the messages, the lower the class. Middle classes will wear things that they consider tasteful or “classy”, and thus are legible with the messages of taste and low key branding. Class signs and indicators are thus broadcast.
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:55 (four years ago) link
Are Swans tasteful or classy?
― With considerable charm, you still have made a choice (Sund4r), Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:57 (four years ago) link
We are such fans of your music and all of your records. I'm not speaking of yours personally, but the whole genre of the rock and roll.
― Wuhan!! Got You All in Check (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Sunday, 16 February 2020 18:57 (four years ago) link
xp - in the context of children's wear, I would say yes, esp. if we are talking about the standard Swans album cover design that's like white text on a black background. Also, it shows a certain class anxiety, which is probably what the posters like morrisp are picking up on and finding annoying. Troll Hair babby is definitely prole. Cute denim jacket with patches of metal bands is also most likely prole. Ramones "RnR high school" babby, could be prole, but is likely middle class, because it is a "classic" design.
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:10 (four years ago) link
Full disclosure: my child is the only member of the family who has any interest in Swans whatsoever.
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:10 (four years ago) link
Full disclosure: I do not have children.
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:11 (four years ago) link
Prole Hair Don’t Care: Tracing Class Markers in Unlicensed Animated Character T-Shirts
― You have seen the heavy groups (morrisp), Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:25 (four years ago) link
This is a photo I took of the handbag of an approx 75 y/o woman in Guangzhou
https://i.imgur.com/ovPw4Vw.jpg
― Wuhan!! Got You All in Check (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:30 (four years ago) link
Descendents logo would look cute on a kid's shirt tbh
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:31 (four years ago) link
also funny because the kid is a literal descendent of the person that clothed them!
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/35/9e/72/359e7287f8db1269c125cea45ddcfc52.jpg
― You have seen the heavy groups (morrisp), Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:36 (four years ago) link
middle class ^^
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:37 (four years ago) link
Pretentious is a loaded, abused term and I regret using it, yeah. Maybe edge lord vs. non edge lord is appropriate here. A kid wearing a Brian Eno shirt would be cute and I wouldn’t hate the parents for it. Seriously not a class thing from my perspective.
― circa1916, Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:40 (four years ago) link
The connection between these things and socioeconomic class usually seems tenuous to me, although I am interested when someone is providing actual social science research (something I don't recall much of in Fussell but it was admittedly a while ago and I didn't make it the whole way through).
― With considerable charm, you still have made a choice (Sund4r), Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:45 (four years ago) link
I try to not wear a band shirt for the band I am seeing. It feels strange.
There are exceptions: Wearing a classic shirt to see a band is fun. I saw the Supersuckers a couple years ago and wore a shirt I picked up at the Sub-Pop offices when visiting Seattle back in the early '90s. Wearing an authentic Kill 'Em All For One tour shirt to see Metallica would be very cool, if a bit smug.
Also, there was the Motorhead exception (which is mentioned above) that has become the Slayer exception (not sure who will take the mantle now that they are done).
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:46 (four years ago) link
Fussell was definitely not data-driven social science, definitely on the observational and descriptive side. ... Probably in the current age of big data and more purchases being made by credit card and online, it would be theoretically easier to research using more scientific methods
― sarahell, Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:48 (four years ago) link
You can just sit around at Disneyland, and see all these various T-shirts being worn within the actual same families.
― You have seen the heavy groups (morrisp), Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:56 (four years ago) link
― brimstead, Sunday, 16 February 2020 20:19 (four years ago) link
“likes the idea of advertising that they’re” jesus I’m done
― brimstead, Sunday, 16 February 2020 20:27 (four years ago) link
When someone wears a band T-shirt, are they not advertising that they are into the band?
― With considerable charm, you still have made a choice (Sund4r), Sunday, 16 February 2020 20:39 (four years ago) link
Some just buy them for cosmetic purposes
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Sunday, 16 February 2020 20:40 (four years ago) link
I love when you say "love your shirt, <band> rocks" and they look confused, not realizing what they're wearing
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Sunday, 16 February 2020 20:41 (four years ago) link
Oh yeah, that happened when I asked a 13yo about her Foreigner shirt. She did know they were a band tbf.
― With considerable charm, you still have made a choice (Sund4r), Sunday, 16 February 2020 20:48 (four years ago) link
Was she a foreigner though?
― Wuhan!! Got You All in Check (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Sunday, 16 February 2020 20:49 (four years ago) link
Her family lives in the boonies but they drive a fancy-looking car. Not sure about their level of earnestness or insecurity. xp no
― With considerable charm, you still have made a choice (Sund4r), Sunday, 16 February 2020 20:50 (four years ago) link
I've known people who told me they buy band shirts regardless of fandom.
Baffling to me as i have strict rules about whose shirts i will wear
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Sunday, 16 February 2020 20:51 (four years ago) link
I asked a kid at school recently about her Iron Maiden shirt. Her whole being shrieked 'please don't ask me, I don't know!' at me, so I left it.
They're selling Maiden shirts in Primark, man.
― Ngolo Cantwell (Chinaski), Sunday, 16 February 2020 20:55 (four years ago) link
Did she say she was just a teenage dirtbag baby?
― Mark G, Sunday, 16 February 2020 21:32 (four years ago) link
Lol
― sorry for butt rockin (Neanderthal), Sunday, 16 February 2020 21:34 (four years ago) link
That's funny, I feel like I've definitely seen multiple Maiden shirts lately
― Mario Meatwagon (Moodles), Sunday, 16 February 2020 22:29 (four years ago) link