I must have almost 200 mostly black T-shirts advertising different bands stuffed into drawers, in the bottom of my closet, and probably still at my parents house that I forgot to pack when I moved out. Every concert I go to I buy a T-shirt. The T-shirt with or without the concert dates is just as important as the bruises you pick up in the mosh pit. Plus the shirt lasts a lot longer.
There is just something about wearing a T-shirt with your favorite band on it. It tells the whole world who you listen to and what you stand for. A rock T-shirt is who you are and the best part is that even if you don’t have the guts to scream it to the world, well hell, your shirt can to that for you. As the authors of Rock Tease attest:
- Vintage rock T-shirts don’t have to strive to represent what makes rock and roll exciting and inspiring; they were there as it happened. In fact, they helped it happen. The energy, creativity, the camaraderie, the fashion, the celebration, the sex, the drugs, the theatrics, the music: Everything you need to know about rock and roll is writ large on rock T-shirts.
But as Erica Easley & Ed Chalfa further point out, it is no longer about having the concert t-shirt. It’s about the art on the shirt. The art of rock 'n' roll has become an unshakable part of fashion just as important as your favorite pair of Levis or low-top Chucks.
Rock Tease covers the golden years of rock from 1970 to 1995. From a light blue limited run T-shirt featuring Jimi Hendrix in 1973 to the instantly recognizable yellow smiley face Nirvana T-shirt from 1993, this book covers some the best and most identifiable T-shirts of rock 'n' roll art - the kinds of T-shirts that both fans and collectors lust for.
Article comments
1 - Christopher Rose
I actually hate T-shirts.
Time was when they were an alternative to mainstream fashion but these days they are mainstream fashion.
It's the easiest and laziest thing in the world to stick on a T-Shirt and a pair of jeans and think you're cool. You're not, you're ripped off and looking exactly like everybody else.
T-shirts? *Shudders*
2 - Katie McNeill
I love my t-shirts. I don't believe they are 'cool' but I've never been a person to try to be cool. I just love them because I love the music and the bands.
3 - Christopher Rose
Well, it is possible to love a band without looking lame...
4 - Katie McNeill
LOL. I guess but sometimes I look lame. Don't care though.
5 - Julie
I love to wear rock tee shirts and concert tees! Especially to the concerts. I don't care what people think about me, at least the know what I like.