I've seen a fair number of Pitchfork readers wearing Burzum t's. Now, they could be fans of Burzum by working backwards through post metal, but it seems like a stretch to me.

I only own three band shirts and I don't actually care about any of the bands they belong to. Amaranthe, Hunetress, and The Raven Age are the three bands. Cool looking shirts, but again, I don't care about the bands.

I've also seen bubblegum pop stars in AC/DC and Metallica shirts and at first thought, "Metallica...Cool!" but seriously... Would these people actually be able to name a Metallica song that ISN'T on "Load" or "Reload?"

I've also seen bubblegum pop stars in AC/DC and Metallica shirts

When I saw the thread title, I instantly thought of bands who have a disproportionate amount of merchandise, for example Urfaust. (They seem to have stopped churning out t-shirt once a week, though, but a few years back it was relentless.)

Also, those "Purzum" type of shirts and the people who buy and/or wear them are garbage, and your "don't take it so seriously" argument is invalid.

Would these people actually be able to name a Metallica song that ISN'T on "Load" or "Reload?"

just curious, why do you have those shirts in the first place?
did you buy them yourself because they're cool looking shirts, or do you just happen to have them (handouts? presents?) and figure a shirt's a shirt?

This thread reminded me of something...I was in high school, an emo kid walked in to the lunchroom wearing an Iron Maiden shirt. My friend walked up to him to ask if he liked the band and he said "No I hate them, they suck, now get the fuck away from me." Never found out why he was wearing the shirt if he hated them so much, but regardless I always thought that exchange was absolute gold.

Also, those "Purzum" type of shirts and the people who buy and/or wear them are garbage, and your "don't take it so seriously" argument is invalid.

Wow, hatred much? My s/o is a total cat-lady and a big Burzum fan, care to explain the massive crime against humanity and art that she'll apparently be committing when I buy her one of those rags to wear?

The people buying and wearing those "funny" shirts are most like most of the time people who have never heard an entire Burzum song, and they are the people whom I had in mind. But I also don't understand the "I love this so I'm going to give money to someone who makes fun of it" mentality that you're going for. I am also a total cat-lord and a big Burzum fan.

When I think of "t-shirt" bands, I think of bands who release have released t-shirts even before releasing any music in any format. I don't know if there are similar bands like this who exist in other countries but there are some here in the Philippines. They even go to the extent of throwing a 'release party' to promote the release of a new t-shirt design. But when you ask them for their album, they would say they're still in the stages of recording it. Those bands should not exist in any scene.

so for example nihilist shirts should not exist?
or by album do you mean any type of release?

When I think of "t-shirt" bands, I think of bands who release have released t-shirts even before releasing any music in any format. I don't know if there are similar bands like this who exist in other countries but there are some here in the Philippines. They even go to the extent of throwing a 'release party' to promote the release of a new t-shirt design. But when you ask them for their album, they would say they're still in the stages of recording it. Those bands should not exist in any scene.

Nihilist's demos were eventually released and that band broke up years ago and their members splintered off to different bands who created more metal music. What I'm talking about are no-name bands with no history who play gigs and prioritize releasing t-shirts than new material and actually throw release parties to celebrate such occasions. Those bands.

I've never heard of bands putting on shows for the release of new t-shirts, but I guess you're talking from first hand experience. That's definitely odd. Anyway, I don't see what the big deal is about a new band creating t-shirts before actually having a record out. I guess I'm talking more about an official full-length studio album, more so than demos or CD-Rs, but even still I think the point I'm trying to make still stands. Live music is important in it's own right, and showing support for a band you love that you've seen live by buying a t-shirt makes sense.

Well, my point is that these bands are just out there with the intent of showing off and putting out a shirt and having no recorded material of their own. Fashion is their priority over music. This maybe a foreign concept to you but trust me there are a lot of these scumbag bands from where I'm from.

I for one, do not buy and wear shirts of bands whose material underwhelms me. I only wear band shirts of artists that I genuinely like. And it takes more than just a gig performance to win me over.

If I were to ask you if you had money enough to buy only one item would you buy an up and coming band's shirt or their demo CD/demo tape? I'd always go for the demo more than the shirt.

Inspired by a thread on another board...
There are some bands that can rightfully be dubbed a "t-shirt band," meaning people wear their shirts to be trendy but aren't really fans. The three agreed upon were Misfits, Ramones and Motorhead. I was wondering if there were any others.

I guess I'm just thinking that when it comes to getting t-shirts made, you don't necessarily need to have those professionally printed. You can make them yourselves, using a stencil with spray paint, or fabric paint. Whatever the case may be, point is you're not spending a lot of money towards putting together those DIY shirts early on. That was my idea at least.