The above photo is from a super fun memory almost three summers ago at Randy Now’s Man Cave in Bordentown, NJ.
My husband and I went to see a Sex Pistols tribute band called “No Future.” They totally kicked ass, but that’s not what this post is about. The post is about me wearing a Sex Pistols t-shirt.
Why would I wear a Sex Pistols t-shirt? Because I love the band. And that’s how it should be. There is no false advertising on my body. I listen the band. I have both albums, “Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols” and “The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle.” I also have albums from their spin off bands, like Public Image Ltd., The Professionals, Neurotic Outsiders, and even the super crappy “Sid Sings.”
I’ve met all of the Sex Pistols except for Sid Vicious and Glen Matlock. And I KNOW that Glen Matlock is the REAL bassist who played on the album. I saw The Professionals many times. I saw Public Image Limited.
I fully support The Sex Pistols.
See where I’m going with this? I am a Sex Pistols fan, and I deserve to wear a Sex Pistols t-shirt. Or any other band t-shirt because if someone stops me in the street to talk about the music, I will be able to contribute to the conversation.
A few days ago I ran into a stranger at Whole Foods who was wearing a Ramones t-shirt.
I excitedly blurted out, “I like the Ramones too!” Again, I have their albums, met all of them, and saw them perform more times than I remember. I may not be as fanatical as some Ramones fans, but I can definitely carry on a conversation wjtb a another Ramones fan.
However, this girl just shook her head and said, “I never heard their music. I collect rock t-shirts.”
WTF?!?!!? Can someone tell me, I’m not the only person who sees what is wrong with this picture?!?!? Why on earth would you wear a t-shirt of a band you are completely unfamiliar with? Do lyrics not mean anything to you? Do you not know what you are representing? And you are totally fucking with true fans. You, my dear, are a joke.
And stupid me, because this isn’t the first time something like this has happened. People have been wearing band t-shirts, just to be cool or fashionable for as long as I remember. I told myself over and over again, “Do not talk to people with band t-shirts on. Ever.” Because there is no truth in it.
Way back in the 1980s, there was a dance club called Aldo’s Hideaway. I saw a girl with a Bauhaus t-shirt on. Bauhaus is another favorite band of mine. Again, several albums from Bauhaus, including the spin-off bands and solo efforts of the musicians/artists. Also seen Bauhaus, and Peter Murphy (many times) as well as Daniel Ash. I’ve also had the luxury in my career to interview Peter Murphy.
And stupid me, I uttered those three dumb words, “I like Bauhaus.”
“Wha?” she asked in a stupor. Not sure if it was a drunken stupor, but it was a stupor–a response lacking enthusiasm.
I repeated myself, “I like Bauhaus.”
No response.
“The band on your shirt!”
Her response, “I just like the shirt.”
Oh. …
It absolutely makes no sense. And if you like the shirt, why not explore the music?
I called Ramones Girl out on her bullshit. In a nice, friendly way, of course. “You Tube them, they’re great.” Smile.
I mean, I love those adorable colored dancing bears that represent The Grateful Dead, but it will be a cold day in hell before I wear a dancing bear t-shirt. I have no right to. I never saw The Grateful Dead. I do not have any Grateful Dead albums. And I can count the amount of Dead songs I actually know on one hand.
I would never disrespect a Grateful Dead fan by wearing a colored dancing bear shirt even though I LIKE the shirt and the bears are so freaking cute.
No, it’s not cool.
So, to all you people out there who are into rock t-shirts, I encourage you to explore the band. You are what you wear. If you don’t know the band and if you don’t support the band, you don’t deserve to wear their t-shirts.
If you liked this blog, feel free to buy me a kombucha: https://ko-fi.com/maryannechristianomistretta
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.
She is the author of the following books:
“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary
“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You
Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: https://eroticbooknetwork.com/product/love-cats/
Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.
And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos
Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta 