Monday, December 13, 2010

Wearing the Shirt of the Band you're Seeing Live

Let me guess, you kids are off to see Saxon, right? 

Probably the most frequently mentioned, and staggeringly common metal fashion faux pas, is going to see a band perform live, while simultaneously wearing that same band's shirt at the show. It's one of those unwritten, common sense rules that applies to all concert attendees. You just don't do it. Regardless, you're always going to see "that guy" there, standing around with that glazed over, clueless look on his stupid face, completely oblivious to how furiously the entire crowd is judging him and his poor selection of rock apparel. Let's all agree that nobody wants to be "that guy". 

It would be a mistake to think that this is just another nonsensical fashion rule like not wearing white after labor day. There is a perfectly logical explanation behind why you're a chump for wearing your Sodom shirt to a Sodom show. From a metal fan's perspective, when you put on a band shirt, you announce to all eyes that see you that you are a fan of that band's music. I shouldn't have to tell you that. What other reason is there to wear a band shirt? Even if you're like most of my readers and just flat out disagree with me by default, you have to at least be able to agree with that very simple fact.

So let's think about this: You stood in the ticket line at subzero temperatures for over an hour, you paid anywhere from $10-$100 for the ticket to get in, and you're sacrificing your entire evening to suffocate in the body odor of hundreds of men piled on top of each, so you can get a good look at this band playing music in person. I think we have all collectively gathered that just by being there, you like the music. So why bring in the additional visual aid? It couldn't be less necessary. You just look foolish. 

GO HOME.
If you're going to a metal show, proper upper body attire goes as follows: A shirt of a band you like that isn't playing. That way, the other metalheads there can know what you enjoy outside of the venue, and you can possibly discuss it during breaks in the acts. At the very least, your fellow headbangers can tap you on the shoulder, point at your shirt and show you their horns of approval. Just be wary that you don't wear a shirt of a band that isn't true metal, ergo sucks. I once saw a guy at an Amon Amarth show wearing an Avenged Sevenfold shirt. I don't have to tell you upon seeing that how thoroughly I didn't talk to that guy. 

Like with all rules, there are the exceptions. First off, if you got the shirt from the merch table early in the show, we'll all know it, and it's cool to throw it over what you already had on. This has been up for some debate, but if you don't put it on, you'll just be standing around holding it like a tool. Second, if you have a particularly rare t-shirt of the band's, such as a tour shirt from a long time ago, (let's say over a decade) that is also acceptable and will be appreciated. There are limits to this however. For instance, nobody is going to believe you attended Iron Maiden's World Slavery Tour if you're a 17-year-old. 

I know a lot of people hate reading what I have to say, but I take the time out of my life all in the efforts of making sure you don't make yourself look like a jackass. Take note. 


 

52 comments:

  1. My thing has always been, if your going to see Slayer, we all know you like Slayer, leave the Slayer shirt at home. Wear Municipal Waste shirt so we know you are wasted.

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  2. Slayer fans are an unruly lot. As much as I appreciate neo-thrash acts, you're better off keeping it to something a little more traditional like Sodom or Kreator. Never know who you might piss off.

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  3. I wore a Casualties shirt when I saw them. Totally threw off the geezers. My girlfriend (whom I met at a metal festival) took me by the way, so I don't think that technically breaks the rules.

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  4. Like I tell everyone who complains about that girlfriend rule David: arms length apart, eyes forward, hands in pocekts. I'm not impossible to work with, I make exceptions.

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  5. hey man ive been peeking around your website a bit and i fucking love it,
    i am actually in the process of making a bunch of youtube videos basically repeating everything you said, except i was actually like you, smart enough to think up of it on my own.
    i was wondering though, is there a better way i can view all your blogs and stuff? it seems i can only see so many per page after having to change the month or whatever, thanks again, FUCKING METAL \,,/,

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  6. I changed the "Articles" back to the Hierarchy so maybe it will be easier for you to look through. Thanks for the support duder!

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  7. I agree with this rule, but I think Iron Maiden should be exempt.

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  8. I've been telling my friends this for years and, sadly enough, not everyone agreed that this was common sense.

    I then proceeded to backhand them.

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  9. Like your blogs man, makes me laugh every time I see one!
    Keep up the good work.
    I might add your blog to a video of mine some day.
    That is if you agree on that.
    Cheers!
    -Ed
    youtube channel: Infidelamsterdam

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  10. eddddd!!!!!!!!!!!!!^^^^^

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  11. Well, you're right with your opinions.
    Actually it's stupid, because everyone knows that you're a fan of the band.
    But see the positive side, when lots of people wearing the shirts at the show it strengthens the solidarity + the people in the train e.g. can see what's playing today and see the 'metal army' ;D
    Sorry for bad English.

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  12. The only reason I can find for this weird fashion is: when you go to see a band live, say Arsis, you will wear an Arsis shirt because maybe you are affraid to wear one of your other band shirts because people might think they are not metal enough or you have very few band shirt in your closet, but you really want to wear one at this concert. . .either that or you are just a showoff!

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  13. Only time I ever wore a band's shirt to their show was when I saw Absu and I wore my limited edition (1 of 50) tshirt I ordered from Proscriptor

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  14. This is the most stupid fucking rule, i have ever heard, it's fucking METAL, if i want to go to a concert wearing the ban's shirt i will do it, because i feel like it.

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  15. And what the fuck is this shit about proper concert "attire"? It's a fucking concert you fuck, people go there to have fun, i'm glad to see you've missed the fucking point. reading the whole article i see that you are the biggest pseudo-metalhead poser i have ever encountered. Go die in a fire. And no i don't go with the bands shirt at any concert, i wear a DIO shirt to every concert i go to. The only rule to metal concerts are have fun and moshpit if thrash or death, that's it, so take head out of your ass. HAIL METAL

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  16. You know what else is NOT METAL, caring what other people think of you, so you make these stupid rules, when i go to a concert it's just me and the band the rest can just go fuck themselves.

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  17. He sobs and moans not once, not twice, but three fucking times. AH AH! Nice faggot vampire name by the way. Is sucking dick a worthy substitute for blood?

    Clearly there is a thought process channel in your brain that is not fucking activated. It's common sense, douchetard. You're already at the fucking concert, everybody already gets you're a fan. Wearing the shirt of the band you're going to see is about as redundant as 3 separate comments bitching about one post.

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  18. ALUCARD(for the fuck of it)4/28/2011 1:09 PM

    And hey since you like my double posting so much, you fat poser fuck, blogging is not metal, metal was created because of rules that brought people down, it's a stand against mainstreem blandness and now fuckers like you make rules for metal, METAL has only one rule, KICK ASS and BANG HARD. The only reason you fucks take this rule seriously is because it was said once in a movie, and you blind sheep can't think for yourselves and go with it, "very metal" guys. Metal is music, you listen to it, feel it inside you, it can make you both happy and angry at the same time, it has more soul in it than any other genre out there, and here you stay bitching about the clothes you "HAVE TO WEAR" when you go to a concert, pathetic. METAL IS MUSIC NOT FASHION. And what buddy can't take a little hard criticism? Am i being to hard on you little guy, grow some balls you fuck. It's the interned not everyone will agree with you, and many will tell you ass it is.

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  19. Still ALUCARD you fuck4/28/2011 1:11 PM

    And hey here is the third one, hehe, tell any Granddaddy of the metal scene about this rule and he will spit in your face

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  20. Welcome back. Did it really take you a month and a half to think of something to reply to me? Clearly "having a life" isn't the excuse, because you're back, and we're talking about this again. About a post I wrote last year no less. I'll give you one more second of my time, then I'm gonna stop wasting it on you.

    As far as I can tell, I'm still winning this argument. Tell me why it's not common fucking sense that you shouldn't wear the shirt of the band you're going to see live. You can't do that, because even after all your bitching, you still HAVEN'T done that. You just cry and shit your pants about how "METAL SHOULD HAVE NO RULES". Great, like I haven't heard that free-loving bullshit 3 times a day already. Ignore the rest of the blog right now for me, pretend there is no list I'm preparing, and let's just focus on the task at hand that you're failing at. I'm not going to tell why you're a retard for wearing the shirt of the band you're seeing live, because I've already done that. Twice. My part is completed, it's now on you to tell me why you're not a dipshit.

    Good luck.

    By the way, I'm going to safely assume that since your arguments are frail and weak, that you are as well, so you can't kick anybody's ass. I'll also assume that since you came back to rekindle an internet argument I ended a month and a half ago, that you aren't really the type girls want to bang, much less hard. Guess you're breaking the "one rule" of metal, (which was two rules, genius).

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  21. @ ALUTARDFACE
    You seem to have a serious problem understanding the rules of "The Metal". You say metal has one rule that is really two rules, but in fact, that is not true. Any group of people have to has to have things that they do that separate them from other groups of people or else it would be impossible to distinguish different groups of people. That also applies to metal. If you don't go by the rules of metal, then you can't possibly call yourself metal... Also, you're a dipshit

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  22. "Go die in a fire."

    What a scene insult.

    Yes, there are rules of metal. Everyone judges. People like to dress like the bands they listen to. You need to be a pretty diehard metalhead (and I'm talking 'true' metal, not pussy metal) and be able to prove that you're dressed the way you are because you actually don't give a shit for no one to care. Aka you're expected to be an established member of the metal community for people to still respect you no matter how you look. But you need to get there first.

    If no one knows you, they're going to judge you based on what you look like and how you act at a show, and that's a simple fact. I personally don't dress like a metalhead but because I've been in local metal bands, promote metal shows and go to metal shows, I get away with whatever the fuck I want and no one cares because they know me.

    Lesson learned.

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  23. Calm down Dracula. I think you've trolled other sites before because I could swear I've seen your stupid name elsewhere. I swear to god you butthurt jackoffs wouldn't rage so much if you'd take the time to ...I don't know...actually read the sites. Most of what gets posted is not to be taken seriously. It's supposed to be fun. Do you hate fun?
    I love how you counter these rules with your own and try to make it sound like you're being free spirited. You too are imposing your fucking will on someone else because of what they write.Telling him what not to write and in the same breath exclaiming from the mountian of what metal is supposed to be is pretty fucking hypocritical, dick.

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  24. I like how Alutard tries to come off as a badass going to every metal show in existence hailing the lack of rules, while talking about "granddaddies" of the metal scene who will apparently all be at his side and trying to get others into the god-damned straitjacket of his own rules.

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  25. Alucard is gay.

    My work here is done.

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  26. Doom is awesome.

    I don't like to read lots of words because it takes away from the time I would spend listening to metal.

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  27. Yeah, I'm late on this too, but...

    "And hey here is the third one, hehe, tell any Granddaddy of the metal scene about this rule and he will spit in your face"

    The "Granddaddies" made that rule. Especially don't wear the t-shirt if it looks like you just bought it from hot topic right before you got the to show. Also, if you buy a t-shirt at the concert, go put it in your car if the venue allows you too. If not, loosen your belt a bit, Granted you're not obese and wearing Zubaz (google it) pants, and tuck that fucker between your pants and you belt and then tighten your belt down snug so you don't lose it.

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  28. Seriously. This is a hard and fast rule, not even just for metal heads. It works for the "Generally Not Looking Like a Douche" rules of life too.

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  29. What if the band you are wearing a shirt of isnt that well known? I think this is a good way to show support to lesser known bands. I personally consider it acceptable as long as the band you are wearing is not (co) headliner or well known.
    Personally i agree with you, and i never wear the band shirt of the band im seeing at their gig but i would maybe wear a shirt of a side project.

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  30. There is a caveat to this though...I think it is stupid to wear the shirt of THAT TOUR at THAT SHOW...but if you have a shirt from a prior, significant tour or gig, that's okay. That shirt from the 1983 Oakland gig is awesome at the 2011 gig. It shows you were there man!

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  31. don't be "that guy". You know, one who quotes from a movie as shitty as "P.C.U." I say go fuck yourself to anyone who feels beholden to anything that has come out of the smarmy cum-encrusted piehole of Jeremy fucking Piven.

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  32. Letting anyone tell you what to wear is a pretty fucked up thing for metal heads to do. Shouldn't you be there for the music and not to compare clothes with faggot hipsters? BTW I've done this at shows, and I've see this done at shows by the fucking hundreds, and no one has ever said one bitchy thing to me or "stared at me furiously". - Ricky ( wouldn't let me post my name, I wouldn't want you to think I'm a "false metal poseur".)

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  33. Naww man, I wear a Maiden shirt when going to see Maiden cuz those are my colors, I'm flying my flag. I completely understand your logic, and I've worn other metal band shirts to unrelated band's shows, but when there's a true love and support for a band I'm going to see, I can't go far enough to show my undying love for the band. I get the redundancy but who cares? If I love a band I'm going to wear my colors with pride! I mean, sure it's the fourth of July, you love America and all, but heck, why not wear an Ireland shirt, cuz ya know...Ireland's pretty cool right? it's that kinda logic, you wouldn't show up to a football (soccer) match wearing the jersey of another team just cuz you also like that team right? Again, everyone is different, and different opinions happen. People shouldn't get so worked up (yeah, you Alucard)

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  34. I think when you go to a show you pay to see the band, not to go around judging everyone's outfits. Why should they, you, or anyone else care what they have on? Seriously mate, get a grip because this is pathetic.

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  35. Damn, I'm a chick and to see this bantering about what shirt to wear at what concert makes me laugh. It's a t-shirt, get over yourself. What if people aren't wearing the shirt to advertise their other interests to you? That may be what they felt like wearing. I'm a metalhead so I don't have to obsess over stupid fashion rules like the rest of the world. So I'll wear whatever I want to a show. Piss off.

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  36. Haha wow dude so you expect everyone in the metal community to just do what you say? Fuck that. Quite frankly you can do whatever you want and act on what you believe in.
    It's funny because it's the most logical and predicatble thing to actually do; TO WEAR A BAND TEE OF THE BAND YOU'RE FUCKING SEEING. You're doing it be proud of the bands you listen to in the first place, but now it's considered "foolish"?
    This article is beyond fake n gay.

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  37. Hahaha who the fuck cares? I mean seriously, you go to a gig to see a band, not inspect people's T-shirts. I dont understand how its so easy to forget that metal is music, not a fucking fashion statement.

    I've seen bands wear their own shirts on stage, I somehow doubt they look down on the fans that wear their shirts to their show.

    Also not everyone at the gig is a fan of the band. You could be there to see the support band, a journalist reviewing the gig, got dragged there by mates/boyfriend/girlfriend, or out drinking and happen to find a gig and decide to go despite not being familiar with the band.

    I find it hilarious how some people care so much about what shirt other people are wearing at a gig. Theres a difference between making a comment about some twat in a Avenged Sevenfold shirt for a laugh and making an actual fuss about it.
    One of these days I should go to a death metal gig in my Skid Row shirt and see how many retards want to destroy me in the pit...

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  38. Bullshit article, Where what you wan't I don't want some posey little article write who can't get laid for shit telling me what I can and can't wear. Fucking hell I hate metalheads like you. Music is Music, You like what you like, Simples, You are not a poseur if you don't like the same band as someone else, Hell, Im a fan bands Like Slayer and Anthrax but I have tix going to see Motley Crue and I like bands like Reckless Love, Still Metal just a Different side of metal. People like you are assholes and the reasons Metalheads get made fun of most the time. In short you are a pathetic little dickhead. Plus... THERE ARE NO RULES TO METAL! THAT DEFEATS THE POINT, gROW SOME YOU TURD!

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  39. Well aren't you secure in your own beliefs, then? Perhaps you should write for Vice magazine if you are so bothered by what people think of your shirt, you fickle dickhole. Like most adults, I wear what the fuck I want, and some pissy, whinging fucktard isn't going to influence my decision, even if he writes a flimsy treatise on the subject. Do you think Slayer think their fans are cunts for wearing their shirts, or is it just you? Do you really care what strangers think of you at a gig? Are they rating your coolness? No, you idiot, they are there to see the band, you are nothing to them, just some randon dickhead smugly wearing a 'cool' shirt...

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  40. I think also that an exception to the rule should be if you are wearing the warm up bands shirt

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  41. LOL those who want to wear shirts other than the band you are going to see are attention-sucker. Reread this "If you're going to a metal show, proper upper body attire goes as follows: A shirt of a band you like that isn't playing. That way, the other metalheads there can know what you enjoy outside of the venue, and you can possibly discuss it during breaks in the acts. At the very least, your fellow headbangers can tap you on the shoulder, point at your shirt and show you their horns of approval."

    So you want other metalhead's attention right? Fuck this rule, it's follower and it's creator. I will go to concerts to see the band and will not care even a bit to what other people will think.

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  42. ^ these niggas mad son

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  43. Metal is about brother-/sisterhood...

    If I go to a Eyehategod gig and see a person with Acid Bath shirt, then it means that I can approach to him/her, without doubting his/her awesomness...

    When I go to a Metallica gig and see a person wearing Metallica shirt, then he/she could be another "sunday metalhead" douche with whom I want nothing to do with...

    Damn... If I go to see a band then I want to communicate with my brothers/sisters, not to be a lonely douche who "doesnt care about other people"...

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  44. black metal disciple3/15/2012 12:36 AM

    who is stupid enough to wear a avenged sevenfold shirt at a amon amarth concert lyk u jus deserved to get the sht beat out of u lyk goddamn this is a viking metal show not a gay screamo show

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  45. So what if you wear the t shirt of the kick ass band that's unfortunately opening for a bigger band that you don't like? I would think showing support to the opener and being metal enough to piss off the headliners fans, and kick ass enough to defend yourself you should be exempt. But I'm just saying for arguments sake because I would never wear the t shirt of any of the bands I'm going to see anyway. The only thing worse is being in a band and wearing your own bands t shirt!!!

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  46. why the fuck does it matter?

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  47. Slaytanikk Pozzezzor7/23/2012 6:21 PM

    when i went to see iron maiden on june 27th, the majority were wearing maiden shirts, but their were plenty of warbringer, municipal waste, mayhem, and morbid angel shirts there\m/

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  48. everyone needs to just read the article and quit bitching. the man has his opinions, you have yours.

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  49. Hey everybody personally I've never had the t shirt problem its not the shirt you wear its how you treat others besides with some bands it shows solidarity between fans from the smaller towns going up to see the big shows in the city again that's my opinion but whoever suggested buying the support acts tee as a rule good thinkin did it with evile when supporting machinehead, and gama bomb supporting onslaught

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  50. Wearing an old tourshirt is even worse! First of all,no-one fucking cares, if you were there back then or bought it last week on an e-bay auction don't even matter.But more importantly, in a lot of cases these are people who after leaving the metal scene 15 years ago pull out their old shirt out of the attic to go to a show closeby to relive old times for a night.

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  51. Iron Maiden shows do seem to be the exception to the rule. Both for the people in the audience wearing Maiden shirts, and for the band members wearing Maiden shirts. I've seen it/them too many times over the years. And I've been seeing them since Paul was the singer.

    Sincerely,

    One of them "Granddaddies"

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All readers that post under the name "Anonymous" and are too frail and weak to represent themselves properly with a title, shall be deemed false metal poseurs for the remainder of their pitiful existence.