25 of the coolest vintage band T-shirts and where to find them

June 14, 2022

There’s the classic adage that a picture is worth a thousand words. However, a quality band T-shirt is worth a million. Our music tastes are synonymous with our personalities and how we express ourselves, so what better way to embody this than to dive into a collection of classic T-shirts?

Alternative Press is pleased to announce Thrifted & Vintage, a curated collection of vintage, thrifted and rare reprints hunted and sourced personally by Josh Madden. This collection is available on our webstore and covers the last 20-plus years of alternative culture, guaranteeing that you will find an item that fits your distinct taste. Undoubtedly, the vintage T-shirt industry has seen a rise in demand and popularity, leading to surged prices and an oversaturated market. However, Thrifted & Vintage aims to keep items diverse and accessible for everyone.

Nirvana “Smiley Face” Fade Dye Crewneck

Perhaps one of the most iconic images in rock ‘n’ roll history is the smiley face logo of Seattle grunge icons Nirvana. First appearing on a modest album release party flyer in celebration of their breakthrough album Nevermind, the logo has gone on to be printed and licensed by countless garment companies, including Urban Outfitters and H&M. However, there has been confusion and debate on who to credit for the logo’s creation. Some have speculated that the drawing was Nirvana’s late vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain’s creation, while others have cited Sub Pop Records art designer Lisa Orth as the original creator. Additionally, the smiley face, which is intentionally messy and shows two crossed-out eyes and a tongue sticking out, is rumored to have been inspired by a similar emblem that appeared on the marquee of Seattle strip club The Lusty Lady.

Stone Temple Pilots Four Vintage Tee

When it came time to name the fourth record from Stone Temple Pilots, the group opted to keep it simple and call it No. 4. The 1999 record contained several notable singles, including “Down” and “Sour Girl,” and achieved platinum certification in just under a year after its release. The following T-shirt is from the famous 1999 tour in support of the album. The band would put out one more record before going on hiatus for several years until 2010 when they reunited the core lineup to record their self-titled album. Scott Weiland tragically passed away in late 2015 due to substance misuse but left behind a legacy of influential records that spanned over three decades.

Bloc Party Silent Alarm Tee

With their debut album Silent Alarm, English indie-rockers Bloc Party made a serious impact. Powered by their brand of energetic, rhythmic and sincere music, the record was met with universal acclaim from critics and fans alike. Silent Alarm also served as a turning point for indie rock and its place in the mainstream, inspiring many other artists in the process. The cover art for the album features a photograph taken by Ness Sherry, capturing a snowy and desolate landscape. The cover art has gone on to become one of the most recognizable album covers of the mid-2000s indie-rock era and has been printed on countless merchandise.

Hatebreed Struggles Tee

For a band as intense and heavy as Hatebreed, they have always had a knack for writing positive, motivational and uplifting lyrics that look especially badass in bold impact font on a T-shirt. The following lyrics “It’s our struggles that define us” come from the song “You’re Never Alone,” which is featured on the metallic-hardcore group’s 2002 record Perseverance. When rocking a classic Hatebreed T-shirt at a show, you’re guaranteed to look like you mean business in the pit.

Pleasures x Sublime Tee

When alternative streetwear brand Pleasures joined forces with Long Beach, California ska-punks Sublime to create a collaborative line of T-shirts, it was clearly a match made in heaven. The shirt pays homage to the famous album cover of the band’s 1992 classic 40oz. To Freedom, which was designed and painted by tattoo artist and muralist Opie Ortiz.

King Ad-Rock Tee

Adam Keefe Horovitz, better known as Ad-Rock, is a founding member of Beastie Boys and has made it his life mission to create compelling art. The King Ad-Rock shirt pays tribute to his contributions while also serving a greater cause. The following shirt is part of the Tees4Togo initiative co-founded by femme punk legend and Bikini Kill frontwoman Kathleen Hanna and Tina Kampor, who started the Peace Sisters nonprofit. All profits from these T-shirt sales go to Peace Sisters, which helps to provide educational opportunities for young women in the city of Dapaong, Togo. Additionally, Ad-Rock and Hanna are married, which is quite possibly one of the greatest unions in punk-rock history.

Ernie Ball Vintage Tee

While Ernie Ball may not be a band, they certainly have been a part of the everyday lives of countless artists through their quality products. Ernie Ball has always provided affordable gear made for musicians by musicians, which unsurprisingly has allowed them to become the industry standard for 60-plus years. This T-shirt in particular features the early art of Luke Chueh, who was hired by the company in the 1990s as their flagship designer and illustrator, creating countless award-winning designs and advertisements. Chueh would later go on to create album artwork for Fall Out Boy‘s Folie à Deux.

Killing Joke Tee

Listen to the song “Eighties’’ by Killing Joke. We promise it will all make sense…

Sid Vicious Tee

Sid Vicious is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable figures in early punk-rock history and fashion, who most notably played bass for acclaimed London punks the Sex Pistols. If for some reason you’ve never heard of the Sex Pistols, now’s your chance with the recent release of Hulu’s six-episode biopic series Pistol, directed by Academy Award-winning movie-maker Danny Boyle.

Bane Tee

New England hardcore staples Bane were a force to be reckoned with for 20-plus years before they called it a day in 2016. The group are best known for delivering powerful and passionate songs about perseverance, treading your own path and straight-edge morals. Bane, while one of the most beloved hardcore bands to come up in the mid-1990s, are also known for their distinct and minimalistic logo. The logo features a black-and-white tree with a swing set hanging from its branches, with the band’s name below in bold font. The design has been printed on countless pieces of merchandise, making it one of the most recognizable logos in hardcore history.

Outkast LaFace Records Tee

LaFace Records was an influential record label founded in the 1990s by music executive L.A. Reid and singer-songwriter Babyface. The label put out records and jump-started the careers of iconic acts such as TLC, Usher and Pink but struck gold when they signed their first hip-hop group, Outkast, in 1992. The Atlanta duo were instrumental in mixin genres within hip-hop and created wildly successful records that have influenced countless artists over the years.

Rancid 2001 Sleeveless Tee

Blending everything from skate-punk, hardcore and ska, Rancid have always been able to create a diverse range of material and well-received albums. The following T-shirt was printed just after the release of their self-titled fifth studio album and features a skull and cross bones, not unlike the one displayed on the album’s front cover. Though the design is rather minimalistic, it has become synonymous with the band’s aesthetic and is still featured on several of their merch items to this day.

Bad Religion “End Of History” Tee

Bad Religion have been putting out political and genre-defining albums for over 40 years. This T-shirt in particular highlights the group’s 2019 song “End Of History,” taken from their 17th studio album Age Of Unreason. “End Of History” is a critique of the modern political landscape and the need for change within humanity. With the artwork portraying a mushroom cloud of smoke, most likely from a nuclear bomb, one could interpret that it represents the consequences the world may face if we don’t start making changes.

Beastie Boys ABA (Atwater Basketball Association) Tee

Beastie Boys are undoubtedly musical trailblazers who were early pioneers in the fusion of hip-hop, rock and punk, creating a diverse catalog of music in the process. This T-shirt in particular references the neighborhood of Atwater Village in Los Angeles where their famous G-Son Studios was based, a legendary studio where the band recorded their 1992 album Check Your Head.

Social Distortion Mainliner 1995 Tee

It’s always a treat when fans get the opportunity to hear early material from their favorite bands long before stardom. In 1995, Southern California punk legends Social Distortion did just that with the release of their compilation album Mainliner: Wreckage From the Past. The record featured material dating back to 1981, as well as various B-sides, and this T-shirt was created in promotion of its release.

Slipknot .5: The Gray Chapter Red Tee

If you’ve ever been to a heavy-metal show, chances are you have seen your fair share of Slipknot T-shirts. In fact, the genre-defining group have had one of the most powerful and visceral aesthetics in modern mainstream music for decades, furthered by their die-hard fanbase. While the majority of Slipknot T-shirt designs are usually printed on black garments, it’s quite rare and exciting to find an officially licensed piece of merchandise in alternate colors. With this piece in particular, the striking cover art for the band’s fifth studio album, .5 The Gray Chapter, is on full display, with a sinister-looking figure adorned with skeleton makeup across a pentagram-like symbol. The record is significant in that it was their first following the tragic death of their bassist Paul Gray, containing evocative songs that tackle a wide range of subject matter birthed from tragedy and loss.

Depeche Mode 2018 Tour Tee

In 2017, Depeche Mode embarked on the Global Spirits tour in support of their 14th studio album Spirit. The British group hit several major cities around the world. The tour was said to be their biggest and most successful to date, culminating with a theatrical release of their documentary and concert film Spirits In The Forest. Tragically, Spirit would mark the final time that founding member and keyboardist Andy Fletcher would appear on a studio album as he passed away in May 2022.

Rex Orange County Tee

If you haven’t heard of English indie artist Rex Orange County, drop everything you’re doing and watch the incredible new video for his latest single “ONE IN A MILLION.”

The Killers Hot Fuss Tee

Hot Fuss, the debut studio album from the Killers, is a modern rock classic. By incorporating synth-pop, new wave and post-punk seamlessly, the Killers not only became household names overnight but cemented themselves as major figures in rock music. Powered by hit singles such as “Somebody Told Me” and “Smile Like You Mean It,” it’s impossible to deny the group’s skill at writing catchy and infectious music. However, their single “Mr. Brightside” has reached near cultural phenomenon status as the anthem of the millennial generation. This T-shirt features the classic retro-inspired logo that has become synonymous with the group ever since it first appeared on the cover of their debut album.

Shadows Fall Tee

In the early to mid-2000s, there was a major resurgence of heavy-metal music taking the mainstream by storm in the U.S. This era has been commonly dubbed the “The new wave of American heavy metal,” spearheaded by groups such as Lamb Of God and Unearth. However, one of the scene’s heaviest hitters at the time was Shadows Fall, who put out several groundbreaking releases that not only scored the attention of major labels but experienced regular airplay on MTV’s Headbangers Ball program. The following T-shirt dates back to 2007, and its artwork ties into the original cover design of their fifth studio album Threads Of Life.

Oasis Classic Tee

The kings of Britpop, Oasis have proven time and again that they can do whatever they want and still manage to be one of the most beloved bands of all time. This is exemplified by their classic logo that simply features their name in a white box. The logo was designed by Brian Cannon, who was the lead designer for the group throughout the 1990s. To date, this classic logo has been printed on countless T-shirts and can be purchased at just about any retailer imaginable. While Oasis aren’t reuniting anytime soon, we can always look back and appreciate the band’s lasting impact on rock ‘n’ roll culture.

Good Charlotte “Money” Tee

When considering the most influential and successful pop-punk bands of the early 2000s, Good Charlotte are always at the top of the list. This shirt in particular was inspired by a piece that the Madden brothers (Benji, Joel and Josh) created for their early streetwear brand MADE. On their wildly successful sophomore record, The Young And The Hopeless, you can see several members of the band rocking T-shirts and hoodies with the iconic MADE label, making these items a hot commodity back in the day. The symbol of money on the shirt could be seen as a callback to the group’s 2002 hit single “Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous.”

NOFX Hoodie

For 30-plus years, NOFX have been charging forward with political anthems, unfiltered critiques of modern society and witty humor. Their signature logo has been printed on countless pieces of clothing. While it may look simple, it’s clearly been effective as the group have continued to use a similar iteration of it for all of their 14 album covers.

Atticus Tee

Atticus was the brainchild of blink-182 co-vocalists Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge. Founded in 2001, this iconic clothing brand was worn by just about every major artist in punk rock. Additionally, Atticus as a brand was instrumental in breaking new music with their iconic Dragging The Lake compilation albums, which were curated by Hoppus and DeLonge and featured bands such as New Found Glory, Rival Schools and the Starting Line, among many others.

Black Flag “My Rules” Tee

Taken from their classic 1982 EP TV Party, “My Rules” is a song that shows the Black Flag we all know and love. The track, which clocks in at just over one minute, features beloved vocalist Henry Rollins spitting venom over a chaotic punk arrangement that captures the group’s raw and authentic sound. By rocking this T-shirt, chances are you’ll get plenty of nods of approval from your fellow punks.

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