Thursday, January 1, 2009

Special Feature (Top Ten Experimental Jetset Parody Shirts)

A deviation from the status-quo here at T-Shirt Connoisseur -- a special feature topical cross post with Tip Top Ten (top ten lists of things that don't matter) -- a t-shirt themed top ten list. enjoy!

Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Ramones list of names t-shirt design
(Image & Design Source)

In 2001, a Netherlands based design group called Experimental Jetset created three designs: John & Paul & Ringo & George, Keith & Mick & Bill & Charlie & Brian, and Joey & DeeDee & Johnny & Tommy (band members from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Ramones respectively and obviously.) This design was supposed to be an archetypal band shirt, that represented the essence of the band by simply listing their first names. Most t-shirt fans are not only familiar with this iconic design, but also some of the many unsanctioned variations it's spawned. It's easy enough to apply the template of Helvetica font, vertically listed names to any other band (rip-off or tribute: you decide) but when you use the design with things other than bands, it can become a great parody. SO, listed for your pleasure, the top ten experimental jetset parody t-shirts:


10. Zack & Kelly & Slater & Jessie & Lisa & Screech.

Saved by the Bell t-shirt
The Meet Me at the Max shirt @ Threadless makes the design its own with the familiar doodles in the background. Not a Saved by the Bell fan, but it's a great design and a great parody.


9. Simon & James & John & Andrew & Phillip & Bartholomew & Matthew & Thomas & James & Thaddeus & Simon & Judas.

twelve apostles names t-shirtUsing the twelve apostles in a position originally meant for rock stars is a great contrast. Also, the ridiculous lengthy list compared to the original is pretty funny. (Source)


8. Heartburn & Indigestion & Upset Stomach & Nausea & Diarrhea.

Pepto-Bismol t-shirtPrinted on a pink shirt, naturally. (Source)


7. Mom & Dad & Gran & Gramps.

Baby in a long tail Helvetica t-shirtHow could jetset get all cease & desist-y with a face like that? (Source)


6. Fighter & Black Belt & White Mage & Black Mage & Red Mage & Thief.

final fantasy light warriors t-shirtThe Light Warriors of Final Fantasy show up here in the geekiest entry in the top ten. This one is for sale @ Huzzah Goods.


5. John & Eric & Michael & Terry & Terry & Graham.

Monty Python list of names t-shirtThe Monty Tribute shirt @ Modern Classic is not quite the Beatles, but pays tribute to another famous British group of not quite the same era.


4. & & & .


blank ampersand t-shirtMinimalist thinking applied to our shirt design in question. Try not to read too much into this one. (Source)


3. Luke & Leia & Han & Chewie.

star wars t-shirt with Luke, Chewie, Leia and HanThis tee design @ Super 7 Store was inevitable. I think I would have included R2-D2 & C3-PO.


2. Inky & Blinky & Pinky & Clyde.

think geek pac-man ghost t-shirtThis pac-man inspired t-shirt slyly eschews the standard Helvetica font for something more pixelated. The shirt was available at think geek, but appears to be MIA now, I wonder if it was a poor seller or if there was some legal shenanigans?


1. Yoko & Linda & Maureen & Patti.

Yoko Ono and other Beatles women t-shirt"Behind every great man..." -- In response to the original Beatles design, Clemformation has this great shirt design in her Red Bubble shop. The most true to the original, and the most easily called a parody -- it's #1 by a long shot.

**Update - There is a follow-up on this article here**

3 comments:

nipheon said...

There is more:

http://tinyurl.com/7ck67s

xcarex said...

I'm actually a little embarassed that I didn't know the origins of this design-- I have a Fall Out Boy version (white text, black tee) and while I totally knew it wasn't an original, and that I could totally make it myself, I sought after it for quite awhile as it's a rare shirt in the FOB merch world and naturally therefore I had to make it mine... or maybe I just really like ampersands or something. :P

ph0enix1211 said...

if you like ampersands, check out this guy: http://www.ugmonk.com/category/t-shirts/