“Don’t hate the media. Become the media,” said punk rock icon Jello Biafra. Biafra, the lead singer of the Dead Kennedys and co-founder of seminal indie record label Alternative Tentacles, was big on using shock tactics and culture jamming to gain attention.
Punk rock vests are a time-honored, magnificent guerrilla communication technique. A vest becomes a walking billboard for bands, labels, and movies beloved by the wearer. What looks random is a carefully curated collage of deep loves that usually don’t get enough attention in the wider world. A punk rock vest is hella high fashion alt media at its best.
DGO saw Tyler Anderson at Ska Brewing’s 22nd Anniversary Party and asked him about his vest.
“I put whatever I like on my vest. I’ve had it about four years. First thing on was the (Big D and the Kids Table) back patch. I got it when Big D played OpIvy’s ‘Energy’ in Boston for Halloween. I went to Boston just for that show. I’m from Denver.
These are the two most recent buttons on the jacket. I got both of these, the Asian Man Records button and the Link 80 button at the Asian Man 20th Anniversary in San Francisco.
I constantly travel for music. I’ll be at Fest in Gainesville next. Mainly punk and ska festivals.
If there was one band on my vest I wanted everyone to hear, it would be the Blue Meanies. Any album. All of the albums. Everything.”
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.Patty TempletonDGO Staff Writer
