The frizz-haired Frank "Rat Bastard" Falestra rummaged through piles of T-shirts lined up against one of the pool tables at Churchill's Pub.
"This one right here," the local legend said of a black and white cotton top he wore during a show, "is one of the most famous shirts in Florida that made the cover of an alt-weekly in Fort Lauderdale."
The shirt he held in his hands was emblazoned with the image of a toilet seat and the words "Broward County Is Musically Stupid" written across the rim while the names of several Broward bands, including Marilyn Manson, float inside the bowl like pieces of turd.
Adjacent to the toilet is a lineup of bands from the 305 that were playing that night at the historic Washington Square with the words "Now This Will Rock!" written below.
See also:
- Churchill's T-Shirt Swap Meet: Buy Rat Bastard, Holy Terrors, DJ Le Spam's Old Clothes!
"I pissed off all the bands on the cover," he said with a gleam of nostalgia and a sense of pride on his face.
Rat Bastard's most controversial tee, which was selling for $2, was just one of the hundreds of vintage shirts up for grabs at Churchill's T-Shirt Swap Meet.
Among Rat Bastard's infamous piece of clothing, other locals musicians and shop owners, including Audio Junkie and Nic Fit Vintage brought out their collection of musical and political shirts including those of the Rolling Stones, Frank Zappa tour, and even Charles Mason.
Here are the ten best musical tees at Churchill's T-Shirt Swap Meet.
Rat Bastard's Washington Square Concert Tee
A shirt worn by Miami's master of noise that practically labeled Broward County's local music scene a piece of shit... 'Nuff said.
Afghan Whigs
One of the most expensive on display was an Afghan Whigs tee with a verse from "Retarded," "You're never alone with your jones."
The 1990 hit was from the band's first album released under Sub Pop, Up in It, and practically made a name for these guys in the alt-rock scene.
"I don't really know the significance behind this specific shirt, but it's selling for $300 on eBay and here we're selling it for $70," said Rob Elba who was selling the shirt for his friend in North Carolina.
Frank Zappa
Few can rock the guitar and master notes the way Frank Zappa did, which is likely why this tee was going for $90 and possibly one of the hottest commodities on display.
Audio Junkie
For the one who couldn't decide which alt-rock T-shirt to snag, Audio Junkie was the way to go.
Described as "a culture immersed and obsessed with music," Greg Alvarez said that this tee was the most valuable of them all because it symbolized Audio Junkie as a whole.
"It's our brand's shirt," Alvarez said.
You can't go wrong repping Rat Bastard, Mr. Entertainment, Orbweaver, and other local hard hitters all at once.
Elvis
"There's also this Elvis one," he said. "He was a legend."
Aside from being a musical hero, the vintage look of the shirt alone was enough to grab our attention.
The Rolling Stones
Somewhere among Nirvana and Power to the People tees was the red lips and sloppy wet tongue of the Rolling Stones.
"This one was mine, but it shrunk," laughed Alvarez.
Ramones' Baby Onesie
"I guess the most valuable shirt to me is the Ramones' onesie because it was my son's," explained Ted Nolan.
If kids pick up on everything like sponges, maybe they'll soak up musical taste by rockin' Ramones' memorabilia.
Madonna
There's nothing more classic than an '80s retro-looking shirt from Nic Vic Vintage of Madonna voguing.
"I started collecting shirts since I was 13," said Sergio Aguila of Nic Vic Vintage.
"When eBay was getting big, I noticed that people in Japan and Europe were paying lots of money for vintage shirts so I started selling them."
Joy Division
Much like this Joy Division "Love Will Tear Us Apart Again" 1993 T-shirt.
Suicidal Tendencies
Or like Suicidal Tendencies' The Art of Rebellion black cotton top with the picture a burning Mona Lisa.
The design alone of the shirt merits instant badass status, but to diehard fans, it's the meaning and significance of the music that's valuable to them.
"It's the story behind them [the shirts]," Alvarez said. "People appreciate it."
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