Iron Fist

admin    T-Shirt Discounts, T-Shirt Reviews     Day of the Dead, Iron Fist, Iron Fist Clothing, Mexican Art, Muertos, sugar skulls, tattoo art, tattoo t-shirts

San Diego’s Iron Fist rule the indie tee scene with erm… an iron fist. Truly mind-blowing graphics including some of the most fail-safe t-shirt iconography going. Subjects include Lucha Libre, Día de los Muertos, sugar skulls, Catholic icons and more – this is about as powerful as it gets. Founded by two South African lads lost in America, Iron Fist is now a major worldwide indie brand offering cloth candy for  thousands of street urchins, Thrash lovers, Goths, Emos, Punks, Bikers and more. Iron Fist has set the benchmark and how…

Lucha Libre Jesus Tee

On sale now at half price, $15 in sizes S-L in black. Absolutely stunning.

Lucha Libre Mary Tee

In a similar vein and for the same price in sizes XS-XL here’s another beaut. I’m not a religious man but damn do I love Mexican art. It’s as if they started street art before there were streets.

Barrio Muertos Tee

This time a more simple yet just as effective sugar skull tee. Love it. Only 2XL for guys ($15) and SM for girls ($18.50) left!

Sugar Witch Lace Up Back Tee

Wow, very stylish, I’m sure some ladies out there will grab this soon. It’s a sugar skull tee with a unique lace-up back, very sexy. Reduced from $30 to $18.50 in XS.

Thelma Tee

Designed by Rob Benavides, this is a totally sweet piece of Asian tattoo art served up on black cotton. Available in XS and M for $18.50 each.

You can find plenty more tees, hoodies, jackets, leggings and more from Iron Fist here.

King Top Takeaway

admin    T-Shirt Designers, T-Shirt Reviews     British t-shirts, Hanan Quattan, King Top Takeaway, UK designer, girls tees

King Top Takeaway is the brainchild of former Adidas intern Hanan Qattan, a young British designer with a flair for the immediate and eyecatching graphic artwork. Bright, fresh  graphic tees that are a little macabre  at times (Emo’s need tees too :p), and the high quality and generous print sizes really do add impact. Hanan has been in business for 6 months now, catering mainly for the female market she has an avid following, especially via the social networks, and looks set to be big for the future. Just in case you haven’t guessed, the name is of course inspired by the bold and vibrant graphic styles of the Far East. Prices start at just £10 for tees and £15 for premium vees, available in a range of sizes and cuts for guys and girls.

Ribcage Vee

This is one of a few premium vees available for girls at £15 each. A lovely anatomical tee for all you who believe that beauty isn’t skin deep :D Sizes

Put A Bow On It Tee

My GF Chris adores this shirt – very sweet, very subtle, perfect for a girly night out. And what a bargain! Just £10 in sizes XS-M.

Jelly Fishy Tee

One of a few aquatic themed tees, a really generous print and ever so cleanly executed. £15 XS-M.

Pulling Teeth Tee

Ouch! This is kinda’ hardcore, not my taste but I can imagine it’s big with Saw movie fans and cannibals lol. Joking asides, a great design, perfect for a visit to the dentist. Get it for guys and girls in a range of sizes at £10 each.

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Ubiquity Tees

admin    T-Shirt Reviews     Ubiquity, band t-shirts, band tees, music t-shirts, music tees

Based out of Costa Mesa California, Ubiquity Records are as you’ve probably guessed by now, a music label. But don’t let that sway you, I mean if anyone is going to know how to design great music tees, it has to be a guy inside the music biz. Their Spring Collection is out now, I’ve taken a pick of old and new to give you and overview. Most are on sale in sizes S-XXL (where supplies are available). Anyway I’ll let you decide for yourself, but to be honest I haven’t seen music tees this cool in a long old while…

Sunset Analog Tee

Currently their bestseller, inspired by album art of the 60′s to the 80′s, and designed by Freddy Allen Anzures – an Art Director, Designer for Wax Poetics and Apple and a DJ. Only small sizes left but plenty more in S-XL in white. From the new Spring Collection.

Music On The Mind Tee

A nice ‘n’ jazzy little number from the Spring Collection, this one’s available in white and navy in sizes S-XL. Designed by Christopher David Ryan.

Radio Citizen Tee

Inspired by German Jazz/Soul combo Radio Citizen‘s new LP. $24.99 in White and Kelly Green sizes S-XXL.

Boombox Tee

Part of the classic collection, and my fave, still. Available in white but personally I think it looks far better in black (although only S-M sizes left) at $22.99 each.

The prices don’t include tax but I guess that’s local taxes.  I’d think about hiving off the apparel side in the future and get a domain name like ‘ubiquitees”. Even a subdomain could help exposure for their tees but I s’pose it’s all about the music ;)

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Sneak Peek @ SockMonkee For Spring

admin    T-Shirt News, T-Shirt Reviews     Chris Sandlin, SockMonkee, funny tees, new t-shirts, new tees, t-shirt sale

SockMonkee is a cool indie toon tee label headed up by Chris Sandlin, a highly accomplished illustrator, popular t-shirt/merch designer for bands like and a chap with a great sense of humour, which you can see immediately in his selection of fine funny tees. Past clients include Bravado, Case-Mate, MusicSkins, Click For Art, Laurence King Publishing, Pyknik, ueled By Ramen, Live Nation / Signatures Network, 410BC, Rockett, Glamour Kills, Paint the Stars, Electric Zombie, DS!, Anberlin, Armor For Sleep, Bayside, Coldplay, Gym Class Heroes, Living Sacrifice, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Plain White T’s, Saves the Day, Staind, The Academy Is.

He’s just released some sneak peek views of his latest Spring Collection which is coming real soon…

In the meantime there are a few bargains to be had, although all the ones I like are still $18, there is a rather enticing t-shirt bundle that includes a free print and two shirts for $24. Most tees are still available in sizes XS-XL.

Cuckoo Tee

You don’t have to be cuckoo to work here wear this, but it helps :D Deffo my fave!

Daddy?! Tee

Not sure where to go with this tee. Does this mean that lumberjacks hump trees? I thought they’d just stick to dressing up in frilly silk lingerie?

Shirt & Print Bundle

Order both shirts (Hoody Hoo & The 3 Wongs) and receive a free Barbaric Brad print. Barbaric Brad Prints are limited to only 50

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Machete Premium Cuts

admin    T-Shirt Reviews     Canadian t-shirts, Machete Premium Cuts, rock t-shirts, sexy tees, tattoo t-shirts, tattoo tees

Machete Premium Cuts is a maddenly cool label, with a bevy of hawt models, and a hardcore selection of even hotter graphic tees. Based in Ontario, Canada, they ship their oversize printed beauties around the world, so if you’re into tattoo art, hard rock, and black, black and black, MPC are definitely for you!

Prices range from $5 to $20 dependent on sale items and unisex sizes range between small and XL. Let’s get cracking…

Mess Tank

Available in both a tank and a vee, if you have a dirty mind like me you can take a guess at that white liquid all over the babes in this design. If not, it’s just a sun tan lotion accident so don’t call the vicar quite yet. Both available for $20 each.

The Lament Tee

Nice bewbs lol! This one is supposed to be about “the burdens of bliss”, sure, I don’t mind a bit of hard graft if the incentives are right. Saying that, I do think this particular lady might need a Sacred Heart operation… stat. $20 in S-XL.

Cut U Down Tee

Ouch! Available in sizes S-Xl for $20 each.

Yarrrr! Tee

Shiver me timbers, it’s only $15 in sizes L-XL, perfect for deep sea fishing at Halloween, spooky :D

Oh Christ! Tee

Call your vicar now, the Anti Christ of all tees has arrived to $%^& you up… L-2XL for $20 each.

Keep up-to-date via Facebook and MPC’s blog.

15% Off @ Colus

admin    T-Shirt Reviews     Colus, Colus Havenga, abstract tees, art t-shirts, black and white tees, tribal tees

With Colus you’ve got to respect the line, they’re a smart design lovin’ label offerings tees, prints and toys with a few ground rules…

“Black and white only. No convention, crafted without trend, colour or design stunts to hide behind, this collection tries to stay in its humblest form of design where negative space is as important as the art itself.“

Launched by the S.A designer Colus Havenga, now based in San Diego, California you can definitely spot the cultural crossover style. The subject matter is described as lying betwixt morality and mortality, the mood is sombre, the colours monotone, the line gorgeous and the designs truly iconic. Something for the underground I’d say.

If you love all things Colus you’ll be very glad to know they’re offering 15% off all their products in their launch special, the code is LAUNCH15 and for a limited time only (so hurry!). If you’re brassic right now Buy Tees have also wangled a permanent discount for you lucky lucky people. Just enter the code BUYTEES10 at the checkout for a 10% discount any time you like! All currently $30 in sizes S-XL.

Even Kings Fall Tee

Nicely balanced natural abstract remonstrating the rise and fall of life, power and glory.

Live By The Sword Tee

Nicely Karmic, a little poetic justice for ya.

Stuck In The Headlights Tee

In Britain this applies to rabbits, although we’ve very little wildlife left let alone stags here – Brits do have a habit of running everything over :/ (I don’t even drive so don’t blame me!)

Antagonism Tee

“A principle, force or factor that is an active resistance, opposition, or contentiousness to oneself.” In other words you’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t or is that procrastination?

For more tees from the first collection at Colus visit www.colushavenga.com.

Animal Head Tees

admin    T-Shirt Reviews     Barcelona, Frederik Garcia, Jamiroquai, animal tees, art shirts, surreal t-shirts, surreal tees

Frederik Garcia is a tasty Barcelona label (with a lovely site – check out their screen-printing movie) that exudes a passion for the art and craft of designing and creating hand-printed t-shirts. It’s kind of a culture shock visiting the site, as it’s something more like a surrealist gallery than a store. The limited edition tees are in three surreal categories: Animal Heads, Barrio Maps and Cinq Petite Rêves (5 Little Dreams) although I’ll only be featuring their ‘Animal Heads’ tees, as most of the product photos seem to be part of some strange montage experiment, which I’m sure will make little sense to most t-shirt fans.

If you’re a Jamiroquai fan then these designs will be highly familiar, as the concept is on the same lines as their famous graphic logo. Still a nice selection of graphic tees, all in white, limited to 200 each and priced at €19.90 each plus shipping.

Cerva Tee

“A doe, a deer, a female deer…“. Like I say a very familiar design, I looked up Frederik Garcia at Google hoping to find a connection with Jamiroquai, but no joy there.

Cervus Tee

This one’s for the stags :p

Cunicula1 Tee

The original bunny girl tee.

Cuniculus Tee

Get the matching pair and prove to your fluffy tailed other half you’re in for the long run.

Aucellus Tee

Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.’ She sure ain’t no looker but she looks good in black.

Elefantem Tee

I’ve never seen an elephant fly but at least now I’ve seen one wearing pants and sneakers :-0

A nice selection of silhouette tees, could be more original. If you want to delve further into Frederik Garcia’s subconscious do check out the other collections, a surreal taste would be a distinct advantage, www.FrederikGarcia.com.

Evol

admin    T-Shirt Reviews     Evol, Evol clothing, art shirts, graphic t-shirts, indie tees, original tees

As yet I haven’t once mentioned Evol, who’ve been around for a decade now, and can easily be described as a mainstay of the indie tee scene. They sell their graphic t-shirts, sweats, hoodies and more right across the States and have had tons of coverage from the media, as well as an involvement in the music industry which includes sponsored events. This label is for real. Their tees are cool too, great designs, sassy cuts, and plenty to keep both guys and girls enticed.

Marilyn Tank

Let’s begin with a really slick tank for the girls featuring the inimitable icon of the Silver Screen herself, Marilyn Monroe. Very sexy. $32 XS-L. If you like this one you’ll probably like their Luscious Lips Tank too, which comes in pink and white.

Boom Tee

A lovely Pop Art/Street Art style tee, Boom is dead subtle with a nicely placed imagery that really piques your interest. Reminds me of a mix between East London street art and an old Keith Haring. Very nice! $28 S-2XL – also in charcoal.

Dr. Evol Tee

Nice piece of product placement in this subvert tee, I love spoofing brands, bring ‘em all down I say. We’ll have to wait for Evola Cola which I am sure is just around the corner :p $28 in S-2XL and sweats available too.

Spaceman Tee

Love it, nice old Soviet style space graphics, my favourite. I feel real at home with this one, especially the denim version. Very cool, kitsch but not too much, get it for $28 in S-XXL. Also in natural and sweats.

See plenty more fine graphic gear at www.Evol.com.

Magu

admin    T-Shirt Reviews     Magu.NYC tees, NY T-Shirts, fashion tees, tattoo t-shirts

Magu is not a short sighted cartoon character from yesteryear, it’s actually a New York tee label founded in 2007 that’s got a strong following in its home territory. It’s signature tee sold out in Manhattan the moment it was released, and their house style crosses over between the street and the fashion conscious mainstream. Asides Deathrate which is quite an original type tee, most of their concepts are pretty much familiar, be it skulls, tattoos, hip hop references, Japanese art, and the prices are a little steep at $32 each, but I can see why they’re popular. They give their public what they want, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, it’d just be nice to see some more ground-breaking art, more challenging subjects, even a little more sophisticated humour. Still, I’m sure that food of thought will go down like salted nuts in a dry throat, “if it ain’t broke why fix it?.

What Magu really has going for it is its involvement with the trendy NY fashion scene, having already been involved in a couple of fashion events, and I’m sure that can only grow their following over time. The three tees featured here are $32 each and available in sizes S-2XL, some in a selection of colours too.

Death’s Royalty Tee

Also available in white, although personally I think it looks strongest in yellow, a traditional skull/tattoo tee, well executed but could do with a twist. So many skull tees out there now… don’t get me wrong, this is a good one, but still a skull.

Death Rate Tee

My favourite of the collection, and what looks like a great step forward for Magu, this one (for want of a less annoying phrase) ‘thinks outside of the box’. Yep it’s a text tee, but it’s a little more original, if only they could combine these two talents, I think Magu would see a great leap forward in recognition and exposure.

Wild Carp Tee

Yes, it’s another common  theme, a Japanese style fish-themed tee, it’s not Koi, it’s Wild Carp, and it’s drawn really well, but could do with a tad more surrealism, or at least some colour. Saying that it does come in purple and yellow too.

I wish I could be more enthusiastic, Magu has all the elements needed for a cult label, maybe even something bigger, but they need to work on some more challenging designs for their next collection if they want to cause a stir on the Web.

See more Magu gear here.

Cake And Rockets

admin    T-Shirt Reviews     Cake And Rockets, Chicago tees, funny t shirts, funny tees, humor tees

Cake and Rockets, a marvellous name for a rather funny yet talented Chicago based t-shirt label. You can read the whole story behind the choice of name here. What I really like about C&R is the fact that unlike too many labels out there who produce ‘funny tees’, they have kept their eye on the ball when it comes to the quality of illustration and design of their latest four tees. Their artists include the awesome Joshua Kemble, the highly talented Tasha Chapman and the supremely intricate Laura Barnard. I’m always getting requests from dodgy t-shirt labels that flood the market with ripped off jokes printed on cheap tees. Cake and Rockets, if there are saints in the t-shirt world, should be the patron saint of funny t-shirt brands. They shine the light and show the way forward for all those lazy poorly designed humour-based t-shirt brands out there.

Abe’s Civil War After-Party (Beer Pong!) Tee

First of two insanely long tee titles. Still the artwork is great, this one’s by the über cool Santiago Sanchez. Available in baby blue, sizes S-XL for guys and S-L for girls at $19.99 each.

Ahab Enjoys Starbuck’s Coffee While Moby Plays In The Background Tee

Available in lime, sizes S-XL for guys and girls at $19.99 each. Mad, but ultimately loveable illustration by Tasha Chapman.

Astronauts of SoHo

We’re talking N.Y SoHo and not the kinky one in London here in case you’re wondering. UK illustrator Laura Barnard encourages all you New Yorkers to share in her imagination – no they’re not water towers, they’re rockets. Lovely black on silver tee in S-L for girls and S-XL for guys at $19.99 each.

Del Toro Lane

Being a Brit, and an old git, I’ve no idea where Del Toro Lane is. I will take Joshua Kemble‘s word for it that it is indeed brimming with bullfighters :0 6 Colour illustrated tee in sizes S-XL for guys and girls at $19.99 each.

The rest are more text based tees, not too much to my liking, but I’m guessing these four tees definitely mark the way ahead for Cake and Rockets! See more at www.cakeandrockets.com.