Are there any connections?

DreamOfAngels

So in the days of old, I recall concert T's, concert posters, etc. containing art that had something to do with the album that was being promoted or a song on the album. Concert T's used to be some image on the front, similar to the album artwork, and then the back was a list of the locations and/or dates for the tour. I recognize this wasn't the fanciest type of stuff to purchase but is how it used to be most often than not... If we remove the issue of "art", because I'm not arguing whether what is released is good or bad art, can anyone explain what the images on the T-shirts and stickers and posters have to do with anything related to the PJ music these days? Yes, I recognize some of their merchandise has been related (past and current).

For example, T's that are in the goods section right now or any of the concert posters over the years... I look at them and wonder - what does that mean? I bought a Metallica shirt in 1991 when I went to their concert and it had an old style coffin - understood. I expected death, skulls, anger, destruction, etc.. on their merchandise as it related to their music (which I still enjoy listening to). I look at some of the T's for PJ and I see Trees, farm equipment, reaper with a US flag, tigers... what does it mean? How does it relate? I see it usually contains "Pearl Jam" in it... but what is the connection between the images and PJ music? Is there one?

Maybe part of the fun of it is that it doesn't have to relate, which is a perfectly fine answer. I've never been a collector of these things so I've probably missed something. Can you share your thoughts or opinions, politely ?

DreamOfAngels

bump

PJ Fan est. 1990

i don't see a connection other than the fact their name is on it...i mean i guess an image could be for any band out there...but someone in the band or affiliated with the band, or hired by the band to come up with these images and they put their name on it before any other band, thusly they're their images...i guess it doesn't matter at all...it's just a cool little logo that the band decided to copywrite

Pauk

I like the tshirts having nothing to do with the album art or band. Having album art on the front of the tshirt is a bit too blatant these days, lots of people like tshirts that aren't instantly recognisable as band tshirts. So tshirts that are more subtle are more popular. PJ are probably one of the best at it, with the Tiger shirt and the Birdnest shirt in particular. A lot of people wouldn't notice the PEARL JAM in it unless it's pointed out.