Northern Soul t-shirts

[Paul-s]

I don't ever remember these existing in the 70-90's ? Am i mistaken? 

But nowadays i see them in online films of events all the time: along with beer towels and Baggy trousers, non of which were ever really on the scene for very long and not all took to them either. 

I just watched a snippet of the Blackpool Casino anniversary event and it was awash with this kind of "wear it on your sleeve (or back, front , side)" signalling. Personally, i find it embarrassing to see and wear my soul on the inside. Is it some clever person making a decent buck?

Interested in your thoughts on this?

 

[Bo Diddley]

An old mate, Mickie Taylor, had a T-Shirt especially printed to wear at Wigan. It said "RIKA LIKE-A"!

This moment in time was caught on camera (on the left hand side). I'm not sure they would have been on sale at Blackpool

Edited September 26, 2023 by Bo Diddley

[Soul16]

They definitely existed in the mid 1980’s, probably around the period when the Kent LP’s were at their height.

I bought it from a scooter parts fair in Hinckley if I remember correctly.  It was a white T-shirt, with a Navy blue ‘footsteps’ design on it. There were two other designs available on the same stall, forgotten what they were though.

I wore it with great pride at the time . Not sure I’d wear one these days though.

[Solidsoul]

When I think back to the 1970's I remember a lot of people had Soul badges sewn on jackets, t shirts, trousers, scarfs and bags!  They even stuck them onto record boxes. Of course there were people who didn't go in for that sort of thing as well.

Edited September 26, 2023 by Solidsoul

[Stephen Houghton]

Embarrassing 

[Mark B]

One of Mecca regulars had a very nice cardigan that had rare evy soul on the back. Hand knitted 

But with you paul embarrassing T-shirts and vests

[Lionelonthevinyl]

Who doesn't like a vest to wear at any gathering?? A family meal, a beer with your dad on a sunday? Or just relaxing at home, it's a winner!!! Not for me but crack on if you think it's necessary..thank you...Rob

[Shinehead]

Definitely cringe worthy on old souls now , and what is the thing with Fred Perry's men and women , always Skinhead attire in my days .

T shirts as bad as the old and fat football fans wearing replica shirts wtf.

[Lionelonthevinyl]

Fred Perry was an ivy league look that the original, very early mods wore, as was lacoste I believe? I've stopped wearing Fred Perry as it's so bloody expensive!! Thank you...Rob

[Tlscapital]

Tee-shirts, coffee mugs, computer mouse matts, turntables slip-mats, slippers and wall clock... What's not to like ?Baring with pride you're a fan, a devotee a go-go to one of the most respected tribe in Britain's underground sub-culture history... As seen on The BBC. If you can't beat them, join them... I say run, flea retaliate and exterminate !

[Frankie Crocker]

The Bristol Soul Brigade took the t-shirt thing to another level flaunting them at the BBC Prom. Hand out the sick-bags please

[Pied Piper]

Sorry to say the Scene is no longer a unique underground Scene anymore,  It's just a MASSIVE MONEY MAKING SCENE. 

T Shirts , Mugs, Pictures of Wigan , Beer Mats, Coasters, and all the other Shite .

They Complained about the TV Cameras when they came to Wigan, Now they want it on TV as much as Possible. 

 

[Montalbano 45]

2 hours ago, Frankie Crocker said:

The Bristol Soul Brigade took the t-shirt thing to another level flaunting them at the BBC Prom. Hand out the sick-bags please

[Paul-s]

14 hours ago, Bo Diddley said:

An old mate, Mickie Taylor, had a T-Shirt especially printed to wear at Wigan. It said "RIKA LIKE-A"!

This moment in time was caught on camera (on the left hand side). I'm not sure they would have been on sale at Blackpool

Brilliant! 

[Tim Richmond]

There were T shirt sellers at Blackpool last weekend, saw some peeps wearing then on the Saturday night, obviously purchased the day before- oh dear!

Tim

[Leicester Boy]

13 hours ago, Lionelonthevinyl said:

Fred Perry was an ivy league look that the original, very early mods wore, as was lacoste I believe? I've stopped wearing Fred Perry as it's so bloody expensive!! Thank you...Rob

Lacoste man myself, Fred Perry used to be great but over expensive and prone to becoming baggy when washed. Back to topic if people want to wear ns t shirts that's upto them, Jesus is there anything that isn't policed anymore. Not for me but maybe live and let live eh.

[Benji]

16 minutes ago, Leicester Boy said:

Back to topic if people want to wear ns t shirts that's upto them, Jesus is there anything that isn't policed anymore.

[Paul-s]

1 hour ago, Leicester Boy said:

Lacoste man myself, Fred Perry used to be great but over expensive and prone to becoming baggy when washed. Back to topic if people want to wear ns t shirts that's upto them, Jesus is there anything that isn't policed anymore. Not for me but maybe live and let live eh.

I just get sick of the flaccid, hackneyed 'live and let live' rhetoric. Its as lazy as teaching NS dancing online whilst wearing a T-shirt that announces you as the soulful product that is 'Northern Soul', and the reason the essence of many vernacular dance forms get hijacked and sold down the swanny only to become lost in reification by charlatans, and finally accepted as the 'real thing'. The actual visual memory of the 'real thing'  finally erased.

The scene was never live and let live, only amongst the true souls. Divs were always tolerated, but also mocked for what they were, tourists. BUT, they were never celebrated and proclaimed as authentic. 'Policed' is also a hackneyed word used to try to shut of any considered thought or discussion....like 'conspiracy theorist' (not differing opinion), 'anti-vax' (not pro-choice), misinformation , disinformation etc. All designed to silence debate. Also, Jesus has nothing to do with it, though i suspect many rush of to church that day after: but not in the way Clayton did (thats perhaps a bad analogy and not meant to suggest anything untoward).

 

[Tlscapital]

42 minutes ago, Leicester Boy said:

Lacoste man myself, Fred Perry used to be great but over expensive and prone to becoming baggy when washed. Back to topic if people want to wear ns t shirts that's upto them, Jesus is there anything that isn't policed anymore. Not for me but maybe live and let live eh.

Freedom of dress code is not Paul's point. As a skinhead in my teens I remember attending gatherings with all those 'butt heads' all dressed in Ben S., F. Perry, Doc M. ... it really felt awkward and uncomfortable. Evidently I never went for any of those brands and looks afterward weary of being accused to be part of such a 'sect'.

And I still see it happening at todays events with older skins, mods and scooter boys...  Yet i's not even that that Paul is referring to here but add my point to it and it becomes scary. Like in an 'anticipation' movie. The Mold ! A bit like The BBC Proms. As it is scary as a social (mass - group) phenomena and pathetic because I'm into NS.

So what Paul is referring to is not the T-shirt cloth or printed-on T-Shirts but it's what's printed on them that can be screaming 'pathetic'. It's only a commercial product of no taste, no intelligence nor originality made for consumers happy to be just that. Evidently those into wearing them gladly takes the bystanders comments on the Proms...

It's a painful phenomena to witness IMO as it's a debatable topic open for those whose do not agree. But what's with the 'police' thing ? Evidently things that do go wrong or lean toward about it all are to be addressed and if  those lenient with all that seem 'offensive less' they might remember that it's the little things that counts.

[Leicester Boy]

18 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

I just get sick of the flaccid, hackneyed 'live and let live' rhetoric. Its as lazy as teaching NS dancing online whilst wearing a T-shirt that announces you as the soulful product that is 'Northern Soul', and the reason the essence of many vernacular dance forms get hijacked and sold down the swanny only to become lost in reification by charlatans, and finally accepted as the 'real thing'. The actual visual memory of the 'real thing'  finally erased.

The scene was never live and let live, only amongst the true souls. Divs were always tolerated, but also mocked for what they were, tourists. BUT, they were never celebrated and proclaimed as authentic. 'Policed' is also a hackneyed word used to try to shut of any considered thought or discussion....like 'conspiracy theorist' (not differing opinion), 'anti-vax' (not pro-choice), misinformation , disinformation etc. All designed to silence debate. Also, Jesus has nothing to do with it, though i suspect many rush of to church that day after: but not in the way Clayton did (thats perhaps a bad analogy and not meant to suggest anything untoward).

 

policing is exactly what your doing, any variation of "your" world of soul is obviously wrong. If t shirts get you in such a frenzy well qué Sera. 

But anyway my opinion about the t shirt brigade stand and if you don't like it I don't give one.

 

[Leicester Boy]

26 minutes ago, Tlscapital said:

Freedom of dress code is not Paul's point. As a skinhead in my teens I remember attending gatherings with all those 'butt heads' all dressed in Ben S., F. Perry, Doc M. ... it really felt awkward and uncomfortable. Evidently I never went for any of those brands and looks afterward weary of being accused to be part of such a 'sect'.

And I still see it happening at todays events with older skins, mods and scooter boys...  Yet i's not even that that Paul is referring to here but add my point to it and it becomes scary. Like in an 'anticipation' movie. The Mold ! A bit like The BBC Proms. As it is scary as a social (mass - group) phenomena and pathetic because I'm into NS.

So what Paul is referring to is not the T-shirt cloth or printed-on T-Shirts but it's what's printed on them that can be screaming 'pathetic'. It's only a commercial product of no taste, no intelligence nor originality made for consumers happy to be just that. Evidently those into wearing them gladly takes the bystanders comments on the Proms...

It's a painful phenomena to witness IMO as it's a debatable topic open for those whose do not agree. But what's with the 'police' thing ? Evidently things that do go wrong or lean toward about it all are to be addressed and if  those lenient with all that seem 'offensive less' they might remember that it's the little things that counts.

What you even on about

[Jessie Pinkman]

I'm not a T shirt guy, I never had the figure for it, I found Ben Sherman check shirts tend to cover up a lot of sin.

Nowadays I think Teds Claudio Lugli or Blaqua designer shirt look fits the bill and without a northern soul slogan in sight.

[Leicester Boy]

I will now retire gracefully from this topic because I use the events section regularly have fun. Bye

[Zoomsoulblue]

20 hours ago, Bo Diddley said:

An old mate, Mickie Taylor, had a T-Shirt especially printed to wear at Wigan. It said "RIKA LIKE-A"!

This moment in time was caught on camera (on the left hand side). I'm not sure they would have been on sale at Blackpool

Who remembers mid 70ts the cars in the car parks with sun visor names at the top of the screen - SKF Bearing

DS must of hated us 

[Geeselad]

6 hours ago, Leicester Boy said:

What you even on about

 

Edited September 27, 2023 by Geeselad

[Frankie Crocker]

19 hours ago, Pied Piper said:

Sorry to say the Scene is no longer a unique underground Scene anymore,  It's just a MASSIVE MONEY MAKING SCENE. 

T Shirts , Mugs, Pictures of Wigan , Beer Mats, Coasters, and all the other Shite .

They Complained about the TV Cameras when they came to Wigan, Now they want it on TV as much as Possible. 

 

We’re really discussing the topic of branding here. Presumably because the t-shirt has become an item of merchandise, sold to enable the wearer to profess their attachment to the music or the scene. Of course, rock bands have been flogging over-priced ‘merch’ to fans for years. Now this has crossed over to the NS scene, it has brought the formerly underground scene more into the public eye. Once upon a time, involvement in the scene was expressed by wearing the NS regalia, often pilloried by the media and plenty on Soul-Source... maybe these days are long and unlikely to return so it’s probably best to turn a blind eye to the young T-shirt wearers and dress as you think most appropriate.

[Geeselad]

7 hours ago, Paul-s said:

I just get sick of the flaccid, hackneyed 'live and let live' rhetoric. Its as lazy as teaching NS dancing online whilst wearing a T-shirt that announces you as the soulful product that is 'Northern Soul', and the reason the essence of many vernacular dance forms get hijacked and sold down the swanny only to become lost in reification by charlatans, and finally accepted as the 'real thing'. The actual visual memory of the 'real thing'  finally erased.

The scene was never live and let live, only amongst the true souls. Divs were always tolerated, but also mocked for what they were, tourists. BUT, they were never celebrated and proclaimed as authentic. 'Policed' is also a hackneyed word used to try to shut of any considered thought or discussion....like 'conspiracy theorist' (not differing opinion), 'anti-vax' (not pro-choice), misinformation , disinformation etc. All designed to silence debate. Also, Jesus has nothing to do with it, though i suspect many rush of to church that day after: but not in the way Clayton did (thats perhaps a bad analogy and not meant to suggest anything untoward).

 

Your spot on, Paul, Im really sadly ashamed to admit I'm into northern nowadays, to anyone off the scene. It's associated with; a specific set of records, a costume and current culture that means little to me. That  'way of life', now seems to involve a flask of tea and sandwiches, dancing to same music week in week out at a host of local nights, with occasionally outings to the kings or crackpool. 

[Modernsoulsucks]

1 hour ago, Frankie Crocker said:

We’re really discussing the topic of branding here. Presumably because the t-shirt has become an item of merchandise, sold to enable the wearer to profess their attachment to the music or the scene. Of course, rock bands have been flogging over-priced ‘merch’ to fans for years. Now this has crossed over to the NS scene, it has brought the formerly underground scene more into the public eye. Once upon a time, involvement in the scene was expressed by wearing the NS regalia, often pilloried by the media and plenty on Soul-Source... maybe these days are long and unlikely to return so it’s probably best to turn a blind eye to the young T-shirt wearers and dress as you think most appropriate.

Right now you can get 3 t-shirts for £22.

Wear them inside out and you've got a cheap M otown & S oul logo.

Edited September 27, 2023 by Modernsoulsucks

[Frankie Crocker]

58 minutes ago, Modernsoulsucks said:

Right now you can get 3 t-shirts for £22.

Wear them inside out and you've got a cheap M otown & S oul logo.

I’d prefer a S & M logo Rod...

[Roburt]

Not 100% soul related .... the first protests against the-Vietnam War started around 1965 and quickly grew over the following 3 years. Many blacks were drafted & sent overseas to fight. They took their music with them & soon soul songs started to be written about Johnny / Jodie being shipped off to fight or about the ladies left back home. Nina Simone also got in on the act, with an anti-Vietnam war song. Of course, Norman Whitfield wrote "War" & had it recorded in 1970. 

Anyway, as youth around the world turned against the war, their protests spawned lots of spin-off stuff. Lots of anti-war badges (metal & embroidered) were on sale. Some lads on the UK soul scene got hold of the most famous style of these badges & sowed them onto tops (T-shirts, vests, jumpers). I was one who did ... 

The badge usually used ...  

[Mach]

That jogged a memory seem to remember a few lads wearing Bright Orange tee shirts at the Casino with the slogan "Wigan Casino Night Shift" printed on the back..was it anyone on here?

[Ian Parker]

I had the perfect T shirt for last weekend, in Blackpool.     KTF  (I dI'd wear this very one).

 

[Paul-s]

23 hours ago, Leicester Boy said:

policing is exactly what your doing, any variation of "your" world of soul is obviously wrong. If t shirts get you in such a frenzy well qué Sera. 

But anyway my opinion about the t shirt brigade stand and if you don't like it I don't give one.

 

Another individual who comes as never having been really on or 'in' the scene I have been on (takes all types) for and through the decades. If you were, you would get this debate. Your use of the word 'policing' with a dumb smiley emoji as the sum of your response just reeks of inadequacy in terms of any complex, informed, aware or soulful discussion. Also, you misuse the word frenzy....perhaps you misuse the word 'Northern Soul too, i wouldn't be surprised.

I don't' have a world of soul, that would indicate that it stopped evolving and that i stopped listening and developing, I think you may have your own 'small' world of soul though, judging by the lack lustre comments.

The qué Sera.  comment exposes you for who you are and what your contribution signifies.  The Northern Soul scene was never built on a qué Sera attitude. If you think it was, you were never in it.

Finally,  I guess you pulled that final thumb out from where its been stuck for decades, or have i misread that....

[Paul-s]

16 hours ago, Geeselad said:

Your spot on, Paul, Im really sadly ashamed to admit I'm into northern nowadays, to anyone off the scene. It's associated with; a specific set of records, a costume and current culture that means little to me. That  'way of life', now seems to involve a flask of tea and sandwiches, dancing to same music week in week out at a host of local nights, with occasionally outings to the kings or crackpool. 

Spot on....'costume drama re-enactment' full of acted out histrionics (teapots, hands on hearts, scrunched up faces indicating soul etc) to battered to death records.  It's parody derived from a re-invented past. Because, it was not like that at all....I went to hear music I didn't know, we followed certain DJ's for certain tunes and longed to get on the dance floor to get into something new and exciting. Venues post-wigan unearthed incredible tunes and I never stopped longing for them. The music was exciting. If i have a 45 i love, i play it wisely and make sure i never batter its soul and reach by having it on repeat.

The oldies night at Wigan has now become the week in week out night, on repeat, at many clubs and venues, and the parody fancy dress costume, soul on shirts instead of in hearts, and acting out, reminds me of a kind of 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' scenario.

[Shaafi P]

20 hours ago, Geeselad said:

Your spot on, Paul, Im really sadly ashamed to admit I'm into northern nowadays, to anyone off the scene. It's associated with; a specific set of records, a costume and current culture that means little to me. That  'way of life', now seems to involve a flask of tea and sandwiches, dancing to same music week in week out at a host of local nights, with occasionally outings to the kings or crackpool. 

I remember the once I was going to a night after work and told my mates where I was going and then they was curious and mustve youtubed “northern soul” and they get a video up of a blackpool ‘world dancing competition’ and said “is this what you’re going to do tonight?” Made me think to myself… wow is this what people think this thing is.

[Phild]

I've had my own design made. PM me for prices ...

 

[Paul-s]

8 minutes ago, Phild said:

I've had my own design made. PM me for prices ...

 

 Brilliant!

[Phild]

20 hours ago, Modernsoulsucks said:

Right now you can get 3 t-shirts for £22.

Wear them inside out and you've got a cheap M otown & S oul logo.

Mine would be that Memphis label - XL

 

[Montalbano 45]

Bet you’ll be glad to get them of f your hands Phil ….

[Roburt]

7 hours ago, Ian Parker said:

I had the perfect T shirt for last weekend, in Blackpool.     KTF  (I dI'd wear this very one).

 

They also do a variation on that, especially for RS .... bALDI ..... BALDI ....

[Mithras]

What about  vintage original  motown  t shirts in the boxes  only medium......for girls 

[Gaz T]

I have to agree

It’s  sad to see 

in the 80s we had to make our own soul thongs 

now you can get them anywhere 

 

[Olivernorth]

May have been more apt in years past to have worn T shirts bearing  “Keep The Secret” as “Keep The Faith” appears to have spread the faith far and wide to the masses who ignored it for 40 plus years, who are now proudly proclaiming northern a way of life!

[Mach]

10 hours ago, Olivernorth said:

May have been more apt in years past to have worn T shirts bearing  “Keep The Secret” as “Keep The Faith” appears to have spread the faith far and wide to the masses who ignored it for 40 plus years, who are now proudly proclaiming northern a way of life!

I appreciate we need progress and youngblood coming onto the scene to carry the torch forward (excuse the pun) but the comercialism and tat that goes with it really irks me, not to sound too selfish but personally i much prefered the scene when it was totally underground and the general public were unaware of it...most people that wear these tee shirts havent a clue about the real scene and were either too young or tucked up in bed when us hardent soulies were traipsing round the country in the early hours to feed are heartfelt passion.

[Mal C]

Didn't somebody do a T-shirt with a Cat and a size ten boot, relating to 'Kenard - What Did You Gain by That' at Stafford?  

Obviously a one off, Ive heard about it, but never seen it, this is the kind of thing you want...

[Daved]

I'm afraid to say I had a white T-shirt with a black fist and Keep the Faith on it in 1985. It suited me then 

[Shinehead]

21 hours ago, Gaz T said:

I have to agree

It’s  sad to see 

in the 80s we had to make our own soul thongs 

now you can get them anywhere 

 

 

"It aint no big thing" or thong.

[Paul-s]

2 hours ago, Shinehead said:

"It aint no big thing" or thong.

[Leicester Boy]

3 hours ago, Paul-s said:

Pmd you.

[Zoomsoulblue]

And finally the best T shirt I ever saw - late 79ts early 80ts

If Speed Kills - Why ain’t I Dead