6 Bands Whose Merch Outshined Their Music

Interior of Retrostone shop, including T-shirts emblazoned with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Iron Maiden. Retrostone, B23, Basement, Trendy Zone, Mong Kok. 23MAY16 SCMP/Nora Tam [FEATURES FASHION] — Source: Interior of Retrostone shop, including T-shirts emblazoned with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Iron Maiden. Retrostone, B23, Basement, Trendy Zone. (Nora Tam/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)

We all loved rocking band tees in our 20s and some of us still do, but let’s be honest, there are a few bands where the logo or mascot made a bigger cultural dent than the music ever did. These six bands didn’t just play stages, they took over our wardrobes, lunchboxes and tattoo parlors.

1. KISS – The Merch Monsters

No surprise here. KISS didn’t just tour, they marketed. With over $1 billion in merchandise sales, their faces are on everything from condoms to coffins. Gene Simmons made sure you’d see KISS even if you never heard Love Gun. Let’s face it: More people know the face paint than the music.

2. Iron Maiden – Eddie the Icon

Sonisphere Festival 2011 — Source: A fan wears a t-shirt of Iron Maiden during Sonisphere Festival on July 16, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Mariano Regidor/Redferns via Getty Images)

Let’s give credit where it’s due: Iron Maiden has loyal fans, but even those who’ve never sat through The Number of the Beast know Eddie, the undead mascot with more t-shirts than some clothing lines. From patches to posters, Eddie became metal’s ultimate fashion statement.

3. Ramones – Punk’s Accidental Fashion Label

The Ramones seal tee is basically punk’s Nike swoosh; it’s everywhere. Worn by fashionistas, models and kids with no clue who Joey Ramone was. The logo is cool, it’s gritty, and ironically, it turned anti-establishment into mainstream style.

4. Nirvana – Grunge Goes Global

'Growing Up Kurt' exhibition — Source: Brian Lawless – PA Images / Getty Images

Kurt Cobain hated corporate culture, but the smiley face logo has become a fashion empire. You’ll find it on everything from fast fashion racks, to coffee mugs. Half the wearers think it’s just a cool retro design. Ask them to name a song besides Smells Like Teen Spirit and it’s crickets.

5. Misfits – The Skull That Won’t Die

That Fiend Skull is a streetwear staple. Seen on everyone from skaters to goth teens. The band had cult punk appeal, sure, but the logo turned into a standalone brand. Most fans of the merch couldn’t pick Danzig out of a lineup.

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6. The Rolling Stones – Tongue Out, Cash In

You know the tongue-and-lips logo even if you don’t know Sticky Fingers. It’s tattooed on bodies, printed on baby onesies and sold at H&M. Mick and Keith? Legends, but the logo? Immortal.

Some bands tour the world. These guys? They own your closet.