Clothing is my best friend and worst enemy. My frenemy, if you will. Being a 300-pound real-life Donkey Kong boy, I have a hard time finding shirts I enjoy. I’m not a rapper.

I spend hours scrolling through Pinterest looking for clothing inspiration. I particularly like 70s vintage, hardcore merch, bootlegs, and pretty much anything Matty Matheson would wear—being as he’s also a hefty gentleman. With that being said, I could have just found the mother lode of swag.

No need to spend stupid amounts of money on Depop for a worn-out vintage bootleg shirt that smells like the inside of a hipster’s mouth. You can find a brand new, good quality tee with the best hardcore and vintage-inspired graphics and stink that shit up on your own. It’s a lot cooler to wear shirts to shreds yourself than to buy them like that.

I’m blabbering on about this because I am simply shocked at the quality being served by The Failing Company. They’re redefining bootleg fashion and merging nostalgic pop culture with bold black metal aesthetics and more. From Sopranos-inspired tees to hardcore band-style merch, this catalog is perfect for anyone tapped into any alternative underground. New York to Los Angeles, there is something in their shop that will have your friends asking “WHERE DID YOU BUY THIS?” Will you tell them? If you’re a little gatekeeper, this might be your new favorite store. Let me explain.

 

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1. Sopranos Bootleg Shirts: Pine Barrens and Bada Bing!

The Sopranos series is a cultural icon, and somehow The Failing Company makes it even cooler. Everyone and their mother loves this show. I personally have never seen it, but I might just watch it so I can wear these shirts. I’m telling you, if you’ve seen the show, it’s a no-brainer.

• Pine Barrens Script Tee: On a heavy white tee, this shirt has a black-and-white still on the front depicting Chris and Paulie looking cold. It’s a reference to Season 3, Episode 11, and it says that on the back along with a quote that reads, “He killed sixteen Czechoslovakians. The guy was an interior decorator.” HAHA! Brother, I have got to watch this show. This design is bold and simple, just like any vintage bootleg. I’ve never seen anyone else do Sopranos bootleg shirts so well.

• Bada Bing! Shirt: It’s a company shirt for the gentleman’s club in the show! It has the location and number on the front. On the back, it reads “Here comes the Prozac!” If you’re a real fan of The Sopranos, you need this. My equivalent would be owning a Dunder Mifflin or Patty’s Pub company tee.

These shirts combine the grit of The Sopranos with the spirit of hardcore merch. These are a must for people who binge the show every once in a while. ALSO, perfect gifts. Seriously. This company is still underground, so getting these before they blow up is a MUST. I really do believe that one day these bootlegs are going to be on the resale vintage market for WAY more than what you can get them for right now.

 

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2. 50th Annual Toyotathon Hardcore Shirt

Wear this shirt to the next Sound and Fury festival, and you will be goated. This shirt is a tongue-in-cheek nod to modern hardcore band merch, with a design that reminds you of Gulch merch or Terror merch. Wear it to confuse your friends and make strangers do a double take. It’s a must-have for anyone who appreciates irony and bold graphic art. I don’t know why it’s so funny and charming to me, but it really is.

 

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3. Trader Joe’s Black Metal Shirt

Hello Trader Joe’s, I would like all of my food EXPIRED, please!!! Haha. This shirt is actually bonkers. Not just a Trader Joe’s bootleg shirt but a BLACK METAL style Trader Joe’s bootleg shirt! With intricate, dark artwork that feels like vintage Darkthrone merch, this piece is perfect for fans of underground music and alternative aesthetics.

 

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4. "I Miss Gulch" Hat and Camo Caps

Accessories, baby. Your fit is not complete without the hat, and that’s no cap! I’m sorry…

No, but honestly, as I said earlier, you wear this to any hardcore show, and you will be getting dapped by all of the OGs. These are made for hardcore music lovers who understand the hardcore and punk aesthetic.

• "I Miss Gulch" Hat: If you’ve ever seen them, you would miss them too. It’s rare that I see a piece that will actually make you friends. If you’re into hardcore music, you know what I mean.

• Camo LA and NY Hats: Camo hats with orange LA or NY embroidered in a hardcore/black metal font. You get it. It’s alternative fashion at its peak.

 

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5. Nosferatu Long Sleeve: Goth Bitches Only

For fans of vintage horror and gothic aesthetics, the Nosferatu long sleeve is a standout piece. It’s crazy because this shirt rides the line with its almost Hot Topic aesthetic. It’s like if Hot Topic merch was cool.

 

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Why Choose The Failing Company?

It’s a catalog of merchandise that represents alternative culture and underground fashion. It’s so niche. TV, movies, musical acts, etc. The design team is churning out all of our favorite things from pop culture and underground music and blending them into hardcore and vintage-style shirts that you can’t find anywhere else. No Depop, no eBay. It’s here!

 

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Shop the Hardcore Collection Today

Ready to upgrade your steez? Check out The Failing Company’s Collection and grab your favorite pieces before they’re gone. Whether you're a fan of The Sopranos, black metal, or hardcore nostalgia, there's something here for you—you little gatekeeping, hipster, emo goth, doom scroller!

Shop Now and make all of your friends jealous!