NO LIFE 'TIL DENIM!
BATTLE/BODY ARMOR a.k.a. the battle vest
NPZ #2 — DECEMBER 2024 — PAGE 11-12
The battle vest, one of the most important markers of the metal subculture, perhaps second only to the long hair of headbangers. Go to Wikipedia or r/battlejackets if you want a rundown of the history, cause it’s been said many times before myself.
I got my vest in summer of 2022—actually a children’s jacket from goodwill for $5. I think the first metal patch I got was a blue Metallica one (covered by my hair RIP). Now, I’ve got a vest that I’m pretty damn happy with. My favorite patches: M72 from the LA concert, which I sewed on to wear for the 2nd night; Aftershock 2023 wristbands on the bottom, I still have my 2023 one to add on somewhere; my trans Punisher skull hand-embroidered by my best friend, BIGOTRY WILL BE PUNISHED. PROTECT TRANS LIVES.
The star of the show is my AC/DC Highway to Hell painted back patch. My first rock and roll shirt was a Highway to Hell shirt that is so faded I don’t wear it out anymore, so I wanted to memorialize it, and threw in a flaming car cause that’s metal as fuck (big Christine fan here). Now, to the painters out there: DON’T DO WHAT I DID. I painted on a framed, gesso canvas, and now I’m left with the constant battle of cracks. Even sealing it doesn’t protect the base layer from cracking :(
At the Exodus show, there were battle vests galore, I felt a little outshined if I’m being frank. Pic on the left was a trans kid with their friend, who I approached because I wanted to show them my punisher patch. Middle is vocalist of Invader, Roman with a cool acid washed vest. Top right is Metalliphotographer and Bay Area scene OG Harald O. (pg. 5) with a huge Metallica patch that I’m lowkey jealous of. Right is my online friend Chaneque, who painted a Noise Pollution zine patch!!! Also, his RTL patch glows in the dark!! Fucking awesome, check out his Metallica comic featured pg. 16!!!
(continued from previous)
@EricKaralis is this incredible battle jacket/vest painter on instagram. I asked him one time if he used fabric medium to avoid cracking, and this was his response: “NO, never[.] been doing this since 1984 and have friends that still have them with minimal cracks/cracking. THIN APPLICATION Paint like a watercolor artist NOT [an] OIL PAINTER”
So key takeaways: Acrylic is fine. No fabric medium needed. Paint on fabric, NOT PREPPED CANVAS. Light layers — I’ve been planning a Ride the Lightning backpatch for myself in the future, either directly on a black vest, or a patch that I can swap onto my current vest, we’ll see. I've thought about offering custom paint jobs but no time right now unfortunately. Maybe the right price.
At a show once, a guy gave me free patches and his card (right), selling battle vests. I personally sew my patches and customize my spikes all by myself, but I wanna hear from others, do you make your vest yourself, or do you get someone else to do it? Why?
MISSING DIY-BUTTONS :(
I CAN REMAKE, BUT STILL SAD
(SOCIALIST F*G) <- LOST AT AFTERSHOCK
(NO LIFE 'TIL LEATHER!) <- LOST SINCE EXODUS? FAV PIN EVER I'M DEVASTATED :'(
PATCH WISHLIST:
SLIPKNOT
JUDAS PRIEST
SOAD
RATM
SEPULTURA
METALLICA
METALLICA
METALLICA
(IRON MAIDEN PATCH) PATCH TRADE? DM or EMAIL [Found someone to gift the patch]
“BODY ARMOR” or “BATTLE ARMOR” 6x8in, intaglio dry point etching and linoleum block carving — Continuing my series about vulnerability and hypermasculinity in the metal subculture, I wanted to highlight the outward appearance and edgy fashion commonly seen, and how that may be a deliberate choice to conceal the vulnerable inner-self. The metalhead is shielding himself with the vest and hair, and dressing this way not only to signify in-group status, but also act as a warning to others not to disrespect his perceived intimidating appearance.
