In his show today, Steve Lamacq announced that Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures has been named the winner of BBC Radio 6 Music’s favourite band t-shirt of all-time.
It was voted for by the station’s listeners as part of its annual ‘Wear Your Old Band T-Shirt To Work Day’. The t-shirt will now be displayed at the Design Museum, complete with a description from Steve.
The imagery was designed by Peter Saville for the band’s debut album. It features a striking arrangement of lines charting the signal from a pulsar – an image which was taken from the Cambridge Encyclopedia of Astrology. Saville is an art director and graphic designer who gained renown for the numerous record sleeves he designed for Factory Records, of which he was a director, and to which Joy Division were signed.
Steve Lamacq says: “The response to the poll was terrific, which suggests just how fondly our listeners regard the rock’n’roll t-shirt. And I think they chose an excellent example of the art.”
He continues: “The Unknown Pleasures design is a perfect case of how a t-shirt can do an array of things, effortlessly. It’s a brilliantly striking image, a reminder of the shockwave of new music and new artists who emerged at the end of the 70s; it’s got an inherent air of cool, because of the reputation of the band; and it tells you that the person wearing it has an interest in music which goes way beyond the Top 40.”
From 30 t-shirts shortlisted to vote for, the top ten were:
1. Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures (11.6% of the vote)
2. James – Daisy (10.5%)
3. Pink Floyd – Dark Side (10.3%)
4. Motorhead – England (9.2%)
5. Ramones – Seal (5.1%)
6. Nirvana – Smiley (4.2%)
7. Guns N Roses – Appetite For Destruction (3.7%)
8. Sisters of Mercy – 1985 (3.6%)
9. Sonic Youth – Goo (3.2%)
10. Primal Scream – Screamadelica (3.1%)
Now in its eighth year, ‘Wear Your Old Band T-Shirt To Work Day’ has become a popular celebration of the music t-shirt and an opportunity for listeners to show their dedication to their favourite band or artist.
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