Dee Snider knows a thing or two about metal fashion. But it seems the overabundance of celebrities wearing metal t-shirts has gotten to the Twisted Sister frontman. Kanye West, are notorious for wearing metal shirts out in public. We've seen Metallica shirts worn by Gigi Hadad, Michael Jackson's daughter, Justin Bieber, and Kim Kardashian.
But celebrity stylists getting their clients to wear vintage metal shirts is one thing. Big time fashion brands have begun taking notice and blatantly ripping off metal logos in some cases. It feels like H&M released a line of metal logo t-shirts, Diesel sold this overpriced leather jacket with fake metal patches on it, Urban Outfitters sold overpriced band t-shirts too, and I have no idea what Gucci was thinking with this AC/DC design. Now, you have big brands like Supreme teaming up with Black Sabbath and Slayer for limited lines. Dee Snider is not having it any more. Take a look at what he tweeted today:
Gotta say, this new trend of non-metal fans wearing vintage metal T's if pretty sickening. Metal is not ironic! Dicks.
— Dee Snider (@deesnider) October 17, 2017
It's not just the wearing of our metal T's, it's their cherry picking of our style #skulls #metalhorns These are OUR symbols; OUR image.
— Dee Snider (@deesnider) October 18, 2017
While the tweets got a lot of likes, there were some interesting responses pushing back on Dee's opinion, which Dee acknowledged.
Dude, we in the metal community should accept everyone. Sure they’re posers but at least their fashion sense is getting better.
— Greg (@Deathtongue62) October 18, 2017
Well, there is that. ;) https://t.co/xj4B44P6Px
— Dee Snider (@deesnider) October 18, 2017
Maybe it takes a kid liking a t-shirt to start a convo about said band and kid is opened up to a new world of music they might not have.
— Michael Jones (@bones52768) October 18, 2017
Wouldn't that be nice…it could happen. https://t.co/s7DMP6sJvO
— Dee Snider (@deesnider) October 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/Kenjh71/status/920678689955860480
Probably goes back to pirates…but I think they would approve! https://t.co/1IS6ikArvi
— Dee Snider (@deesnider) October 18, 2017
While we can understand Dee's frustration, ultimately, we think any form of gatekeeping is a waste of time. Heavy metal is for everybody. I can't tell you how many stories I've heard about longtime Maiden fans saying the way they got into the band was browsing the record store and finding one of their albums with their amazing cover art and having to buy it. Well, guess what? Record stores are few and far between. But if a kid sees a cool Iron Maiden shirt and decides to actually put on "Number of the Beast," then it's a victory for all of us, as it keeps heavy metal alive.
In spite of all these metal posers, there are plenty of legit celebrity metalheads, which we've listed below.
Dee obviously holds metal's imagery very close to his heart, as he found himself defending it many times in 80s. His battle with the PMRC made our list of Most Controversial Moments in Metal.
Celebrity Metalheads, who usually get into the music through their kids:
- Actor Jason Momoa Hit Up METALLICA's Post-Grammys Hollywood Gig
- Chris Hemsworth, aka THOR, Is A Metalhead
- Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie's Son, Maddox, Is Definitely A Metalhead
- Jim Carrey Dons Corpse Paint, Gets On Stage With ALICE COOPER To Sing Classics
- Why Is Johnny Depp Hanging Out With Members of KORN?
- The Walking Dead's Norman Reedus Loves SLAYER, Jams With ANTHRAX
- Actress Margot Robbie Professes Her Love for METALLICA, SLIPKNOT, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
- Yes, That Was Mr. Belding Introducing FEAR FACTORY At Their NYC Show
- The Mountain From Game Of ThronesListens To Metal When He Lifts
- Rogue One Star Forest Whitaker Spotted At BRING ME THE HORIZON Show
- Before He Was GAME OF THRONES' Tyrion Lannister, Peter Dinklage Fronted A Punk Band
- NEW KID ON THE BLOCK Donnie Wahlberg Spotted At PERIPHERY Show
