Bang-On in Little Five Points, GA

Its design is simple. You can see it nearly everywhere, from college campuses to train stations, from cafeterias to city streets, and anyplace in between. What is it? The t-shirt.

T-shirts, in and of themselves, are a form of self-expression. Some bear the logos of highly adored bands; some may publicize a favorite movie line. Still others may make a political statement. They are sold in stores across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and even Australia and Asia...you name it.

For those of you who see the t-shirt as a fashion statement all its own, there is Bang-On, the company that gives you the opportunity to custom design a shirt for yourself. Bang-On T-Shirts, according to Bang-On: The Company, began in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The store, generally speaking, is simply laid out, offering hundreds of shirt designs in a few binders. Once you find a layout that fits your personality, just let a clerk know, and they will transfer it onto the t-shirt of your choice.

What Kind of Designs?

As stated, there are numerous custom designs to choose from. At their homepage, you can sample a selection of some of the most popular logos. On the "Rock" page, for example, there are emblems for Ozzy Osbourne, featuring the Prince of Darkness in all his glory; Mötley Crüe, with caricatures of Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Mick Mars, and Vince Neil; David Bowie, in his '70s glam getup; and Dead Kennedys, one of the founders of hardcore punk. How can you go wrong with those?

In addition to band logos, there are copious sayings that, chances are, will stop strangers on the street. In this section, you'll find the infamous "That's How I Roll!" shirt, with an image of your classic nerd on a Segway; a guitar amp with the volume turned to "11" (if you haven't seen This Is Spinal Tap, do so before buying); "Tom is not my friend," for those of you who are anti-Myspace; and "Pug Life" (any explanation necessary?).

And, of course, for those who can't resist a good old dirty joke, there are t-shirts that say: "Liquor in the Front, Poker in the Rear," with a deck of cards and a beer; "The Word of the Day is 'Legs'...Spread the Word!" and things simply go downhill from there.

Letter Rip!

Bang-On allows you to choose from more than 50 different lettering styles, so your shirt logo can be especially designed for you. Inside the store, you'll find an organized system of boxes, from which you can mix and match the many different fonts and colors to your liking. Come on in, and see what's available!

For Adults Only

Made especially for those who grew up during the "Golden Age of Porn," Bang-On (no pun intended) offers designs with some of those who made the genre notorious in the '70s. Who are they, you ask? John Holmes, Linda Lovelace, Ron Jeremy, and others...even if you've never seen a flick from this era, per se, if you're a fan of Paul Thomas Anderson's Boogie Nights, you can pay tribute to the film by wearing one of these designs. That's entirely optional, of course!

Where Is This Place Again?

If you live in Canada, Bang-On has locations in Park Royal, Montreal, Guildford, Edmonton, Toronto, and other spots. See their website for more information.

As for the United States, there is a store in Atlanta's Little Five Points, on Euclid Ave.; in Athens, GA, on E. Clayton St.; in San Francisco, on Haight St.; and in Richmond, VA, on W. Cary St.

There are, however, stores in several other countries as well; Chihuahua, Mexico and Monterrey, Mexico have their own distinctive locations. Australia, too, has its share of stores, located in Frankston, Sydney, and Melbourne. Even Switzerland and Germany have had the privilege of opening Bang-On shops on their streets.

While the idea of traveling all the way to Australia simply to visit a t-shirt store may seem outrageous, there's no law saying that you can't stop by if you're making a visit. Part of the idea of t-shirts, of course, is saying "I bought this here!" Why not do so in another continent?

How About Some Recognition?

Bang-On, far from being an obscure little shirt store, has had its clothing featured in such magazines as the November '05 FHM (featuring a female pirate shirt design); the June/July '04 Elle Girl; the May '05 Rolling Stone, in an article on "Rock the Vote"; and in New York magazine, on a sidebar entitled "Shop Talk." As they continue to progress, expect more media appearances!

Sign Me Up!

Let's recap: if you love all things short-sleeved, and want the chance to custom design your own, Bang-On is the place. Whether it's your favorite band, your favorite movie, or some random, off-the-wall statement you want to make known, say it with short sleeves!