Category: Private Reserve

Defunkd’s exclusive collection of vintage t-shirts for sale at reasonably exorbitant prices. Item #26: The JAMs, The KLF Year: 1989/1990 Circulation: Probably only 23. The KLF (also known as The Jams (Justified Ancients of Mu Mu) and The Timelords) were a British acid house, rave, electronica, hip hop, and/or techno outfit formed in the late 80s. But the duo were mostly avant-garde artists who utilized music, literature, film and publicity as their canvas to debunk the music industry. After producing the top selling single, Doctorin’ The Tardis they spit in the face of music by authoring The Manual (How To ... Read more

Defunkd’s exclusive collection of vintage t-shirts for sale at reasonably exorbitant prices. Item #25: Doctor Who Year: late 1980s Circulation: Rarer than a mortally wounded Time Lord. Sorry Trekkies, this fact is set to stun: Doctor Who is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as not only the longest running sci-fi television show, but the most successful in terms of ratings. This relic represents the golden era of Who featuring the first six actors to portray the good doctor. I watched quite a few of the Tom Baker era episodes as a child and I usually had no ... Read more

Defunkd’s exclusive collection of vintage t-shirts for sale at reasonably exorbitant prices. Item #23: 808 State Year: 1990 Circulation: Rarer than a rave with no glow-sticks. Originally a hip-hop group called Hit Squad Manchester, 808 State went on to became pioneers of the British electronica movement. With a name borrowed from the Roland TR-808 drum machine and penchant for digital production – ironically it was the soothing sounds of Graham Massey’s saxophone coupled with ambient nature sounds that scored them their first hit, Pacific State. Brand: Screen Stars Measurements: 22″ (pit-to-pit) 29″ (rear collar-bottom seam) Condition: Near Mint. Variables: None. ... Read more

Defunkd’s exclusive collection of vintage t-shirts for sale at reasonably exorbitant prices. Item #22: Information Society Year: 1988 Circulation: Rarer than acoustics in InfoSo tunes. Information Society (or InSoc, InfoSo) are an electronica outfit from Minnesota described as an American response to the second British invasion. The band is best known for their breakout hit What’s On Your Mind which hit #3 on the pop charts in 1988. The track contains two Star Trek samples – the beginning of the song Dr. McCoy is heard saying, “It’s worked so far, but we’re not out yet!” But you’re likely more familiar ... Read more

The Diabolical Biz Markie Year: 1989 Circulation: Rarer than an on-key Biz vocal. In the early 1980s Marcel Theo Hall, aka Biz Markie, made a name for himself around Long Island as a beat-boxing rapper. A decade and three releases later he was among the first rap artists to be sued for unauthorized usage of a sample. But when the Biz got beat in court the landscape of the recording industry was forever changed. His experience prompted the entire industry to universally adopt strict sample clearance policies prior to release. The bad press was said to damage Biz’s reputation and ... Read more