Hardcore Pride x What's Hardcore?

A while back, I got an email with a link to The Hundreds Blog. Although a fan, I don't frequent the Hundreds store. I get what they do, and respect where they are taking their image through merchandise, but when it comes to wearing it, just not really my thing. I check the link out. Through the vivid colors with 80s-90s-inspired, throwback graphics and limited production runs, there are a few pieces that catch my eye. You know when you run into someone you know in a city that isn't home? So familiar but in a new and strange setting? That's how I felt when I saw The Hundreds: A Tribute To Hardcore.

Not too long after the Hundreds released their collection, I see Supreme releasing their Youth Of Today rip. Again, I'm a fan of what Supreme does, don't always pay for it, but usually a fan. This was different though. Right next to the Budwieser x Supreme bag, was a "Youth Crew" shirt. My first thought about both of them; how could they? Supreme and The Hundreds taking something I hold so dear and turning it into street-wear for a bunch of young kids to wear without knowing where the imagery came from just to turn a penny!?!? Then I got smart.



The kids behind these shirts are the same as me, and were shaped and influenced in the same way I was by these bands. After I thought about it all, I was stoked they did it. They were pushing these old bands and their messages of positivity onto a whole new demographic that might not otherwise know about it. These guys, even in their heavy plastisol-printed way, are keeping alive a tradition and a sub-culture that has been so skewed and morphed over the years, I barely recognize it. I can't help but to think the team responsible, over at The Hundreds, were laughing at their little inside joke, and loving the idea that they were going to give a whole different type of street-cred to a group of fluorescent Nike wearing kids.

Sure, the people who buy these may wear them not ever knowing what it was like to jump on shoulders, wait for the mic to be passed, and sing along to 'Hold On'. They may go to bars and sip their cool cheap beer, wearing a BOLD shirt, and have no clue what a youth crew even is, but who cares. Maybe they'll go home, download a Gorilla Biscuits track and X-up for the next Alife show.







I'm just pissed the Ten Yard Fight shirt sold out before I could get one. Hats off to The Hundreds for giving the kids a floor to punch.

The originals...







For the original pieces from "back in the day" and a taste of the life these guys are paying homage to... check out two of my favorite resources...

The Hardcore Archaeologist

XshirtsX