We all know that Foo Fighters are a bunch of good dudes who are truly dedicated to rad music — the guys love a Black Sabbath cover and are happy to invite Scott Ian’s son onstage to jam with them. Now, the band has only upped their game, having revived a classic 1995 shirt design in order to raise money for music venues that have been hit by COVID-19.
The band have brought back their Roswell alien shirt design, featuring a Gray alien on a green shirt, in two different versions. One commemorates their February 23, 1995 show at the Jambalaya Club in Arcata, California. For their UK fans, though, there’s a version that honors their June 3, 1995 show at Kings College.
All proceeds from both designs go to the National Independent Venue Association, which is spearheading the #SaveOurStages campaign by trying to keep venues hit by COVID-19 up and running so that we can all enjoy a sweaty, cramped experience in the future.
https://twitter.com/foofighters/status/1293656322961862656
Look, we know it’s hard for anyone to stay afloat during these difficult times, much less buy a shirt…and yes, this is one super ’90s-ass shirt (we’re surprised there isn’t a joint in the alien’s mouth). But if you have a few extra clams, toss them towards this shirt. Independent venues make the rock and metal scenes possible, and during COVID, saving them has become a heroic task.
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl isn’t just a commentator, either — he’s one of us. In May, Dave wrote a touching piece for The Atlantic about aiming for the future when live music returns, and poured his heart out about his love of the concert experiences.
“I myself have been pressed against the cold front rail of an arena rock show,” he wrote. “I have air-drummed along to my favorite songs in the rafters, and been crushed in the crowd, dancing to dangerous decibel levels while lost in the rhythm. I’ve been lifted and carried to the stage by total strangers for a glorious swan dive back into their sweaty embrace. Arm in arm, I have sung at the top of my lungs with people I may never see again. All to celebrate and share the tangible, communal power of music.
“In today’s world of fear and unease and social distancing, it’s hard to imagine sharing experiences like these ever again,” he continued. “I don’t know when it will be safe to return to singing arm in arm at the top of our lungs, hearts racing, bodies moving, souls bursting with life. But I do know that we will do it again, because we have to. It’s not a choice. We’re human. We need moments that reassure us that we are not alone. That we are understood. That we are imperfect. And, most important, that we need each other. I have shared my music, my words, my life with the people who come to our shows. And they have shared their voices with me. Without that audience—that screaming, sweating audience—my songs would only be sound. But together, we are instruments in a sonic cathedral, one that we build together night after night. And one that we will surely build again.”
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Words by Chris Krovatin
