Merch or die

Buying merch from a band is really a non-tax deductible donation. At worst, you give the band gas money and get yet another black t-shirt. At best, you get to wear a brand that’s much cooler than “Nike,” “True Religion,” or the meaningless mark du jour. Why not wear something that actually stands for something? Here are three ways you can look good while doing good.

Mark Riddick is one of metal’s preeminent visual artists, having provided imagery for countless albums and t-shirts. His clients have included Arsis, Slayer, Grave, Hirax, Relapse Records, Hells Headbangers, and many more. Riddick’s one year-old son was recently diagnosed with Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus (NDI), a rare genetic disorder. Riddick has crafted a t-shirt + signed print package ($25), proceeds from the sale of which will benefit the research of the NDI Foundation. For more details, click the above image.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this month, technical thrashers Believer are offering a limited edition t-shirt ($18), proceeds from the sale of which will benefit cancer research. (Vocalist Kurt Bachman is a cancer researcher in real life.) The shirt’s imagery is derived from that of the band’s latest album, Gabriel (Metal Blade, 2009). For more details, click the above image. Additionally, Victory Records is running a t-shirt benefit sale for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It may be the only opportunity ever to score a pink Blood for Blood shirt. See details here.

Finally, The Syrentha J. Savio Endowment (SSE) aids underprivileged women who cannot afford breast cancer treatment. The SSE has a large selection of exclusive band t-shirts ($12-$15 + S/H) (and now shoes!), proceeds from the sale of which benefit the SSE’s mission. Many worthy bands — 108, Converge, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Shadows Fall, to name a few — have contributed designs to this worthy cause. For more details, click the above image.