There are no Hot Topics in Manhattan, but I assume it’s in every mall of America. I visited a store once (Roosevelt Field, holla!), so I get the gist.
Anyway, reader Erin e-mailed:
Hello, I’m a longtime reader of Stereogum, and I was surfing the web when I came across the front page of Hot Topic’s website. I normally wouldn’t send stuff like this, but I thought you had to see what their idea of what indie kids looked like. Personally, I think their idea of “indie” is very reminiscent of the ’50s diner scene in Ghost World.
Nice find Erin.
Anyway, days later our mailbag was graced with a promo of MC Lars’ Graduate. How apropros:
MC Lars (Feat The Matches) – “Hot Topic Is Not Punk Rock” (MP3 Link Expired)
Lars calls his music post-punk laptop rock. Good for a few chuckles, but it’s mostly not-as-clever Paul Barman.
So, we’ll leave you with Le Tigre. Has nothing to do with the counter-culture version of Spencer Gifts, but a classic must-download with a newly unfortunate moniker. Enjoy.
Le Tigre – “Hot Topic” (MP3 Link Expired)
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Well i think everystore is for a certain group of people personally i shop at abercrombie hollister and american eagle i dont mind hot topic i think they have cute jewlery but everyone has there own style also just beacause i shop there doesnt mean i am a snob or i think i am better i live in the suburbs of pa and its where all of us popular kids shop if i dont like i say its ugly if i like it i buy it i have clothes from hot topic like band t shirts but not any bondage pants and whats the point of buying something that is not even fitted and to big i rather pay 70 dollars for a pair of jeans then get a pair that are too big and black well thats all for now
I would like to think I’m an individual in my actions and choices. I wear what I think is comfortable, practical, and looks good. I don’t copy others’ styles. I buy my clothes at a variety of stores including “preppy” stores, Hot Topic, department stores, and used stores like Value Village. My music choices are what I like. I like music from almost every genre.
Hot Topic has that group of followers who buy almost all of their clothes from Hot Topic. You’ve seen them… they wear baggy black pants with chains on them, maybe a H.I.M. shirt (black of course), a Nightmare Before Christmas Hoody, an Invader Zim wristband, and a cap with Stewie Griffin on it. Lately I’ve seen a lot of them wearing eye make up. They are looked down upon for not being very original, and face it they’re not. It’s not cool either.
My problem is that I really like A Nightmare Before Christmas, Family guy, and certain bands that have (in stuck-up indie talk) “sold out.”
A lot of shows and movies that were special to me are now associated with a bunch of followers that I really wouldn’t want to be associated with. Things that used to be cult classics are now being overexposed and exploited.
You might say “Who cares what others think.” Well, unless I want to looked down on for being another Hot Topic poseur I can’t wear things from a lot of shows and movies I really liked. Perhaps you remember High School. I don’t want to be judged for what I wear.
Have you ever seen someone wearing a Led Zeppelin shirt and realized that they probably haven’t heard very much of their music and simply purchased the item based on wear it was on display or who else they saw wearing it?
Maybe it’s Hot Topic’s fault, maybe it’s the poseurs’ fault, maybe it’s my fault, maybe it’s everyone that are not Hot Topic poseurs’ fault… I dunno. It sucks.
Okay dont ask me why but I’m writing a paper on abercrombie and hot topic. Does anyone know who they’re owned by? My paper is due really soon and I need that info for it. I’m comparing an contrasting them and all that. It’s exctiing…..sort of but I needed an idea.
Hot Topic is a way of expressing ones self. The fact that so many people care if one person is wearing something goth astounds me. Some people find goth cool just like some people find abercrombie cool. If someone wants to be dark/gothic its none of your buisness! The people inside the Hot Topic clothes could have wonderful souls but all you care about is what their wearing. When you don’t know someone and you immediatly assume something that is completly bysist. Why don’t you shut the hell up and actually think about this person that you judge with out meeting.
I have no problem with Hot Topic. I shop there all the time. It’s the people who only shop there because it’s in style that I have a problem with. I buy what I like if it’s worth the price.
It’s just a clothing store…
wtf
why is everybody arguing about it?
i like the stuff they have at hot topic…
i agree with nicole
its the people who only shop at HT because its in style that piss me off..
and then theres the people who hate HT because they think that its for poseurs
w.e
Hott Topic is the best store ever and all u ahters just shut the hell up damn!!! If u dont like it then just shut the hell up no need to talk shit !!!
Hngfhj,
I’m a trad goth myself, so you might imagine I see no reason to go on a downing trip against goths. What I find funny and sad about Hot Topic is not that kids go there to buy band tees or fishnet shirts. That I find perfectly understandable. It’s not something wrong with the kids that shop there, either.
No.
What I find funny and sad about Hot Topic is that it’s a mall chain identity brand that overcharges for cheaply-made items and sells a diluted, unoriginal version of the cultures it panders to. Instead of taking a little adventure to their local second-hand store and discovering some wonderful coat or dress they can take home and customize, instead of exploring to find a wonderful little-known darkwave band at their local indie record store, these kids go to Hot Topic to buy their goth-in-a-box, not thinking to try going off on their own direction and be creative for a change. Their clothing all looks the same, the bands they listen to are unoriginal, corporate and watered-down, and they reduce alternative culture from a creative exploration to an excercise in aping trends.
Also, on the occasion I actually go to a mall, I find that the mall goth kids tend to act terribly silly and mean towards me. I can walk into one of these malls with my deathrock jacket, foot-tall black mowhawk, ornate makeup and huge boots, and no matter how uber-goth I look, the mall goths usually sneer at me nonetheless. Does it occur to them that they might actually enjoy talking to me?
Perhaps, like so many in the “real” goth scene, they simply take themselves far too seriously.
I something cool to say, but with my ADD it was hard keeping track with you ppl; all your negative and postive conversions bouncing back and forth. Geez.
In my personal opinion, James had the best arguments.
I like HOTTOPIC because unlike most people I steal what I can’t afford. Sure I buy from Mom and Pop shops and the rare reasonably priced, decent independent business owners, but from the corporate bastards like Abercrombie, HotTopic, Barnes and Noble, and any other mall store I steal from them. Higher quality clothes for free? I’m down. What really makes me feel better is that not only am I fucking up the people’s jobs that work there, but I’m fucking up the company I hate, all while getting the same shit everyone else pays for, for free. I rock. (Most of it sits in my closet anyway. Like most ppl I wear the same three things all the time, and donate the rest later. Great way of finding out if you really like something, without risking the price! Ohhhh snapppp)
Oh yeah, and BTW, to Shannon and anyone else who thinks working for HT is better than “most companies”, you’re pathetic. If you’re that old and still work a 16-18 year olds job, I have an idea for you. Why don’t you start your own business. Then you could channel all of your pent up energy trying to convince people of your bullshit, and be your own boss. How fantastic.
But sadly, someone had to suggest that to you instead of you thinking of that yourself, so you probably won’t follow my advice and will end up working a mall job management position all your life. When you get to old for HT there’s always Dillards or JC Penny or something.
I’m incredibly late in the game, but…I do like Hot topic. Really. Not because I’m a wannabe goth/emo/whatever but because I like some of the stuff they sell. I’m not trying to impress somebody, I’m not trying to set myself apart from others. Hell, i’m not even trying to be a non-conformist. I like it because it’s one of the few stores (and maybe that’s just the city I’m in) that doesn’t have workers treating customers like crap. The other day, I went in, and not one of the employees was looking over my shoulder, making me uncomfertable, or making me feel guilty for something I haven’t done. I picked out a shirt that I liked, with an awesome discount. (I thought it was cute) I bought a diary, as I’m supposed to use one now, and I just happen to like Invader Zim. (And before someone busts me on it, I loved Zim before I knew it was cool with anyone else, least of all Hot Topic) So regardless of the people who seem to think that the only people that shop there are out to prove are goth, emo, sell-outs, and such, I still like it. I like what I like and that’s all there is to it. Oh, and I felt Shannon and James had the best argument, while Veronica had the worst. You steal, yet never wear the stuff, then call someone who has a job and enjoys it, pathetic? Hmm. I think we can get a pretty good idea about you. What if they don’t want to work someplace else? Wow. I sadly I had to come with that FOR you. Is it really that hard to think that someone might be happy working at someplace “coporate”? If you want business to expand, that’s just how it works. Mom and Pop shops are usually for homemade things, not stuff you can buy off their website. Idiot.
“Emo” will soon die out, and Wapanese / Weaboo / Japan-o-Phile will take its place as the DOMINANT MUSICAL SUBCULTURE! Abandon your AFI, My Craptastic Romance, Hawthorn Heights, Fallout Boy CRAP! J-Rock is where its at, NEE-GAAAH! ?????????! : “DIR EN GREY” can kick AFI’s whiney gaijin asses! NIPPON WA SUGURE TA KUNI? DESU!!! YOU HAVE NO CHANCE TO SURVIVE, MAKE YOUR TIME!!! All Emo’s convert to Wapanese now or be IMPALED with giant sticks of Strawberry Pocky! ^.^
I am a person. And I will me damned if YOU tell me that I am NOT being unique or original in anyway. I shop at HT. So fucking what..? I shop at Macy’s and Wet Seal too. I have my own style and I buy what I like. I am not Emo, goth,punk,preppy,rave,indie or whatever you want to call me
I Am A Person. And Damn proud of it.
AFI,EMO and MCR can kiss my Wapanese/Otaku/Weaboo/Japan-O-Phile ass. Long live J-Rock/J-pop,Lolita,and Harajuku!
“I think people are pissed at someone for making their “orignal” style marketable.” -josh
I love you. <3
“Boo-Hoo my scene got co-opted” -George
and I love you too. <3
no whats retarded is people who only wear store bought style. at least hott topic offers tons of different stuff instead of granny-knit sweaters with the store name plastered all over it. i just find it funny how people would rather spend $60 dollars on a pair of pants just cuz they have a bird on them. who seriously cares? i’m sorry that i like to be different hand have my own style…actually no i’m really not. to all you preppy bitches who think ur cool cuz you can spend 100 bucks on a pair of pants and shoes that have an animal printed on them…fuck u!
)
Hot Topic is a store. People go to stores to buy stuff that they like. If you don’t like the stuff it sells, you ignore the store. Simple as that.
i work at hot topic im 19
it is true we sell “mass marketed” clothing….but who doesn’t….do you think you are the only one wearing those same exact type of jeans or t-shirt?
i do have to agree with you ; half of the kids that shop there, are complete idiots. however, some are pretty cool and yes, “individual”.
if you were to ever speak with an employee of hot topic most of them would agree that half of the band tees we sell and most of our customers are fake. but i cannot think of a more fun place to work
we get to listen to whatever music we want all day (including rap, which most of my co-workers love)
to me, the people who are so livid about the credibility of hot topic, are just trying to convince others of their supposed “individuality” themselves, but seeing as there are so many of you, you not so original.
it is a store people
get the fuck over it
you seemingly have way too much time on your hands to keep bitching about this all the fucking time
Jonathan m
I agree with Jonathan… it’s a store. Get the fuck over it.
I’m 23, and I still shop at HT. Granted, mostly for the clearance stuff coz’ I’m cheap… but yeah. It’s not just for younger people trying to ‘find themselves’
You Old Navy, Abercrombie and Eagle types are just as bad. Why go pay 150 dollars for a pair of jeans with holes pre-ripped into them(oh SO original…), when you can go to Walmart and buy a normal set of pants for 30 dollars or so, and wreck them naturally?
I don’t go to HT for the music. I wanna get music, I’m gonna find the place where I can get it cheap. I work at a casino, I get paid crap. I’m not gonna pay 15 dollars for a cd I can get used for 5 somewhere else. But I DO like the fact they have a music foundation.
I love HT where I shop because I like the music, and as strange as it sounds, the SMELL of the place. They have a lot of stuff in there that mixes in a way that I find the smell calming.
That and with perfumes being sold everywhere, HT is the only place that has perfumes that I like. Except bath and body works… but HT is cheap in that respect. I love the corsets/bustiers that they have at HT because they make me feel like I actually have boobs. Its also one of the few places that actually sells decent nose rings.
I’m not a poser, I’m just who I am. I wear eyeliner, in an Egyptian style, not because I wanna be a stereotypical goth, but because I am physically showing my respect for a people and style that happened thousands of years ago, and managed to keep their individuality as a nation and people for much longer than any other country I’ve studied. I don’t put on white makeup, I’m pale enough, I’ve actually been asked if I’m a makeup artist because of how I do my makeup. I’m antisocial because most people make me nervous, not because I’m trying to be ‘scene’
I happen to love those ‘bondage’ pants, only because I’m a nerd who loves the shiny metal. And it’s an in joke about ‘kinky’ stuff with me and friends.
I like the fishnet shirts because it means I can wear a long sleeved shirt, but not over heat. (I have scars on my arms) and because I think they rock. No lying about that.
All in all, I suppose what I’m TRYING to say is, people like what they like. What’s sad is the preppy cheerleader types (not meaning to insult cheerleaders, just most I know are annoying as fuck) that go into a place like HT, because all the outcasts are wearing the stuff from there and they secretly think they can be even cooler if they wear the same stuff.
If your gonna be into the stuff there, be into it for the right reason, NOT because someone else likes it.
In THAT regard, we are all sheep.
But then again, words of wisdom from our good friend JC (Im pagan… haha)
“Let he who hath not sinned cast the first stone”
I by no means think I am better than you. I’m just trying to give a reasonable statement/argument about pros and cons of consumerism. So I’ll just end this because…no ones reading anyway.
Man..
The Hot Topic & Torrid diss..
Fuckkkk youuuu dude.
Yeah Hot Topic is pretty sad..
But Torrid wtf happend to that place?
Its like fashion for chicks with over sized hips.
Its nothing like Hot Topic.
And you will never find originality where ever you go.
Unless you wana start running around naked just to be original, But even then you’d still have similar body parts accept Im sure yours is abnormally smaller than most.
You probably hate HT because you got most of your clothes there & you cant stand to see it on other people.
Try being yourself..
Instead of being sooo damn insecure..
You have to put down your favorite store.
hot topic are just corporate people preying upon the stupidity of human youth to make them think that they fit in when they purchase a $70 jacket. But that is what almost every apparel company is doing. What is appalling about Hot Topic is that they have turned a once radical(i mean that in its literal sense) and thought provoking sub-culture into more of a pop-culture that can be bought and sold just like inanimate objects.Which sub-cultures like “punk” should not be bought or sold,it is a thought,a sense of mind(and a music style),you cannot sell it. But that is what hot topic has attempted to do.
P.S- Just about every band thats merchandise is sold at Hot Topic are sell-outs(meaning they no longer make music for the love of it,they do it for the glamor and money). But i love the ” Misfits”(danzig era only,not the new shitfits),and everything “Misfits” sold at Hot Topic is bootlegged. Just more reasons to hate them.
God, people. Hot Topic is a CLOTHING CHAIN STORE. It’s just like every other CLOTHING CHAIN STORE: it commercializes and sells a type of fashion for profit. Do you REALLY think that the CEOs of HT give a damn about its image? NO. What they DO give a damn about is BUSINESS. That’s just how things go, “punk” or “prep” or not. Get over it.
All these opinions has really made me change the way I look at Hot Topic. Now, I’ve never sincerely hated it (despite what my blog says), but I really hate what it’s become. And yes, at 15, I’m old enough to know that it used to rock. Now, it seems to actually cater to the stupid fads and stereotypes of my generation (the “scene”, the “emo”) instead of just being a place where people can go to get AWAY from the bubblegum pop and fake prep (Hollister is NOT preppy) lifestyles. They do have nice things, but when kids exclusively shop there and close their mind to every other store that offers alternative things, it kind of pisses me off. I think you CAN shop there and be original, just like you can shop ANYWHERE and be original. Problem is, most kids don’t even try.
The music there SUCKS, though. I must say that. And while I worship Tim Burton for the right reasons and love me some Sid and Nancy, I stay away from that side of the store if I ever go.
But hey, what’s with the attacks on Urban Outfitters? I like that place…overpriced and “hipster” as it may be.
Individuality is now buying clothes at wal-mart
I’m 14 years old and live in Canada. As you know there are no Hot topic stores in Canada so most people don’t own thier clothing.What I dont get is that you assholes all think that buying clothes from hot topic is bad and un unique,so if what ur saying is true then buying from any stores even thirft stores are un unique becuse somwhere out there people will have the same clothes as you.You may never see them but thier there.
For example I own a pair of purple all stars converse shoes you may think that im trying to be “cool” by wearing converse but mabye the reason I like converse is not because other people my age wear them mabye its because how I like the selection of all the different styles and colours they come in.
Mabye you should consider that People like Hot Topic because of all the different selections.Clothes at hottopic are different and can not be found at Wallmart that is why so many people like them
And as for lables such as goth,emo,indie,or prep
People who invented theese lables should get a kick in the face.
Judge people for who they are on the inside and not by the clothes they wear . WE WEAR WHAT WE WANT!
SCREW YOU GUYS!!!!
hot topic is the best store ever your just pissed cause your preepy selves dont understand the meaning of the store!!! im goth you cant shun me cause i were what i want to wear!! its a freakin store who cares you people fight over stupid crap!!! let people wear what they want to were!!! YOU might as well shun american eagle because guess who owns them HOT TOPIC!!!! you can say whatever you want about hot topic but you’ll just shun you own clothes!!!
IM 14 and i live in USA!!!!!!!
HOT TOPIC RULEZ!! and you guys need to stop labling people that shop there im a normal pearson and i love that store it can hurt people alot but anyway when you guys live in the United states like me and you see Hot Topic everywhere you will learn to like it.
i agree most emos shop at hot topic and are relatively annoying
i agree most emos shop at hot topic and are relatively annoying
i agree most emos shop at hot topic and are relatively annoying
i agree with that one guy. MOst “Bands” that Hot Topic Carries SUCK. they are not good musicians, in fact they are disgraces to the music industry and especially Good Charlotte, they are a disgrace to Maryland.
i agree with that one guy. MOst “Bands” that Hot Topic Carries SUCK. they are not good musicians, in fact they are disgraces to the music industry and especially Good Charlotte, they are a disgrace to Maryland.
Hot Topic is a terrible idea because it spawns from Capitalism. Capitalism fucking sucks becuase it is the only economic system where anyone can use lies to sell you the “truth”. The whole concept breeds more and more superficiality into the masses who continue shopping in stores such as these. I am annoyed by the fact that everyone seems to think that it is a race to see who can be the most original individual; that is a terrible reason to criticise a corporation. Instead we should be criticising them for controlling mankinds perceptions of reality. Communism is cooler than Hot Topic.
let me start by saying i’m one of those people that fucking hates hot topic…. just as i hate abercrombie and fitch, hollister, gap, american eagle etc. etc. but i especially hate hot topic because their trying to sell a culture, and if you can’t figure it out culture can’t be sold no matter what fetal attempts you make, all of these stores are making clones for everyone to look the same act the same think the same, hot topic sells dark moody clothes for the mis understood teenager trying to be cool, abercrombie sells the clothes for superior “my mommy and daddy have money” douche bag jocks. their all the same, end of story. and at the end of the day these corporate whores don’t care about the clothes the sell or the culture they’ve tried to destroy it’s about MONEY!!!
I hate pedaphiles. I hate murderers. I hate terrorists. I hate liars. I hate theives. I hate men who hit women. I hate Hitler. I hate racists. I hate people without empathy.
Channel your hate into worthy causes and forget about hating Hot Topic. If you hate Hot Topic then you are completely blind to more important atrocities happening around you. Hating Hot Topic is a waste of time and resources.
Move on, stop whining, distance yourself from negative people (no matter where they buy their clothes), and make a difference with your life. Break down stupid sterotypes, become a better person, be less lazy with yourself, and then you won’t give a shit about what clothes people are wearing or what perceived image said persons have of themselves because why should you care about such trivialities?
Let them be stupid. As long as they are not pedaphiles named Hitler who beat their wives, kill puppies, blow up buildings, and then lie about it, does it matter if they (or you) shop at a small store in the mall called Hot Topic?? Think about it.
You all have got to be kidding me. If am into dark movies (Crow, Edward Scissorhands, horror) and I am into metal (and also metal accessories like cool pocketbooks, wallets, shoes, jewelry). Where else do i buy this stuff? I am going to spend 45 dollars at a concert on a Tshirt when I can get it at Hot Topic for 15 to 20 bucks. I can not try on anything online. So that is mostly out of the question. There is a store near me called Utopia. ITs the same stuff (plus they sell sex and smoking paraphenalia (SP?) however the prices are so outrages. Utopia tries to be “punk” as welll, but their clothes are not affordable at all. Sure there will be posers in every genre, but when I want an Iron Maiden girlie tee, a metalchick looking pocketbook, some studs like in the old days or a metal t shirt for my BF or anything with Brandon Lee/The Crow, I know where to go. Hot Topic. ALways look at clearance and ALWAYS look at the 50 percent off already reduced clearance sales. Got me a nice old school MEtallica hoodie for 12 bucks there. Got a cool, metalchick looking but still wearable for work as a teacher winter coat for 13 bucks. Maybe there are hundreds of places near all of you to buy a metal band or punk band tshirt but give me a break…no there isnt. The Village is way too expensive. There are sellouts all over the village as awell. THose posers who shop there cos its a fad, will grow out of it dont worry. You dont have to be friends with them either.
ANd all you “real” punks here….you should be anarchists or at least radicals…go to an anti WTO rally. THat is what real punks should be doing! ANd if not political then go to the underground clubs and listen to some bands. Even fuckin CBGBS sold out. Look at all the Tshirts. I was teaching at a preschool last year, THis 2 year old kid of a YUPPIE family came in wearing a CBs shirt. The owner sold the place and wanted to rebuild in Las Vegas last i heard before he died. LAS VEGAS???? Talk about sell out! Even me, a non punk who did hit the NYHC scene in the late 80s (and left due to too many nazi skins and just not really my kind of music, exccept I still like Murphys Law (never saw THAT shirt in Hot Topic, do they even sell any NYHC bands there? doubt it) but anyway,. went to CBs once. Even I rolled my eyes at that one. LAS VEGAS? You know all the TOURISTS who go to/went to CBs? SO EVERYTHING WILL EVENTUALLYT HIT THE MASSES/SELL OUT. And if you ONLY listen to music that never gets popular then you too are trying to belong to a group as well, The “non conformists”. HA! I hate posers too but I love Hot Topic. I get the best prices on metal clothes.