Well, my darlings, Come On, Mr. Sunshine has made it a full week. I didn’t know if it would actually happen, but it did. I’m grateful for those of you who have stuck around and for those of you who’ve told a friend. Now, as promised, here’s the second installment of Tee For Tuesdays!!
NKOTB! Let’s Rock!
When I was in the third grade I went to my very first “official” concert. I mean, I’d seen Gene “Duke of Earl” Chandler at the Indianapolis Zoo, but this was my first time in an arena. This was my first blockbuster concert, people, and It. Was. Amazing. I was 8 and it was the New Kids On The Block, Hangin’ Tough tour. Holy shiz. I was all the way up in the nosebleed seats and my boyfriend Joey McIntyre was totally in the same room as me, albeit hundreds of feet away, but I knew he knew I was there.
Is it just me or does this video end inappropriately?
I wish I could tell you I got today’s t-shirt at that show. I wish I could tell you I got today’s t-shirt at any show, but alas, I got today’s t-shirt here:
PICTURED: 3000 crappy t-shirts, 4 awesome ones.
I’ll admit it, quite a few of my vintage tees came from thrift stores, but before you pounce on me saying I’m totally a “poser,” you have to know that I work hard to find these tees. I’ll spend hours sorting through thousands of Wilmette Park District Softball and Looney Tunes tees, sneezing my face off, until I find the perfect mix of nostalgia, kitsch and awesomesauce. Then I’ll take it home, cut the neck out of it and wear it till I can’t wears it no more.
As you can see from the photo on the front, Donnie Wahlberg was far too dangerous to be in a silly boyband so he masterminded the No More Games/Remix Album. Their new sound was gritty urban hip-hop. Gone were the days of “loving you forever.” The New Kids were dead, Long Live NKOTB!
See? They’re totally gangsta’. Donnie even included a shout-out to the baddest dude in town: Marky Mark.
NOT PICTURED: Funky Bunch, PICTURED: Third Nipple
So…
New Kids On The Block NKOTB – No More Games
Where it came from – Some thrift store somewhere in Indiana circa 1998
Why it’s awesome -Because this wasn’t just any New Kids tee. This was badass gansta’ New Kids. This was Donnie Wahlberg’s New Kids.
Why I have it -I genuinely love these guys. I don’t own this shirt ironically. Remember that concert I went to when I was 8? It has rivaled only one other concert since.
This was me 18 years later:
Total goon.
Teen beat.
New Kids On The Block: Live – The boys were back in town. I know what you’re probably thinking and I don’t give a shit….that concert was awesome. I cried like a little girl when I saw those 5 microphones lined up across the stage with hats hanging off of them. This was four years ago and I’m still talking about it. Most of my friends go to Wilco shows like they’re passing out free booze at them; I prefer to go to concerts where I can buy buttons as big as my head with Joey McIntyre on them. Thus is my lot in life.
Actually Me. Awesome Me.
Come on, Mr. Sunshine 
What shirt did you get from Alli? Was it a different NKOTB shirt? I forget…
It was POISON!!! It will totally make an appearance…maybe Alli should write a guest blog about it.
THAT’S RIGHT!
I really should of known that…..
OOH! I wanna play too!
I hearted the New Kids. I was desperately in love with The Ugly One (Danny, in case your mind tried to eliminate him from your memory). I was sick with celeb-induced puppy love.
I knew every word to the Donnie rap “I’m Never Gonna Fall” (or whatever the eff it was called).
But I never saw them live. I feel like my childhood was essentially wasted, and I turned to stolen beers and make-out sessions with older boys just to get through.
You, my friend, are an inspiration.
Don’t fret Sara, their concert varied very little in 18 years. It was like getting in a time machine except Donnie looked more pissed off to be there and your boyfriend Danny is covered in muscles. I’m quite sure they’ve accustomed themselves to making money and will be on tour until they die. They’re like the Stones now.
Caitlin, I’ve waited 1/2 a day to post, hoping someone would before I did… Alas, I can’t wait anymore…
I’m 107 years old, so you’ll understand why I was never hit with the NKOTB fever…. You kids and your crazy music.
Even at 107, you must know just how hardcore boybands are! It’s like the Rat Pack, but with baggier pants.
Also, you and Sara are my only comment-ors…and I’m perfectly ok with that.
You’re fun, and we’re fun experts.
And thank you for adding me to your blogroll.
I’m convinced once people start finding your blog, it will pick-up. And you won’t talk to me anymore. You’ll make a “red shirt” out of me…
Well spanks!
And you’re welcome.
And NEVER! I would never bump you off so quickly, you’ll at least get a full season episodic arc.