The best fashion lines are able to make you feel something deep in your bones. If you can go from feeling like a worthless bum to channeling Jimi Hendrix’s sex appeal by simply donning a garment, you’ve discovered something special. Seattle-based, niche t-shirt line, Actual Pain is one those special aura-transforming brands. Its creator TJ Cowgill also happens to be the lead singer and vocalist of the black metal band, Book of Black Earth.

When asked about the driving inspiration behind Actual Pain’s dark, gothic imagery, TJ states:
“All music influences me, but especially heavy metal and punk music. I play heavy metal music so it’s sort of in my blood. Once a girl asked me if I liked heavy metal when I was black-out drunk and according to my friend who was there, I replied, ‘My heart beats [metal]’ and then I pounded my chest with my fist – not in a frat boy way, but in a profound Native American sort of way.”

Actual Pain’s graphics feature the requisite grizzly-looking, blood-spewing creatures, but it’s the clever slogans that take it to pseudo-iconic status. Statements like “Less Fashion, More Thrashin,” and “I Drink Poser Blood” are some of the best in the line’s arsenal. “Basically, a poser is someone who isn’t true to themselves,” TJ snickers, “and we really don’t care what other people think. We just think a lot of that slang is really funny.”

Next, Actual Pain is expanding into badass denim vests and jeans made from 100% organic denim, and also launching a capsule collection of handmade jewelry. If your summer wardrobe is lacking in serious rock attitude, this brand will certainly get you going in the right direction
-Geo Hagan

Words by Geo Hagan, photos by Brayden Olsen