Jack Flash, 30, is the singer and lead guitarist of the local new-wave band Bang! Bang! About three weeks ago he started selling lightning-bolt shaped ties like the ones he wears onstage. They’re available in three colors at the band’s shows, through a MySpace page (myspace.com/bangbangties), at Strange Cargo, and at the John Fluevog store, where Flash works.
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I started wearing it in late 2002. I had the tie on from the first show we ever played. I started thinking about wearing a tie, but everyone wears a tie. I was thinking about Richard Hell and the Voidoids–he used to rip up his shirt, wear torn shirts he painted on. Then it kind of hit me. It’s a symbol I’ve always liked. At first I used to cut them up out of thrift store ties–I used to have to find big fat thrift store ties.
I would get people constantly saying, “That’s a great idea, I want one,” blah blah blah. So it was always kicking around in the back of my head. At first I asked friends who were seamstresses if they could make it, but it was so complicated and so much work. They were going to take forever and they would have had to be so expensive. Then I ran into a friend who had a friend who works with manufacturing companies. He said, “I think it’s a cool idea, we should try it. I’ll put up the money to make them and we’ll give it a shot.” I got really good at drawing lightning bolts.
Have you been surprised by any of your customers?
