Aussie Fans Unite For FallenHero

Thu 24th Feb, 2005 in Local News

Amidst any concentration of music fans, the band t-shirt is generally considered de rigueur. More than an accessory, it’s a statement. Those with a keen knowledge of the respective scene can gain an approximation of who you are, what music you listen to and what you really want to say just by analysing the nature of your chosen garment.

A touching feature of the Melbourne leg of the Big Day Out was the startling number of shirts that eulogised the death of American heavy metal guitarist Darrell  “Dimebag” Abbot. Abbot was shot on stage on December 12 while performing with Damageplan and, even though eight weeks has passed, the number of t-shirts on display served as a haunting reminder of the atrocity.

The shirts, identical in design, are the creations of Melbourne screenprinter and Pantera fan, Daniel McDougall, who is also vocalist with local metal group Block. I bought one on sight thinking the chance might not arise again. To say I was surprised to see McDougall hard at work selling the tops the following weekend at the Metal for the Brain festival in Canberra is a gross understatement so I cornered him, forcing him to enlighten me on his motives. “Basically, the shirt is a gesture from the Australian heavy metal community,” said McDougall, who works at A&D Printing and Design. “I want to sell as many of these as possible and to gather photos on a website of people wearing them.”

While neither Pantera, nor Damageplan could be considered mainstream rock bands, the nature of the slaying ensured global headlines and, for a brief period, images of distraught fans were a reminder of the influence that musicians exert in the lives of ordinary people everywhere. McDougall epitomises the connection that fans have historically shared with their stars in life and in death. “I just want Vinnie Paul (Dimebag’s brother and Damageplan drummer) and the band to know how much we appreciated and loved Dimebag. Once the message gets sent, that’s it. That’s all I want: For them to know how much he meant to us all.”

The shirt, predictably black in colour, carries an image of the guitarist on the front, and the following message on the back: “R.I.P. Dimebag Darrell. You will live in our memories forever. The metal heads of Australia.” McDougall developed the design after viewing Abbot’s face on the cover of a music magazine and has sold around 400 t-shirts so far out of a backpack that he carries to various festivals. While the word is spreading, he reluctantly agrees that the inaccessibility of merchandise-selling opportunities at major festivals has made it difficult. Positively however, offers of voluntary support have been forthcoming and McDougall has enlisted the help of ten or so tireless assistants, duty bound to spread the word.

Perhaps the most astounding aspect of the whole project is the price. The cheapest band t-shirt available at the Big Day Out merchandise stand costs $35. McDougall sells his for $5. At such a paltry amount, McDougall stands to make nothing for the time and effort he has thus far contributed. To him, however, the low price serves two purposes: to encourage as many people as possible to buy one for themselves and one for each of their friends; to draw attention to the real cost of producing a t-shirt in the aim that people will reject similar commemorative items that will be inevitably overpriced.   

“I’m trying to get the word out before the record companies start selling commemorative shirts for $50 a pop,” McDougall said, “and trying to profit off Dimebag’s death. It’s very important to me that people realise that we’re not profiteering here. We’re doing this to create a feeling of unity and togetherness in the music community and it’s working. I can’t print them fast enough because everyone wants to buy more than one.”

Despite the logistical concerns with meeting demand, McDougall plans to keep making the shirts until he has satisfied all requests. “They’re infinite in supply,” he says. “As long as people want one, I’ll print one.”

The main objective remains to contact the members of Damageplan, though it is here that McDougall has enlisted some high profile friends. “At the Big Day Out, I presented shirts to Slipknot and Hatebreed. I’m hoping the message will travel across the US very soon. I want this to be something that takes off; something that people from other countries want to get involved in. This is about generating something positive from Dimebag’s death; something that hopefully brings together the brotherhood that we have.”

Those interested in the Dimebag t-shirt can contact thedimeshirt@hotmail.com or view the online order form here.