Area Man Buys Disney's New Joy Division T-Shirt

Disney confused most of The Internet today when their new Joy Division/Mickey Mouse mash-up t-shirt made the rounds. According to the company, the shirt (just $24.95) is indeed "inspired by the iconic sleeve of Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures album."

While the general consensus is confusion, Pitchfork thinks it's pretty dumb because they're probably obligated to think that; Stereogum questions if the company is just trolling the entire internet; and Rolling Stone asked if old-school post-punk fans would "find this gesture charming." Well, we spoke to one Brooklyn man who bought the shirt this morning, and here's what he told us (really). EXCLUSIVE!

What drove you to purchase this t-shirt? And did you find it odd that Disney would choose Joy Division? Because Ian Curtis didn't seem like Disney type ifyouknowwhatimean (SUICIDE). They both have anti-semitic connections, which I assume is why this shirt was made. Mickey Mouse having been created by a known Jew-hater and the name Joy Division originating with the Nazis. So on that level the shirt makes perfect sense! And as a self-hating Jew, I am a perfect match for it.

Are you worried that EVERY dad in Brooklyn will be wearing this? I am not worried that every Brooklyn dad will have it because I assume they are all too into the whole locally sourced and independently crafted thing to support the Disney Machine. I for one can't wait to wear it to the Pulp reunion gig at Radio City.

We've also contacted Disney to find out why they chose Joy Division, and what other bands they may make the Mouse pay homage too, and will update if we ever hear back.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on January 23, 2012 4:37 PM

Comments [rss]

Steven Mosier

It is heard that everyone in NYC can walk by this guy and smack him directly in the face. I imagine I hate Peter Saville now since he sold his sol to the DEBBAL!!!!

Red Ryder

Work on this cover next.

aspiringrapper

The notion that Walt Disney was anti-Jew has long been discredited. Read a book instead of a blog for once.

plasticvengeance

This design was sold to Disney Parks by Mighty fine; they have a similar version also available on their website: http://www.welovefine.com/nby....

CHUDSF

Got nothing on the boner version: http://africanapparel.bigcarte...

WorksInDUMBO

There's a Pulp reunion at Radio City!?!

Chris Malone

Just had my "... but why?!" moment of the day, and its not even 10am... meh

Riot Nrrrd™

This shirt is not 'new' it's been sold here in L.A. (both at Disneyland and elsewhere) for at least 2 years! Just because Pitchfork 'discovered' it 2 years later doesn't make it 'new'.

Pawel Zietek

Ian Curtis would love it. Because Ian Curtis would be 55 now and he'd be watching disney films with his grandchildren. Stop whining crybabies. And everybody knows pitchfork people suck hard (after all they gave perfect 10 to Kanye West's fart which makes them much more of sell-outs than Disney ever was - at least Disney plays open cards) so who cares...

galaxytime

also, if they didn't rate top 40, then people would complain about them being elitist. you can pretty much always find something to complain about it, so why bother?

galaxytime

actually, they're quite nice.

RW

Dear Gothamist, "Area Man" is the Onion's joke. Find your own memes.

Your faithful fan.

robingee

"Area man" is an Onion joke because actual news outlets use it. That came first.

signed,
Duh

robingee

Mickey sitting on some stairs - Mouser Threat?

Ed Holderbaum

Ian Macaye would sue the shit out of them for it. he'd never tolerate it.

robingee

You know about the Nike thing right? I think it was Nike.

Eric Harvey Brown

Does that mean we can legally make Mickey Mouse ripoffs!?!?!?

cr17

Sold out. Wouldn't be surprised if they never come back in. Expect this to become a major collectors item.

TheRealCannibal

Ian curtis is doing somersaults and backflips in his grave

izzy isou

Love will surely tear us apart.

malcolm816

TFW you game whatever rock-cred you had left AFTER you took the job at Disney, to pitch a design that crosses a generation-defining album with Mickey, fucking, Mouse.

Fuck.Somebody just trolled the hell out of every hipster ever.

H.e. Pennypacker

those unknown pleasures t-shirts were already taken over by douchebags, mickey can have it.

thingsarejejune

i almost confused this with an onion article.

Gwen Dibley

Maybe snow white doing the Blind Faith - Blind Faith record?

Or, wait. Actually. I don't care.

jisnotused

ladies and gentleman.... the lowest common denominator.

DJ Mayonnaise Hands

I'm holding out for a Dio album cover mashup.

galaxytime

i mean, considering everything we know about joy division...

AzzTech

Yeah... wasn't Joy Division a forced harem for the Nazi SS in WW2?

It's funny. I used to listen to all the english new wave bands in the 80s, and didn't realize that they were just a bunch of whining racist white boys complaining about their loss of status in society.

tsol

Considering half of the band grew up in "council estates" i.e. housing projects (after the city evicted them and razed their homes) maybe you should STFU.

luke_1

tru

Along those lines, "This is England" is a pretty sweet movie.

robingee

Oh, that's crap.

krinklecutfires

it was originally taken from scientific american.

http://adamcap.com/2011/05/his...

cr17

Put Deadmaus on that and watch the money roll in.

BaronDelMoon

I would buy a fat Tony the Tiger meets Unknown Pleasures shirt. For the kids.

galaxytime

i think we're all obligated to think that's terrible

Jen Chung

What about Nirvana "Nevermind" cover, but with Mickey Mouse in the water? Minnie Mouse, with Amy Winehouse hair?

Pawel Zietek

What about you shutting up. Your ideas are not funny and obvious as shit, so just keep them to yourself. Just joking, they're the best. You're Sarah Silverman, yeah?

Jason Sarles

According to Facebook, Pawel Zietek Likes Radiohead and Thom Yorke, The Matrix, and Harry Potter. If you're a prospective employer, please take his post above under advisement when this thread appears in your Google search.

Pawel Zietek

All this according to facebook... and what makes you think that I wasn't joking when I selected my likes? Or partially joking? Or not joking at all? Or smacking your face with a glass jar? Or partially licking your balls? Or not touching your face with affection at all? You smug cock...