There was a lot to love about Hot Topic in 2002. The cobweb tights, leather cuffs, neon mesh sleeves, so many shades of black nail polish that you never knew existed ’til you saw a cute goth girl wearing five different kinds on each hand. The mall goths and weekend punks, like me, who expressed their rebellious hearts through Rage Against The Machine flags and black band tees. Who knew being different was important but weren’t quite ready to go it alone. Then there were the broody, slightly intimidating sales staff, whose total indifference to their jobs and customers somehow made them the most attractive and desirable people in the world.
I’m not too familiar with Hot Topic in 2015. I’ve sold out. I buy my black clothes from Esprit. The brand, its fashion and distorted chugga-chugga guitar riffs will live on forever in my heart, though. Here’s a playlist to take us all back.
Walking Through Hot Topic In 2002
Disposable Teens – Marilyn Manson
Last Resort – Papa Roach
The Rock Show – Blink-182
Losing Grip – Avril Lavigne
Toxicity – System of a Down
The Taste of Ink – The Used
Gossip Folks (ft Ludacris) – Missy Elliot
Sweetness – Jimmy Eat World
T.O.A.B. – Sevendust
This Is Love – PJ Harvey
Transylvanian Concubine – Rasputina
Change (In The House Of Flies) – Deftones
Forgot About Dre (ft Eminem) – Dr. Dre
Prayer – Disturbed
City of Angels – The Distillers
Swamped – Lacuna Coil
I’d Do Anything – Simple Plan
Sacrilege – Otep
What I Always Wanted – Kittie
Want to suggest a playlist theme? Hit Stef up and someone on the team might make it for you.
