This Blink 182 merch is genius. Fans usually get all the merch they want, but what about the guy who has to sit behind the table and peddle shirts, logo buttons, and posters in a dark venue all night – where’s the love for him? Blink 182 decided to give props to these hardworking guys and gals by giving them some custom t-shirts of their own. The printed shirt reads “I sold merch for Blink 182 and all I got was this crappy t-shirt (and a paycheck)”

TV on the Radio is playing at Prospect Park next month, so in my anticipation I decided to Google- search what they offer as far as merchandise goes. Like every other band in existence, they do have promotional T-shirts, which I bring up in just about every post, but TV on the Radio also offers another band merch staple that I often overlook: the promotional button. Buttons used to really be my thing; they’re cheap, so I’d buy a few at every show I went to. They served as a unique way to customize my bag– even in high school I only really carried around tote bags, so the buttons were a nice way to liven them up. TV on the Radio has some nice ones, so maybe I’ll resurrect my old habit at their show in August.

While promotional t-shirts and custom buttons make cool band merch, this promotional lapel pin is even cooler. As you are digging out your denim jacket looking for all your old 80′s band buttons and lapels add this lapel to your 80′s memorabilia collection.

Check out this cool bunch of Smashing Pumpkins schwag. Posters and promotional buttons fill out the majority of this group of awesome concert giveaways.

Band buttons have been a staple of the music merch scene for quite some time. But what’s so appealing about a simple promotional button? Well, the question sort of answers itself. Buttons are a simple and inexpensive way for fans to show support for their favorite groups. The bands themselves can easily carry a lot of buttons with them while on tour, which is especially helpful for smaller bands that don’t have the luxury of tour buses to store tons of merch in. Fans of all ages can afford these cheap items, and they still give the band a chance to express their creativity despite a small imprint area. Take a look at these band buttons to see how some of today’s most popular musicians are putting these miniature merch minions to use at concerts around the world.

(photo via Flickr)