Every week a different FADER staff member will pick a clothing item or accessory that he or she has lately been spending a lot of time with—or would like to—and write a little love letter to it. We would’ve done a column on who we’re dating but that seemed a little bit much. This week we have a guest post from FADER fam Alex Naidus, bassist for The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, who writes about a pin from Hunk and His Punx.
There aren't many conversation starters in my regular clothing rotation. Mostly it's a lot of sensible sweaters and Levi's and earth-tone fall jackets. I do have this one T-shirt with a huge telephone receiver on it that says "Let's Talk" in a bright red font, but that's the exception. However, a LOT of people have wanted to talk to me about this Hunx and His Punx pin. I got it from Hunx himself at SXSW, but I don't think he was expecting me to actually wear it. Like, on my shirt. When I bought it, he showed me on the back where you can prop it up like a photo frame. It's that big.
Obviously, the size is the first thing people notice. I think it's six inches, whereas your typical band button is one inch. Maaaaaaybe you'll see one that's three inches once in a while, but six is just crazy. It's borderline dinner plate. Pins this size are kind of a ’90s relic—a few people told me they had one this big of Joey from New Kids on the Block, my friend Ezra said his was Ninja Turtles. Hunx doesn't seem like much of a ’90s fetishist, though. I think he just loves being In Your Face. I mean, look at the album art for Gay Singles.
Hearing the music, though—hyper flamboyant, unapologetic, flirty bubblegum punk—the big pin choice seems even more obvious. The oversized badge is such a perfect emblem of Hunx and his music: easily obsessed-over and undeniably fun. Plus I'm sure he loved the opportunity to make some six inch jokes. Love u Hunx!