Rainbow Punisher Sticker Perfect for That Complete Fucking Wildcard In Your Life

Posted on by Noah Leavy

TUCSON, Ariz. — Consumer trend groups across the country saw a steep increase in sales of rainbow bumper stickers bearing the Marvel Punisher logo among consumers in need of a gift for the enigmas in their family, new reports confirmed.

“I first noticed these stickers on my drives to and from campus on eco-friendly electric vehicles as well as lifted trucks with rubber testicles hanging from the bumper,” said Dr. Anne Kindi, a Sociologist who studies consumer behavior at the University of Arizona. “The rainbow imagery is widely synonymous with LGBQTIA+ activism, while the Punisher symbol has been adopted by pro-police conservatives, often paired with the ‘thin blue line’ flag. The sticker’s sudden popularity either tells us that the combination of these stances is much more common than we previously thought, or that people have no idea what these symbols mean.”

Robin Flack, who bought the sticker for her niece, says that it “just made sense” when she saw it online.

“I don’t really understand my niece. Her favorite place to hang out is the gun range, but lately she’s been reading Anaïs Nin, so she’s hard to peg,” explained Flack. “Last year I got her a $100 American Express gift card and she cut it up in front of me saying she ‘she won’t participate in a capitalist society,’ but at Thanksgiving, she kept talking about how socialism destroys creativity or something. I really don’t know what the fuck is going on, so I guess the gay terminator sticker is the best I’m going to be able to do.”

Connor Stambaugh, a representative for Stickz.market, the company that designed and sells the stickers is excited by the sudden demand for the sticker.

“Look baby, these things are selling like hotcakes,” explained Stambaugh, while repeatedly raising his eyebrows and taking a cigar in and out of his mouth. “I don’t know why they’re so popular, all we do is combine flags with different logos randomly, and make them into stickers. Our last big hit was Thin Blue Line Rolling Stones Lips, but this Punisher sticker is really hitting home.”

“We got so many clams I could bathe in chowder every morning, and I’m gonna use it all to get my broad something sweet,” he added while starting to count a pile of gold coins on his desk.

At press time, researchers were further confused by the popularity of a decal depicting the Deadpool character peeing on Calvin.

Donald Trump: “The Three Ghosts Who Visited Me Last Night Were Very Rude. Phony. Apologize!”

Posted on by Dan Rice

NEW YORK —  President elect Donald J. Trump returned to Twitter to complain about three spirits who allegedly visited him late on Christmas Eve in an attempt to teach him the true meaning of the holiday.

“This Ghost of Christmas Past broad shows up unannounced — nasty woman, real Liz Cheney-type… she starts dragging me all over, took me back to military school, saying stuff like, ‘Oh, look at you hazing that poor student on Christmas day. You shouldn’t have done that,'” Trump recounted early this afternoon. “The fact is, I looked very good in that uniform — believe me, believe me.”

Trump, calling himself “a veteran of nine Christmas wars,” seemed particularly sensitive to criticism of his own military history. “I got more training Christmasly than a lot of the guys who go into Christmas,” he said of his schooling at New York Military Academy.

The Ghost of Christmas Present fared no better. “Then you got Ghost of Christmas Present floating around,” Trump said. “Looking into people’s homes, violating the constitution… This is a sick guy! Ya gotta lock up guys like that. Pervert!”

Secret Service agent Kevin DeLuca confirmed the first two ghosts were precluded by an apparition of Roy Cohn, the deceased former attorney who gained national attention during the McCarthy hearings, clad in chains and old rags. “At first [Trump] thought it was another hallucination,” DeLuca recalled. “He gets those when he eats too many Trump steaks right before bed. But I saw Cohn, too. Trump demanded I fire at him immediately — which I did, to no effect.”

Trump was not willing to comment further on the Ghost of Christmas Future, whom he described in a tweet as, “Tall, very black robes, mostly shadow. Sad.”

DeLuca later shed some light on the Future ghost’s vision. “No Christmas lights, no Christmas trees… no trees of any sort, actually. A quiet I’ve never known. There was just… nothing. Oh, mother of God!”

Meanwhile, Trump’s Twitter storm rages on.

“Ghost of Xmas Present says, ‘Come in, and know me better, man,’” read his latest tweet. “Won’t show birth certificate. Liar!”

Photo by Kat Chish.

What the Hell? The Thoughtful, Hand-written Card You Gave Me Doesn’t Have Money in It

Posted on by Zach Hudson

Wow! You put so much time, effort, and thought into this card. The problem is, that’s all you put into it.

Normally I would just say thank you and pretend to be happy and grateful, but this is the third year in a row I’ve opened an empty card from you, and this is my third beer in the last hour, so you know what? I’m going to tell you how I really feel.

You may not have noticed, but you seem to have left money, the only reason anyone wants to receive a card in the first place, out of it. The front is beautiful, it’s really amazing that you designed and drew all of this yourself, but I’m not sure what you expect me to do with this thing.

The guy at the liquor store isn’t going to accept it as payment. I can’t go to the bank and deposit this. My landlord isn’t going to reduce my rent in exchange for it. So, it’s not really much use to me.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s super cool that you made this thing from scratch, but the money saved on a homemade card could have found its way inside of it at least. This is the season for giving. I understand that’s a vague term, but it’s implied that you’re giving something of monetary value. We’re adults for fucks sake. I didn’t have to give you a code to download my band’s demo for free on Bandcamp, but I did. That’s money I’m losing out on, which I won’t be making back thanks to this empty-ass card.

You must have spent hours on this thing, but my band spent hours recording that demo too you know. All of that time you took filling up both sides of the card with fond memories of the two of us, kind words, well wishes, and all that nonsense could have been spent walking to the atm to get a crisp 20 dollar bill. If you can’t be bothered to do that for me, fine. I know where I stand.

Look, thanks for inviting me over to your house for the holidays and all. The food was great, the space was festive and comfortable, and the company was warm and welcoming. But if it’s going to be like this again next year, don’t even bother. Thanks for the card I guess. At least it’ll make a nice coaster.

We Ranked the Top 20 Punk Christmas Songs and Deeply Regret Picking Such a High Number When We Pitched This List

Posted on by Dan Rice

It’s Christmas time, and here at The Hard Times that means generating headlines that relate punk culture-type things to Christmas because algorithms. I thought I had a real softball with this punk Christmas song listicle idea. Unfortunately, I just said the first number to pop into my head, which was 20. I could have said “five” but no, I said 20.

My editor has made it clear that I’m not allowed to include covers, and if I fail I will be fired on Christmas eve. Here we go!

20. “Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight)” Ramones
This one ranks last on our list because I’m not actually ranking them in any particular order. I need to find 20 original punk songs about Christmas or I’m fired, I don’t have time for that crap.

19. “Fairytale of New York” The Pogues
Finishing out the two I can think of off the top of my head it’s every whiskey hipster’s favorite Irish band. “A Christmas song with a homophobic slur?!” It happened!

18. “I Won’t Be Home For Christmas” Blink-182
Tired of all that boring old Christmas music that all sounds the same? Spice up your holiday playlist with a Blink-182 song that sounds like every other Blink-182 song!

17. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” Mariah Carey
Show me where in the punk rulebook it says Mariah Carey isn’t punk and I’ll show you some weird poser with a punk rulebook. So tired…

16. “Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy” David Bowie & Bing Crosby
No, I can use this one! Bowie is at least punk adjacent, and the “Peace on Earth” bit was written specifically for this collaboration so it’s not just a cover of a standard! Suck it!

15. “Punk Rawk Christmas” MxPx
Pretty on the nose but, well…

14. “Oi to the World” The Vandals
Not a cover!

13. “Yule Shoot Your Eye Out” Fallout Boy
20 fucking songs. My hubris.

12. “Christmas is Cancelled” Bankrupt
Okay!

11. War on Xmas is Over (If You Buy It) – Anti-Flag
Seeing a recurring pattern here…

10. “Merry Christmas, Kiss My Ass” All Time Low
God Christmas punk is stupid.

9. “I Ain’t Dreamin of a White Christmas” Direct Hit!
What a cool punk subversion of my Christmas expectations.

8. “Xmas Has Been X’ed” NOFX
Everyone knows NOFX peaked in the post-George W. Bush era

7. Fuck Christmas – Fear
What a cool punk subversion of my Christmas expectations.

6. “Happy Holidays, You Bastard” Blink-182
What a cool punk subversion of my Christmas expectations.

5. “Bloody Unholy Christmas” Bloodsucking Zombies from Outer Space
So fucking tired. I just want it to be over,

4. “I’ve Got a Boner for Christmas” Nerf Herder
What a cool punk subversion of my Christmas expectations.

3. “Santa Smells Like Whiskey” The Fisticuffs
Almost there, come on baby…

2. “Homo Christmas” Pansy Division
It’s a Queercore Christmas Miracle! So close…

1. “Christmas at Ground Zero” “Weird Al” Yankovic
If you need convincing that “Weird Al” counts as punk you don’t even deserve Christmas, but this is a Christmas song about nuclear-fucking-armagedon, so, check mate.

I DID IT! I finished the list and salvaged my job! Now at Christmas diner when my dad says “You still working for that porn site or whatever?” I can proudly say “Yeah.”

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Limp Bizkit’s Debut Re-Released as “5.57 Dollar Bill, Y’all” After Adjusting for Inflation

Posted on by Tim Graham

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Venerable rap rock band Limp Bizkit announced that their hit 1997 album “Three Dollar Bill, Y’all” would be reissued with a title updated to reflect rising inflation, according to a press release written on an Arby’s wrapper.

“When we started out, three dollars wasn’t a lot, but it wasn’t nothing, either,” said frontman Fred Durst while waiting for his cap brim to be pressed at the Jacksonville Mall’s Lids. “We don’t want to come off as a nostalgia act, so on the new reissue, we’re adjusting it for inflation. Kids today just aren’t going to respond to three dollars. In ‘97, I could get a pack of Parliaments and a Slim Jim for under three bucks, but not anymore. Now check this out: $5.57. That’s something that will resonate with young people. It’s contemporary, it’s fresh. It speaks to the next generation of Limp fans.”

Diehard nu-metal fan Clement Cottrell was thrilled by the news from his favorite band.

“I think it’s awesome,” said Cottrell, 46, while on a vape break behind the incinerator he uses to dispose of his town’s roadkill. “I think this is exactly the sort of thing they need to be doing to get the youngbloods on board. Kids today might be confused by how little three dollars is and get all hung up on numbers rather than focusing on the killer tunes. People should appreciate the Bizkit for what it is: a band that sings about a wide range of important topics, from talking shit about shitty people to beating the shit out of people who talk shit. Thing is, now I’ll have to update the ‘Three Dollar Bill, Y’all’ stick-n-poke my last celly gave me. But that’s okay, he’s getting sprung next month.”

Forbes assistant managing editor Maureen O’Toole weighed in on the topic of economic revisionism in popular culture.

“Everyone’s talking about inflation in terms of rising food and consumer goods costs,” said O’Toole. “But few people are tuned in to the cultural impact high inflation is having, and how references to currency need to be constantly recontextualized. For instance, in 1996, 50 Cent seemed like a fine name for a rapper. 50 cents could get you a king-size Baby Ruth, after all. But if Curtis Jackson were savvier, he’d update his name to 95 Cent. That’s reflective of a staggering 89.9% cumulative rate of inflation. And how about that old song ‘Shave and a Haircut’? Nobody even knows what two bits means. But if you change it to ‘Shave and a Haircut, $7.53’, now we’re talking.”

As of press time, Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies had announced a similar bid to remain relevant by retitling their 1992 hit “If I Had $1,000,000” to “If I Had $2,124,105.49.”

Our Most Popular Headlines of 2022 (But You Knew About Them Before They Were Cool)

Posted on by The Hard Times Staff

As we wrap up 2022 we decided to take a look back at some of our hard-hitting and poignant stories that kept you informed and made you a better citizen. Here are the Top 10 articles of the year. How did we measure “popularity”? You will have to fight us to find out.

10. Travis Barker Spends Three Hours Every Morning Meticulously Reapplying All 107 Temporary Tattoos

Originally published on January 4th, 2022. Click here to read the full story

9. Oh Fuck: We Sat Down With Kendall Jenner to Name 3 Slayer Songs and It Turns Out She Knows Way More Than Us and Now She’s Asking Us Questions

Originally published on September 7th, 2022. Click here for the full interview

8. “Thunder Only Happens When It’s Raining”? 10 Times Stevie Nicks Was Dead Wrong About Science

Originally published on July 9th, 2022. Click here to read the full story

7. Dad Sure to Let You Know Race of Every Person in Story He’s Telling

Originally published on March 23, 2022. Click here for the full story

6. When We Were Young Festival Designates Parking Area for Teens Waiting to Pick Up Parents

Originally published February 12th, 2022. Click here to read the full story

5. Oh, You’re Wearing a Carhartt Beanie? Name 3 Local Trade Unions

Originally published October 22, 2022. Click here for the full story

4. Uh Oh: I Watched Euphoria Once And Now I’m Popping Baby Aspirin Under Bisexual Lighting

Originally published March 6th, 2022. Click here to read the full story

3. “Sure, I’ll Check Out Primus,” Says Person on Worst Date of Their Life

Originally published on February 10th, 2022. Click here for the full story

2. Paul Rudd Reveals Secret to Eternal Youth Is Diet, Exercise, Not Having 60 Hour a Week Soul-Crushing Job

Originally published June 21, 2022. Click here to read the full story

1. We Sat Down With a Guy Who Blasts a Bluetooth Speaker in Public Instead of Using Headphones and Beat the Entire Fuck Out of Him

Originally published September 1, 2022. Click here for the full story

And that does it. Keep coming back and reading more. Want to keep The Hard Times going strong? Click here to visit our merch store and pick up something nice for yourself. 

Pawn Shop Owner Marks up Price on Amp After Learning It Was Stolen From Jack White

Posted on by Chris Bowen

DETROIT — Gary Nedrow, owner and operator of Groovy Gary’s Swap Shop, deliberately marked up the price on a guitar amplifier his store had recently received after learning it was stolen from famous rock guitarist Jack White, several shady individuals report.

“When that 1970s Twin Reverb beauty came through the shop, I knew I could probably get $300 or so for it,” Nedrow explained while chain smoking inside his store. “But when the DPD showed up looking for an amp that was stolen from some famous guy and it matched the description of the one in my store, I figured what the hell, and jacked it up to a cool $3,000. I guess that dude played guitar for some big Striped Army band or something. Either way, a little price gouging never hurt anyone.”

Potential buyer of the “hot” amplifier Jason Ruhlman was a little upset by the sudden change in the asking price.

“This really sucks, man. I mean, I was just looking for a great little practice amp and at 300 bucks, I thought the Fender was a steal,” Ruhlman said while strumming his non-amplified Epiphone. “Then all of a sudden, the shop owner waddled over to the amp while laughing maniacally uninterrupted for several minutes and marked it up 100 times the original price right in front of me! I don’t think the owner knows who Jack White is though because he put a sign on the amp that said ‘Once Used By Jack Black.’ So unprofessional.”

Music gearhead Lonny Malcolm revealed that this wasn’t the first time seedy shop owners capitalized on equipment stolen from famous musicians.

“You would think most secondhand shops would have the decency to return stolen shit to their rightful owners, but 99.9% of the time, that isn’t the case,” Malcolm stated. “Like the time Dave Grohl’s stolen Les Paul ended up in a pawn shop in Boston. Some fucking guy walked off with it for trading in Kirk Hammett’s old guitar pedal. Not many are aware that these pawn shop owners never actually verify these claims, but jack up the price anyway. Absolute scoundrels.”

When the story broke, several police officers had scoured thrift stores in the Detroit area searching for Jack White’s recently stolen favorite fedora.

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Christmas List Confused for Set List Leads to Multiple Songs About Tonka Trucks

Posted on by Joe Rumrill

STOWE, Vt. — Members of Thin Lizzy cover band Jailbreakers reportedly spent an entire show improvising songs about Tonka Trucks after accidentally mixing up their set list with a Christmas list, sources confirmed.

“Imagine my mortification when I got up there to kick off the first song of the set, and I had nothing to guide me but a big list of all the toys our bassist wants for Christmas! I was scrambling the whole night! Luckily he mostly wanted Tonkas, but when we got into Bionicle territory, it got tougher and tougher to make the lyrics rhyme,” said Jailbreakers frontman Karl Piotrowski. “Luckily our audience seemed especially amped on our music that night. Which I don’t know whether to be relieved or offended about.”

Attendees of the gig were spellbound with adoration, saying it was the best Jailbreakers set in ages.

“Usually they come out and butcher a good half of poor Phil Lynott’s discography. It’s an almost sacrilegious affair every time. Hoo baby, but those new ones about, like the Tonka Mighty Force Light and Sounds or the Steel Classics Bulldozer had me yelling for more,” said Rimrocks Tavern regular and local toy store employee Willy Pitts. “Those spoke to me. I swear, I’m planning on bootlegging their next set and sending it to Tonka headquarters for the jingle money.”

Holiday icon Santa Claus was left befuddled, however, when he received the original lost set list in the mail shortly after.

“I couldn’t make heads or tails of it at first. It wasn’t like any Christmas list I’d ever seen, but the Jailbreakers are on my nice list, so I had to give the ol’ Kringle crack-at-it,” said Santa. “The elves are just going to have to do some outside the box thinking to make all the emeralds and whiskey in the jar the little tots asked for. It will be worth it to see all their smiling faces when, on Christmas morning, they rush down to their stockings and find them stuffed to the brim with their black roses. I just don’t know how in blazes I’m going to wrap that rocking chair, but I’ll have to find a way. The rocker was right at the top of the list!”

UPDATE: Jailbreakers made a similar mistake at their next gig, accidentally using their drummer’s resume, and having to riff a set about various types of barista experience.

We Sat Down With the Wrong Blondie but Now We Have a Recipe for a Huge Sandwich You Can Eat In One Bite

Posted on by Nathan Kamal

Blondie is one of the most important new wave bands of all time, with Debbie Harry’s iconic vocals and blisteringly hot stage presence fusing with Chris Stein’s guitar work to create some of the most influential music ever. Unfortunately, we got some things wrong and sat down with Blondie Bumstead, a caterer and mother who really married beneath her hotness level. On the other hand, we ended up with this great sandwich recipe!

You have to unhinge your jaw like a snake to eat it, but you get used to it.

The Hard Times: Hi Blondie, we mean, Mrs. Bumstead. There’s been a bit of a mix-up here, but any chance you have any insights into Parallel Lines?

Blondie: Well, dear, I’m not entirely sure what that is! I’m just a career gal who seems to sometimes be the main character of her life and at other times, just a foil to my darling husband Dagwood.

What’s his story?

Oh, that rascal is always trying to get out of going to work with Mr. Dithers but usually gets confused by his run-ins with the mailman.

Wow, your husband sounds kind of… mentally impaired. So you’ve never done a bunch of coke with Andy Warhol at Studio 54?

I’m not sure who this Mr. Warhol is, but I’ve definitely had more than my share of Coca-Cola at the soda fountain! I do love how that fizzy stuff gives you energy for days and the urge to talk to strangers about your deepest thoughts and how Dagwood is a loser but you don’t know how to leave him and divorce isn’t legal for women.

Wait, what time period are you from, exactly?

Oh dear, don’t you know it’s rude to ask a woman her age! You seem famished, would you like a sandwich?

Well, now that you say that, we could use a snack.

Okay, I’ll just make you a quick sandwich from six slices of Pullman Loaf bread, deli ham, roasted turkey, pepperoni, some nice yellow American cheese, a thick slab of bologna, olive loaf, an entire tomato, dijon, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, four leaves of romaine lettuce, an entire whole fish, an egg, 3 carrots, a live lobster and a big-ass toothpick with an olive in it. Does that sound nice, dear?

It really does. Thanks, Mom, we mean, Blondie.

Review: Meechy Darko “Gothic Luxury”

Posted on by Colleen Nerney

“Gothic Luxury” marks the solo debut release for rapper Meechy Darko, best known for his previous work with hip-hop trio Flatbush Zombies. It also marks the first time that any artist whose work I’m reviewing has responded to my request for an interview, which is a momentous occasion.

I rolled up to our scheduled meeting at a local cafe with a long list of questions for Mr. Darko, who, upon my arrival, was insistent that I call him Demetri. We made small talk for a few minutes, but I cut right to the fucking chase with my question–in keeping with the theme of his new album, what was his favorite piece of gothic literature?

He answered Dracula, which is stupid and obvious, frankly, and unfortunately, I had consumed so much coffee by that point that I was vibrating with weird energy and proceeded to berate him for his choice. I’m not wrong, dude. That would be like someone asking “who’s your favorite rapper” and replying with Kanye West. Or here’s a better and less dangerous example, saying your favorite baseball team is the Yankees. Shit’s boring.

Demetri then countered that I knew the name of the album was “Gothic Luxury” and not “Gothic Literary,” right? And okay, perhaps that was an oversight on my part, but his answer still sucked!

He then somewhat defensively asked what my favorite piece of gothic literature was since I’m such a smartass, aren’t I? I then cleared my throat and perfectly recited the opening paragraph of the classic “The Castle of Otranto.”

Demetri was pissed and said that me calling his choice of Dracula a “completely predictable and a poser move” was bullshit considering Otranto is considered the OG gothic novel, and even though I was also irritated, I could see where he was coming from.

Ah, fuck, actually, he’s totally right. It became brutally, abundantly clear that I had fucked this up beyond all repair, so after several minutes of stunned silence, I asked if he had ever seen the film “Donnie Darko.”

Demetri proceeded to punch me in the face and leave the interview, but not before paying for my coffee. That was nice of him.

Score: 0/1 successfully completed musician interviews for this website

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