The Shirts
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 in New York City, United States |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, singles |
The Shirts are a punk rock group originating from New York City, established in 1975. Their formative period, spanning from 1975 to 1981, was deeply connected with CBGB, a prominent Bowery music venue. The band reunited with several founding members in 2003 and continues to perform.
Origins and CBGB era (1975–1981)
Hailing from Brooklyn, Robert Racioppo and Artie Lamonica began collaborating musically in 1970, later incorporating lead vocalist Annie Golden and guitarist Ronnie Ardito into the lineup. The choice of the band's name stemmed from Racioppo’s laid-back attitude: "call it anything ... shirts ... pants ... shoes ... The Shirts!" Initially formed as a nine-piece ensemble, they started by playing cover songs before transitioning to original compositions influenced by a 1975 CBGB concert featuring Patti Smith.
Following an audition with CBGB proprietor Hilly Kristal, The Shirts secured opening slots for acts such as Television and Talking Heads, eventually headlining shows themselves. They also performed at venues like Max's Kansas City. Their musical style incorporated more pop and dance elements than the typical CBGB sound.
Although American record labels showed little early interest, The Shirts contributed to the Live at CBGBs compilation. In late 1977, EMI’s Nick Mobbs signed them to the Harvest label, with Mike Thorne producing their debut album. Due to corporate arrangements, EMI collaborated with its US branch, Capitol Records, which had initially passed on signing the band—this dynamic influenced their initial career path.
Their self-titled debut album, recorded in London and released in 1978, found success in Europe; the single "Tell Me Your Plans" reached the top five in the Netherlands. They toured Europe as an opening act for Peter Gabriel following his invitation.
Producer Thorne returned for their sophomore effort, Street Light Shine (1979), recorded at New York City’s Mediasound Studios. This diverse album achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success in Europe, with "Laugh and Walk Away" performing well on Dutch charts. However, significant recognition in the United States remained out of reach.
For their third release, Capitol assumed full control over their contract. Under Capitol’s oversight, production of Inner Sleeve (1980) was troubled; only 10,000 copies were pressed with minimal promotional support. After ongoing lineup shifts and insufficient backing, The Shirts dissolved in 1981. A session recorded that year at Manhattan’s Hi-Five Studios is slated for release on the Live feat. Annie Golden album on September 26, 2025.
Reunions and revival (1994–present)
Remaining members active in music reunited twice during the 1990s to aid CBGB amid financial difficulties related to taxes. Efforts to revive The Shirts included auditions involving Golden—who had established a career in film, television, and theater—as well as vocalists Caren Messing and Kathy McCloskey, both longtime collaborators of Racioppo. Golden opted not to rejoin; Messing and McCloskey shared lead vocals instead. This reassembled lineup made its public return at CBGB in May 2003 and has performed sporadically since.
In 2006, The Shirts released Only The Dead Know Brooklyn, their first new album in over a quarter-century, recorded at producer Thorne’s studio once again. Their fifth studio album, The Tiger Must Jump, was released in 2010.
By 2014, Racioppo and Lamonica had embarked on separate musical ventures: Racioppo founded Bob of The Shirts while Lamonica formed Rome 56.
Studio albums
- The Shirts (1978) - reached #22 on the Dutch Album Charts
- Street Light Shine (1979)
- Inner Sleeve (1980)
- Only the Dead Know Brooklyn (2006)
- The Tiger Must Jump (2010)
Live albums
- Live feat. Annie Golden (2025)
Singles
| Year | Title | US Bubbling |
NED | BEL | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Tell Me Your Plans b/w Cyrinda | 50 | 8 | 6 | Harvest Records HAR 5165 |
| 1978 | Running Through the Night b/w Lonely Android | - | - | - | Harvest Records HAR 5170 |
| 1978 | Reduced to a Whisper b/w The Story Goes | - | - | - | Harvest Records 5C 006-06910 |
| 1979 | Out on the Ropes b/w Maybe, Maybe Not | - | - | - | Harvest Records HAR 5190 |
| 1979 | Can't Cry Anymore b/w I'm in Love Again | - | - | - | Capitol Records 4750 |
| 1980 | Laugh and Walk Away b/w Triangulum | - | 10 | 17 | Harvest Records HAR 5195 |
| 1980 | One Last Chance b/w Too Much Trouble | - | - | - | Capitol Records CL 16161 |
| 2024 | Moove On Groove On c/w Deux Royal | - | - | - | TLAK Records TLA S009 |