Type O Negative: Logo #300

Type O Negative's brilliantly simple design came courtesy of lead singer Peter Steele in 1988. Type O Negative recorded one of the most amazing cover songs ever - that of Seals and Croft's "Summer Breeze," heard most notably on the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" soundtrack. What makes their version so rewarding is that Peter Steele is not necessarily someone thought of as embracing summer breezes or food cooking and plates for two. Such are the pitfalls of having a public image informed by heavy metal and a 6'7" frame. And yet his delivery makes the notion so completely plausible that it is to the original song what a drop of water is to fine scotch: unveiled potential. To quote William James, "The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated."

The Effigies: Logo #299

My, but it's been a long time. Life, plans, etc.

Paul Zamost from pioneering Chicago hardcore band The Effigies reveals: "The hangman logo was our first button, which was made up in 1980-81 by our drummer Steve Economou. Not sure of who to credit for the clever idea; it was probably Steve as well."

"Reside," their latest album, was released in 2007; a promotional advertisement for it can be found here. Hardcore has as many local variants as does jazz - L.A. hardcore and New Orleans jazz spring to mind - what external factors shape the differences in sound? The '80s experience - Reagan, excess and EDD (Empathy Deficit Disorder) - was a fairly universal one, as are feelings of loneliness, rejection, love and pain. Maybe it's just the weather.