Actual Pain

Actual Pain was founded in 2006 by designer and musician TJ Cowgill (Book of Black Earth, King Dude, among other bands). Driven to insanity by heavy metal music and the occult philosophies of ancient religion, TJ was possessed to make his own devilish mark in the fashion world. The fact that Actual Pain has had such a great level of success and fully conceptualized seasons is due much to that fact that Actual Pain is essentially run by TJ Cowgill alone. Indeed, Actual Pain is his demented child, a lone wolf in a world of sheep, bonded by blood to the cult ways of forgotten lore.
Since it's inception Actual Pain has done numerous collaborations with premiere brands like MishkaNYC, RockerNYC, Rebel 8, VNGRD, and Flying Coffin. In addition to the collaborations, TJ Cowgill's own design work has been sought out the world over. As the brand grows past graphic tees, it has expanded into one of a kind jewelry pieces like the Shadow Cross and cut & sew designs like the Destroyer Denim vest. All made here in Seattle with 100% organic fabrics sourced from the USA. Even the metal smithing for the jewellery is done locally in Seattle.
That's not to say Actual Pain is not focused on making the best graphic tees in the world. With an ever growing graphic T-shirt market, Actual Pain's focus is not on what's safe or acceptable to the status quo, no if anything Actual Pain is about pushing the boundaries of the graphic tee moving away from just a "shirt" and into a coveted piece of wearable art that is meant to be cherished forever. It's a fact, the brand has grown a reputation for selling out of designs very quickly, making people snatch up what they can as fast as possible.
In addition to all the great clothing and art Actual Pain has produced in the past 4 years, it has also become known for it's "Actual Pain Presents" mix-tapes, free to download from the website forever. Started as way to say thanks to all the great and loyal customers, it has steadily grown over the past 2 years into a destination for music lovers all over the world to find out about new music. Bands that have contributed so far include such great artists as Jokers of the Scene, Blessure Grave, oOoOO, Mater Suspiria Vision, Flight, Pink Priest, Trash Talk, and Fenriz of the heavily influential black metal band Darkthrone. The mix-tapes are also frequently featured on blogs all over the world including the Fader and Pitchfork.
Actual Pain has always been dedicated to the highest standards of printing and fabrics, with a focus on quality over quantity, made locally in Seattle Washington. That's why most everything they do is limited to each season and almost never reprinted. With the market becoming over saturated with new street-wear brands, Actual Pain is here to give people a way to stand out and say something truly different.
 

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