Hot Topic is a Time Machine to 2005
with Perry Goeders 🤘🏼
This week on the Nicstalgia podcast, Perry Goeders and I talk about the inspiration behind her TikTok series, ‘If department stores had a reality show’. Who can forget the sensory experience that is going to the mall? I share my recent experience of going into Hot Topic, aka. the time machine right back to 2005.
We describe the difference between emo kids and scene kids; is it just a ‘you had to be there’ kinda thing?? From being forced to fit into boxes to cosplaying different aesthetics, teenagers have always looked for an outlet to find out who they are and create an identity for themselves. We also dive into the legacy, personal brand, and impact of The Legendary Miss Britney Spears. As MTV’s Diary said, “You think you know, but you have no idea.”
Watch/listen: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Website
🛼 Haven’t You Heard?!
My fav things from the internet rn:
We may have a love/hate relationship with malls, but something we can all agree on is their undeniable influence and impact on us coming of age in the late 20th century. Especially as a former retail worker who has spent roughly 20% of my life at the mall, Perri’s mega-viral TikTok series, ‘If department stores had a reality show’, had me screaming laughing.
I loved this article about how tween wonderland Claire’s (where I bought my first wallet, along with an *NSYNC keychain and green rabbit’s foot…it was a 90s thing) not only survived the retail-pocalypse, but are THRIVING because they stay on top of trends and proactively respond to evolving consumer sentiment. Not gonna lie, walking by Claire’s still puts a smile on my face, and I’m happy that every generation has its own story with the brand.
Stranger Things is causing major nowstalgia for the 80s!! (Remember the article I wrote about Nostalgia vs. Nowstalgia? Go read!) The concept of being “nostalgic” for a time you did not experience firsthand is explored in this piece as ‘pseudo-nostalgia’, where youth engage in “compensatory reconsumption” and wear the clothes, listen to the music, etc. of the time to feel like they were really there. I love seeing viability in my niche lol.
We can’t talk about being emo this week without mentioning My Chemical Romance (among many others like Taking Back Sunday, Motion City Soundtrack, and Paramore) are on tour! Really got a kick out of this investigative piece, “I Will Not Rest Until I’ve Uncovered the Meaning Behind My Favorite Band’s Outfits” about Gerard Way’s many eccentric tour looks.
⏮ Let’s Go Back….Back to the Beginning
A time capsule of this week:
In 2000, Now That's What I Call Music! 4 was released, with iconic hits such as “Larger Than Life” by Backstreet Boys, “Candy” by Mandy Moore, “It Feels So Good” by Sonique, and “All The Small Things” by blink-182.
In 2004, Ashlee Simpson released her debut album that has absolutely no skips, Autobiography. THIS IS MUSIC!!!
On July 19th, astrophysicist (casual) and famed guitarist of Queen, Brian May, turns 75!
💿 Hey Mr. DJ, put a [playlist] on
Playlist of the week:
To 2005 and Beyond is a playlist filled with emo/punk rock/Myspace songs and kinda everything in between. It’s one that truly fills me with joy and nostalgia for the angsty time in our lives where we passed notes to our friends in class and then went home and wrote on our Xanga blogs about it.
If you missed the AIM, Xanga, and Myspace: From Monoculture to Subculture Nicstalgia episode, you must listen!! It was never a phase. Also quick sidebar: If you were ever in a punk pop, punk rock, or emo music video in the 2000s, please let me know so I can live vicariously through you til the end of time. (I already know 3 people who fall into this category…why I’m not among them I’ll truly never know.)
🏆 Nicstalgia Trivia
What is the name of this infamous cartoon whose rude and insulting slogans were on t-shirts, stickers, notebooks, and literally anything/everything else you could think of at Hot Topic in the 2000s?
Find the answer in this week’s episode of Nicstalgia!
Last Week’s Answer
Along with Missy Elliott’s iconic pink Adidas tracksuit from the 2003 Grammy Awards, this is my favorite pink monochrome outfit from the aughts. Who is the rapper in this now widely-circulated image that exemplifies what’s known as the McBling aesthetic?
Cam’ron, of “Hey Ma” (not to be confused with “Hey Ya!”) fame. Honestly, I kinda want to start using a flip phone again. *Snaps shut* The drama.
Watch last week’s episode, Dresses Over Jeans, Popped Collars, McBling, and Non-Functional Belts: Realistic 2000s Fashion, on YouTube!
🧨 Spice Up Your Life
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