SANDRA ETEROVIC
THE TRIFFIDSI was too young (or too uncool) to have been into Perth band The Triffids when they brought out their albums
in the late ’70s and early ’80s, but songs like “Bury Me Deep in Love” and “Wide Open Road” were somehow
always there. Their style has been described as the missing link between Nick Cave and The Go-Betweens.
Sadly, they disappeared with the ’80s, and I couldn’t find evidence of any merch on the ‘net, other than
record covers in various indie styles. For my design, I’ve been heavy-handed with the symbolism. I partly
chose the band because I was also a fan of The Day of the Triffids, the 1950s sci-fi book that inspired their
name. I also like an excuse to paint something botanical, so there are band members being swallowed by
carnivorous plants, a wide open road, and a subterranean heart that may refer to “Bury Me Deep in Love”.
There’s also a jaunty gold vest that their guitarist David McComb wore, complete with signature bandana.
My favourite detail, though, is the lost shoe sitting next to the heart. Funnily enough, for someone who used
to design t-shirts for a living, I’ve never actually painted directly onto fabric before. I was really scared the
paint would bleed in, stretch, and that the paint brush would snag. Working out a way to prevent that was the
biggest challenge. Luckily, I’m a hoarder. I found some foam board in the perfect size, inserted it between
the two layers of fabric, then pinned the t-shirt down. My one regret is that I didn’t refer to the wild flowers
of the band’s home state of Western Australia – a native orchid would have made a fine triffid.
hands on