Stryper - In God We Trust / To Hell With The Devil

My first Stryper shirt outside of Finland (even though it's a bootleg). A friend got this from eBay for about $30 (plus shipping). I hadn't paid that kind of money for a second hand shirt before. So, did I hesitate? Neva, sir! Back then I was the baddest Predator of Stryper shirts. Nowadays I take it a bit easier. I own at least 20-30 Stryper shirts. At least.

Before this I only had one other professionally printed Stryper shirt. I bought the 1992 European Tour shirt from a friend (practically for free).
BUT... It was the "Can't Stop The Rock" era and Michael Sweet had left the band already and Oz Fox handled the singing duties. In my mind, they weren't a complete band anymore, so I was constantly looking for a shirt from their earlier days. This was the one, mama!

I couldn't believe I was holding in my hands a Stryper shirt with the earlier logo and all. This was my favorite shirt for a long time, until I got my first Stryper 3/4-sleeve jersey from "To Hell With The Devil" tour '87.

Stryper - Second Coming (2010)

When Stryper's gig here in Finland was confirmed, I knew I just had to make a shirt for the occation. The design is very retro on purpose. This was printed professionally at work - probably the last one I made before the lay offs came.

I was ever too happy when Stryper's founder and drummer Robert Sweet signed this. I also gave his brother, Michael Sweet my band Desyre's debut CD "Warning Of The Night" that same night. He promised to give it a listen. Haven't heard from him about the matter, though.
Luckily do I have some video-material of the band and fans around the merchandise desk. I've been meaning to edit it into a nice documentary. Somebody stop me... of being lazy!

Stryper - YaBA/SUC (198?)

Very nice bootleg shirt. On front the cover of Stryper's debut Yellow And Black Attack (the orig. design without the missiles and God's hand) and on the back just logo and a simple Soldiers Under Command-text, whick happens to be their second release. The printing isn't even that sharp, but I like this one a lot!
This is the kind of "done in a hurry" design that pleases my eye, because it has a strong nostalgic sense also. I wore this at work years ago and one dude came to me and asked: "What's this Stryper? Does it have something to do with Star Wars?" Too cool, baby!

Stryper - Soldiers Under Command (1986)

This is one nice looking baseball-jersey, lemme tell ya! I got this from eBay. Ever since I saw this for the first time, I wanted it. To me it was the 80's band-shirt personified. I don't remember how much I paid for it, but it was around $20-30 + shipping. It got away from me few times. The price was way up there on those occations, of course. When I made up my mind, I made the winning bid, no matter the price. Luckily it wasn't too silly.

When I first put in on, I discovered it was somewhat strangely sewn. It didn't sit right. My figure is quite unique also. I'm so tall and skinny, that sometimes I don't know is it my tummy and back that's hurtin'. Eh eh.. Anyway, little customisation will fix the problem. Haven't done it yet, though.

You also gotta love the "No Devil"-sign on the back! The devil is a loser! Period!