Vintage 1993 Poison “Native Crew” T-Shirt – Giant Tag – Native Tongue Tour Stagehand Issue – Faded Black Grunge Tee – XL (Fits L)

The “Native Tongue” era rarity.
This isn’t your average glam metal band tee. This is an authentic 1993 Poison “Native Crew” T-shirt, issued exclusively to the local stagehands working the Native Tongue World Tour. That tour marked a major turning point for Poison—new guitarist Richie Kotzen, a bluesier, more mature sound, and a darker, grittier image that moved beyond pure hair-metal excess. This shirt captures that shift perfectly, making it a standout piece of early ’90s rock and roll history.

In the world of vintage band tees, crew shirts sit in a special category: they were never sold at merch stands and were printed in much smaller numbers than fan tour shirts. That makes this one not just a vintage Poison shirt, but a legitimate tour-issued stagehand tee—the kind of piece serious collectors watch for.

The Backstory:
Sourced from the legendary “St. Louis Stagehand Collection” (aka the ex-boyfriend’s drawer), this tee was worn while hauling amps, rolling cables, and building the stage for Bret Michaels & crew back in ’93. It has that true “road-worn” authenticity that you simply can’t fake with modern repros or fashion distressing. Every bit of fading and softness comes from actual use during the early ’90s touring era—when grunge was rising, metal was evolving, and bands like Poison were redefining their look and sound.

If you love pieces that feel like they’ve lived a life—worked shows, seen crowds, and soaked up the atmosphere of real venues—this shirt tells that story the moment you put it on.

The Design:
This one is all about understated, insider cool—exactly what you’d expect from a real local crew shirt.

• Front: A clean, left-chest graphic featuring the tribal Native Tongue Poison logo with the text “NATIVE CREW 1993.” It reads more like a piece of tour workwear than flashy fan merch, which is precisely what makes it so collectible.
• Back: Completely blank—no graphics, no tour dates, just pure ‘business in the back.’ It’s the kind of minimal design that pairs easily with anything and screams “I was there,” not “I bought this at the merch table.”
• The Fade: Originally black, the 100% cotton has washed down over the decades to a rich, even charcoal grey. This natural fade gives it a soft, grunge-era look that feels very early ’90s alternative—think flannels, Docs, and worn-in denim.

Printed on a heavyweight Giant tag (Made in USA), the fabric has that substantial, slightly boxy vintage tee feel that modern shirts can’t really duplicate.

Condition: Good Vintage Condition
This shirt is graded Good Vintage Condition, with all the character you want from a well-loved ’90s band tee, while still being totally wearable.

• Fade: Authentic, heavy fading throughout that gives it a soft, broken-in hand feel and that perfect charcoal grunge tone.
• Wear: There are faint signs of age and wear consistent with a 1993 tour shirt—exactly what you’d expect from a true stagehand piece—but no major holes were found during inspection. The classic Giant tag is intact, which is a big plus for collectors.
• Material: 100% Cotton, as per the original Giant tag, with that thick early-’90s jersey feel.
• Fit: Tagged XL, but like most vintage 100% cotton, it has shrunk over time. It now fits closer to a Modern Men’s Large.

If you’re familiar with vintage tees, you know this is the sweet spot: worn enough to feel amazing, but not destroyed.

Measurements (Taken Flat):
(Always compare to a tee you love for best fit.)

• Chest (Pit to Pit): 21 inches — (Double for a 42″ chest)
• Length: 27 inches — (Measured from high point shoulder to hem)
• Shoulders: 20 inches

This translates to a modern Large with a classic early-’90s silhouette: a little boxy, not slim-fit, perfect for that true vintage rock tee look.

Collector’s Specs:

• Band: Poison
• Tour: Native Tongue (1993)
• Tag: Giant (Made in USA)
• Material: 100% Cotton
• Type: Crew Issue (Not retail merch)

For vintage band tee collectors, these details matter: made-in-USA Giant tag, crew-only print, and direct provenance from a stagehand’s stash all make this a harder-to-find Poison tour artifact, especially from the Native Tongue era.

Historical & Style Notes – How to Wear It Today:

Early ’90s fashion sat at the crossroads of glam metal, grunge, and alternative rock, and this tee is right in that overlap. The tribal logo and darker vibe mirror the changing sound of the band at the time—less neon, more grit. If you’re into ’90s rock, grunge fashion, or authentic band memorabilia, this is the kind of shirt that instantly reads as real, not reproduction.

Styling ideas:

• For a true 1993 rock look: pair it with light or medium wash Levi’s, a leather or denim jacket, and beat-up boots or Converse.
• For a grunge-inspired outfit: layer it under an open flannel, add ripped jeans and Dr. Martens. The charcoal fade makes it perfect for layered, moody outfits.
• For modern streetwear: style it with black denim, a bomber jacket, and sneakers. The subtle front graphic and blank back make it easy to work into a minimalist wardrobe while still nodding to ’90s rock.
• For collectors and display: this would look fantastic framed, hung in a music room, studio, bar area, or record corner as a piece of authentic tour history.

Because it’s a crew issue tee, it also makes an amazing gift for anyone who works in live music, stage production, or who collects behind-the-scenes tour gear.

In Summary:
If you’re hunting for an authentic vintage 1993 Poison Native Tongue crew t-shirt—not a reprint, not a fashion knockoff—this Giant tag, 100% cotton, local stagehand shirt checks all the boxes. It combines real tour history, coveted early-’90s fading, and a wearable modern Large fit. Whether you’re a Poison superfan, a ’90s rock and grunge lover, or a serious vintage band tee collector, this piece is a rare and highly wearable slice of music history.