System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan recently shared images of misprinted merchandise that mixed up band names and members from System of a Down and Deftones. This was revealed in a post on Instagram.
The drummer addressed the viral merchandise error. He explained the limited availability of these collector’s items.
“Many will want these, few will get them!” Dolmayan said. “Only available at the Toronto shows, in fact they may already all be gone…”
The misprinted t-shirts incorrectly combined elements from both System of a Down and Deftones. They became available exclusively to fans attending the Toronto concerts. The printing error has turned what would normally be considered defective merchandise into sought-after collectibles.
This merchandise mishap highlights the growing demand for collaborative items between the two metal giants. The bands have been touring together and creating memorable experiences for fans across North America.
Lambgoat reported that the misprinted shirts were priced at $70 CAD at the September 3rd Toronto show. Merch tables displayed Deftones branding under System of a Down logos. The unique design features an “X” between the two band names. This created what fans interpreted as a special “versus” or collaboration design that added to their collectible appeal.
The Toronto incident follows a successful joint performance earlier this year. SF Chronicle noted that both bands played a notable one-day concert at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park in August. The event drew an estimated crowd of 50,000 metalheads. That event also featured exclusive merchandise that sold out quickly due to high demand and long lines.
SF Chronicle Datebook highlighted that the Golden Gate Park show demonstrated how coveted joint merchandise from these two bands has become among metal fans. The rapid sellout of items at that venue foreshadowed the collector frenzy that would later surround the Toronto misprints.
The collaboration between System of a Down and Deftones represents a significant moment for alternative metal fans. Both bands have maintained devoted followings since their rise to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The merchandise errors have inadvertently created some of the most sought-after tour items of the year.
