Description
The Butthole Surfers "Cowgirl" design (also known as the "Lasso" or "Rope Logo" tee) is a piece of band merchandise originally released in 1988 to promote the group's Hairway to Steven tour. Widely attributed to graphic artist Frank Kozik—who created many of the band's posters and album art during this era—the graphic features a pin-up style cowgirl standing in front of a yellow sun, holding a lasso that loops upward to spell out the band's name in a distinctive cursive rope script. The imagery creates a deliberate juxtaposition between wholesome, stereotypical Texan iconography and the band's reputation for chaotic, psychedelic noise rock and grotesque stage performances. In the decades since its release, the 1988 Cowgirl design has become one of the most collectible "grails" in the vintage punk clothing market. Original printings from the late 1980s—typically identified by single-stitch construction and specific period tags (such as Hanes Beefy-T or Stedman)—can command prices upwards of $1,000 in secondary markets. The shirt's "Rope Logo" typography became an enduring visual identifier for the band, eventually appearing on subsequent merchandise and bootlegs. The design is cited by fashion historians as a prime example of the "acid-western" aesthetic that permeated the Austin, Texas underground music scene of the late 80s.
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