“What’s going on with that radio?”
This was the immortal line from the original 1999 game that started a franchise not to be messed with. What better way to celebrate this moment than with a piece of merchandise that could be adorned by any loving fan of “Silent Hill”?
The newly released “Radio Repairs” TShirt comes in a Pyramid Red colour, which is a colour that, to my knowledge, has never been used before for a Silent Hill TShirt. It works really well with the stylized Radio image that is shown on the front of TShirt, and if anyone is interested, the tshirt works perfectly if worn underneath the brand new Officially Licensed Insert Coin Sunderland jacket, reviewed HERE.
The TShirt itself is 40% cotton, 60% polyester and feels great. It comes in sizes Small to 3xLarge, which is a very good range and should accommodate most people. I got the Small size, which fitted perfect. I don’t know if other people who own it will find this as well, but to me the TShirt is quite long in length. Sometimes I find this a negative because that extra material just gets in the way, but with this TShirt it was fine. You can wear it tucked into jeans without fear of it popping out, or just wear it loose over your belt. I’m no fashion expert but I’m sure you can rock both styles if you want.
On the inside of the shirt is a washing label, which has the SILENT HILL 2 logo printed on the reverse of it. Even though the immortal line “What’s going on with that radio?” was uttered in the very first game and not the second game, a static radio makes appearances in nearly all of the Silent Hill games (1, 2, 3, 4, Arcade, Origins).
It’s immensely rare nowadays to find any range of “Silent Hill” merchandise. The gaming franchise has nearly dried up and with the news of a third film almost gone extinct it’s refreshing to see companies like Insert Coin produce a line of clothing dedicated to the series. I hope they continue, because so far their other TShirts have been awesome – and clearly designed by people who know and appreciate the franchise. Read more about the “Silent Hill Historical Society” TShirt HERE and the “Lakeview Hotel” TShirt HERE.
Priced at only £22, this TShirt is very reasonable and very well produced for the price. Available HERE from Insert Coin, and while you are at it why not take a look at their other “Silent Hill” TShirts, to take advantage of their current 3 for 2 on all tshirts deal.
The first thing I wanted to do while in town was visit Rosewater Park. I’d read in all the pamphlets that it was a lovely place. Unfortunately by the time it took to get there it was a far too foggy to appreciate the surroundings however whilst there I did find a little radio. The vintage wireless was lying on one of the park benches, and there was nobody around, so I took it and put it in my rucksack. Hey, don’t judge me - finders keepers!
I left the park not long after finding the radio, and realised I hadn’t eaten since that morning, so I checked my map and headed for The Lucky Jade Restaurant. It was while on my way there that it happened… The radio started crackling and hissing with static from inside my backpack. It really freaked me out, and when I stopped to take the radio out of my rucksack I saw a dark shadow of a figure dart across the street through the fog, and head towards me. I didn’t stay long to see what the figure was; I grabbed my backpack and started running in the opposite direction.
I stopped when I came to a Gas Station. There was a man standing outside the old run down shack. He was about middle aged, unshaven with a grey baseball cap on. I hurried up to the old man, and bent over to catch my breath.
“What’s wrong son?” He asked, his voice was deep and sounded as if he wasn’t from around these parts.
“There was something in the fog. Something chasing me.” I panted.
And then the crackling sound started from my rucksack again. I swung the bag off my shoulder and took the radio from out of it.
“What’s going on with that radio?” The man asked.
“I don’t know,” I replied “It must be broken.”
“I can fix it for you.” The man said, grabbing the radio from me and rushing inside the gas station. I followed him inside, and watched as he barricaded the front door with an old plank of wood.
After a lot of clanking of tools and a lot of hissing from the static radio, the man appeared from the back room of the gas station.
“Well son… I’ve fixed the radio. No more static, no more worries.” He took his hands from out behind his back and handed me the radio, along with a TShirt.
“Be careful out there son, this town holds a lot of nightmares for a lot of people.”
Review written by Pip Petrie