"30 YEARS OF MANIC PANIC"
video by Melissa Multo
OUR STORY in a video:
Punkette Icon Anya Philips and Dead Boy Stiv Bator hangin' at MANIC.
Photo by Roberta Bayley.
MANIC PANIC's Gina and Joey Ramone in the shop checking out the goods.
MANIC PANIC #2. First sign of gentrification in the neighborhood.
© Tish & Snooky's NYC Inc. All Rights Reserved
In the words of CBGB club owner Hilly Kristal "Tish & Snooky started one of the most fun and cool rock bands..." read more click on link
Tish & Snooky’s MANIC PANIC NYC was born on 7/7/77.
Few of the people including Tish & Snooky who ignited the late 70’s PUNK scene would have ever dreamt of it's acceptance by the mainstream and MANIC PANIC‘s evolution as the internationally renowned hair color and cosmetics company it is today. We have come a long way baby, indeed!

IN FOND REMEMBRANCE.

It all began in 1977 when two N.Y.C. born sisters Tish and Snooky, at the time singers in the original Blondie lineup, added some extra ambition to their rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. They gathered up some of their clothing designs and with a $500 loan from their mom, opened America’s very first punk-style boutique on NYC’s infamous St. Mark’s Place. Mom coined the name “MANIC PANIC”, as her two daughters rocked by night and became business proprietors by day. New York had never seen anything as cool as MANIC PANIC.
Tish
Snooky
The store catered to the punk rock and alternative crowd with hipsters coming from all over the world to shop, see and be seen there.The original MANIC PANIC boutique became an icon of “first generation punk” as is well documented in countless books on the subject as well as in rock videos like those of the Ramones and films honoring the genre like Downtown 81.
Tish and Snooky introduced their customers to MANIC PANIC hair dyes in every color of the rainbow with matching wild colors for lips, nails, and eyes. MANIC PANIC hair color and cosmetics’ popularity soared in the late 80’s and the sisters began distributing their line on a small scale right out of the little store.
The same people who laughed at the MANIC PANIC look in the 70’s began clamoring for it in the 90’s as Tish and Snooky watched their hair dye worn proudly by high fashion models and celebrities of all kinds. Suddenly MANIC PANIC exploded in the magazines, television, major motion pictures.... adios tiny shop, hello huge warehouse!
With the millennium came major international distribution for the line. MANIC PANIC has made it's way to the UK, Australia, Italy, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands...you name it!
In between running the MANIC PANIC empire and travelling, the sisters still manage to find time to perform. They continue to rock out with their punk band Sic F*cks reuniting for special occasions like the last nights of CBGB’s, Joey Ramone birthday bashes, and various animal charity events. Tish & Snooky also make frequent guest appearances accompanying greats like Robert Gordon, Ronnie Spector, Tony Visconti, and Patti Smith
Here's some more great gems from erly days in our
Recently while in L.A. Tish and Snooky visited Venice Beach and became enamored with the area. It reminded them so much of the East Village in the late 70’s with its color and counter-culture community! They spotted a “for rent” sign in a shop window and MANIC PANIC WEST was born. Once again the sisters have a small retail shop in surroundings that inspire them, one that doubles as a West Coast Showroom.
1977 sales sheet: note $62.50 rent and .25 cent clogs!
Tish & Snooky in front of MANIC PANIC.
Hair dye, wigs, clothing, cosmetics and CRITTERS! Mr. Kitty welcomed customers at the shop.
more great stuff!!!
Vintage Tish and Snooky with their punk band the Sic F*cks in a scene from the 1982 classic horror cult film "Alone in the Dark" starring Jack Palance, Donald Pleasence and Martin Landau. Oh those fabulous 80's!