This week, GTS sat down with Threadless' brand master, Rachel (Ray Gun). We talk about general bad ass stuff like psychic twins, apple cider donuts and the effects of second-hand metal.

GTS: Rachel, thanks for sitting down with Gettin' The Skinny. How are you doing?

Rachel: I'm good. Busy! We have some bands coming in today and we're straightening up the atrium. Making it look pretty.

GTS:Sweet! Which bands and what's the occasion?

Rachel:I think I might have to keep that a secret. But we're also making it nice for the bloggers coming in tomorrow

GTS: Come on...how about one of the bands?

Rachel: Sorry dude! You know we love surprises here.

GTS: Dang! Can't blame a guy for trying. Anywho, can you talk a little bit about what you @ Threadless?

Rachel:Oh man. Lots of stuff. I guess I can just list them off. I'm sort of the 'brand specialist', or 'brand masseuse' as Jake likes to call it. I accept/decline all the submissions and gallery photos, answer all technical emails/designer problems, give office tours, do the designer interviews, update all of the community sites (facebook, flickr, twitter, myspace...etc.) I also sit at the front desk and do all that front-desky stuff.

GTS: Sounds like you've got your hands full there.

Rachel: It's hectic sometimes

GTS: Now you're originally from my neck of the woods - the Capitol Region area of NY. How would you compare Chicago to this area? Anything from here that you miss?

Rachel: Chicago is 100x the size and 100x cooler. I do miss autumn in upstate NY, though. There's not much of that crisp air-pumpkin patch-apple farm-scarecrow bullshit out here.

GTS: No Indian Ladders hot-out-of-the-oven-fresh apple cider donuts!

Rachel: Oh man. Indian Ladders! That place rules. But no, there isn't as far as I know. I've only experienced one autumn here so far, though.

GTS: I don't think donuts would ship very well otherwise I'd send some your way.
Backbiters is one of the most bad ass subs I've seen in a while. Do you generally regard yourself as a bad ass?

Rachel: I have my moments.

GTS: Are you and Speedy Joe rivals or are you two secretly BFF?

Rachel: We are frienemies for sure. No just kidding, he's cool. We're supposed to be working on a collaboration but I've been too busy to work on it so far. Soon though.

GTS: Nice! I'll keep my eyes peeled for that collab. Previous GTS interviewees have found this next one tough to answer - what's the best part about working @ Threadless?

Rachel: I'm sure this sounds corny, but just the general atmosphere. It's creative, sometimes a little wacky...the kind of place you don't mind peeling yourself out of bed to get to in the morning.

GTS: Right on. What are some of your recent favorite tees?

Rachel: I like the artsy stuff, so I'm pretty big on "Perennials & Innards", "Lost City" and "The Impossible Escape". "Gossamer" is another great one.

GTS: Would you like to see Threadless head in a more artsy direction?

Rachel: No, I think it's good that we print shirts for all kinds of tastes.

GTS: Amen to that! I asked fellow bloggers to submit some questions for you to answer. Ready?

Rachel: Sure thing

GTS: The first question comes from Phiffer: Does you actually have a twin?

Rachel: Yes, I actually do. We aren't identical though.

GTS: That's cool. Do you two ever experience that "shared feelings" concept?

Rachel: We're actually psychic.

GTS: For real? Care to share a previous psychic experience?

Rachel: That's classified.

GTS: Dually noted and moving on. littlem wants to know: Which photoshoots are your fave: The serious, smexy ones or the silly ones?

Rachel: I don't think there's really such a thing as a "smexy" photoshoot here, this isn't snorg tees. But really, the silly ones because then I don't have to worry about looking ridiculous.

GTS: ZING! Chipmnk (hypothetically) asked: It's the zombie apocalypse. What is your weapon of choice?

Rachel: My bare fists of fury.

GTS: Now that's what I call bad ass. Here's another question from Snaggletooth: Have you ever dated anyone in the office or had a crush?

Rachel: No and no. I have a strict "no pen in the company ink" policy.

GTS: I know Mr. Firestorm would kill me if I didn't forward his question: DO YOU LISTEN TO METAL, BRO?

Rachel: No, but I once dated a guy that listed to it all the time. Does that count? Second-hand metal?

GTS: What kind of metal are we talking here? Pantera or Metallica?

Rachel: I really cant say, it all kind of sounds like a dying hyena to me.

GTS: In that case, yes, it counts. Do you know what time it is?

Rachel: Is that really a blogger question?

GTS: Haha, no it's not - it was a snarky set-up for our next segment - Pick One. Are you familiar with Pick One?

Rachel: It seems self-explanatory.

GTS: Okay then - #1 - Afternoon Delight: Bike ride or Picnic?

Rachel: Picnic! food trumps everything

GTS: #2 - Worse Canadian Export: Celine Dion or Shania Twain?

Rachel: Well they're both pretty godawful, but I have to go with Celine. Sorry, Canada.

GTS: #3 - Tasty Combos: Beer & pretzels or cheese & wine?

Rachel: I'm not fancy. Beer and pretzels.

GTS: #4 - Poet of Preference: Shakespeare of Kerouac?

Rachel: I took a bunch of Shakespeare classes throughout highschool and college and thoroughly enjoyed them.

GTS: #5 - Party On: Wayne or Garth?

Rachel: Wayne

GTS: #6 - Somebody Get a Doctor: Dr. Gregory House or Dr. Perry Cox?

Rachel: Oh man. That's a tough call, but I do have a soft spot for House.

GTS: #7 - Body of Work: Tattoos or Piercings ?

Rachel: On me, or other people? I have a navel ring, but on other people I am more interested in tattoos.

GTS: #8 - International Destination: London or Madrid?

Rachel: Madrid

GTS: #9 - Gumming Up The Works: Hubba Bubba or Bubble Yum?

Rachel: Bubble Yum but only because it's a little less grainy.

GTS: #10 - Troublesome Tee Trend: Birds or trees?

Rachel: If you mean which I can't stand more, trees. But really, antlers.

GTS: Trees/Antlers it is. Rachel, thanks for your time but it's time to wrap up this GTS interview. Any parting words for the folks at home?

Rachel: Thanks for being awesome.