In the year 1967, the American band The Doors were described as “gothic rock” and in 1974 Bowie’s Diamond Dogs was called “gothic”. [1] X Research source However, it doesn’t make the artist or band goth. Some people cite Nico as the first to record a gothic album; either The Marble Index or The End. [2] X Research source The song credited to have birthed the goth rock genre is the 1979 single Bela Lugosi’s Dead by Bauhaus. [3] X Research source [4] X Research source [5] X Research source Peter Murphy, lead singer of the band, said that the song was supposed to be written tongue-in-cheek and that their mistake was performing it naive seriousness, which changed the way the audience understood it. [6] X Research source This song was also played at the beginning of The Hunger, a film popular among goths. [7] X Research source Goth rock or gothic rock is a sub-genre of punk rock which was born out of the British post punk scene in the late 70s / early 80s. [8] X Research source A nightclub in London named “The Batcave” was opened in 1982[9] X Research source [10] X Research source [11] X Research source [12] X Research source by members of Specimen that catered towards this new flourishing scene. Although the club never named themselves as a “goth club”, the club helped bring all the forming elements of goth together. [13] X Research source The subculture took inspiration from Gothic architecture such as castles and cathedrals; the Romantic movement originating from the late 1700 and 1800 century and Gothic literature such as The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole where the use of the word “Gothic” was first used in literature[14] X Research source , Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, Dracula by Bram Stoker and the works of Edgar Allan Poe. [15] X Research source [16] X Research source Goth subculture draws inspirations from ancient Celtic, Pagan, Egyptian and Christian mythology and religions and goth fashion combines high chic, antique, retro-kitsch, punk, fetish and secondhand trash elements[17] X Research source
Musical goth characteristics include an echoing tribal beat, 4 / 4 post punk beat or drum machine, funeral synthesizers, flanging guitars that produced cold and brittle effects, distorted guitars, a prominent lead bassline and deep eerie baritone vocals, usually in men. [18] X Research source [19] X Research source Hodkinson, P, (2002), Goth: Identity, Style and Subculture, The Emergence of a Style, p. 36 978-1859736050
Deathrock, which is the American counterpart that formed around the same time as goth did in the UK. Developed in Southern California, deathrock is a spooky and atmospheric offshoot of punk rock which consists of glam rock imagery, punk-inflected sound and attitude, shock rock theatrics and b-movie inspiration. Notable bands are Christian Death, 45 Grave and Kommunity FK. [20] X Research source Darkwave, an offshoot of goth rock that formed in the 80s. It combines elements of synthpop and new wave, incorporating dark, introspective lyrics and an undertone of sorrow. However the term, originally starting out as a post punk style, eventually became its own thing as bands started to make greater use of synthesizers and drum machines. Notable bands include Clan of Xymox, Dead Can Dance and Black Tape For a Blue Girl. Fans of darkwave are called “darkwavers”. [21] X Research source Coldwave, a subgenre of darkwave first coined by British writer Vivien Goldman in an article that review the Siouxsie and the Banshee’s album The Scream. The sound mainly became popular in France and Belgium in the 90s but has since spread to other continents. Notable bands include Charles De Goal, Memorial Voice and Ruth. [22] X Research source Ethereal wave, a subgenre of darkwave which has been described as “gothic”, “otherworldly” and “romantic”. It was developed in the early 80s, and is mainly represented by bands from the British independent record label, 4AD. [23] X Research source [24] X Research source Notable bands include Cocteau Twins,This Mortal Coil and Dead Can Dance. [25] X Research source
Learn the words to your favorite goth songs by copying out lyrics in a notebook. Knowing the words to your favorite songs can be a quick way to make friends with other goths, if you’re into the same things. If you need some help, some notable goth albums include: Joy Division - Closer (1980) The Cure - Pornography (1982) Siouxsie and the Banshees - Juju (1981)[26] X Research source Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi’s Dead (1979)[27] X Research source The Birthday Party - Release The Bats (1981) The Sisters of Mercy - Floodland (1987)[28] X Research source Black Tape for a Blue Girl – Remnants of a Deeper Purity (1996) Christian Death - Only Theatre of Pain (1982)
Check the “goth/alternative rock” sections of Discogs, Bandcamp. com, Last. fm and Soundclick. com and see what you can find. Be warned, though, because a lot of music is usually mislabelled and is actually metal, EBM or electronic which are separate scenes/genres of music. Ask other goths for their Last. fm, personal goth playlists and Bandcamp profiles. Use dark/alternative radio stations to find other goth/alternative bands such as nightbreedradio. com, and deathrockradio.
NU:N Lebanon Hanover Ash Code She Past Away Drab Majesty Boy Harsher TRAITRS Cold Cave Hante Angels of Liberty Grooving in Green Delving into modern artists means you have more chance of seeing them live as they are more likely to be active. Check BandsInTown and your favourite bands’ social media/official website to see if they’re in your area.
Darker colours, including purple and blood red[31] X Research source Satin bodices and corsets[32] X Research source Striped stockings and tights[33] X Research source Frilly or lace gloves Lace skirts DIY leather jacket, usually of favourite goth band logos Sheer stockings and suspenders Fishnet tights[34] X Research source [35] X Research source Winklepickers[36] X Research source , spiked heels, pointy-toe lace-ups, shiny thigh high boots or Doc Martens[37] X Research source Garments of leather, lace, velvet, silk or PVC[38] X Research source To capture the goth look, you have to invest in interesting fabric or interesting details. So, look for pieces which have leather accents, chain studding, contrasting fabric, etc. [39] X Expert Source Jordan StolchImage Consultant & Style Advisor Expert Interview. 25 September 2020.
During the Batcave days, Siouxsie Sioux inspired girls to back comb their hair to uttermost heights and Patricia Morrison of The Sisters of Mercy influenced others to leave their hair long and black[40] X Research source Bauhaus, Robert Smith of The Cure, Specimen and Dave Vanian all influenced men’s fashion and Jonny Slut, keyboardist of Specimen became the face of the band due to his elaborate style and huge, backcombed and hairsprayed death hawk. [41] X Research source However, you don’t need to do anything too extreme everyday. If you prefer to have it long and black, perhaps choppy, you can. There aren’t any rules on hair, but goth does have its style. If you’re interested in having a certain style you can look up tutorials on YouTube.
Egyptian / Cleopatra inspired eye makeup, much like how Siouxsie Sioux wore hers or solid blocks of blue, purple or metallic eyeshadow. Deathbrows, popularised by Daniel Ash. They were drawn on in black and then flared upwards, don’t be afraid to experiment with eyeliner and eyeshadow while drawing “deathbrows”. Female eyebrows were either thin and high arched like Morticia Addams or pointed, triangular and thick like Siouxsie Sioux. If you don’t necessarily like the style you don’t have to wear it; create your own version, but a lot of fans of the music dressed like this because they were influenced by their idols. [42] X Research source
Other goth accessories include: Piercings, including lip, eyebrows, tongues and belly buttons[44] X Research source Sunglasses (much like The Sisters of Mercy), top hats, capes, cravats, riding crops or lunchbox purses. Piercings and colorful contact lenses and fake fangs are also popular. [45] X Research source Silver jewellery such as silver skulls, human skeletons and bats or religious imagery like crosses made into chunky rings, brooches and necklaces. [46] X Research source Nail polish. Black, purple and blood red were incredibly popular colours with goths. [47] X Research source [48] X Research source Generally, goth fashion items have interesting fabrics or details, like pieces that have leather accents, chain studding, contrasting fabric, and anything else that’s a little unique. [49] X Expert Source Jordan StolchImage Consultant & Style Advisor Expert Interview. 25 September 2020.
Buy or paint patches of your favourite band/anything from Etsy. com and eBay and sew them onto your jacket/garment of clothing. Buy or make your own goth band/logo pins and do the same to them as you did with the patches. Learn how to make jewellery, you can even sell it and begin your own business. Cut up old clothes with patterns on and stitch patches onto clothes. Tartan or leopard print patches look great against black jackets. Buy some safety pins and get creative with them, use them to pin jackets together or simply make patterns on your clothes. Bleach clothes to create permanent patterns in them. Clothes that have creative distressing, whether that’s rips, tears, or just unique necklines, can contribute to your goth look. [50] X Expert Source Jordan StolchImage Consultant & Style Advisor Expert Interview. 25 September 2020.
Dracula by Bram Stoker Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice The Castle of Ontranto by Horace Walpole Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë Zastrozzi by Percy Bysshe Shelley Anything by Edgar Allan Poe, especially his poem The Raven Also read gothic poetry and try writing your own. William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Experience is a classic in goth poetry, as well as Sylvia Plath’s Ariel.
Oftentimes, people don’t understand or respect the goth subculture. If someone is giving you trouble, just walk away. Don’t waste time arguing. Being friendly and kind to everyone and you might change their perception of goths for the better.
Develop your own style naturally. If you have a genuine interest in a scene, you will naturally be influenced as you get into the subculture. Do what makes you happy.
Some festivals, events and clubs are as listed: World Goth Day[52] X Research source Return To The Batcave in Wrocław, Poland Release The Bats, a deathrock club in Long Beach, California[53] X Research source Whitby Goth Weekend, Whitby, North Yorkshire, UK[54] X Research source Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig, Germany[55] X Research source Numerous goth clubs around the world[56] X Research source
Some goth slang phrases and their definitions are as followed: Goth Points. A fictional points system which, every time you do something particularly gothy (example, listening to Bauhaus while dying your hair a shade of ebony), adds points to your card. Goth Card. A fictional card which stores “goth points” as shown above. Baby bat. A new and willing to learn member of the subculture. This is different to a poseur. Goth In a Box. A term to describe someone who dresses in complete outfits from Hot Topic. This is frowned upon as goth has its roots in individualism and DIY. Bat-caver. A frequent visitor of the 1982 nightclub The Batcave, but now refers to someone who is an older goth and was a fan of the music played there. [58] X Research source
Forgetting the background, history and unifying elements of the subculture makes it lose all value and meaning. Without the background and history, goth would not be what it is today. Goth did not go from a complete social subculture with music and fashion relations to someone’s opinion, or simply just a psychological “mindset”.
