Welcome to my page! This is an inside look at what it means to be goth. Just an outline - no heavy restrictions to what is said here, unless specified, obviously. Now, to rid the gothic name of any ridiculous and untrue stereotypes that have been mocking my gothic life from the beginning. Time to fill the newbies to this subculture in on what makes a goth a true goth.
A few definitions:
goth: 1. A style of rock music that often evokes bleak, lugubrious imagery.
2. A performer or follower of this style of music.
subculture: a social group within a national or world culture that has distinctive patterns of behavior, tastes, and beliefs.
mainstream: 1. The prevailing current of thought, influence, or activity.
2. Representing the prevalent attitudes, values, and practices of society.
Think this is what goths look like everyday, only more pale? Well that's kinda right. Goths only dress up in their white make-up when they go out. If they're pale it's a "bonus". The jewelry is emphasized often. And also, for some, on the piercings.
This andthis are of overly gothic nature, but let's look at a few pictures of everyday goths.
To anyone who didn't want their picture on this site I apologize, but your picture was on a very public site to start with, or I shall not have put it up. If you want your picture featured here, contact me. Previous art by Allison Gordin
Everyday Goths
As I promised, everyday goths. Now, compare the pictures that follow with the previous 3. Different? Mostly.
Goth 1
Goth 2
Goth 3
Goth 4
Goth isn't something you just fall into one day. It doesn't happen overnight, but people aren't born with it either. It happens, like many other things, over time.
In that time people take out to learn about the gothic subculture, they learn of specific music tastes and apparel. "Goth as a subculture didn't start out as a description of fashion, literature, art, mindset, or what ever other bullshit you can attach to it." -Blood_Rose. It started as music and that's how it will stay. If you don't like any gothic music, or haven't heard of it, I can't genuinely call you goth. Now, I was in chat the other day, and someone was claiming to be a goth.
Him: "give me a gothic quiz, ask me anything, bitch, I bet I can answer it." (said in his own n3t sp33ch)
Me, after a while of arguing: "What is the most essential gothic album by the Sisters'?"
He replied with: "I cut myself off from all music except Rammstein".
Now, I ask you, how can this person know anything about the roots of goth without listening to even one gothic song? He couldn't know a great deal.
I hate getting into these arguments, and that is the reason I made this site. I can direct those who are ignorant here, whether it's that they're ignorant or just stupid.
NavBar:
~Links... Here for gothic sites and to give credit to those sites that I have compiled information from to post here, along with what I know already and believe.
~Articles... to post certain articles and possibly interviews from gothic books and magazines that I may thing important.
Now, back to the essentials. Where did I leave off...? Ah yes, the importance of gothic music to the gothic individual. Gothic music relies on various elements in order to actually *be* gothic music.
So, what is gothic music?
For music, the term "goth" is used to identify several different genres of music such as darkwave, deathrock and industrial, but probably, the most common term applied to gothic music is that it is avant-garde. It is not mainstream.
The most recognizable gothic bands would have to be the Bauhaus and The Sisters Of Mercy. The Sisters' are my personal favorite, along with Siouxsie & The Banshees, but on with the story...
For anyone new to goth and interested in being one, some helpful advice is to see if you like these bands. If you like the Bauhaus or the Sisters' then go buy an album or two, or three or four. It is your start on the way to 'gothdom'.
Essential Songs
You wouldn't be a true, dedicated goth without knowledge of these songs now, would you?
As taken from Goth.net forums' What Is and Is Not Goth.
"Temple of Love" by The Sisters of Mercy
"Stigmata Martyr" by Bauhaus
"Cities in Dust" by Siouxsie and the Banshees
"First Communion" by Christian Death
"New Dawn Fades" by Joy Division
"I Walk The Line" by Alien Sex Fiend
"Love Like Blood" by Killing Joke
"Black Sun" by Dead Can Dance
Mind you, of course, I don't like all of these songs to the extent others might. This list was taken from a post from one strict goth...
Now onto the non-goth bands and artists. The following are as gothic as each other:
Britney Spears (of course)
Mudvayne
N'sync
Slipknot (no, they are not gothic)
Alicia Keyes
Staind
Shakira
KoRn (no, KoRn are not gothic, though some goths like them)
Jay Z
Linkin Park (some goths like them, but they are not gothic)
Christina Aguilera
Marilyn Manson (his music is certainly not gothic)
Shania Twain
HIM
Now, you may question some of these, if you think you know a little about gothic music, but if you questioned Alicia Keyes, you MUST read on. To ask whether HIM or Marilyn Manson are gothic are fine, for some of the goths I know once asked me these same questions, and some kindergoths/poseurs in chat have claimed that HIM and Marilyn Manson ARE gothic, when, in fact, they're not.
Music aside, let's get back into the gothic fashion 'trademark'.
From goth net:
Black: recommended
Other dark colors: sure, why not?
Everything else: you are extra cool if you can pull this off and still make it look good.
Skirts: gender ambiguous... but don't wear them if you have facial hair
Spiked collars or D-ring collars: S&M is an advertisement here. Not a fashion statement
Boots: get some that will hold up to everyone else's boots on the dance floor. ballet slippers are not going to help you when Wumpscut comes on.
Sewing your own clothes: good idea
Thrift shopping for lots of alternative cheap clothing: good idea
Buying Overprices Under Quality Crap From A Corporate Chain Store Just Because They Advertise It As Gothic: bad idea
Makeup: please don't do it like everyone else. it's an original statement so be original. and make it look good. don't scribble a bunch of shit on your face to make a "statement".
Hair: anything goes. and I do mean anything. for us, spiked hair is conservative.
Now, another thing to consider when deciding whether to be goth or not - do you like to read and learn? If no, either make an effort or pack up and leave to find something more 'you'. Harsh? No. Beneficial. If and when you come into conversation with REAL goths, what will you talk about? No, not the hot goth partner you hooked up with at the club last night... You get the point. Reading Material listed below taken mostly from goth.net.
Essential Authors to search
>>>>>>>>Lord Byron
Percy Bysshe and Mary Shelley
John Keats
Bram Stoker
Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Alfred Lord Tennyson
William Wordsworth
William Blake
>>>>>>>>>>>
Neil Gaiman
Poppy Z. Brite
William S. Burroughs
William Gibson
Anne Rice
That should get you started on authors, bands and clothing. As for what the admins of goth.net had picked up on their boards... The gothic subculture is not limited to what I have said. Visit a few gothic sites one day, read a few books, go to a record store and listen to some of the music. It isn't that hard. Make an effort to see if this is the cult for you. We don't need poseurs trying ever so hard to be something their not, especially with the misconceptions floating around these days, so please re-read this carefully as well (Don't pick out typos, I spell checked the majority of this thank you) and make your decision. That is all. Thank you. |
