I was talking to the "vacationing muse" and we were discussing Goths. The first thing we wondered was where the actual term "Goth" came from. It evidently had nothing to do with the Visigoths who were barbarians and treated their women like property draped in rags. And for those who believe that the Victorian Era was a basis for the styling, one should remember that it was mostly people in powdered wigs and pale skin rather than the black clad, raven or multi-colored hair, safety pins and fetish gear frocked on Goths of today.
Stylewise, it was an offshoot of post-punk New Romanticism which appeared in the late 70's/early 80's when "new wave" (formerly re-dubbed "Nu-Music", then evolved into "alternative", now being referred to as "1st Wave") became popular. New wavers were yet to be labeled a subculture, as there were too many scattered versions in diversity. The only ones who stood out were the New Romantics as having any resemblance of a subculture, similar to the late 60's "Mods".
I went and did a google search and found a rather interesting article on the history of the word in relation to the subculture. The link was found here :
Free Dictionary.com
Read this:
The History of Goth
Now...why should I care, you ask? Ok... Like the article states, the term started out as a joke.
Bauhaus was 4 weeks old as a band when they wrote "Bela Lugosi's Dead" and they didn't think of themselves as gothic at all. They made original music, that's all.
Now, I admit, I've been in A LOT of subcultures...always trying to do that thing we all want to do..."fit in". I was a Trekker, a Klingon, a Vampire and yes...I was a Goth. I was actually a pretty good one at that. Even those silly Goth quizzes make me giggle.
To me, Goths were too clique-ish, snobby and generally a load of hypocrites. So accepting they are... as long as you fit into their guidelines. How odd it is that the greatest knowledge of Goth music, most creative way to make your face up and the most use of metal, leather and latex in your clothing seemed to be the key to being successfully popular in Gothos.
Goths? Listen...before you go putting in your fangs to come rip out my jugular, look into yourselves before you even think of some retort to post in reply. I've been one of you... I know the 'ways of the dark path', so cork it if I don't agree with it.
Y'know... I laughed when South Park pegged Goths for what they are. They were like the dark "Preppies" of High School, only the opposite side of the coin. So non-conformist, yet they must all conform. You're not cool if you don't dress the same, wear similar make-up, listen to the same music...Worse yet, was the lack of organization. You had the Industrial Goths, the Cyber-punks, the God Goths, the Techno-Goths, the Nu-Metal Goths, the Goth Metal Goths, the Morbid Goths, the Satanic Goths, the Vampyre Goths...all offshoots recreated in the pursuit of originality lost in a sea of black clad PVC conformity.
Let's face it. As a kinky bastard, I like some of the clothes,looks and styles, but you can see that in any fetish club, dominance house or heavy metal/ death metal club too...on some of the women at least. The only difference being the music you listen to. I think when you break it down, it's all about the whole "everyday is Halloween" mentality. The media puts these labels on things...
Why this tirade? People ask me; "why would you chose to alienate Goths? They would be your core music audience, right?" WRONG. I am Epican, D'Sari faction. I have a newer sound, a fresher philosophy and no tolerance for conforming non-conformist Nazi's. I created Epica as more than a music style, but a movement...a brood...a family. I celebrate the gloomy topics life throws us, rather than wallow in Goths "doom, gloom and woe is me" attitude. I created a powerful music to emote a near religious experience. I believe in setting trends, not fitting into a cookie cutter mold. Yea, I said it..."cookie cutter". You're not as original as you once were... Sorry to break it to you. So if I'm not getting any Goths on board because they are offended or feel attacked, then, "oh well", I say. It's a new era ...time for change. If they want to stay in an over 20 year old style, let them do it without me.
If I succeed, then great...if not, you Goths can live peacefully in your gloom without worry of me usurping your stagnant euphoria.
I would like to say that you are right about goths and the way they are and have been for a long while. I can see why they are not excepting as other norms in this time for the norms are the same way to them. Now for goths and how you have to be a certian type and such that is so true. I believe that you have hit this write in the ass and very well said and done.
Rachel
Supplicated by: BlackRose at August 26, 2004 09:14 PM