- Words:
- Chris Krovatin
- Originally published:
- 2019
For your average outsider, 'goth' is a bit of a catch-all term – for the less informed, any misanthropic youth with a spiked bracelet or Dr. Martens might as well be goth. To some, this only makes the specific subculture of goth – an entrenched lifestyle that considers itself different from the worlds of punk or metal – even more mysterious. But even when it's mixed up with neighbouring countercultures, goth's complete dedication to dramatic darkness has made it a hardy underworld that refuses to be swallowed or diluted, and embraces the mystery that enshrouds it.
To shed a little unwanted light on the subject, we used the ol' Google search bar to find out the most asked questions about goth and goth culture. Here are the answers to what curious people want to know:
What does ‘goth’ mean?
The term ‘goth’ comes from the Latin Gothicus, relating to the Germanic tribe known as the Goths, famous for eventually sacking Rome. The style was then applied to a style of architecture commonly marked by vaulted arches and ornate lacework. This is turn became synonymous with the grandiosity and intensity of cathedrals and the clergy, especially during the Dark Ages.
However, where the subculture and music gets its name is probably from Gothic literature, a movement in which huge emotional subjects were explored and concepts like suicide, depression, and mortality were examined at great length. Gothic authors of note include the Bronte Sisters, Edgar Allan Poe, and most notably Mary Shelley, whose book Frankenstein is considered by many to be the first Gothic novel.
What does ‘goth’ stand for?
Get Out of The Hearse?
Is goth still a thing?
It is, indeed. Goth has seen many heydays, whether its shadowy ’80s birth or its merging with nu-metal and industrial in the late-’90s. These days, goth wears many hats – many of them wide-brimmed to block out the sun – and can be pastel pink rather than pitch black, but make no mistake, the obsession with death and emotional excess that drives it lives on.
When did goth start?
While the lines are a little blurry, goth really got going in the early-’80s, as many punks moved away from the angry party animal lifestyle of the emerging hardcore scene to begin exploring emotional vulnerability and heavy literary topics. That, plus rock and metal's growing obsession with death and a new interest in stark, monochromatic aesthetics, pushed goth into its more entrenched style. Early goth artists like Bauhaus, Siouxsie Sioux and The Sisters Of Mercy focused on their own unique, esoteric atmospheres, and quickly established the genre as we know it.
When did goth die?
In 1990 with the rise of alternative rock, again in 2001 with metalcore, then again in 2015 as the word got overused by social media misanthropes who didn't want to get out of bed. Much like a vampire, goth keeps dying, and always come back… usually in a swarm of bats.
What are the best goth albums?
There are a lot of great goth albums out there, but here are 10 from across the genre that give you a little taste of goth's different flavors:
- Bauhaus - Crackle
- Siouxise And The Banshees - Juju
- Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds - Murder Ballads
- The Cure - Disintegration
- The Sisters Of Mercy - Floodland
- Fields Of The Nephilim - Elizium
- Type O Negative - Bloody Kisses
- HIM - Razorblade Romance
- Cold Cave - Full Cold Moon
- Paradise Lost - Draconian Times
How do goths dress?
Goth fashion is actually pretty varied, and there are different fashion senses that represent different subcultures of goth. Here are a few identifiable types of goth fashion:
- Romantic goth: This is goth as you probably know it. Lots of lace, buckles, corsets, elaborate jewellery and accentuated make-up. The idea is to look like a classic figure from Wuthering Heights or an Anne Rice novel.
- Industrial or “cybergoth”: A bit more modern and angular, with heavy German expressionism vibes – close-cropped hair, vinyl or latex clothes, piercings, combat boots. Often reflects a digital influence. One of the few goth subcultures where white is just as common as black.
- Graver: A goth raver. The brightness of EDM culture lends a cuteness to this form of goth fashion. Lots of purple, neon accents, cartoonish versions of typical goth imagery like skulls and bats.
- Death rocker: Goth leaning hard on the punk side. Big feathered hair, torn fishnets, denim vests, buckles, plenty of piercings, spiked leather. Street-level and harsh.
- Modern bruja: A more recent type of goth, with emphasis on everyday wear. Plenty of jewellery and wide-brimmed hats, but not encumbered by too many accessories. Also more in line with folksy witchcraft – crystals and sage smudges than pentagrams and vampires.
Are goth and emo the same thing?
No, but they are related. Both goth and emo are focused on big emotions and being open about how you’re feeling. The difference is that goth is all about massive, sweeping feelings about life, death and human existence, while emo is a bit more ground-level, occupied with everyday heartache and happiness.
But you’re probably asking because of bands like My Chemical Romance and AFI, who in the early 2000s blended goth and emo firmly together. Taking cues from horror rock acts like The Misfits, these bands made emotional punk rock that embraced goth’s fashion and love of dark subject matter. As a result, goth and emo often became associated with one another, and are sometimes indivisible, even if the music sounds pointedly different.
Is goth a religion?
Our saviour was born a shepherd of men, and returned from the dead in order to bestow eternal life to all of the world with the sacrament of his flesh and blood. Have you accepted Count Dracula into your heart?
Is goth a Scrabble word?
It is! According to Scrabble Word Finder, ‘goth’ can be used in Scrabble. However, it offers the definition associated with the Germanic Goths, meaning ‘an uncouth or boorish person’. Rude.
Can goths wear colours?
Sure. Goths can do anything, really. It’s almost like… they’re people.
Above: Cold Cave's Love Comes Close, an example of a goth band using colour to excellent effect.
Do goths have to wear make-up?
If they’re to be taken seriously by the International Goth Coven, then hard yes.
But seriously, no – once again, goths don’t have to wear anything. There isn’t a dress code for being goth. What matters is that you think about death all the time, and dislike conformity. Those are the truly defining characteristics of goth.
Are goths depressed?
Plenty are, sure. Goths think about death, love and the ills of the world quite a lot, which is bound to make anyone depressed. That said, goths are often very self-aware of depression, so don’t have the same apprehension of it as some other people do.
Can goths be happy?
They not only can, they often are! In fact, goths are some of the happier rock fans one might meet. This is for a couple of reasons: first, since goth is so serious, plenty of goths make a point of being self-deprecating; goth-favourite artists like Invader Zim creator Jhonen Vasquez love taking the piss out of goths for playing the melodramatic victim.
Second, goths often confront all their darkness and sadness via their lifestyle, and have built a world around them to their liking. Unlike some people who come home to what they think they’re supposed to care about, goths dwell within the gloomy world of their choosing.
Are goths Vikings?
No. Well, the early Germanic peoples who sacked Rome could be compared to Vikings, but their society was more barbaric. But, musically, in the modern world, nah, not as much.
Are goths Christians?
Not for the most part – Christianity often preaches a lot of light, love, forgiveness and blind faith, which often comes off as bullsh*t to goths. What’s interesting is, of course, that Christian art inspired much of goth style and fashion, with its massive cathedrals and elaborate cemetery art. There are a handful of Christian goths bands, like Savior Machine, but usually goths lean on the side of darkness and satanism, or at least death-worship.
Why do goths wear crosses?
Partly, goths wear crosses because they relate to the overdone art of Christianity, and harken back to the genre’s earliest influences from the Catholic church. But let’s be honest: goths wear crosses because of how often they appear in vampire movies and lore, which is central to goth culture.
Why do goths like Whitby?
Speaking of which! Goths like the British seaside town of Whitby because it plays a role in Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, the greatest vampire novel of all time.
In the book, the Demeter – the ship that transports Count Dracula’s coffin from Transylvania to England – runs aground on a beach in Whitby, where the Count then flees the corpse-filled vessel in the form of a wolf. Many scenes in the book take place in the churchyard of Whitby Abbey, where female protagonist Mina Murray sits and ponders a dark, menacing feeling approaching her (read: the lord of all vampires). The scenes on the Demeter and in Whitby are some of the most compelling in the book.
Whitby has since become a place of literary tourism for goths, who love it both for being one of the birthplaces of modern vampire lore and for being an old-school seaside town, which they adore for their overcast weather and general dreariness (no shade, Whitby, we love you with all our undead hearts).
Do goths listen to metal?
Some do. There is a long tradition of goth metal bands, who usually play big riffs with syrupy, romantic guitar tones that channel goth’s depressive vibe. Some of the more famous goth metal bands include Type O Negative, Paradise Lost, and Bloody Hammers, all of whom are deliciously gothic while still solidly metal.
Why do goths smoke cloves?
Clove cigarettes are dramatic and a little more rustic than Marlboro 27s. Smoking cloves makes one feel more like a witch than your average nicotine addict. Cloves also smell more like incense than, say, a sh*tty hotel room in a bad neighbourhood. At this point, however, many goths smoke cloves for tradition's sake rather than for any specific reason.
What kind of goth am I?
If you've read all the way to the bottom of this list, then you're a masoch*st who doesn't fear their own slow demise – meaning you're goth as f*ck. You're basically The Crow.
Check out more:
Gothgoth metalgothicGoth Rockfaq
Now read these
The best of Kerrang! delivered straight to your inbox three times a week. What are you waiting for?
As a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of goth culture, let me unravel the mysteries and provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article.
-
Origin of the Term 'Goth': The term "goth" has historical roots, originating from the Latin Gothicus, linked to the Germanic tribe known as the Goths. Initially associated with a style of architecture characterized by vaulted arches and ornate lacework, it later became synonymous with the grandiosity and intensity of cathedrals during the Dark Ages. The subculture drew inspiration from Gothic literature, exploring profound emotional subjects, mortality, and dark themes.
-
Goth's Historical Timeline: The article mentions goth's evolution from its '80s birth to its integration with nu-metal and industrial in the late '90s. Despite various shifts and reinterpretations, goth endures, with its core themes of death and emotional intensity persisting through different phases.
-
Key Figures in Early Goth Music: The early '80s marked the rise of goth as punks transitioned from hardcore scenes to explore emotional vulnerability and literary themes. Influential artists such as Bauhaus, Siouxsie Sioux, and The Sisters Of Mercy contributed to establishing goth as a distinct genre.
-
Goth Albums: The article lists ten notable goth albums spanning different sub-genres, including works by Bauhaus, Siouxsie And The Banshees, The Cure, and Type O Negative, showcasing the diversity within goth music.
-
Goth Fashion Diversity: The piece details various goth fashion subcultures, such as romantic goth, industrial or "cybergoth," graver (goth raver), death rocker, and modern bruja. Each subculture has its unique style, reflecting different facets of goth expression.
-
Goth vs. Emo: It clarifies that while goth and emo share a focus on expressing emotions, goth explores broader themes of life, death, and human existence, whereas emo is more grounded in everyday heartache and happiness. The association between goth and emo intensified with bands blending both styles in the early 2000s.
-
Goth and Religion: The article dismisses the idea of goth as a religion, humorously alluding to the birth and resurrection of a savior. It notes that goths often lean towards darkness, satanism, or death-worship, contrasting with the themes of light and love in Christianity.
-
Gothic Influences on Christianity and Symbols: Although not predominantly Christian, goth culture draws inspiration from Christian art, as seen in massive cathedrals and elaborate cemetery art. The use of crosses in goth fashion is attributed to both the overdone art of Christianity and its prevalence in vampire lore.
-
Goth's Connection to Literature and Locations: The article explains why goths appreciate the British seaside town of Whitby, referencing its role in Bram Stoker's Dracula and its association with modern vampire lore. Whitby has become a literary tourism destination for goths.
-
Goth and Metal Fusion: Some goths listen to metal, and there is a tradition of goth metal bands incorporating gothic and depressive vibes into their music. Bands like Type O Negative and Paradise Lost are mentioned as examples of goth metal.
-
Cultural Preferences of Goths: The article touches on goths' preference for clove cigarettes, attributing it to the dramatic and rustic nature of cloves compared to traditional cigarettes. The preference is also associated with the smell of cloves resembling incense.
-
Goth Identity and Emotions: The article dispels stereotypes about goths being perpetually depressed, emphasizing that while goths contemplate death and darkness, many are self-aware and use their lifestyle to confront and manage their emotions.
-
Gothic Influence on Art and Literature: The goth subculture has a profound influence on various forms of art, including literature, music, and fashion. The connection between goth culture and themes like darkness, mortality, and the supernatural is evident in the referenced literature and music.
By delving into these concepts, the article provides a comprehensive overview of goth culture, dispelling misconceptions and shedding light on its diverse and enduring nature.
