Skip to main content

shoegaze 

A genre originating in 80s England, now international. Defined by highly distorted guitars, and vocals, usually high-and-breathless or low in the mix, sometimes absent.

A psychedelic style, but not "trippy" psychedelic, more a dreamy, distant feel.

Pioneeered by My Bloody Valentine, but few bands actually sound like them anymore.

Loud guitars and quiet vocals is a usual dynamic.

Shoegaze is defined by a certain guitar sound, so electronic bands such as M83would NOT be considered shoegaze, but could fit into the related genre of dreampop
Shoegaze comes from the use of distortion pedals to achieve a dreamy/psychedelic sound
Related Words

shoegazer 

The music and followers of post 1990's psychedelic music, especially that which is repetitive and droning. Derived from drug music's effect of causing the stoned listener or musician to just stand there with their head hung down staring at their shoes. Sometimes characterized by phase-shifting or echoed guitars and can be used to describe the fans or the music. Could be used to describe bands such as Spacemen 3, My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, Verve, et al.
Dude, you should have seen all the shoegazers at that Spiritualized concert last night.
shoegazer by MrRockandRoll May 1, 2004

Shoegaze 

shoegaze is everything except for having sex and/or smoking Cigarettes After Sex
"Is sending a fax Shoegaze?"
"Yes. Shut up."
Shoegaze by Spinch666 March 24, 2021

Shoegaze 

Any type of music the person saying the word does not like
“Nah I don’t like duster. That shits shoegaze”
“Fuck the smiths too shoegaze for me
Shoegaze by Liluzibert March 7, 2022

shoegaze 

To play an instrument (especially a guitar) with one's head down, as though gazing at one's shoes.
That emo guy plays shoegaze at the coffee shop on Fridays.
shoegaze by eparx November 12, 2004

SHOWOGAZE-Syndrome 

If you cant stop pressing A in disadvantage
I punished you way too many times for your SHOWOGAZE-Syndrome
SHOWOGAZE-Syndrome by Draiqys June 16, 2020