I won’t reiterate what others have said about true Goths. However, I will say this. There is one thing I do disagree with that so far I have read in every entry. It is the music. Why do Goths have to listen to certain genres? I thought true Goths are open minded. So why so close minded for the matter of music?
Granted, Marilyn Manson and Simple Plan are not goth, nor punk. That does not mean they can’t be listened to by a goth.
Granted, Marilyn Manson and Simple Plan are not goth, nor punk. That does not mean they can’t be listened to by a goth.
Linkin Park, Simple Plan, Good Charlotte, Marilyn Manson, etc. are not gothic music, but they are musicians.
The 69 Eyes is Gothic Rock, but you can still dislike them and be a goth. I like them, but it doesn't mean someone else does. It just like any type of music, you have to enjoy it to listen to them. Since Goths think for themselves, listening to other genres other than goth is okay.
The 69 Eyes is Gothic Rock, but you can still dislike them and be a goth. I like them, but it doesn't mean someone else does. It just like any type of music, you have to enjoy it to listen to them. Since Goths think for themselves, listening to other genres other than goth is okay.
by Aranel Phoenix April 02, 2006
Suggestive of a dark, morbid outlook on life, but not without a sense of humor. Often associated with vampires, cemeteries, and other trappings of death and isolation. An outgrowth of the post-punk New Romantic movement that spawned such musical groups as Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees and the Cure. The controversy rages about what "is" goth and what it isn't, as various members of the subculture jockey for credibility. Basically, if you have to ask someone if you're a goth, you probably aren't, and no one person is the ultimate judge of who and what is or is not goth. Except maybe Robert Smith.
by Emby Quinn October 22, 2003
by ketter September 28, 2005
Initially a musical genre that emerged in the late 70s post punk era, Goth evolved into a full-blown sub culture a few years later with the evolution of Gothic fashion and imagery. A movement with a seemingly infinite ability to re-invent itself Goth has survived over 2 decades and has continued to evolve and grow in this time. However this propensity to re-invent itself has lead to a form of “identity crisis of Goth” in which even its most fervent adherents can no longer agree on a definitive answer to the question “What is Goth”.
In recent years the music industry has applied the term “Goth” rather broadly to various musical styles, which they seem unable to categorise, resulting in some confusion between various genres and the fans thereof. Unlike many of the subcultures than went before Goth does not seek to rebel against society, highlight its flaws (as was the case with the punks of the 70s) or define itself in terms of opposition to other sub cultural groupings (as was the case with the mods and the rockers of the 60s). As press interest in the genre continues, other sections of society have begun to define normality as “that which is opposed to Goth,” a common mainstream reaction faced by all subcultures at one time or another.
In recent years the music industry has applied the term “Goth” rather broadly to various musical styles, which they seem unable to categorise, resulting in some confusion between various genres and the fans thereof. Unlike many of the subcultures than went before Goth does not seek to rebel against society, highlight its flaws (as was the case with the punks of the 70s) or define itself in terms of opposition to other sub cultural groupings (as was the case with the mods and the rockers of the 60s). As press interest in the genre continues, other sections of society have begun to define normality as “that which is opposed to Goth,” a common mainstream reaction faced by all subcultures at one time or another.
by Bryan October 23, 2003
Ah, the widely controversial "goth" label. I say label because for most, that's all it is. A simple category for putting people into little, clearly-marked boxes. It can mean as little as a stereoptype or as much as a way of life. What any person's view is on the Gothic culture depends mostly on their experience with it, their past experiences in general, their susceptibility to outside influences, and their attitude on the strange and the unknown.
The term "Gothic" has had many definitions over the course of history. I believe other definitions have about covered the origins, so I'll instead focus on the most contemporary incarnation.
Common "Gothic" Myths:
1) All goths are suicidal: If you yourself believe this, give yourself a good slap upside the head with a dictionary. The majority of Goths are fun-loving, happy people who view suicidal people as somewhat disgusting and do not include them in their definition of what is goth.
2) All goths wear black: Again, slap yourself upside the head with a dictionary if you firmly believe this. Any true goth will admit that they like wearing color on occasion. In particular, cybergoths enjoy very much the brightest colors known to the human mind.
3) All goths listen to marilyn manson: Sigh. Look, kids. Whether manson is goth or not I don't care to discuss, as there are valid arguments on both sides, but the fact is, a good chunk of true goths don't even LIKE manson. Some goths don't even like rock/metal/hardcore music. GASP!
Moreover, Gothic cultue is simply a very deep connection to the darker side of life, an acknowledgement that everything is not "peachy," and that things like sadness and grief are very real and must be dealt with in order to maintain a healthy mind and body.
The term "Gothic" has had many definitions over the course of history. I believe other definitions have about covered the origins, so I'll instead focus on the most contemporary incarnation.
Common "Gothic" Myths:
1) All goths are suicidal: If you yourself believe this, give yourself a good slap upside the head with a dictionary. The majority of Goths are fun-loving, happy people who view suicidal people as somewhat disgusting and do not include them in their definition of what is goth.
2) All goths wear black: Again, slap yourself upside the head with a dictionary if you firmly believe this. Any true goth will admit that they like wearing color on occasion. In particular, cybergoths enjoy very much the brightest colors known to the human mind.
3) All goths listen to marilyn manson: Sigh. Look, kids. Whether manson is goth or not I don't care to discuss, as there are valid arguments on both sides, but the fact is, a good chunk of true goths don't even LIKE manson. Some goths don't even like rock/metal/hardcore music. GASP!
Moreover, Gothic cultue is simply a very deep connection to the darker side of life, an acknowledgement that everything is not "peachy," and that things like sadness and grief are very real and must be dealt with in order to maintain a healthy mind and body.
by raven of roses December 06, 2005
A goth is a person who finds happiness in darkness. They are usually misenthropic due to the fact that they have storng opinions and dislikes. Goths may be cutters because thier emotions get the best of them. Music can be a minor or a major factor of thier life styles. Goths can become posers over time because as they mature they might lose parts of themselves. The normal clothing of a goth usually are dark along with daker shades of makeup. Goths are people who have chosen to be different for reasons known and unknown.
by bluelion135 July 04, 2009
There are two definitions
1) a person who likes to dress and act differently to the other people in society, normally in black but some like much brighter colours. They tend to be thinkers and more often than not quite creative. They have a satyrical sense of humour, and are able to laugh at both themselves and other people. This type of goth originated in the late 80's with the "death" of punk; goths back then liked the style and the "protection" it offered and so emulated it in their own style. They listen to and appreciate all sorts of good music. They can be gay/depressed/weird/mentally disturbed, but more often than not they are just normal people.
2) an offshoot of the nu-metal clique who think that to *really* piss off their parents they'll dress all in black and talk about death and suicide whilst listening to Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and Slipknot because it's "cool". They tend to have very little idea of the other type of goths (or anything else other than themselves for that matter) and will probably change their fashion once it becomes "uncool" again. Thank god.
1) a person who likes to dress and act differently to the other people in society, normally in black but some like much brighter colours. They tend to be thinkers and more often than not quite creative. They have a satyrical sense of humour, and are able to laugh at both themselves and other people. This type of goth originated in the late 80's with the "death" of punk; goths back then liked the style and the "protection" it offered and so emulated it in their own style. They listen to and appreciate all sorts of good music. They can be gay/depressed/weird/mentally disturbed, but more often than not they are just normal people.
2) an offshoot of the nu-metal clique who think that to *really* piss off their parents they'll dress all in black and talk about death and suicide whilst listening to Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and Slipknot because it's "cool". They tend to have very little idea of the other type of goths (or anything else other than themselves for that matter) and will probably change their fashion once it becomes "uncool" again. Thank god.
by Heather April 28, 2003