On Sun, 6 Mar 1994, B R O T H E R A L P H A B E T wrote:
quoted 8 lines what exactly IS gothic music?> what exactly IS gothic music?
> I may be familiar with some groups, but I have never heard the label
> "gothic" given to any groups i am currently listening to...
>
> what makes gothic music "gothic"...i mean what attributes?
> Also...what groups are gothic...
>
> just curious
The archetypical gothic bands are The Cure, Bauhaus, Siouxie & the Banshees,
and Dead Can Dance. Those are certainly the bands I hear most often
played at the gothic club I sometimes go to. The music tends to be
gloomy, and either emotionally intense or somewhat artsey. Gothic culture
draws on European mysticism and death magick, e.g. the vampire mythos.
Think big spooky castles (D&D, Dracula), death (esp. blood), water (esp.
drowning), and passion/sex plays some sort of role, too...the old
sex-death connection. Gothic folks are usually easy to
spot: all black clothing, usually lace, velvet, or leather...vintage
items are essential for that rich, archaic, elegant style...white white face
powder, usually with intense makeup...and androgyny is quite big, though
I can't pinpoint exactly why. The industrial scene is tightly interwoven
with the gothic scene, as is modern mysticism (Golden Dawn, OTO, TOPY)
and the associated music (Psychic TV, Coil, Current 93, etc).
I'm sure someone could explain better than me, but maybe this will give
you an idea...
--Seofon