Hard News by Russell Brown

Read Post

Hard News: Doug the Goth

35 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

  • Ana Simkiss,

    Ha, reminds me of the Darren Hanlon song about his punk flatmate, with the deathless lyric "Punk's not dead, she's just gone to bed..."

    Freemans Bay • Since Nov 2006 • 141 posts Report Reply

  • Shaun Lott,

    My highschool biology teacher once said 'if you can pick up a pen you can do sociology'. A bit harsh, maybe... but really! An analysis of Goth music with no mention of the Sisters of Mercy? ;)

    Waitakere • Since Aug 2009 • 113 posts Report Reply

  • Robert Fox,

    alma mater of Lucian Freud, Malcolm McLaren, John Cale and Mary Quant

    and Robert Fox........... although my influence on the art world extended no further than the Marquis of Granby.

    Since Nov 2006 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • Martin Lindberg,

    Perhaps I was too harsh

    Not at all.

    Stockholm • Since Jul 2009 • 802 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Shaun Lott,

    A bit harsh, maybe… but really! An analysis of Goth music with no mention of the Sisters of Mercy? ;)

    Oddly enough, the Sisters didn't feature as much as the more, er, crap bands.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • philipmatthews,

    One positive about Gothdom, I always thought, was that it allowed for femininity -- both in girls and boys. It wasn't a sexist scene, and it was far from macho -- which even punk and other things around in the 80s were. There wasn't much objectifying of women going on and no homophobia, from what I remember. Historically, it came out of glam as much as post-punk, or merged the two traditions. (crucial fact: Siouxise met Steve Severin at a Roxy Music concert.)

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to philipmatthews,

    One positive about Gothdom, I always thought, was that it allowed for femininity – both in girls and boys. It wasn’t a sexist scene, and it was far from macho – which even punk and other things around in the 80s were.

    Good point. I've also just been agreeing with Andrew Dubber that neither of us could ever recall meeting an actually unpleasant goth. Doug was a nice chap, just not quite as dramatic as he conceived himself to be.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Jonathan Ganley,

    Attachment

    Perhaps it’s a phase: a few of my friends had their Goth years before moving on to other things, such as being fine reggae DJs

    Indeed ... Dubhead pictured above, with Silent Decree, at Mainstreet in 1983. As I noted on my blog post: "There was only a pair of spotlights remaining above the stage. That didn't bother Silent Decree - they brought their own candles."

    Since Dec 2006 • 234 posts Report Reply

  • Robert Fox,

    Historically, it came out of glam as much as post-punk, or merged the two traditions

    Has anyone done genealogy of Goth bands? Musically I always thought it started with a misinterpretation of Joy Division by a load of blokes in Yorkshire and went steadily downhill from there. I think the Glam/ post punk merger theory certainly has merit though and Siouxsie was surely one of the first with the look.

    Since Nov 2006 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    bau wow wow haus.....
    Goths = Kohl minors?

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    Goths never stop being goths. A few years ago I was talking to a friend of a friend at a party. Later my friend revealed this guy "used to be a goth". Used to? Despite looking like a cooldude designer in his late 30s, he was dressed all in black and dark grey, had dyed black hair and was wearing eyeliner. Goth never dies.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • Steve Curtis,

    the dogged refusal of goths to stop being goths despite their advancing years.

    Hollywood has thought of it- all ready
    “This must be the place” starring Sean Penn as an ageing goth rocker

    This must be the place

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 314 posts Report Reply

  • philipmatthews,

    This is Friday and we should probably post great Goth songs, right? (there are some ... )

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report Reply

  • Kumara Republic, in reply to Robyn Gallagher,

    Goths never stop being goths. A few years ago I was talking to a friend of a friend at a party. Later my friend revealed this guy “used to be a goth”. Used to? Despite looking like a cooldude designer in his late 30s, he was dressed all in black and dark grey, had dyed black hair and was wearing eyeliner. Goth never dies.

    The Osbournes seem to agree. Then again, Ozzy is more metal than goth, but the two genres do have overlap.

    The southernmost capital … • Since Nov 2006 • 5446 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown, in reply to philipmatthews,

    This is Friday and we should probably post great Goth songs, right? (there are some ... )

    Good list! Although I daresay some fans of several of those bands would get quite upset at the suggestion that they were, in fact, Goth.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • nothingelseon, in reply to Russell Brown,

    Nothing quite so much fun as winding up serious Killing Joke fans by calling them Goth :-) Sisters of Mercy can still pack a dancefloor

    Welling-Town • Since Mar 2008 • 38 posts Report Reply

  • JacksonP, in reply to philipmatthews,

    Wow, The March Violets. I still have Snake Dance on 7”. And most of The Cults singles on 12s.

    But then I was never a Goth, just a sympathizer, and kind of liked dancing to them. Especially Bauhaus’ cover of Telegram Sam.

    Some more fringe dwellers.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report Reply

  • JacksonP, in reply to philipmatthews,

    By the way, in keeping with the Goths never die meme, had you seen this?

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report Reply

  • stephen walker,

    nagano • Since Nov 2006 • 646 posts Report Reply

  • Lilith __,

    Lightning: check
    Maiden in white: check
    Scattered rose petals: check
    Candelabras: check
    Crosses: check
    Darkened church: check
    Thrashy guitars: check

    ...but the rest may not be what you expect!

    you can read more about visual kei and Gothic lolita fashion.

    Dunedin • Since Jul 2010 • 3895 posts Report Reply

  • Jackie Clark, in reply to JacksonP,

    I had forgotten all about Siouxie and the Banshees. My friend Carol was mad about them. I believe we may have done our special dance to that one, at some point.

    Mt Eden, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 3136 posts Report Reply

  • JacksonP,

    Does The Glove qualify as a Goth Supergroup?

    Steven Severin of the Banshees and Robert Smith of... well, you know.

    With unheralded vocalist Jeanette Landray. (Budgie's girlfriend)

    Auckland • Since Mar 2011 • 2450 posts Report Reply

  • Robert Fox,

    As this almost is turning into a Banshees homage here is a "pre-Goth" Siouxsie on the briefly fantastic ATV show Revolver - hosted by the late, great Peter Cook in 1978. The base line in Hong Kong Garden is pure Punk genius.

    Since Nov 2006 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • StepDoh,

    Think my defining memory of Goth is our (really quite evil) white cat taking pot shots at the large black hairdos of my Goth Sister and Gothy Boyfriends from the staircase.

    I know it’s almost pop, but is there no room for the cure in your hearts:

    And the video which answers that long standing question about how many goths you can fit in a wardrobe:

    Compare and contrast the eversoslightly camper but at the same time blander 90s version.

    #lovethetron • Since Jan 2008 • 26 posts Report Reply

  • StepDoh,

    *Sticks head above parapet*

    Isn't some of the dunedin stuff a *little* gothy

    *Ducks*

    #lovethetron • Since Jan 2008 • 26 posts Report Reply

First ←Older Page 1 2 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

Please sign in using your Public Address credentials…

Login

You may also create an account or retrieve your password.