Goth, It's Not Just The Music

Note, this list is only intended as a guide, laughs, and sightings. Many catagories are subject to opinion and personal bias, but inform the pattern as observed. The problem with labeling someone a Goth, is that Goths, like all rebellious freaks and fashion tribes, hate to be labelled. Or, is that just another of those pesky stero types that Goths hate so much? This list is bound to piss off at least one hardcore Goth, and while I'm not trying to say that there are only this many types of goths out there or that one must belong to one of these groups, this list is just an attempt to show the diversity that exists within the goth culture. As they say, "It's not just black clothes and fishnet, anymore.


GENUS GOTHICUS—

Gothic style as a rather broad term includes anything that does not fit into the extreme catagories of industrial or ambient-ethereal. Can be aggressive or extremely soft. Always heavy on emotional content, very passionate. Explores a great range of themes, includes : hatred/rage/revenge, political, religious, political, love, life et cetera. Uses any sort of instrument, including: heavy/light electronics, electric guitars, classical guitars, classical instruments and synthesises. Can boast a vocalist, but not a must.

Industrial
Very loud, chaotic music that still holds a certain degree of cohesion. Is aggressive, but not to the same extent as metal. Quite often uses electronics, if not then electric guitars. A vocalist is not essential, but are widely used. Always has a beat, but does not have to be percussion, and in most cases is not (music relying on a beat that is heavy is more appropriately called "grunge"). The music is very intense and explores a wide range of themes: life, love, hate, political, religious, revenge etc etc.

Ambient
Extremely beautiful music, can use traditional instruments e.g. strings, or synthesises. Ambient is characteristically soft and can have vocals or just be instrumental. Does not have to exlpore particular themes (not usually known as being political), but is mostly reflective, often poignant. Can have a vocalist, but not imperitive.

DARK WAVE—

Ethereal
Similar to Ambient, but has beautiful and heavenly vocals and music. A vocalist is not essential. Is always soft and reflective (but is not restricted to any one particular theme, yet again is not known as being political). Uses soft electronics and/or traditional instruments (e.g. strings, keyboarded instruments).

EBM
An acronym for Electronic Body Music.

Electro
Often associated with "techno", electro actually does not have anything to do with techno. Being far more extreme sounding than the mid-range mainstream sound, it is a rather broad term for music that is electronic and includes anything from heavy, agressive and loud music, to the soft and sweet ("dolce" in classical music terms) pieces.

Spoken Word
Best described as a recitation of a monologue/ soliloquy. Accompanied usually by silence, but can have minimum background music. Spoken Word explores just about anything, be it political/ personal/ reflective etc etc.

Noise
You'll kill brain cells listening to it, if not, you'll kill someone elses. Needs an acquired taste (don't be expecting any cohesion here), this stuff is absolute chaos.


Elder Goth/Old School Goth/Death Rockers
The original Goth. When goth split from punk, they were there.
Fashion: Leather and spikes, ratty clothing, big hair.
Quote: "This was so much better in the 80's.

Glitter Goth
Glitter goths are into a more glamourous look. They like bright colours and costumes.
Fashion: If it sparkles, it's good.
Quote: "Oooh! Shiney!"

Perky Goth
They throw the gothic stereo type out the window. Maybe they've been around the Goth scene long enough to know it's ok to smile. Wears black but takes inspiration from Japanese anime and the PowerPuff Girls. Wears black, floor-length skirt with Goth "Hello Kitty" handbag.
Fashion: Can you get them to stand still long enough to tell?
Quote: "Weeeee!"

Gutter Goths/Wanna-Be's
The young and rebellious. They're the newbies who try too damned hard. Gutter goths eventually grow into another type of goth or leave the scene all together.
Fashion: They never smile, wear nothing but black and too much make-up!
Quote: "How dare you smile at me. Can't you tell I'm Goth?"

Mopey Goths/Gloomy Goths
Mopey Goths are often brooding, forlorn, morbid and depressed. Rationalize that they feel isolated, left out and alone. The typical goth sterotype. Noted for permanent depression. Listens to the Smiths. On repeat. Pain makes them feel real.
Fashion: Black, black, black.
Quote: "I hate you, I hate everything. Leave me alone, dammit."

Industrial Goths/Rivet Heads
These goths tend to be into computers and technology (Of course, they could be WEARING bits of computers and technology...) and industrial music. They're also a bit more aggressive than other goths. Silver PVC pants, floor-length black PVC coat with blue UV-respondent PVC inlay, and day-glo spikes. Electronic green patterns powered by a battery flash on the black T-shirt. Wears black jeans and black T-shirt, sometimes with obscure Perl code. Men have long hair.
Fashion: Who knew you could buy your clothing at a hardware store?!?!
Quote: ""

Fetish Goths
Bondage is good. Wears chains, collars, spikes, fishnet, PVC, rubber, more corsets. Buckles are a specialty but primary are the expansive display of piercings and tattoos.
Fashion: PVC, leather, whips and chains.
Quote: "It's 'Yes, Mistress' and 'No, Mistress,' understand?"

Romantic Goths
We hear that Romantic Goths are often unlucky in love because they expect too much. That Romeo and Juliet love is a dangerous thing to wish for. Romantic Goths tend to be very sexual. Wears lace and Victorian or Edwardian clothing and corsets, in blacks, reds, purples and green velvet. Often heard sighing about love.
Fashion: Sometimes frills and lace. They usually have that Victorian look going.
Quote: "My capacity for love is more than this mortal coil can bear" (I have to confess...I stole that one...)

Vampyre Goths
Vamp Goths are hard to miss. Well, if you're out at night, anyway. Sometimes they actually drink blood, sometimes they just like to nibble...
Fashion: Fangs.
Quote: "Beware my cold embrace, for I bite." (Sorry, love, couldn't help myself.)

Pagan Goth/Witchie Goth
They're pagan. They're Goth. What else is there to say? Easy to spot due to visible pentacles and ankhs. Women wear mediaeval-style dresses in red, purple and green.
Fashion: Pretty much whatever they want, usually comfort is the key issue. (But don't forget the pentacle...)
Quote: "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?"

RenFest Goth
These Goths really love Ren Fairies. They're probably very into history and romance. Regurgitated hippies, really.
Fashion: Medeival garb, whether it's traditionally accurate or not.
Quote: "Blood makes the grass grow, Kill, kill, kill."

Stripper Goth/Easy Goth
Girls who really don't know what goth is about and really don't care. They just want to get the gothie boys.
Fashion: It's called "easy access."
Quote: "Nice chin stud, wanna fuck?"

Metal Heads
Metal heads aren't really Goth at all. They just listen to heavy metal, can't dance, and speak headspeak.
Fashion: Band tee-shirts and jeans.
Quote: "Ozzy Rules."

Weekenders
People who like the Goth scene but don't adopt the lifestyle.
Fashion: Eh, it's probably from Hot Topic...
Quote: "Are they laughing at my dancing?"

Mansonites
Manson's little followers. They think Manson is really Goth and want to be just like him. Don't worry, they'll grow out of it.
Fashion: As long as their asses aren't hanging out the back of their pants, we don't care!

Kindergoth or Babygoth
Any goth under the age of 18 or who looks like they are.