Interview.

Goths

The Gothic scene began in the UK in the 1980’s, as part of the Post-punk genre.  This subculture has continued to exist much longer than others of the same time. The subcultures influences come from 19th century Gothic literature and horror films.

So Can you tell me what a Goth is? Is it a personality? 0r A style?

To an outsider being a Goth is seen as a style, with their black hair, black clothes and everything else being black but during my research and interview I found out that it isn’t only a style, it’s so much more than that, it’s the pain they feel and the darkness that covers their life’s – it is a group of people who feel comfortable within each other’s company.

Most people become Goths because they have been spurned by 'normal' society because the way they want to live their lives does not fit in with how most people are told to live theirs. Goths are free thinkers, people who do not accept the moral rules of society because they're told 'This is just how it is'. Each and every Goth is really passionate about who they are.

What is Goth Fashion like?

The main colour that they will wear would be black but sometimes you will see that they wear another main colour e.g. Red and black. Styles of dress within the subculture range from Deathrock, punk and Victorian style, or a blend of the above, most often with dark clothing, makeup and hair. Some Goths like to wear Victorian style clothes, such as tailored jackets and waistcoats for men. Also, some gothic guys like to wear long black leather coats.  Women like to wear corsets, fishnets and miniskirts. Also a big fashion statement for Goths is leather, leather dresses, skirts and trousers.  A very popular brand that Goths wear is New Rocks. New Rocks are these big, chunky leather boots with zips, laces and metal bits on them.

What about the Make up?

 

A lot of Goths will paint their faces white and add loads of black eye liner to their eyes and they will also have black lips and black nails. Some Goths use a lot of purple in their makeup e.g. purple eye shadow that is very over the top. Also some like to have blood red lips with very pale skin. Over all Goths make up is very exaggerated.

Can you tell me about gothic Music?

The music is loud and heavy and most people hate it and just think it’s a noise but its not for a lot of Goths it’s a escape. A way to ignore the outside world and get lost in their own world.

Gothic music includes a number of different styles including Gothic rock, Darkwave, Deathrock, Ethereal, Neo-Medieval and Neoclassical. Some Bands I thought were quite good were All about Eve, Clan of Xymox and Screaming Dead

What I learned

Something I learned is that everything with goth is to be over the top, very dramatic. Something to make them to look and feel like they stand out, like somehow they are special. However the most interesting things I discovered was they do not like to be asked what they are because they do not put themselves in a subculture.  This isn’t just Goths, it’s the same thing with every subculture – it’s society who puts them there. They all say the same thing, “I’m not anything, and I’m just me”.

Me looking kinda Gothic :)