what is goth?

Question

i just want to know what goth is

Answer 1

'Goth' is such an ambiguous term anymore and is surrounded by such stereotypes that it is becoming tremendously difficult to describe the movement, although it continues to attract more and more members.

The stereotypes, of course, abound: that only teenagers can be goths, that they wear nothing but black, that they are suicidal or depressed, that they cut themselves, that they are Satanists or involved in witchcraft, that they are antisocial and unhappy . . . the list goes on.

Here is the truth. Goth is a style, music, and mentality. As a style, there are so many varieties that it's almost impossible to pin it down to one. There is Victorian Goth- which places a big emphasis on corsets, elbow-length gloves, stately dresses, antique lingerie, an old lace and arsenic look. There's industrial Goth- lots of chain and spikes and combat boots. There's fetish Goth- tons of leather, PVC, collars and leashes, fishnet stockings and thigh-high boots. There's punk Goth- mesh shirts and skinny jeans, dapper sports coats and skinny ties mixed with Doc Martens and spiked hair and eyeliner. There's the Matrix look with big boots, mirrored sunglasses and long black trenchcoats. There can be the folksy, gypsy-like Goth look, with lots of layers, dark colors, fingerless lace gloves, big flowing skirts and lacy shirts- a mysterious look. Then you've got the freaky Goths- people who file their teeth into fangs, who create claws from their nails, who enjoy wearing strange contacts, etc.. And there's just your average Goth without much overall style- a lot of black, T-shirts with apathetic sayings on them, and jeans.

As a music genre, Goth grew out of the punk scene, and still has ties with it. There are now a gazillion bands that identify as Goth, and many genres within Goth music. It's hard to identify them, at least by me (who isn't much into Goth music), but there's pretty much a music genre that matches every clothing style I described above. Gothic punk, Gothic techno (industrial), dark-sounding ballads like my favorite artist, Jill Tracy (Victorian), and Goth rock, which is very big right now, what I term 'scream music'. Sometimes the music is considered Gothic all by itself; generally the band members must identify and express themselves as Goth in order for their music to be as such. Sometimes that's all that's required; oftentimes, lyrics that have the Goth mentality are necessary, as well. It's best if both elements are present. Goth music can be loved by all people, and Goth people can love all sorts of music, including country and happy bubbly pop, but a lot of Goths do, indeed, love Goth music.

And finally, Goth is a mentality. It's hard to pin down, but it involves most philosophies and ways of viewing the world that aren't mainstream. Anybody who feels on the outside, who feels different, can feel and identify as Goth; it's almost a prerequisite to being that way. Being creative is generally a must, and a lot say that if you aren't non-mainstream and not creative, you're just a poser or wannabee. I try not to judge either way- if you feel Goth, more power to you. A big part of Goth is looking and thinking about topics that are taboo in mainstream society- death, pain, suicide, sex, blood, etc.. That's not to say that all Goths think about these things, but they are open and acceptable to talk and ruminate about within the community. It often occurs that these topics are played around with in a fun way that can be scary to the uninitiated- fetishizing death in a silly manner like decorating with bats, coffins, etc., like an eternal Halloween. But just remember that such adornments aren't necessary to the Gothic mindset, but additions.

All in all, it's very hard to identify Goth if you don't have the 'external style'. Just remember that Goths are a youthful community, but there are indeed many Goth adults and even Goth old-timers. They aren't all Satanic or witches- there are Christian Goths! They definitely aren't necessarily depressed, lonely, or suicidal; many admit to being very happy with lots of friends. They wear all sorts of colors and often dress just like non-Goth people.

I hope that helps; it's hard to pin it down. I suggest reading "The goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined", "Goth Chic: A Connoisseur's Guide to Dark Culture", or "Goth: Identity, Style and Subculture", if you want to know more. And even if you aren't Goth (I'm not), it's still very interesting to read and learn about.

Answer 2

I Never Really Knew Much About Goths Until I Started Speaking To One, Friendly & Down To Earth, Yet Made No Bones about Being Different. Tends To Be What Most Are Like. Emo's, Lol, Well Their Alright I Suppose, But I Hate Their Music (Metal & Classic Rock Only For Me) & I Dont Like The One's Who Are So Obviously Emo's, Yet When Asked Say: "I'm Not An Emo, I'm An Individual...". I Prefer Goths Due To The Fact Musically I'm On A Similar Level, Also they Seem To Be A Little More Low key Than Emo's. Not Got A Problem With Emo's (As People) Either Though... Power Metal Band: Iced Earth...

Answer 3

Here's a short and simple answer.

Goth is a subculture that got started in the late 70s as an offshoot of punk. It was a music based culture that took things considered "dark" and haunting and found the beauty in them thus helped creating songs that express this openness to said things. Goth is just a music based subculture and some Goth bands include Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Christian Death, and Sisters of Mercy to name some of the more popular ones.

-Is it a teenage phase?
A: Nope, not all the time. In fact, most Goths are in their 20s-30s-40s. The subculture has so many things that help keep it fresh and alive with the music, literature, festivals, shops, clubs, and so on. The point is, it's not always a phase. Usually, it's the people who were only into Goth for the attention that grow out of it. For those genuinely interested in it, they tend to keep it.

-"Trying to be different but they all look the same"
Most Goths don't try to be "different", if you talk to any grown up Goth, you'll find that we come in many personalities. As far as the look goes, sure, some looks can be the same but in the long run, they don't try to be different to be edgy. We wear the things we do because we like it and Goth has a lot of different styles in it so there's something for everyone.

-Depression
Nope. In fact, a lot of Goths are happy and positive people but you'd never klnow because you're too busy judging them instead of going up to them and having a conversation with one. Again, this is with grown up Goths. And cutting is frowned upon in the subculture however, instead of judging someone who cuts, we'd be more open to helping them overcome their problem

Emo & Goth
-Not the same thing. If you actually researched the styles, you'd see just how different they are so I'm not going to go into it because a simple Google search will explain.

I hope this is all helped..

Answer 4

Goth is more a lifestyle or outlook on life than anything. They tend to accept that there are bad things as well as good things in life, rather than 'sweep them under the rug', to say, and pretend they don't exist. They can dress however they want, although many prefer darker colors and more dramatic clothes and makeup, and listen to lots of songs and varied genres of music, which can include but are by no means limited to, new wave, darkwave, ethereal, Celtic, goth rock, punk, postpunk, chants, heavy metal, industrial, Latin, et cetera. Not all are interested in vampires - in fact, relatively few are. Many if not most have good relationships with their parents. Very few have mental or psychological problems. Most are actually quite nice, if a bit saturnine. Very, very, very few are 'satanists' or 'devil worsippers'. Most of the young teenagers who listen to Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, Slipknot, Korn, My Chemical Romance, Drowning Pool, et cetera and wear heavy thick makeup and studded spike collars and bracelets are called 'Mall goths', shop mostly at Hot Topic, and - this is important - they're not real goths. They just seem to think they are. They act disturbed and surly and try to impress/intimidate people. It seldom works, as most are obviously pathetic, and almost all will (thankfully) grow out of it. If you'd like a comprehensive explanation, try visiting goth.net. Some songs that goths might listen to:
Dragonfly (Conjure one mix) - Cruxshadows
Dazzle - Siouxsie and the Banshees
The Passion of Lovers - Bauhaus
Lucretia My Reflection - Sisters Of Mercy
Lullaby - The Cure
She's Lost Control - Joy Division
In Our Angelhood - The Cocteau Twins
Funeral Night - Bella Morte
Deliverance - The Mission UK
Cemetary Gates - The Smiths
Are 'Friends' Electric? - Tubeway Army
Love Is Stronger than Death - The The
Nowhere Girl - B-Movie
Twilight Of The Mortal - Killing Joke
Seconds - The Human League
Indigo Eyes - Peter Murphy
Right Now - The Creatures
Walk on the Moon - Daniel Ash
No Big Deal - Love and Rockets
Fire Woman - The Cult

Answer 5

Being goth has nothing to do with what clothes you wear or music you listen to, it is a way of thinking and seeing the world. The clothes that goths wear and the music that goths listen to is just a reflection of that mindset. Goths see that there is extreme pain and evil in the world, along with the good. Instead of condemning it or ignoring it, goths accept these things as a part of life and try and enjoy the good along with the bad, since they can't stop the bad from happening. They are not obsessed with death, they just accept it as an inevitability. They do not try and cause more pain in their (or anybody else's) lives, since there is plenty to start with. Goths tend to be kind, intelligent, non-violent, emotional, and artistic.

Answer 6

Originally, the word goth was derived from the word "Gothic" which referred to any number of northern or eastern European tribes back in the Middle Ages. Some examples of these Germanic tribes were the Visigoths, the Vandals, the Huns, and so on. In fact it was the Visigoths, I think, that finally sacked the mighty Roman Empire. Anyway, they were mostly pagans and not Christians. So, today, kids call themselves goth if they are just totally emo, and dress in black, and listen to that Death Metal music, and do alot of body piercing, and maybe even read stuff on Wicca or satanism. The funny thing is that most of these kids don't even know the history of Goth. And also what is funny is that it began as an anti-normal or anti-esablishment rebellion for some kids, but now there are so many they are more like sheep. Black Sheep? LOL

Answer 7

me. i am goth. goth is something that i was chosen to be......one of the few many. it is when you become the hurt and pain that everyday people choose to ignore. i am what the world is. we choose to follow a different path from the mainstream. being and goth makes me sorrowfull and proud......

samantha

Answer 8

Goth - aka mosher, emo ect, commonly reffered to by chavs as big mad gothics, moshrooms,or herrs, as in herr aferr if you live in Scotland

Answer 9

Usually they are those kids that were made fun of in school and are now acting out. "I'll show those prissy little !@#$%^" They try to project the most offensive image possible to keep people away from them that might hurt them emotionally and physically. I know many of them and they are usually very intelligent and have very vivid imaginations. Geeks turned "goth"

Answer 10

being who you are expressing yourself in a way on ly you undestand wearing dark lacy clothes