Museum of Youth Culture | Goth

Introduction

• The Goth scene, one of the most enduring youth culture tribes, originated in the late 70s and evolved through various subgenres, fashions, and sounds.
• It emerged in venues like the Batcave and has maintained a lasting legacy.
• Authored by Clair Nally.

Goth as a Subculture

• Goth encompasses a music category, fashion style, and lifestyle, characterized by a dark aesthetic.
• Origins trace back to punk and other subcultures, gaining commercial visibility in the 1990s.
• Initially UK-centric, it expanded globally, with subgenres like US-based death rock.
• Notable bands include Joy Division, Sisters of Mercy, The Damned, Bauhaus, and many others.

Musical Characteristics

• Often characterized by heavy drum beats, rock guitars, low male vocals, and high female vocals.

Fashion and Style

• Traditional goth style includes dyed black hair, mohawks, pale makeup, and dark clothing.
• Fabrics such as velvet, satin, leather, and latex are common, showing an overlap with punk and BDSM fashion.
• Subgenres include cybergoth, drawing influence from cyberpunk literature, featuring neon colors, synthetic hairpieces, goggles, and gas masks.
• Cybergoth is prevalent in festivals like Infest (UK) and Wave-Gotik-Treffen (Germany).

Geographical Influence and Events

• Core scenes in the UK, notably in London and Northern cities like Leeds and Manchester.
• Influenced by the post-industrial landscape and political climate under Thatcher's government.
• Whitby Goth Weekend in North Yorkshire is a major event, rooted in literary connections to Dracula.

Cultural and Social Impact

• Goth is more than music; it involves literary interests and intellectual pursuits.
• Celebrated through clothing, tattoos, piercings, and dark sensibilities.
• Continues to thrive with contributions from older and younger generations.

Essay and Museum Development

• Claire Nally, a professor at University of Northumbria, focuses on subcultures, Neo-Victorianism, and Irish Studies.
• The essay is part of a Subcultures Network project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
• The Museum of Youth Culture celebrates youth culture history through photography, stories, and memorabilia.

Notable Goth Music and Film

• Music:
  • "Bela Lugosi's Dead" by Bauhaus (1979)
  • "Lucretia My Reflection" by The Sisters of Mercy (1985)
  • "Japanese Whispers" by The Cure (1983)
  • "Love Song" by The Damned (1979)
  • "Happy House" by Siouxsie & The Banshees (1980)
• Film:
  • "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" (1919)
  • "Nosferatu" (1921)
  • "The Addams Family" (1991)

• Engage with the Museum of Youth Culture through various online and community-driven platforms.
• The museum aims to explore and preserve the rich history of youth culture.