Goth History

Goth history starts in the early eighties out of what was then known as post punk. By the late seventies and early eighties, punk itself began fade from popularity so many bands associated with the punk genre began experimenting in different areas. Bands such as the Virgin Prunes, Bauhaus and Specimen came to define the British scene while U.S. bands like Christian Death, Kommunity FK and the Super Heroines would define the American Goth scene, otherwise called deathrock. Death rock would retain more of a punk sound while the British would have more of an experimental tinge to their music. It was within this post-punk experimental phase that goth itself began to take on a distinct definition in gothic history. However, many bands that were considered goth rejected the goth label so as not to be boxed in a certain category along with retaining the punk notion of rejecting labels in any form.

Regarding fashion, establishments such as the batcave in London was a mecca when it came flaunting the weirdest in goth clothing hearing the latest goth bands. Goth fashion during this period still retained classic punk punk elements: dark makeup, puffed up hair and Mohawks; the difference now being more outlandish and theatrical when it came to the goth scene. Singer Andi Sex Gang from the Sex Gang Children wore pale makeup and dark clothing on stage and so did his legion of fans. Virgin Prunes were an act unto themselves and wore dark and weird theatrical makeup in the late seventies before goth history began. Singer Dave Vanian from The Damned dressed as a vampire and was known for his crooner style singing which also helped shaped the goth scene.
The second wave of goth bands included Fields of the Nephilim, Sisters of Mercy and Alien Sex Fiend which took on a more rock/alternative sound instead of the early influence of punk in the first wave. Goth history evolved in the later nineties and deathrock and traditional goth rock had to now co exist with EBM and industrial elements that became mixed in with goth music. Throughout the decades, goth has broken off in many forms: cyber, neoclassical, darkwave, ethereal etc. and each subgenre within goth has its own distinct fashion sense.