Hmm, things I like about the the Gothic scene? The what I consider to be "true gothic rock" (Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, Joy Division... bands like that) is probably one of the best things about the scene. Some of the fashion is awesome- I say some cos I'm not a fan of dresses and the likes.

Things I don't like: the stereotypes that are associated with goths. Annoying, but hey- it's life. People are always afraid of things that are different, and if making up false beliefs to rid themselves of their paranoia, then so be it. Not a big fan of the EBM groups of today- they just don't appeal to me.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and play Devil's Advocate.

[RANT]
Personally, I used to be this way. I was all about "Get that rave out of my grave!" stuffs, or "You can dance to deathrock, too!" However, these days...not so much. I'm not exactly up in the industrial shaking my thing, but I'm not hating anymore.

I like to think of Goth subculture as a multifaceted jewel, and rather than nick picking at the different facets, I'm starting to think it should be coveted for its entirety. That includes a lot of negative stuff...but that stuff I normally keep a sense of morbid humor about.

I'm not without my issues, in other words, with the whole EBM/Industrial being equated with Goth. However, I realize we're talking about a somewhat underground movement here. It may have some exposure to the light, but Goth overall is a small community (at least, in the States). I'd rather draw people out to dance and enjoy themselves, than shun and complain about the rivets and gravers and their "silly" fashion.

I guess that's just me though, because I'm essentially a "what floats your boat" kinda guy. I still look back to the "halcyon days" of the Goth and Punk scene and wish I could be there, however one can't simply revive the past. It'll always come back...something else. It's never the same, and sometimes it turns up worse. Rotted and falling apart.

I guess what I'm saying is that this issue is somewhat annoying, and really should become a non-issue. People should look to the past, sure, but they should move forward with a nod to the past. If we focus too much on the old school we risk trapping ourselves in a narrow niche that may never really go anywhere but back to the grave.
[/RANT]

Sorry if this seems out of nowhere.

The topic is about the "current" Gothic scene... Bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, and Joy Division are 80's bands and are part of the older scene.

They are the current scene, and that's one of the things I dislike about it. There are a growing number of people who vocally resent the newer trends and then have the face to complain that young people don't "support the scene" when the scene doesn't play any of the "beepy shit" that they like.

The core reasons Cybergoth is becoming so very prevalent are:
1: it's *really* easy.
2: it's the same old gothic outlook, applied to an increasingly technical world, where transhumanism is starting to look more and more possible every day.

I see what you mean when I was younger those things seemed like such a turn off to me and I just immediately decided that that was what goth was about but as I grew a bit older I found out about Deathrock and learned that there was more to the Gothic subculture then I originally thought.... Although I say that I can not completely agree with you about it being for the worse though. Personally in my opinion its better for Deathrock to be not as big or celebrated as EBM or Darkwave music because that way Deathrock can continue to be underground and not turn into what Punk eventually did.... Mainstream and way to played out. Deathrock's not dead its undead. ^.~

(P.s... I didn't really mention "Gothic rock" because well.. I can't help but disagree with it not being as celebrated nowadays because I know plenty more new Gothic rock bands then Deathrock bands...)

When I said they aren't part of the "current" scene I meant that they are not new, they are old. So therefore they are part of the older scene.

As for the comment on Cybergoth I have to agree with that but I'm kind of saddened that one of the "core reasons" people like it is because its easier... I mean personally for me I think people should challenge themselves more and not always take the easier route, but whatever. It all comes down to what they want to do and not want to do so I won't judge them for making their personal decisions I'll just simply say that I don't support that kind of decision making.

What I dislike about the current Goth scene is its lack of solidarity.

What I dislike about the current Goth scene is its lack of solidarity.

Well, what I like about the present goth scene is the diversity and the tolerance. I know, goths can be narrow-minded too, and sometimes they are just as cruel as non-gothy folks, but I still consider our subculture a very accepting one. You see, I live in an extremely conservative, bigotted (spelling?), intolerant and unaccepting part of the world, and it's getting worse, so I can't even describe how much it means to me to lurk on gnet and other gothy sites/forums and see that there IS a group of people who don't think it's disgusting and immoral to be LMBT/disabled/pagan/atheist/childfree (etc.)

---

Now, what I dislike about the subculture is that nowadays goths love to pigeonhole themselves, sometimes I get the feeling that lots of people are somehow addicted to inventing silly labels. They're thinking too much about the whole thing, instead of just being who they are. I know, I know, telling people to be themselves is kinda cliché, but um... Why exactly is it soooo important to invent yet another sub-sub-sub-sub-subculture to describe yourself? Are all these people really so incredibly insecure that they need to do this, so that they can trick themselves into believing that they are special little snowflakes? :S I don't get it.

Haha, yeah I do enjoy talking to like minded people as well.. I'm kinda a lone wolf myself as well theres not much people around here that share similar ideals or beliefs as me and the place I live is also largely conservative and against what I do.. xD

I'm the same situation somewhat. At school I am the only Goth, and because of that, I am largely outcasted because most of the kids in my school are very intolerant and ignorant of others' differences. Then there is the small amount who accept me for who I am, and that small amount would happen to be my friends and acquaintances. Outside of school, other than the occasional person calling me a "freak" or "faggot" when they drive by, there really isn't anyone who is against me.

Anyways, on the subject of the current scene. Two things I really like about the modern scene is the diversity, and as I have said before, the lack of Mallgoths.

@Arquinsiel
You know what I think? Fuck em'. If they're not open to change then they weren't as goth as they thought they were anyways. All scene's have those people who say "oh, it's dead its been dead I mean the blank scene died with blank" but when it comes down to it its just their opinion and just that so who really cares? Goth is about change and discovery and trying something new. If they just wish to stay where they were twenty or so years ago or love the old and deny the new then fine, but as far as I'm concerned the goth scene is still live and thriving. Subcultures always go threw change I mean just compare The Ramones to The Sex Pistols... They have their differences sure, but that doesn't mean that they're not both punk...

-- Fri Jul 01, 2011 4:46 pm --


Haha yeah, I feel ya' but in the end when it comes to things like that you just have to deal with it and accept the fact that most people are very close minded... So yeah just try and not get so worked up about it and just have a bit of fun with it you know? I mean if you already know what most people around you think of you that just gives you more freedom to be yourself and be as ridiculous and crazy as you want to be. ^.^

Yeah me too..! I love bolth of those parts of the new scene less Mallgoths yay! xD
(Btw, I know you dislike flare jeans an skinny jeans but what about bondage pants? I mean those are slightly similar to tripp pants and not as baggy.)