A nice article from Mercury News. Some of us will be interested in the part about Aging With Grace.

Read it!

That was interesting. I've seen quite a few blog posts and articles related to the goth subculture lately.

I liked this article. It makes us seem like we know what we're doing...whatever that means.

Nice article, but I disagree with Brian Gardner's statement that steampunk is "part of the evolution of goth."

While there is undeniably a lot of crossover between goth and steampunk, they are still two different things, and steampunk has been around as long as the goth subculture. In fact, I know many steampunks who would take exception to the suggestion that they might be some kind of "evolved goth."

-- Nephele

It sounds a bit like to the way some people some years ago were talking about rockabilly being "evolved from goth"

I liked the article quite a bit myself, though if I may nitpick one thing for myself...

When reading it I got the impression that Gothic Subculture was really one giant club. Now, before anyone raises a finger and says "But wait..." I will go ahead and agree that Goth is whatever you want it to be. For me, I have always thought of it more like a celebration of the dark, emotional, and morbid. But that is just me, I suppose.

I don't know enough about rockabilly, but I do know that steampunk is a literature-driven phenomenon. If anything, steampunk is part of the evolution of science fiction (and the subculture one finds in the science fiction convention circuit) -- not goth subculture. But, again, there is a lot of crossover between goths and steampunks, especially for those who are into fashion, and so that's probably where the confusion comes from.

-- Nephele

Steampunk being an evolution of goth?

Like cyberpunk being an evolution of industrial, or Sword & Sorcery being an evolution of metal???

A style of fiction is what supplies a musical subculture with subject matter and imagery, not the reverse.....

Also, I think the steampunk/goth crossover is largely an American phenomenon so far, as I still haven't seen it's popularity reflected in the global goth scene thus far, though I'm sure it's soon to come......
I still think Fields of the Nephilim were one of the first goth bands to incorporate it into their fashion and imagery, though they still haven't gotten credit for it.

I agree with centurion, I've seen bugger all steampunk over here in the goth scene but plenty of it from random nerds at cons and the like.

Yeah, steampunk as an "evolution" is iffy. Crossover would be a better word.

In general I'm mildly pleased with the article. And who would have guessed they'd reference Jillian Venters anywhere? Heh.

I did something terrible because of this. I'm blaming the fever I'm running and not getting any sleep last night.

"You are old, Grandpa Munster," the baby bat said
"And your roots are growing in white.
Yet you refer to yourself as a 'goth.'
Do you think at your age this is right?"

"In my youth," Grandpa Munster replied to the bat
"I feared they would think me insane.
Now I'm perfectly sure that they already do
Why, I do it again and again!"

"If you were a real goth, then I should think
You would dress in a cape like a bat.
Yet you wore a powder blue shirt today,
Pray, what is the reason for that?"

"In my youth," Grandpa Munster said
"I was a cliche. I never went out without black.
Now I take things much less seriously.
I often look back and laugh."

"If the label's so silly" the baby bat frowned
"And it pigeonholes those who pursue it
Why would you saddle yourself with a label like that?
Tell me, why would you do it?"

"In my youth" he replied, "I went to shows.
At one of these I met my wife.
Love of the music influenced my artistic expression.
It lasted the rest of my life."

"You are old," said the youth, "One would hardly suppose
Your vision to be fresh as ever.
I note that you use cliches in your work
Do you believe that these are clever?"

"I have answered three questions and that is enough.
Begone! Do not give yourself airs.
You think I haven't already heard all of this stuff?
Be off or I'll kick you downstairs!"

However, there's a new pig driven through the town each decade. I can't find Steampunk in Germany. The music doesn't fit to the contemporary average goth mainstream at the moment. The fashion in the onlineshops adapted the term meanwhile. But I can't see a big difference at all. I would be glad about a new trend, who reintroduces musicians into black music, which is dominated by computers meanwhile. Although I can't enjoy songs like "coin operated boy". Some crossover would be nice and everything what stops this 4/4 bass drums and cheap casio riffs.

XD

That last paragraph got me.

-- Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:29 pm --




XD

That last paragraph got me.

Why thank you, but the funny parts are Lewis Carroll's not mine.

Generally, I have respect for "elder goths." However, I won't hesitate to revoke it if need be.

To me, you must prove by your character and actions whether or not you deserve to be deemed "elder" in my books. Age, by itself means little.

Furthermore, I *refuse* to bow down to arrogant, pompous pricks based on seniority. I will behave civilly towards them - to a point.

I think there is no problem to share the clubs with the younger ones. There are enough parties with the old stuff. If not, start a new one. The only thing is, we have heard most of the stuff several times long ago ...

-- Wed Feb 01, 2012 2:11 pm --

I think there is no problem to share the clubs with the younger ones. There are enough parties with the old stuff. If not, start a new one. The only thing is, we have heard most of the stuff several times long ago ...