# Is the "Goth" scene dead? (no pun intended) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 15, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185 "2014-04-15T15:57:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2014, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/21 "2014-04-15T20:53:43Z")
It’s un-dead. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2014, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/22 "2014-04-15T20:57:00Z")
> [@SaharaTea](#): > > Huh. Marilyn Manson makes sense, but I’ve never thought of Tool or ICP as goth. When I was in high school the go-to bands were The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus and Joy Division. Most of the goths I knew would never have admitted to being Juggalos. Exactly. I like all those bands, but I have never listened to nor had any desire to listen to ICP. Listening to the Bauhaus/Love and Rockets/Tones On Tail channels on Pandora is like being in college again. I like the music but there really wasn’t a “scene” or anything associated with it for me (especially living in Alabama.) The most goth piece of clothing I have ever owned is a Bauhaus T-shirt. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2014, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/23 "2014-04-15T21:01:45Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > I went and saw VNV Nation in concert a couple of years ago, and the (old) goths were out in full force. (I assume they found babysitters.) I’m \*\*40 and I was pretty much dead center of the age distribution there.\*\*It’s a scene that’s grown up, fragmented, and the fragments gone either mainstream or further underground. Heh. The circle of psychological life: Young humans do feel that need to shock the older ones, but that takes a constantly-evolving set of looks/heroes/music/etc. The shock goes away so quickly (and the adherents age just as quickly). ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2014, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/24 "2014-04-15T21:03:00Z")
Goth is dead. _Nietzsche_ ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2014, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/25 "2014-04-15T21:12:27Z")
> [@OneCentStamp](#): > > I went and saw VNV Nation in concert a couple of years ago, and the (old) goths were out in full force. (I assume they found babysitters.) I’m 40 and I was pretty much dead center of the age distribution there. Yep, still true. Just saw VNV on the 5th (they were great, btw!) and yeah, there were quite a few people in their 40s and older on hand. There was even a mid-40s mom and dad with their son who was about 10. They sat near us (we had dinner seats, so we actually got to sit down–we’re a bit old for the mosh-pit standing room only stuff) and seemed to have a great time. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2014, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/26 "2014-04-15T21:14:52Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > It’s un-dead. Undead. Undead. Undead. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2014, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/27 "2014-04-15T21:16:53Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Undead. Undead. Undead. The bats have left the belltower. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2014, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/28 "2014-04-15T21:55:04Z")
> [@LC\_Strawhouse](#): > > I haven’t heard anything about the Goth scene lately, except once in a while from some stubborn enclaves in Britain. Up until very recently there were people who lived, fought and died for Goth - gothic weddings, the whole bit. Never felt the calling myself, but that crowd absolutely dominated when I was in college. Has it all just dissolved away or what? It will never die/un-die - it’s just somewhat less visible. As someone above mentioned, as long as their are liberal arts majors, there will be goths (if walking by any art school in Chicago is a guide, or driving past Exit on North Avenue). Most likely, people under the umbrella with assign themselves to some splinter group (scene, etc). ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/29 "2014-04-15T22:15:18Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > It’s un-dead. 🙂 > **[Bauhaus T-Shirt - Undead Discharge](https://www.merch2rock.com/bauhaus-t-shirt-undead-discharge/)** > > Get this Officially Licensed Bauhaus Undead Discharge T-Shirt for the lowest price from merch2rock.com. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/30 "2014-04-16T18:54:55Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Probably a lot fewer than in the late 90s, which was the popularity peak for Insane Clown Posse. On that note, is there a better answer for the question, “Famous band who isn’t actually all that famous?” than Insane Clown Posse? Nope. I think ICP is pretty much the epitome of that concept. I bought one of their CDs many years ago. I ended up throwing it in the trash. It was that bad. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2014, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/31 "2014-04-16T19:36:25Z")
> [@SaharaTea](#): > > Huh. Marilyn Manson makes sense, but I’ve never thought of Tool or ICP as goth. When I was in high school the go-to bands were The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus and Joy Division. Most of the goths I knew would never have admitted to being Juggalos. Same here, my experience would have been early-to-mid 90s. You can add the Mission and Fields of Nephalim in there, too. ICP were only barely starting at that time, but they don’t at all seem to be the type of band/music/scene that would resonate with the goth-types that I knew. There was some crossover with industrial music like Ministry and Nine Inch Nails, perhaps some darker new wave like Depeche Mode, certain types of metal, that sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/32 "2014-04-17T01:39:49Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Undead. Undead. Undead. Isn’t “Alternatively Animated” more PC? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/33 "2014-04-17T12:17:24Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Same here, my experience would have been early-to-mid 90s. You can add the Mission and Fields of Nephalim in there, too. ICP were only barely starting at that time, but they don’t at all seem to be the type of band/music/scene that would resonate with the goth-types that I knew. There was some crossover with industrial music like Ministry and Nine Inch Nails, perhaps some darker new wave like Depeche Mode, certain types of metal, that sort of thing. +1 Which reminds me… When I lived in London in the mid-90s, I used to go to _The Limelight_ on Shaftesbury Avenue. Wednesday nights (IIRC) were dedicated 80s music. They played the hits from that era in the main room and that was fun enough but the most interesting stuff was in the basement. **Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Einstürzende Neubauten, Bauhaus, Joy Division** and some EBM. Probably **Throbbing Gristle** and **Coil** , too (my memories are hazy). And the people were quite a sight. I used to find the girls absolutely gorgeous 🆒. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/34 "2014-04-17T18:30:23Z")
> [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](#): > > And the people were quite a sight. I used to find the girls absolutely gorgeous 🆒. Why thank you :o [1] As for the OP, goth is alive and thriving in [Whitby](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitby_Gothic_Weekend) [1] Okay, I was there twice in that time period 😉 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/35 "2014-04-17T19:04:52Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > … or emo. The difference being? ::d&r:: ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/36 "2014-04-17T22:16:15Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > The difference being? > ::d&r:: Both think the world is a dark, desolate place. Good Goth doesn’t care how you feel about it, as long as you agree; Emo’s only interested in it so you can both whine about it. It’s not immediately obvious, but I swear there’s a big gulf between the content of Bauhaus and Rites of Spring, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2014, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/37 "2014-04-17T23:31:01Z")
And both take third place in the whiny olympics to James and Placebo. ---
**Author:** ![Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/les_espaces_du_sommeil/32/308_2.png) [@Les\_Espaces\_Du\_Sommeil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Les_Espaces_Du_Sommeil)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/38 "2014-04-18T07:31:42Z")
> [@Cinnamon\_Imp](#): > > Why thank you :o [1] > > As for the OP, goth is alive and thriving in [Whitby](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitby_Gothic_Weekend) > [1] Okay, I was there twice in that time period 😉 You’re welcome ;). I was there almost every week but for a very short period of time: October '94 - February '95. Loved the place, though. There was another club that played the same sort of music (and where you could see exactly the same crowd). That was in Soho, I think. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/39 "2014-04-18T13:22:32Z")
Every time there’s a goth thread, I suggest that people read [this](http://rosebleed.awardspace.com/details_goth_interview.htm) article from Details magazine back in the 90s. They got together a bunch of the early goth icons (Siouxsie Sioux, Robert Smith, Peter Murphy, Daniel Ash) and discussed the genre. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2014, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185/40 "2014-04-18T13:26:12Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > … or emo. The emo scene is long gone in my neck of the woods. Pretty much, they’ve been absorbed into the hipster crowd. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-goth-scene-dead-no-pun-intended/686185.md?page=1)