Teen Gothic

Show us what you've DIY (Do It Yourself) lately! Be it clothes, painting, maybe a Andrew Eldritch lookalike?

Hey, y'all! My fiancé and I are getting married in October this year, and we are doing an all black, goth themed wedding. It will be outside in a wooded area, with some Pagan themes during the wedding ceremony. I'm already in over my head with planning, but am at a complete loss of where to even start for appropriate music! We're not sure what to do as far as music during the processional or vows, any suggestions? Please help! Thank y'all in advance 🖤

We often talk about what bands we like, but how did you discover them? Back when music meant knowing someone who knew or special ordering something from overseas (and crossing your fingers), compilations were a quick way to discover bands and learn more. What compilations do you remember that opened your eyes to new artists, music, or even scene history hidden in the liner notes? The ones that stand out to me the most are:

Batcave – Young Limbs and Numb Hymns (1983) – *the* compilation of the Batcave club. Really, nothing more needs to be said.

Lonely Is An Eyesore (4AD, 1987) – A fantastic snapshot of 4AD records at the time. Dead Can Dance, Clan of Xymox, and Cocteau Twins. There's so much to love on this comp that it's no wonder it's a perpetual record collector's favorite.

Goth Rock, vol. 1 (Cleopatra Records, Jungle Records 1992) – Released in support of Mick Mercer's "Gothic Rock" book, this comp was the formal introduction to the goth scene for so many Americans. "Gothic Rock" wasn't even Mick's first book on Goth (little known fact: this wasn't even his first compilation!), but Goth Rock vol.1-3 was so popular that I knew people who even defined "what type of goth" they liked based on which compilation they liked the most!

Goth Box (Cleopatra Records, 1996) – Perhaps the best articulation of Cleopatra record's vision of goth ever created. 4 discs of music and full liner notes made this compilation a must-have at the time.

Beneath the Icy Floe, vol. 4 (Projekt Records, 1996) – Projekt's vision of Ethereal and related music at the time. Why volume 4? In 1996, Projekt Records held their first "Projektfest" and distribution for this compilation was far and wide. To me, other "Beneath the Icy Floe" comps feel like they're leading up to this one, or are updates to Projekt's existing catalog.

Bored..?? (Strobelight Records, 2005) – It is *really* hard to pick which Strobelight comp had the largest impact on the Deathrock Revival scene. I picked "Bored..??" because it was everywhere. This was a promo and they were literally giving it away, which is how I got my copy. The "New Dark Age" series had more artists and more volumes, but to me the "Bored..??" promo captures where Deathrock Revival was in 2005 most succinctly.

What compilations are memorable to everyone here? Any memories about the compilations above? Do you have a compilation that you listened to over and over again, or introduced you to a band you love?

I hear people talking about finding your local scene and stuff but I know there isn't one where I am. I live in a very country area with a very non-diverse population. I was just wondering how I could find other goth people, honestly just in the same state as me. What are some tips (that I as a minor) could use to get other goth or alternative friends somewhere near me?

This has been one of my favorite albums since its release to just chill to at home or while gaming.

I've recently started looking for more music in this vein (I recall there being a ton back in the 90s) but I cannot for the life of my find anything now that sounds like this album, so here I am, consulting the spiders of the interwebs.

Link if you are not familiar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4bG3jOjefk&list=PLzxSe_21lryXnZMRpiCBlwUr0W9_w9NLz

So, the first time I heard goth music, was in 2011. It was like a sudden kick in stomach. Like magic. Like a lightning strike. Like an orgasm. It was so good, it became the main genre I used to listen to for next several years. I used to know many bands, old, new, famous, obscure, in different languages etc. It inspired me to write poetry. Whenever I listened to it, it would make me feel great.

Than a <mental illness> happened and I did a break.

Now I'm trying to return into listening goth music agaim and while I still like it, it's not THE MUSIC anymore. It's just good. One of the many other good music genres. Not the OH MY GOD IT'S SO GOOD I WANT TO LISTEN TO IT FOR THE ETERNITY music it used to be for me. And it makes me sad. Its like the fairytale has gone. Is there any way I can bring back those feelings and emotions?

*by goth music I mostly mean goth rock,but I enjoy deathrock sometimes too

Hello!

EDIT: Since I'm not sure whether the term translates well from my language, by revival I mean basically a copycat band that plays the original bands songs, while trying to replicate them as close as possible. It usually happens with bands have already stopped performing live.

SoM are supposed to be playing on a festival at the other side of my country, and since it's far and expensive I've been asking around whether it's worth it or not. Well, most of the replies have been that it's really not worth it, and that Eldritch basically hates his fans and is doing everything he can to make the show as unpleasant and awful as possible, disrespecting every song and the audience. I can not confirm whether it's true or exagerated, since I have not seen them personally but love the band and would love to, but if it's really the case than I am really disapointed – which lead me to an idea I wanted to discuss here.

Since I really want to see them live, I had a discussion with our local promoter about Sisters revivals, but have been told that they have a policy against revivals. I understand and respect that, because quite frankly I'm also not a fan of revivals, especially for bands that are still alive and performing and having original bands is always better than some revivals. So I would probably not go to a revival show, even if the band no longer plays.

But SoM are entirely different situation. I think it's an awesomely spiteful idea, to have a SoM revival play on a goth festival. The fans deserve a good show, from performers that actually respect their audience, and it's also a win-win situation since you do not have to support an artist who is, allegedly, a dick, but can enjoy their music.

Now, I have no idea about logistics and the copyright stuff regarding revival bands, especially since the band is still actively playing live, and it's also possible that SoM is actually not that awfull as I've been told (if it is exagerated and Eldritch is ok-ish, or even bad live but simply getting old and rusty (which is ok), instead of ruining the show intentionally and actually respects his audience, then I apologize for spreading hate and misinformation). There also may not be any good revivals.

The same idea has occured to me as a potential way how to solve issues with artists that have some scandals surrounding them, such as Mr. Kitty or She Wants Revenge. I would love to see them, but don't want to support their behavior, which could be solved simply by having a revival instead of the original band.

So, what do you think? What are your thoughts on revivals and would you go see SoM revival?