Establishing what Gothic Music is would make a template for musicians, so music can be more expressive without crossing the line into another genre and free future generations to progress in developing new music.
There are two events involved in creating the Goth Movement; base work in creating a unique style and establishing a brand for associated music, clothes, aesthetic and so-on. While post-punk was taking over the International Scene, a new band, the Birthday Party made Goth a brand. Nick Cave is credited as, "Walker's epic dark pop." Originating in Australia; Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, Tracy Pew, Phillip Calvert and Rowland S. Howard made a huge scene. A Details Magazine dubbed them, "an uncontrollable barrage of vitriol violence and malevolence" Nick Cave started another band in 1984 called the Bad Seeds, a notorious Post-Punk Band.
The Bad Seeds are comprised of Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, Tracy Pew (bass, only during the Australian tour), Blixa Bargeld, Barry Adamson and Hugo Race. The missing members are: Phillip Calvert, Rowland S. Howard and Tracy Pew. Unfortunately, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds greatly over-shadowed other members so it is difficult citing who is responsible for propelling Goth into a musical movement.
There is a clear connection between the Birthday Party and similar Post-Punk bands who were declared, "Gothic." People try to identify a difference between Gothic and Post-Punk because Gothic emerged after Post-Punk. Apparently, the difference is the heightened level of antagonism and literary skills, yet a frequently misunderstood word, "Gothic," is associated to barbarianism; however, there is reason to believe it is a reference to Asians living in Eastern-Europe; therefore, Gothic could be define Blues with a Traditional Asian influence.
Gothic music is stifled by the older generation. Listening to the radio, all I hear is the music my parents listened to as teenagers. Techno was a breakthrough in music. Then Ministry, Duran Duran and others joined in to evolve into Synthesized Rock N' Roll.
People use Alternative Music for merchandising. Bands may want to continue the Gothic Tradition; however, it is open to interpretation. Now Ozzy is Goth too. Mislabeling kills people's careers. Evanescence never had a chance. They are Hard Rock. Reminiscent of Lita Ford, they were labeled Goth. No one Goth is stunned by their music and Rockers won't listen to a lame Goth Band.
Identifying music makes it possible for people to express themselves without crossing the line. Then if they have a different sound, it is still notably Gothic. It seems like after 1984, no one is Goth enough. They are posers, so I listened definitively Goth Bands in order to study the common thread making them unique.
The Cure and Bauhaus are undoubtedly Goth Bands. In the guitar and bass rhythms there is a reoccurring pattern. It has two down notes, followed by two high notes. This combination is followed lightly. Rearranged in several ways, tempos fade in and out. Patterns are sometimes missing; however, it is a charismatic part of the composition.
Soul, Jazz and Blues identified unique qualities to become identifiable. Music is allowed to grow, be diverse and graduate so innovation gains musical spotlight. Rock N' Roll might be here to stay; however, I am getting tired of listening to old music. The Techno Revolution almost took hold. Baby-Boomers reformed it back into their music. This has to stop.
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