Borderline Goth Bands
 

Just a few observations I have made over the years about so-called borderline goth bands. Be aware that these are simply my own opinions and by no means facts set in stone.

Theatre of Tragedy - When they originally started, they labeled themselves as goth, then goth metal, and eventually electro pop. They seem to be suffering a bit from an identity crisis. No wonder Liv Kristine left them. The sad thing is, their earlier works were, in my opinion, really good.

Moonspell - Yet another goth-labeled band whose music style borders on something other than goth. I am not quite sure how to classify this band, as some of their music definitely do fall into the goth territory, while the majority of their music borders on...something else.

Nick Cave - Beloved of many goths, Nick Cave, though brilliant, is not goth. His music style reminds more of the dark country/folk of Johnny Cash. However, it is clear from his dark subject matter in his music why he appeals to so many goths.

The 69 Eyes - Strangely enough, many goths don't consider them as a goth band. In my opinion these guys are pure old-school gothic rock. And they're definitely one of the most gothic-looking bands out there.

Type o Negative - Another self-labeled goth band. Though a lot heavier than most, Peter Steele on many occasions has said that they are a gothic rock band. On an amusing side note, he was also quoted on the sleeve of the Nativity in Black compilation that he believed that goth existed thanks to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath(?).

Deathstars - A band with serious gothic overtones which reminds one of bands like Seraphim Shock. These guys are pretty good, and a lot more accessible to goths than most bands of their genre. I can say without shame that I enjoy their music, even though they are not strictly goth.

Then, on the flip side of the coin, there are also the nearly legendary gothic bands who flat-out deny that they were ever goth (Sisters of Mercy and The Mission come to mind). Andrew Eldritch, a man who almost single-handedly shaped the sounds of many modern goth bands, has said on the official Sisters website that he was never much of a fan of 'goth and its darklings.'

The mind boggles.

The 69 Eyes have about 3 good songs. The rest are hideosly generic and boring. And they've never looked hugely goth to me. More Hair Metal type stuff.

Type O Negative have always seemed more goth rock influenced than most of the "gothic metal" bands, and although their primary influence seems to be Black Sabbath, you can hear a lot of goth rock type sounds coming through, especially on October Rust.
Also, they have a sense of humour, something a lot of gothic metal acts seem to have lost.

Oh no you di'int! I actually love The 69 Eyes, and they do have some gothic rock songs, but also a whole lot of hard rock and hair metal going on, which I actually enjoy.I would also agree with Moonspell, because of couple of their songs seem to have goth overtones, namely in the "Butterfly Effect" album. Haven't heard Type O, I'll definitely get to that.

I'd agree on Nick Cave too, and I'd add Dead Can Dance, Cocteau Twins, and The Chameleons (UK). Oh, and the Cruxshadows. BWAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!!

Oh, and Darcnyss, don't use the argument "they claim to be goth". That's like saying "everything in the Bible is the word of God because it says so."

As I stated above, these are all just my humble opinions, and not fact. Heck, we all know that even Marilyn Manson went through a stage of calling himself goth, which he clearly never was!

Rudimentary Peni. They have quite a few songs that can be considered goth rock or deathrock. They hold dominantly in Punk, though.

I don't think the Cocteau Twins are goth at all. Sure, goths like them, but that definitely doesn't make the music goth.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Goth influence, but totally a Hard Rock band. Reminds me of The Cult in this regard.

Add to the list of acts that are not Goth, but commonly liked by Goths:

Echo and the Bunnymen
My Bloody Valentine
Lydia Lunch
Tom Waits
Einsturzende Neubauten

My brother from another mother!!! Totally agree....

About muthafuckin' time someone said this!

But for me, it's been between Oingo Boingo and Fashion.

Oingo has a lot of dark/creepy subject matter they sing about while Fashion has gritty subjects set to a pretty dark synthy groove, especially regarding their Fabrique/The Height of Fashion stuff.

If I get slsk back up to code, ask and ye shall receive.

UK Decay? Small 2nd wave outfit from England, first album was UK82 ish, next one, much different. Check em' out.

The Deep Eynde has one cool gothabilly song and shifts from goth to punk, but they primarily call themselves punk.

45 Grave. Honestly, they share nothing in common with any other "death rock" band I've ever heard; they sound far more horror punk to me.

Oingo Boingo!!

Oh Hells Ya!

UK Decay is pretty awesome. They are pretty much on the border of punk and goth.

Also, The Deep Eynde is cool. They're songs vary, but are still within punk. "Hoodoo" is pretty deathrocky. It's my favorite by them.

I have to agree. This is also my favorite Deep Eynde song.

Better than The 13th Floor?

Nick Cave was actually a punker. When the queen of England found out his heritage was from southern france, she deemed him a gothic. Technically, he is the first gothic, though still a punker.

Bush Tetras. From the 80s. I'm not sure how to classify this band. They may or may not be goth, but they do have a dark and brooding atmospheric quality. I've seen them labelled as No Wave, and I've also seen them labelled as Dance Punk.

Whatever they are, I like 'em a lot.

Who gives a big flying fuck? Music is music and you either have good music or you don't.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

And most of it sucks ass. haha.

Yuppers...........

A gothic? Would that be anything like a smelly or maybe a red? Perhaps it's more like a ruddy. I guess it would be a glam mixed with a punky, eh.