Leopard Print: Staple or Addiction?

This is run on from this post, where I collected images of my collared blouses!

Now, while a lot of people claim leopard is a neutral print that works for anyone, I believe that you either love it or you hate it. Saying this, these are not all of my leopard pieces (my pillow is leopard, actually, it’s pretty obvious that I am addicted.

Link – Link – Link Link – Link – Uh, no link?

I like leopard because I think that it’s a very easy way to add interest to an outfit. It doesn’t have to be a ‘sexy’ kind of interest (I don’t do sexy), even though the print draws that from a lot of people’s minds. It could be a punky interest or styled in a rock ‘n’ roll kind-of-way. You can find it everywhere and on any kind of person, which really does speak for how versatile it can be.

I wouldn’t call it a neutral myself, though. It’s versatile in a stylistic way but I could never pair leopard with tartan, or polka-dots because I think they’re either too contrasting or too similar.

But you tell me, how do you wear your leopard? Is it a staple or an addiction?

OotD: This outfit is totally Punk-rock, right? + Punk Playlist

Here have a themed playlist for this outfit; punk inspired (keep in mind I’m a bit of a wimp these days when it comes to angry music). Listen as you skim my ramblings for actual meaning!

Jacket: Sheinside | T-shirt: Black Craft Cult | Shorts: Iron Fist | Shoes: Borrowed from my Mum (Similar) Necklace: Ebay | Pins: Ebay/New Zealand/Etsy | Stockings: Target | Lips: Lush (It started with a kiss)

^Did you need all of that information? Probably not, but here it is none-the-less.

Scanning through my outfit posts it’s easy to see that I like to wear the same three pairs of shoes until either the shoes die, or I do. But I’ve found a solution! My mum is an avid shoe hoarder enthusiast. She has the same preference for black patent boots that I have (she’s a total Goth) but she’s much better at walking in heels than I’ll ever be.

In all honestly though, originally this outfit wasn’t inspired by Punk. It was inspired by the t-shirt equivalent to a top-knot and awaiting the arrival of spring and summer. The bees are here, why aren’t you Mr Sun? Unfortunately summer decided not to show up and so, the leather jacket was added. This is the patched up (Robert Smith is on the back) and home to all of my pins leather jacket that I never wear, in favour of my other leather jacket that happens to be oversize, comfy as hell and unfortunately undecorated.

Do you like Punk music? Because I’d love some suggestions. I’ve fallen out of Punk in favour of more Post-punk, classic rock and eighties lately. Which is why my playlist is a bit lack-luster. Oh, and you tell me, this outfit is totally Punk-rock, right?

Four Simple Ways to Find More Goth-Rock

Black Flag on the Graveyard Chapel by Vïkïng Okay, so Black Flag is a punk band but oh well.

Personally, when I get stuck in music ruts my whole life seems to get stuck in one big giant stuck. But maybe that’s because when I do anything – get dressed, cook, clean, live – I need the perfect soundtrack. To battle against all life-ruts cause by music or give some helpful hints here are my four favourite ways to find some new Goth-rock.

Online Goth Radio-stations

Someone suggested I listen to Death Rock Radio, of which I’m listening to now. But there are plenty more! This is great for those of you, like myself, love sitting around with a soundtrack playing on in the background. These holidays I’ve been (unforgivingly) playing so much of Majong Titans to the sound of radio-stations.

Pandora

Pretty much a gigantic online radio-station, but you mould what you hear by liking and or disliking your favorite songs. Feel free to check out my personalised stations here – my favorites are eighties, Goth-rock and Punk. A day doesn’t go by when I don’t at least click onto my Pandora stations.

Ask Around A Goth Community

A great starter discussion is to ask what everyone’s favourite bands are (particularly if you don’t know much about music).

Check Out Blogger Song Lists & Featured Music

Music is a big part of the alternative and Goth communities. Although people claim that modern Goths don’t pay enough attention to it, it’s hard to find an Alt blogger that doesn’t post about their favourite music of the moment.

You could even go to pages like my Youtube (in the top-right corner) to look at my likes for music. But that sounds a bit pretentious, doesn’t it?

How do you guys find your music? Or do you use any online sites I should check out?

A Trad-Goth Revival, You Say?

This post is inspired by some comments that I received on another Trad Goth inspired post [here] that really made me think. There’s much talk about a Death-Rock Revival but what about Trad-Goth music? I Googled around and while I came across many articles that outline the classic Goth Rock stars, AKA. Joy Division, Siouxie and The Banshees, Bauhaus and The Cure. But what I didn’t come across was a list of modern Trad-Goth bands just for the delight of those that were in love with the classics but wanted to listen to something new. Some are as follows.

Front-man of Joy Disaster before his change of style. – Link

Violet Stigmata

Unfortunately while researching this band I found that the vocal singer, Nic, passed away April 27th of 2011. But that doesn’t change the amazing Goth Rock that they created in the past. They’re certainly a band you should check out. They combine typical creepy sounds with harsh guitars to create a great traditional sound that set them apart.

Joy Disaster

This band, which isn’t actually Trad-Goth but a French post-punk band, caught my attention the moment I read it’s name. It’s derived and influenced by Joy Division – in particular Ian Curtis and the music really does do it justice without being a carbon copy. They had me at the first song I could find, Lobotomy (below). Unfortunately, the style has changed a bit but still remains under the Post-Punk tree. My favourite of their albums is J.D., their first official album.

Facebook

Star Industry

If you want something catchy, upbeat yet reminiscent, Star Industry is certainly the band. Personally, I adore the vocals but not so much the guitar riffs. I find them too classic rock for my tastes, even bordering on Nightwish-esque. But there are a few gem songs that catch my eye – such as the one below.

Official Website

Snakedance

You have no idea how long it took to track down any of this band’s music. And in all honesty when I started listening to them I was not a fan. But then the vocals started and I was definitely in love.

Official Facebook

Angels Of Liberty

This band doesn’t lack traditional theatrics. Even their website refers to them as:

“From the start the band wanted to present Goth as they envisage it; With tense drama, atmosphere and theatrical flare whilst never forgetting the importance of catchy hooks. Their style is about creating tight intense grooves within a backdrop of creepy grandeur.”

It might just be me but that is a very adorable introduction. Besides this I like that they are dancy trad-Goth that relies on a heavy beat.

Official Website

Strap on Halo

Female fronted, this band is definitely reminiscent of Siouxsie and The Banshees but at the same time not at all. Their bio itself explains their sound as “‘traditional gothic’ driven by howling guitars, resonating bass and a haunting female voice [Apparently originally stated in a review in Dominion Magazine].”

 Official Website

It’s no doubt that traditional Goth-rock is a very particular taste. But for those of you that adore or want to try out some traditional Goth rock I hope you enjoy. If you think this list is terribly written I would love to hear it below. Most artists above were suggested by readers, so feel free to suggest even more.

Top Nine: Current Playlist Favs

There was an awkward moment when I was searching for songs I haven’t yet added to my music collection from my favourite bands and they happened to all be listed under “Punk Rock”. Sure, Punk Rock in modern days does not always mean Punk rock. It generally means a watered down less raw version of it. I mean, Good Charlotte is listed under Punk Rock on Wikipedia for gods sake!

I’m not sure where I was going with that little rant but it did give me the idea to list the bands (and not so much bands) that have been on repeat in my media player for the past few months and my favourite songs by each. In order of how obsessed I am with them currently. Enjoy, or not.

Why do you need to know a list of bands that I listen to? Well, it’s always good to broaden your musical horizon and, well, I felt like it.

1. Heavens to Betsy

 A band of which I’m currently consumed with obsession over. Not so much the band members or history but the music itself. Anyway, my favourite song was very hard to choose. It was close between Me and Her from The Monsters Are Real album and Axeman from the Calculated album. Axeman won. The video also has some of my favourite films in it: American Beauty, Ghost World, Heathers and Daria (obviously not a film).

2. Bikini Kill

 Straight to the point: my absolutely favourite song ever by this band is R.I.P. from the album Reject All American. There wasn’t a point where I fell in love with this band, that’s why I don’t have much to say about them. It was more of an accumulated adoration.

This version just seems kind of off for some reason.

3. Hole

A popular band.  I actually started liking Hole after watching a few documentaries on the life of Courtney Love. She had a few cameo’s in another band I likes music (I honestly just spent half an hour trying to find the song but couldn’t). Anyway, my song of choice is Teenage Whore from the Pretty On the Inside album.

4. The Damned

 Not sure if I’ve posted about my new found love for The Damned. (I just checked and found that I semi-have). Though, since then I’ve immersed myself a bit further into their music and here is my current favourite. My favourite album is by far Grave Disorder (with Machine Gun Etiquette a close second). There was a point that I listened to She every day as for my partner to whine incoherently every time he heard it playing.

5. Jack Off Jill

This has been my favourite band for a long time. Thus, I’ve raved on about it enough. Have one of my favourites which I don’t think I’ve presented on this blog before: Angel’s Fuck, Devils Kiss. There are literally no good video’s for this song available for blogger – but it has convinced me that I need to watch all of the Return of the Living Dead films.

6. Babes in Toyland

 Another obvious favourite of mine that I just keep going back to. Honestly, tell me if you want some new stuff. Even though I doubt my audience care too much about my music lists. One of my many favourites is Fork Down Throat. This is a song of which I personally don’t like any of the live versions.

7. Mechanical Cabaret

There will always be a little bit of love in my heart for “technically bleepy music” (AKA electronic) as I almost never refer to it. I fell in love with a particular song by this band from the soundtrack of Gypsy 83. The song being Nothing Special.

8. The Cure

A band that is almost always on my top whatever list. But I have a new favourite song that probably doesn’t get the recognition it deserves in my opinion. That song is Fire in Cairo, specifically the studio demo. I’m really into that raw sound lately. Unfortunately I couldn’t find the right version on YouTube so this Peel Session will have to do – but trust me it’s not even slightly as organic.

9. The Cruxshadows

 I’m not sure if I’ve posted very much about this band – I feel strange referring to them as a band because they aren’t the typical lead guitar, drums, base guitar type of band. They are definitely, like Mechanical Cabaret, not something people tend to think “Oh, that’s a band Sarah would like.” But none the less I find some of their songs very catchy and they’re great when you’re sick of rock driven screaming, melodrama or depressing melodies (which is pretty much everything else I listen to commonly). I’ll now stop blathering and state that my favourite song is Marilyn, My Bitterness (This one’s version 2 but I’ve yet to realise the actual difference).

 Best wishes,
– Sary Walrus

Why Deathrock ISN’T (or wasn’t) a Sub-Genre of Goth

Link

Even a lot of experienced people have made this mistake but I’d like to make the point that Deathrock is NOT a sub-genre of Goth (or at least it hasn’t always been) and it most certainly is not an interchangeable name of Goth Rock. Deathrock and many Deathrockers would suggest that they were a completely separate movement up until a point where a majority of subcultures joined in unison.

As you may already know though it is debated heavily (remembering that debating Goth Rock is not the point of this article) Goth rock progressed from Post-Punk which progressed from Punk in the late seventies in the UK. Such Post-Punk bands include Sioxsious and the Banshees, The Damned and Bauhaus.

Deathrock wasn’t developed from Goth-Rock or Post-Punk but instead developed parallel to it. It developed from the late seventies Punk movement into such bands as Kommunity FK, Christian Death and 45 Grave “known for prominent bass lines, eerie guitar, and dissonant vocals(1)” . While Post-Punk progressed majorly in the UK, Deathrock developed in the US. Primarily in the LA scene.

It was only later (a major example being The Batcave Club) that the two genres combined in events. That’s for obvious reasons as Goth, Deathrock and to some extent Post-Punk (which includes a plethora of genres) didn’t hold a broad enough audience on their own to bring in enough money for said clubs to profit. It’s only natural that they combine like genre’s for broader audiences. Not to mention that these genre’s eventually started to take inspiration from each other as all musicians do.

 Though there is a very large debate that just seems to go back and forth on whether Deathrock was inspired by Goth-Rock and actually started in the early eighties rather than late seventies. I don’t think it really matters. The point is that at one time they were separate genre’s and all genre’s are inspired by other genre’s which doesn’t necessarily mean that they are a brand from that genre. But don’t take my word for it and read up on the controversy. I always suggest making your own opinion on the matter and would love to hear it.

Best wishes,
-Sary Walrus

Other references:
A Brief History of Deathrock – Part 1
Part 2 – Part 3.
 And interesting article on the cross over between Horror Punk, Death Rock and Goth Rock (check the comments! Here.
Then there’s the always exciting Wikipedia here. 
For an example of the annoying arguments on the topic view here. It’s the Wikipedia ‘Talk Page’ archive on the topic where the contributors of the page, well, argue about it.

For the record this was only in discussion of the stylistic music associated with each movement rather than the other contributing factors such as fashion and their interchangeable and/or modern development.