"Eyes speak no more, heart feel no fear for she can see all."
Would you like to ‘rant’ at Madame Webb? Contact me at: madamewebb@rogers.com
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Is ‘Goth’ dying?
In one word, NO! Goth has always existed in one way or another in the modern world.
Black wearing beatnicks, the Bella Lugosi and Vincent Price fans, the punk gothic, medieval traditionalists, the list can go on. Every year Goths alike will wonder if the scene is getting smaller, will it disappear? There seems to be a ‘goth’ wave that happens every couple of years. Since I’ve been in the scene it started with Bram Stoker’s Dracula and then Interview with a Vampire. Le Chateau came out with its Gothic clothing line. NIN and David Bowie collaborating bringing old and new school Goths together.
Then of course the big explosion from Marilyn Manson. Any young person who was a Goth at heart suddenly wasn’t afraid to wear black lipstick.
This last year the fashion industry came out with the Bohemian look again so angel wing shirts and long skirts could be found everywhere. And of course this summer is pushing a ‘nouveau’ punk look with fishnet clothing and studded belts leading the way.
I have many plans for the future within the Toronto Gothic scene and it is a marketable one.
Tween power – we all know they are the most powerful economic force right now. They have the buying power! This generation is influenced by the Matrix movies, Lord of the Rings, t.v. shows like Buffy, Angel and Charmed. Punk influences this years clothing styles. Emily clothing and accessory products are flying off the shelves. Music groups and videos are becoming darker. Take the new Christina Aguilera video for example. These kids will be coming into their late teenage years and there is not one all ages ‘alternative’ club for them to attend. This has to change!
At the 2002 Toronto Goth Awards, 90% of the crowd was below the age of 18. This is an untapped market my friends!!!
Goths who came out with the Manson craze are now in the working force, most of them getting into computer tech positions. Some of the elder Goths are set in their careers but are bored with what’s out there. New clubs/bars, different clothing, how about a house ware/furniture store catering to the dark at heart?! There is money to be spent people!!!
Enough from me, I could go on and on. Stop working for someone else, open up a café or club. Create a Gothic clothing store, open a Gothic art gallery! The ideas are endless and not that hard to accomplish. I can remember a time in ‘96/’97 when the Toronto politicians wanted to ‘ban’ teens from looking Goth because of an uproar of violence in the states that was somehow linked to the Vampire Masquerade game. Let us show the city that we can be a driving force in society.
