gothic

   The gothic subculture flourished in the early to mid 1980s, and took its impetus from the punk and post-punk movements. The anti-establishment attitude of the punks was replaced, however, with a romantic interest in all things macabre. Gothic style was characterized by the wearing of black clothing, elaborate jewellery and make up (often with faces deliberately paled in imitation of a vampiric look) and long, dyed, backcombed and spiked hair. This look was adapted from the icons of gothic, bands such as The Damned, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure and the Sisters Of Mercy. The subculture died out when many of its followers turned to ‘grebo’, a scruffier version of gothic, or to industrial rock.

   SIMON BOTTOM