Popular Culture Review Vol. 16, No. 1, Spring 2005 | Page 85

Goth and Industrial Cultures
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floor; while, in the front, heavy black “boxes”—where peeps could stand atop
and dance—lined the front, back, and one side of the large dance floor. In
addition, in the front room, video projections were shown. Most of the
projections were humorous, satiric, artsy, but all were adult-themed (i.e., sexual
activity and nudity were common in the video projections). The music was loud
in both rooms.
The preferred color of dress was black, but peeps also mixed in various
colors in splashes. Stylistically, fashions were generally consistent with previous
research (Gunn 1999; Hodkinson 2002); however, “pancake” white face make-
up was not as prevalent. Women tended to dress sensually (e.g., corsets,
stockings and garters, low-cut tops, etc.). The men ranged from suits to bondage
pants and t-shirts (or no shirts). Welding goggles were popular in the Industrial
room and Tartan plaid skirts or pants were also sported. A look not reported
elsewhere but seen at the site was a variation on the schoolgirl theme (plaid
skirt, knee socks, white button down shirt, and red tie). Also in style during the
observation period were stockings or knee socks with horizontal stripes
(reminiscent of the type worn by the deceased witch squashed by Dorothy’s
house in Wizard o f Oz). Assorted bondage clothing and accessories were present
(PVC skirts, tops, etc., collars, and an occasional mask). On more than one
occasion, a peep wore a Nun (e.g., see the “Bondage Nun” on the Perversion
flyer), or Priest outfit.
Although alcohol was consumed, no one ever appeared intoxicated to
the point of incapacitation or had to be escorted from the club. The use of drugs
was not observed nor were fistfights. Peeps reported being drawn to the club for
the music, fashion, and overall scene. A “meat market” vibe or mentality was
not present as “hitting on” the opposite sex was not the primary activity, nor
necessarily encouraged. In fact, “Monolith” (a regular) described the scene as
“sexually ambiguous.” This was manifested in the dance ritual, or lack of it.
In many clubs featuring dancing, generally the ritual involves a male
approaching a female and asking to dance. The couple proceeds to the dance
floor, dances, and then there may or may not be further interaction (e.g., talking
or having a drink). This was not the case at the research site. The norm was to
dance singly. Couples dancing was rare, if not non-existent. Dancers, both Goth
and Industrial, were in their own worlds driven by self-expressive catharsis.
Also, not commonly seen at the site was the sexually charged “dirty dancing”
where couples grind against one another or the lap dance variation popular
among mainstream college aged club patrons. However, the few times this did
occur, in every instance, it was a female with a female.
Dandies and Skulking versus Rivetheads and Stomping:
Goth and Industrial are related, but distinct. Although present in the
same venue, Goth affects in music, style, and scene differ from Industrial
affects. What adherents to both genres share is a sense of self-expression. Goths