Popular Culture Review Vol. 16, No. 1, Spring 2005 | Page 86
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Popular Culture Review
tended to be more artistically inclined as seen in their style of dance and attire.
Industrials were more aggressive and hard-edged. This is seen in the different
types of dancing. In Goth dancing, movements were flowing, dramatic, and
ballet-like (see Photo 1). During Industrial dancing, limbs jerk in geometric
patterns, arms making circles in the air, hands pointed to the sky, and legs
kicking kung fu-like or pounding into the ground (see Photo 2). One regular,
“Delilahh,” referred to Goth dancing as “skulking,” and Industrial as
“stomping.”
Generally, peeps would spend the majority of their time in either the
backroom (Goth) or front room (Industrial) and this was consistent with their
style. In other words, “Dandies” (see Photo 3) were more common to the
backroom, while “Rivet Heads” were more likely to be found in the front (see
Photo 2). However, peeps ventured between each room depending on their
mood (ethereal versus aggressive), or, the music that was playing. To better
understand the difference, in the forums we posed the question: “What is the
difference between Goth and Industrial?” The responses that emerged portrayed
Goth as more introspective, solemn, and gentle while Industrial was “aggro”
(i.e., aggressive), apocalyptic, and energized. Below, some selected responses
that articulate well the difference:
•I have always heard other people call Industrial “Angry
Techno.”
•Goth = flowery pretty shit. Industrial = Stompy aggro shit.
See? Easy.
•Goth rock (esp. Darkwave stuff) is like emerging from a
shelter and finding that the entire world has been destroyed, so
you weep, but suddenly you discover the most beautiful
flower you ever saw, which you had previous overlooked . . .
Industrial rock goes over and stomps on the flower then looks
for radiated mutants to dance on.
•Take chamber music, now add a healthy dash of evil. That’s
Goth. Take electronica, and add two parts evil, and a healthy
mix of the sound of two angry Germans having a fight with a
washing machine full of car parts [That’s Industrial].
•Gothic = Music to pet butterflies to. Industrial = Music to
stomp ants to.
The photographs not only offer a visual representation of the scene at
the research site, but they also corroborate the perceptions expressed in informal
dis cussions and presented in the literature; namely, the difference between Goth
and Industrial. The media often refers to Goth and Industrial synonymously.
However, this categorization is inaccurate and contributes to the
misrepresentation of the cultures, especially Goth.