Back in the Day... The Music pages caused me to get a lot of unsolicited emails. (That was back before I learned to take my email address off the top of every page and make it a bit harder to find). First there were a lot of people whining because I'd added a mere two links to Marilyn Manson pages. Hundreds of people had to write in whining that Manson isn't goth and his music isn't goth, etc. I never said he or his music were, but I got a kick out of his "Sweet Dreams" cover video, and I knew a *lot* of honest-to-god goths who were listening to Manson's music. (They just probably never admitted it in public). The link stayed up until about 2002 when I tightened quality controls.
I also got literally thousands of emails from "goth metal" bands wanting to be linked. At first I'd argue with them and try to let them know that Dark Side of the Net can't list every band in the world and specializes in listing "goth" music. I wasn't interested in listing goth metal, which I consider to be in the metal music category. I'm certainly not a music expert or authority, but when making *MY* list of bands *I* enjoy, I wasn't about to add any goth metal bands. Funny thing is, you could usually tell right off the bat (pun intentional) if a band was goth metal just by the font they'd chosen to use for their logo.
Following is a list of some of my favorite bands to listen to. Not at all meant to be a "only these goth bands are good" or "essential listening" list. There's no Christian Death (an extremely popular goth band) linked here, because I honestly just don't listen to their music. Just a peek into what I enjoy listening to while working on Dark Side of the Net.
1. Mediaeval Baebes
I've loved their music ever since their Miranda Sex Garden days. I have only seen them live in concert once, here in Seattle. I intend to change that dramatically this year if they do a US tour. I'd love to see them in several cities.
http://www.mediaevalbaebes.com/
Mediaeval Baebes Facebook Group
2. Ministry
This is what I like to listen to when I drive. I'm surprised I've never gotten a speeding ticket, as their music incites me to drive quite a bit faster. I had to introduce my non-goth teenage cousins to Every Day is Halloween and they were suitably blown away. I haven't played my personal favorite, Hero for them yet, but I will next road trip!
http://www.thirteenthplanet.com/ministry/
The Ministry Movie (Fix), on Facebook
3. The Mission UK
Oh, sorry, I'm old, and back when I became a fan of their music, The Mission was called The Mission U.K., at least over here. I can't count how many times I heard Wasteland played at goth clubs.
4. A Perfect Circle
Not goth, not industrial, but this rock band features beautiful vocals, fantastic instrumentals and dark lyrics. I love Maynard James Keenan's voice.
http://www.aperfectcircle.com/
A Perfect Circle, at Wikipedia
5. Rammstein
Another industrial band that I love to listen to. Not dinner party or background music, that's for sure! Great for listening to at a decent volume when I'm working on webpages at 3am and drinking too much caffeine. Their Ohne Dich video is stunningly beautiful.
6. Siouxsie and the Banshees
When I was a young teenager, I had a friend named Christine. We used to sing Christine to her constantly, teasing her, and she didn't even mind. Love the song, but I have no fucking idea what the weird lyrics mean! Siouxsie and the Banshees had amazingly beautiful, visual theme videos for their time, like Cities in Dust and the overplayed Peekaboo.
http://www.thebansheesandothercreatures.co.uk/
http://www.siouxsiemantaray.com/
Siouxsie and the Banshees on MySpace
Siouxsie and the Banshees at the Covers Project
Siouxsie and the Banshees at Wikipedia
Siouxsie Image Archive at Vamp.Org
7. The Sisters of Mercy
Groan, I know, I know, they're not goth, as Andrew Eldritch vehemently pronounces. But a whole fuckload of goths listen to, love, and even worship their music. My ex-husband and I listened to Lucretia, My Reflection so much, we figured if we ever had a baby girl we should name her Lucretia. (Except my cousin annoyingly claimed it was too close to "Secretion." Sheesh!) Dominion is another favorite of mine, but I could live my entire life without having to hear (and dance to) This Corrosion for the 1,000th time. (Great song, but much overplayed by DJs).
http://www.the-sisters-of-mercy.com/
Sisters of Mercy Facebook Fan Page
Heartland Sisters of Mercy Forums
The Sisters of Mercy at Wikipedia
8. The Smiths
I never quite became a Morrissey fan - I don't own any of his CDs and I wouldn't go out of my way to go to one of his live shows. I respect him, it's just not my style of music. I preferred The Smiths. Girlfriend in a Coma still can make me mist up. As an impressionable vegetarian teenager (though not at all militant or wanting to force my choice on anyone else) I really enjoyed Meat is Murder - catchy tune! And Bigmouth Strikes Again makes me laugh.
http://www.askmeaskmeaskme.com/
The Sound of the Smiths, on MySpace
9. The Swans
Such beautiful music. Michael Gira's low voice just epitomizes the perfect goth singer. Check out The Swans' Love Will Tear Us Apart cover with Jarboe on vocals. And here it is with Michael on vocals.
10. This Mortal Coil
Lovely ethereal music that puts me in a happy mood. They had beautiful videos, too.
This Mortal Coil, at Wikipedia
11. Tool
Another great industrial rock band. I can't tell you how many times I have listened to their CDs on long road trips. It made the time pass by so happily and quickly. And is there anything more amazing than their stop-motion video for "Sober?" and the one for Prison Sex?
12. VNV Nation
I'd never heard of this band until my ex-husband started playing it in the car for me. He didn't have to try very hard to talk me into going to see them in both San Diego and Seattle. Their live show is so much fun! Great energy. "Beloved" has a nice techno beat to it. Their really popular song is Darkangel.
13. Wolfsheim
Once in a while you just need something dark with a little synthpop feel to it. "Find You're Here" really sticks in your head all day, beware or you'll find yourself singing it.
--Carrie Carolin
I hesitate to recommend VNV - The Farthest Star as it probably will get you a speeding ticket, but it's my favourite VNV Nation track and it must be the nearest thing there is to being an 'inspirational' song that Goths might like!
ReplyDeleteAfter the '13 Best...' posts are finished, I hope you'll return to this topic from time to time to tell us your 'Favourite 13 Goth Driving Songs', '... Dinner Party Music', '... Female Vocalists', etc.
Orlando.