Your Playlist Is Your Identity: The True Gothic of the 70s

How it began?

When people hear the word goth, many immediately picture the 2000s aesthetic: dramatic eyeliner, black corsets, and mall-bought fishnets. But the roots of gothic culture run much deeper — all the way back to the late 1970s, when a new wave emerged from the ashes of punk. This was the birth of gothic rock — moody, introspective, and sonically rich.

In this picture, you can see Robert Smith, the frontman of the most famous gothic band "The Cure", and Siouxsie Sioux, the most well-known woman in gothic rock and the singer of "Siouxsie and the Banshees".

From Post-Punk to Gothic

As the punk movement began to fade, artists started exploring more atmospheric and emotional soundscapes. Post-punk became the perfect ground for what would later be known as goth. It wasn’t just about rebellion — it was about reflection, depth, and mood. This shift gave rise to bands who focused less on political rage and more on existential dread, romantic darkness, and the beauty in the macabre.

 
"Gothic" vs "Goth"

Let’s clear something up. “Gothic” usually refers to a historical style — think mediaeval cathedrals, illuminated manuscripts, and grand, dramatic architecture. “Goth”, however, is a modern cultural and musical movement. It borrows some of that dark romanticism, but it’s built on post-punk foundations, not ancient stones.

 

Sister Genres: Darkwave and Coldwave

Out of the early goth scene grew several hybrid genres. Darkwave blends gothic sensibilities with electronic sounds — heavy on atmosphere and melody. Coldwave, born in late 70s Europe, particularly France, strips it back to icy minimalism, analogue synths and a sense of emotional distance. Both have influenced countless artists across decades.

 

Icons and Origins

Some of the most iconic bands in the scene include:

 

• Siouxsie and the Banshees – Their 1981 album Juju helped define the gothic soundscape.

 

• Bauhaus – Their 1979 single Bela Lugosi’s Dead is often considered the genesis of goth.

 

• Clan of Xymox – Pioneers of the darkwave genre, blending post-punk with
  cold electronics.

 

The Sisters of Mercy, Lebanon Hanover, The Soft Moon, Lycia, Tropic of Cancer, Plastique Noir – all continue to push the genre’s boundaries today.

 

Where it Began?

In 1982, The Batcave nightclub opened in London — the first venue truly dedicated to goth music and style. It became ground zero for the burgeoning subculture, uniting bands and fans alike in a dark, glittering underworld.

 

Beyond the Look

Yes, goth has a look — but style without substance is just theatre. In the original scene, the playlist came first. The music, the mood, the message — that’s what mattered. Black lipstick fades, but the right song at the right moment can haunt you forever.

Here is Lisa Gerard and Brendan Perry, members of "Dead Can Dance" band whose have inclination to folk rock. However, they are a good example of how what fills your head and your playlist matters more than what you wear on the outside.

 

Embrace the Real Goth

If you're tired of the cliché version of goth pushed in the mid-2000s, dig deeper. Explore the roots, the records, the raw emotion of the 70s and 80s. Build your playlist, not just your wardrobe — and discover that true goth was never about fitting in. It was about feeling something different.

Lisa Gerard