Major Music Masterpost:Â Goth/post punk/alternative bands
Hello weirdos! A lot of folks seem to be a little lost when first setting foot into the goth subculture and donât know where to go for band recommendations. Hereâs a list of important, influential bands that contributed to the goth subculture - along with several favs - I put together with Dean (angry punk pictured above). In order to avoid classification issues, theyâre categorized by sound rather than specific genre. Keep in mind that this list is personal, and most importantly, ever growing! If you would like to add a band, submit your recommendations to the list here. I would love to have your contributions. So, here we go:
Bauhaus (1978-2008) âBela Lugosiâs Deadâ is a national anthem. Lead singer Peter Murphy has really pointy cheek bones.
Joy Division (1976-1980) Ian Curtis was an energetic dancer, to say the least. âLove Will Tear Us Apartâ and âTransmissionâ are famous songs.
The Sisters of Mercy (1980-present) Andrew Eldritch is not goth, he swears.
The Cure (1976-present) lead singer Robert Smith is a giant cat with red lipstick. He cries on stage and his tears cure cancer.
Cocteau Twins (1979-1997)
Sex Gang Children (1991-present)
Wire (1976-1980) seriously underrated. Would recommend the album âPink Flagâ.
Lydia Lunch amazing female singer. Try the album â13.13â.
Clan of Xymox (1983-present) are you kidding no oneâs voice is this deep.
The Chameleons (1981-2003) has the ability to sound woeful yet jolly.
The Mission (1986-present) âInto the Blueâ is a good start.
Depeche Mode (1980-present) dark and gloomy synths. Known for âPersonal Jesusâ, âEnjoy the Silenceâ, âNever let Me Down Againâ and a billion others.
Fields of the Nephilim (1984-present) vocalist Carl McCoy is a desert cowboy.
The March Violets (1981-present) listen to âThe Botanic Versesâ.
The Bolshoi (1983-1988) start with the album âFriendsâ.
The Danse Society (1980-present) try the album âHeaven is Waitingâ.
The Southern Death Cult (1981-1983) has a song called âFatmanâ. Ian Astbury teamed up with Billy Duffy from Theatre of Hate to create Death Cult which later became The Cult, another band worth checking out.
Play Dead (1981-1985) doesnât like being called goth. Musicians that donât like being labeled? Unheard of.
Corpus Delecti (1993-1998) name means âbody of crimeâ. Just saying.
Nosferatu (1988-present) actual vampires making music.
Mephisto Walz (1985-present)
The Wake pretty sure Eldritchâs cousin is in the video âChristineâ.
Deathrockers and undead punks:
Christian Death (1979-present) founded by Rozz Williams, but faced several line up issues (a second Christian Death featured Valor Kand rather than Rozz Williams). Known for âRomeoâs Distressâ. Start with âOnly Theatre of Painâ then âCatastrophe Balletâ.
Specimen (1980-present)features the cofounder of the Batcave. Best known for âKiss Kiss Bang Bangâ and Johnny Slut being awesome.
Cinema Strange (1994-present) listen to the album of the same name. Known for their acts on stage.
The Deadfly Ensemble similar in feel to Cinema Strange with the same âstory tellingâ aspect.
Voodoo Church (1982-present)
Misfits (1977-present) 1950s horror told by crazy guys with guitars and muscles. Personal favorite album: âStatic Ageâ. Singer Glenn Danzig went on to create Danzig. Also make your day better by listening to the âMonster Mashâ cover.
The Cramps (1976-2009) originators of âpsychobillyâ. Highly original and sleazy with class.
Alien Sex Fiend (1982-present) husband and wife that sound like legit extra-terrestrials. Proof that there is no such thing as taking yourself seriously.
The Damned (1976-present) lead singer, Dave Vanian, is a vampire.
Blood and Roses underrated. Listen to âYour Sin is Your Salvationâ.
The Birthday Party (1977-1983) pretty jazzy. Nick Cave, vocalist, likes to wear suits and release bats from caves.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (1984-present) this guys is so interesting he is set apart from the Bad Seeds and he has a movie.
Virgin Prunes (1977-1986) known for âBaby Turns Blueâ.
The Psychedelic Furs (1977-present) remember the movie âPretty in Pinkâ? Well there. Try the album âPsychedelic Fursâ!
Anorexic Dread (1983-1985) short lived but worth knowing.
Flesh for Lulu (1982-present)
Siouxsie and the Banshees (1976-2002) pronounced âSuzyâ. I know you know, but I didnât at first. âSpellbound, âHappy Houseâ, âCities in Dustâ, plenty to listen to. And, Siouxsie Sioux rocks.
Killing Joke  (1978-present) where do I begin? Do I begin at all? You know what, it doesnât matter if you skip this entire list and just listen to this one band. Iâll spare you the essay and recommend the album of the same name, âLaugh? I nearly bought one!â, âDemocracyâ, âExtremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotionsâ and âPandemoniumâ. More than the sound are the lyrics, the members and the message.
1919Â (1980-present) underrated to the extreme. Similar to Killing Joke in sound and vibe.
Nina Hagen (1971-present) sheâs wicked cool, in sound and style. And also sheâs German.
Type O Negative (1990-2010) American metal band with widely respected singer/bassist, the late Peter Steele.
Witchy or with heavy historical references:
Strawberry Switchblade (1981-1985) Would recommend the album âSerpentine Galleryâ.
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