WOZQ Graveyard Shift

POC in Goth/Punk/Alternative Music Masterpost

As an addition to the goth/post-punk/alt band masterpost, here’s a list of bands featuring members of color. Most are influential, others new discoveries or future freak gods. As there is definitely room for expansion, feel free to make suggestions.

P.S: thank you erato-tia-tuatha and babybatsy for recently contributing to the previous masterpost, your additions will be up shortly. A huge high-five for doxian, coffadwriaeth and tillh for your help with this one!

Goth, dark or industrial:

Creature Feature - Erik X is an evil composer and organ player with a special gift for raising the dead.

Plastique Noir -the Brazilian band that made the song “Empty Streets” that’s just too dark to handle.

O. Children - contrary to popular belief, Tobi O’Kandi is not, in fact, a black reincarnation of Ian Curtis.

Thrill Kill Kult - sick industrial band with several poc members.

Punk:

Bad Brains - why most of the bands on this list even exist.

Death - not to be confused with the metal band of the same way. Not that you could confuse the members in any way.

Rough Francis - founded by the sons of David Hackney of Death.

Pure Hell - afropunk taken literally.

X-Ray Spex - Poly Styrene was the energy and feel of the band. Actually, she was just energy and feel period. Fun fact: she was also bipolar.

Radkey - Rad.

TMGE - Japanese band named “Thee Michelle Gun Elephant” or as they prefer: JAPANESE BAND NAMED “THEE MICHELLE GUN ELEPHANT”.

Tamar Kali - powerful musician, especially known for “Boot”.

The Objex - Feloney Melony’s got a wicked hawk and voice.

Stiffed - Santi White now performs solo as Santigold.

Metal or funk/rap/reggae metal fusion:

Blasphemy - Black metal, the biggest irony on earth as Caller of the Storms remains one of the rare black musicians within the genre.

Babymetal - this Japanese trio is more metal than a viking woman on her period in the middle of a battlefield drinking the blood of her enemies to the sound of Immortal…for some at least.

Wicked Wisdom - Will Smith’s wife get a band?? Yes she Will.

Unlocking the Truth - these 13 year olds played in the streets of NYC before they opened for Living Colour.

Absolace - amazing metal from Dubai.

Living Colour - better than Dead Monochrome.

King’s X - more hard rock, but hey.

Bionic Jive - one of the better hip-hop/metal fusions.

Skindred - check out the album “Roots Rock Riot”.

Alternative or too cool to label:

Bat for Lashes - Natasha Khan’s songs are ethereal.

Skunk Anansie - Skin is a fierce woman with a fierce voice. Also, her eyes will pierce through your soul.

Fishbone - literally unclassifiable: ska, punk, crazy cool…

Dub War - often likened to Skindred. Not because the singer has dreads or anything. Or because it’s the same guy.

The Slack Republic - fairly new (2005), looking forward to more.

Poly Styrene, X-Ray Spex. CBGB’s, New York. March 1978. Photos by Ebet Roberts.

PONKERAS MAKING WHITE BOYS IN THE BAY CRY.

(Taken at Fed Up Fest Fundraiser and Manic Relapse)

Photos by Oscar Gutierrez

Asian Retro Esther Wong was born August 13, 1917 in Shanghai, China, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1949. After fierce initial resistance, she became a punk rock and New Wave music promoter. She got started in the early 1970s as the owner of “Madame Wong’s,” a Los Angeles Chinatown restaurant with a floorshow—originally at 949 Sun Mun Way, located in the original 1938 Rice Bowl restaurant. - Wikipedia

Madame Wong’s morphed into a power-pop palace with bookings more influenced by a now-interested Wong. Notable bands that she showcased included a “who’s who” of rock music, including The Knack, The Police, The Motels, Fishbone, The Go-Go’s, Naughty Sweeties, Oingo Boingo, Los Illegals, Candy, Guns N’ Roses, Black Flag, Fear, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Twisters, and The Ramones. Eventually this led to her nickname, the “Godmother of Punk.”