Vampires » goth

Come Goth, Come All

Bryce — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:32:53 +0000

Two weeks ago, some friends and I ventured off onto the streets of the concrete jungle (otherwise known as New York City) to celebrate a birthday. We had an entire check-list of things to do and had eagerly anticipated running into local celebrities. However, there was one stop on our route that we couldn’t miss for one reason or another, and that was the Goth night at the Pyramid night club.

A week prior to haunting old watering holes, I was putting together the guest of honor’s to-do list and came across a must-do event thanks to a local website offering all things dark, Gothic, and dead … basically, if I didn’t add Goth night to the list, I would have regretted it forever. And to be perfectly honest, I had secretly wanted to go to a Goth club for some time – win/win, right?

My friends and I first hopped from bar to bar, and even trekked around to search for a refurbished 1920s speakeasy. Then it finally came time to transform into creatures of the night; we had paid our cheap cover of $6.00 at the door and walked through a conglomerate of 80s cheese done up with lights and hand painted posters on black walls.

We walked down the hall then down the stairs to a place where possibilities were endless just waiting for us to take by the horns. DJs Hellraver, Krieg, and Wintermute were spinning the latest and greatest of new wave and dark hits for all to enjoy. My favorite part of the night was the positive attitude that emanated from wall to wall, not to mention inexpensive mixed drinks that could be purchased from a handsome looking Lurch figure at the bar.

Have you ever been to a Goth club? Share your experience below!

- Bryce

Lady Gaga likes to Dance in the Dark

Bryce — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:21:54 +0000

In her music, Lady Gaga sings about dancing in the dark; and along with that comes showing her your teeth, vampire grins and girls named “Baby” who are “vamps.” Call me crazy but I think Lady Gaga might be a vampire! Either that’s the case or she’s just recording a new kind of Goth music.

Personally, I feel it’s a little bit of both. Gaga embraces her freak nature and is certainly not afraid to let her flag fly! With this performer being on the scene for a few years now, I think her music has evolved; you had “Just Dance,” and that was quite bubbly and catchy – her messages and overall themes are getting darker and I say “bring it!”

Vampires of all ages can enjoy this mistress of the monster ball’s music; take for instance the songs “Dance in the Dark,” and “Teeth.” “Dance in the Dark” to me deals with a lonely girl who is misunderstood by her lover; no matter what, she embraces darkness and takes on life with a vengeance. That’s my kind of chick! And aren’t most vampires and those who are part of the Goth community misunderstood in one way or another? Let this song be your life anthem!

The song “Teeth” has to do with ass-kicking and not allowing yourself to take anyone’s s**t; mix in some sex and you’ve got a quintessential Lady Gaga song! In this song, she also asks to be bitten and begs for her loyal subjects to bare their fangs. If her lyrics aren’t sure-fire proof that Gaga loves the vampires of the world, I’m not sure what else will suffice.

Do you think Lady Gaga is a vampire?

- Bryce

Ideology of Gothic Clothing

veritas — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:46:19 +0000

Being Goth is not only a state of mind, but a way of life; it is a heightened state of being often associated with the erotic and morbidity. In order to fully appreciate the lifestyle, one must explore all musical options, read literature written by the masterminds, and of course dress the part. In this piece, we will be discussing where Gothic clothing may have derived from and offer affordable alternatives that you can purchase to sport in this century.

It is said that the Gothic lifestyle as we know it started in the Dark Ages – a world where there was chivalry, knights, maidens and men named Merlin. Most people may associate the lifestyle with the Victorian Era, but that was a time of overall less flamboyancy. However in this day and age, the fads of the Victorians are becoming more and more mainstream on the runways and in our society.

Let us take a look at how you can incorporate the Goth look into your wardrobe without spending a pretty penny:

Men- Although it is easier going for those black trench coats and combat boots, push yourself to dress to the nines instead. Act as if you are Lestat from Interview with the Vampire, and purchase a timeless piece like the Gothic Aristocrat Metal Buckle Tail Coat.

Women- Putting your hair in braids and wearing ripped fish net stockings is cool, but you could be much classier than that. Try purchasing a piece such as the Gothic Victorian Mourning Dress; it is a little bit of the bubbly personality of Lily Allen mixed together with the darkness of Elvira.

How do you see Gothic clothing these days?

- Bryce

Going Goth

veritas — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:46:06 +0000

The gothic lifestyle is shrouded in mystery and darkness. It is also misconceived that people who lead this kind of life act, dress, and live a specific way. I took the time to interview two pupils who take interest in everything Goth, to see if some of the mysticism can disappear from our minds. Here’s what Mac and Danielle had to say…

Do you think that choosing the gothic lifestyle is really preempted with the notion that one has to be depressed and obsessed with death?

Mac: Not really. I think it’s an appreciation for things a bit dark; it’s the comradery of others of your ilk as well as guilty pleasure of the reactions of others.

Danielle: I think being depressed is a popular misconception. Listen to the lyrics of most Goth songs and a lot of it is about celebrating and embracing a sort of dark romanticism. And if you ever go to any Goth dance parties, they are so much fun.

Why do you think vampires are one of the first things that come to mind when you say “gothic?”

Mac: As Dimitri said, “Vampires have an innate sense of style.” I personally prefer lycans, but vamps have passion and tragedy built into their mythology – a perfect fit for Goth.

Danielle: I think it’s because being Goth is all about appreciating the dark side of life. Also in some ways, Goth culture is a revival of old word style and vampires have been around for ages.

Do you feel that being Goth is about depression or about embracing the romantic things in life?

- Bryce

Vampire Subculture: Sanguinarians

veritas — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:31:06 +0000

The vampire lifestyle, or subculture has existed for many years, although it’s been growing over the last few decades. Many believe that the lifestyle has grown out of and stemmed from the Goth subculture, while still retaining elements and mannerisms of those participating in the S/M lifestyle. The two types of vampires in the subculture are psychic vampires, or energy vampires, and sanguinarian vampires. Sanguinarian derives from a Latin term, that means bloodthirsty; so the sanguinarians feed on small doses of human blood. They believe that they need the blood in order to sustain their health. In the sanguinarian division of the vampire lifestyle, there are donors, vampires, and those who practice autovampirism. Autovampirism is the act of drinking one’s own blood.

Other members of the vampire community, or lifestyle, frown on the act of autovampirism because they believe that it possesses no benefits that can be passed to the drinker. It’s also viewed as a type of physical self abuse, by those in the community, and also by the majority of those outside the vampire lifestyle. Other members of the sanguinarian division of the vampire subculture are the donors. Just as the term implies, a donor is a person either romantically linked, or not to a vampire who allows he or she to drink blood from them. Usually no more than a couple teaspoons worth is taken. Often, there will be a vampire/donor contract drawn up to help set the perimeters of the relationship, as well as protect against any wrongful accusations of assault that may occur.

There are other groups, usually consisting of teenagers who claim to be vampires, roleplaying games, and many other media outlets for the vampire of history. Some are debilitating, and dangerous, such as the much debated Renfield’s syndrome while others just healthy outlets for a creative imagination. Vampires have held us, as a species, fascinated, horrified, and romanticised for hundreds of years. A world without them… would be bloodless.

Vampires » goth

Come Goth, Come All

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Lady Gaga likes to Dance in the Dark

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Ideology of Gothic Clothing

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Going Goth

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Vampire Subculture: Sanguinarians

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