Goth Chic: A Connoisseur's Guide to Dark Culture

Finally somebody who actually knows what he's talking about. GB obviously walks the walk, and his passion for the subject has enabled him to write a virtually flawless meisterwerk, which should become the standard Goth reference book.This is a first class piece of research, and while I am primarily interested in the musical side of Goth, it was also fascinating to read Gavin's insights into Gothic influences in art, theatre and film.This is so comprehensive that few people should be able to say, "Oi, you forgot to mention..." The Hunger? It's in here. Bauhaus? Yep, a no-brainer. Gavin encompasses even fringe bands and artists, such as camp Cabaret-style vamps such as Marc Almond, punkish Adam Ant (pre and post transition to the Dandy Highwayman) and The Cure, who in my opinion mainly qualify because of Robert's time with Siouxsie. At the other end of Fringe, GB also includes Black Metal/Goth band Cradle Of Filth, whose Her Ghost In The Fog video is a must-see.This modern Goth/Pop Culture classic mentions literally all of my favourite bands, ranging from Bauhaus and Type O Negative, to more melodic Goth acts such as The Mission (UK), Switchblade Symphony (you HAVE to hear Serpentine Gallery), the impossibly beautiful Katharine Blake's Miranda Sex Garden and The Shroud.This masterpiece is also packed with excellent photographs, many of which I have never seen before. I simply cannot fault it.

So imagine you are at this party and you meet this chatty guy who can talk with you about anything. He has met nearly everyone. And anyone he hasn't met, he can tell you what he has heard about them. He guides you through the scene, showing you connections that never would have occurred to you. Somewhere, deep inside you, you feel this yearning to just follow him into the bedroom where he promises to tie you up and drink your blood. Imagine, you can follow him there and not have to go to the clinic or see the doctor afterwords to be tested! In the immortal words of Ed Wood, "Perfect!"

This book was everything that I had hoped for. It delves deeply and thoughtfully into the gothic culture and is always entertaining. The book examines the history of gothic culture and ends nicely with a look forward for the movement with a couple of chapters dedicated to current trends and influential performers making waves today. I really enjoyed this book though I think that newbies to the goth scene will get more out of it because a lot of it was old hat to me. But don't get me wrong it was never a boring read. Totally essential!!

Not exactly what I expected, but good non-the-less.

Excellent book. Came quickly.

If this book claims that Johnny Depp is the best goth actor ever and has outdone all the other actors as the ultimate goth icon, it should at least include a photo of him. Most of the time the photos matched the text, but this kind of indifference happened too many times. That is why I gave this book a three star review instead of four or five. Thank you.

Almost exclusively about gothic culture in movies and art. Title is misleading. Dissapointing.

I don't even remember watching it.

good refernce book

Fabulous book.