Be Deathrock
Deathrock is American counterpart to the British Batcave scene. It emerged as a horror influenced offshoot of the West Coast hardcore scene in the late 70's/early 80's, and as a result is louder, faster and punkier than the post-punk inspired Batcave scene. Deathrock is usually closely associated with the '77 Punk, Goth, Batcave, Post-Punk, Anarcho-Punk, Psychobilly, and New Wave scenes.
Contents
Steps
- Listen to deathrock music to decide whether or not you actually like it. If you're not already familiar with it, deathrock sounds like a dark and oftentimes humorous mixture of punk, new wave, goth, glam and acid rock. Do not go into a Deathrock club requesting metal influenced artists like Marilyn Manson or Wednesday 13/Murderdolls lest you wish to receive a lot of blank stares - deathrock clubs don't play metal though they do play psychobilly, gothic rock, and '77 punk. Start off with the classic deathrock bands like:
- Christian Death
- 45 Grave
- Specimen
- Sex Gang Children
- Southern Death Cult
- Sexbeat
- Alien Sex Fiend
- Virgin Prunes
- Blood and Roses
- Bonemen Of Barumba
- The Birthday Party
- The Gun Club
- T.S.O.L.
- Rudimentary Peni
- Red Lorry Yellow Lorry
- Burning Image
- Anorexic Dread
- Voodoo Church
- U.K. Decay
- Super Heroines
- The Flesh Eaters
- Phaidia
- The Lords of the New Church
- Kommunity FK
- Theatre of Ice
- The Last Days of Jesus
- Mephisto Walz
- The Naked & The Dead
- Then further expand yourself to modern deathrock bands like
- Cinema Strange
- Christ Vs. Warhol
- Zombie Zex
- Bloody Dead and Sexy
- Tragic Black
- Old Cat's Drama
- Radio Scarlet
- Scarlets Remains
- Red Lipstick Death
- Black Cat Rebellion
- The Deep Eynde
- The Vanishing
- The Phantom Limbs
- Scarlet's Remains
- Justin's Behind
- Antiworld
- Black Ice
- Shadow Image
- Barney the Purple Dinosaur
- All Gone Dead
- Astrovamps
- Acid Bats
- The Proof
- Miguel and The Living Dead
- Deathrockers are huge music geeks, and lovers of obscure bands and equally obscure horror movies (especially zombie movies and supernatural thrillers). They own impressive vinyl collections. Develop a high tolerance towards extremely long and detailed discussion on what to do during a zombie apocalypse and whether you'd be better off owning vinyl, MP3s, tapes of CDs, and be prepared in defend your choice.
- Slowly begin to develop into the aesthetics of the music no matter how macabre it may seem to you. Remember your aesthetics, your body is art hence your attire is to-Do not merely dress for aesthetic pleasing of your friends an peers dress for yourself. Punk is at Deathrocks heart and punk is anti-conformity
- Common punk attire and Mohawks (The common Deathrock variant known as the Deathhawk), Flamboyant make-up and clothes with a cryptic or macabre meaning are great. Leopard print, skeleton bones, and ripped fishnet stockings over your arms and legs (for male and female!) are often the best for the deathrock genre. Black is the main color, but a combination with any dark shade of pink ranging from purple to near blood-green will give that haunting effect for your outfit.
- Develop a satirical sense of humour, everything has a meaning no matter how cryptic it is and that can be used for or against you so you might as well use it for your own means. Political and sociological humor are a must, please do understand politics before stating "Down with the Right-Wing!" at a democratic caucus. Deathrock is unicorns and rainbows and unicorns and rainbows are a dangerous yet intellectual movement so be aware.
- Skepticism is the primary thing one needs to show often to an extreme level and ranging from anti-establishment/post modernism to anti-organized dogma.
- "Develop your meditating and cultivating skills". Deathrockers are at their core absurdists who believe the only things that give life meaning are relationships with others and creating art. So whether it's designing your own deathrock themed blazer, leather jacket, or just making your own band patches and band t-shirts, and possibly decorating your room or apartment, have fun with it and realize that creating things helps give life meaning.
- Go to clubs and experience new local bands and music. Deathrock can be hard to find in some cities, so prepare to visit some goth, punk, Industrial and any horror themed rock concert too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Q-fNRvrFM
Tips
- Funky hair is a must as with flamboyant make-up. Deathhawks, the Deathrock variation of the Mohawk, or any funky colored over the top spiked or natural hair is a must.
- A deathrocker can fit in in both Goth and Punk clubs as with some industrial clubs so keep an open mind while around diverse friends. Whereas a Punk may be too punk for the Goth club and a Goth may be too Goth for a Punk club the Deathrocker often fits it at either!
- DIY the most important thing to Deathrock is DIY. Ultimately Deathrock is a form of punk and punk in itself is a pro-Thespian movement, so make yourself and your wardrobe count and do not give in to the man!
- Follow your heart.
- Art is a must for Deathrock as it is often correlated to the Swiss Dada movement; one does not need to create art but merely contribute to the arts(I.E. Donating to fellow artists, Going to non-profit art expo's, promoting a favorite underground artist and/or writer).
- Know the difference between Deathrock and Death metal.
Warnings
- Remember it is all in fun; do not take yourself to seriously and over do-it with the make-up or attire as you may be labeled as a poseur plain and simple also adding to that do put deep meaning into your attire whether satirical or of a strong political persuasion. You will be respected by you peers if you are not some corporate plastic follower.
