IMPERFECT
music fashion
cultural identity issue
IMPERFECT
music fashion
PART PART
Young people are also able to gain material to construct their identities from listening to music and especially when they pay close attention to the lyrics of songs.
A young person is able to find a certain line of a song which completely sums up how they feel, and this can go towards making them feel more secure in themselves.
Disco Rave pp: 16-20
Neds and “ned culture” are
associated with violence,
particularly in poorer housing
schemes constructed on the
periphery of towns and cities
in the post-war era.
Gothic Beats pp: 7-10
In the late 90s, “cybergoth”
became very popular,
essentially a mix of gothstyle
vocals.
Indie Rock pp: 11-15
Many embrace both meanings
of the word, believing that the
asthetics of the genre and
its means of production are
deeply interwined in the indie
culture.
cultural identity issue cultural identity issue
IN THE LATE 90s, “CYBERGOTH” BECAME VERY POPULAR, ESSENTIALLY A MIX OF GOTH-STYLE VOCALS.
cultural identity issue cultural identity issue
The first goth music grew out of punk, and some of
the early bands were very lively, characterised by tribal
drumming. Things changed in the mid-eighties, mainly
due to the rise of the Sisters of Mercy, probably the most
well-known goth band. The Sisters were characterised
by deep vocals, simple yet prominent basslines, and
simple drum machine rhythms. Unfortunately they
came to typify the “Goth Sound” and too many later
bands followed their example.
Later on, there was some crossover with the Industrial
scene, and a lot of bands now use electronic sounds
as well as the archetypal guitar/bass/drum machine/
vocals and style.
In the late 90s, “cybergoth” became very popular,
essentially a mix of goth-style vocals with a dancey
backing. Whether this is a subgenre of goth, a
subgenre of industrial, or a mixture of both is a vexed
question, but overall the scene seems to lean more
towards the industrial side of things.There is also
a fair bit of “ambient” goth, characterised by subtle
instrumentation and haunting female vocals.
Lyrically, goth tends to be on the doomy side- dark
lyrics and a doomy sound are fairly typical of most (but
not all) goth these days.
The early goths looked similar to punks, except that
the predominant colours were black for hair & clothing
(with the occasional outburst of white, red or purple)
and silver for jewellery. Thus they had ripped clothing,
and even mohicans, though the “Goth Mohican” was
usually black and much wider than the punk version
(shaved at the sides only). They also tended to spout
a lot of fishnet (more usually on the arms for men)
and had a distinctive style of makeup, with very white
faces and lots of black eyeliner (for both men and
women). Hair was usually dyed black, crimped and
backcombed in punk.
At first the hair was usually fairly short for men,
backcombed up, but by the mid-to-late eighties
long black hair became fashionable and it’s now
more usual to see hair long & down than shaved at
the sides & spiked up. Makeup remains an integral
part of the look, but clothing has diversified so that
some now wear clothes influenced by 18th or early
19th century styles whilst others wear PVC, leather
& fishnet. (crushed velvet tends to be another goth
favourite). And some of them wear both, though not
usually at the same time. Black and white remain the
predominant colours, with red or purple still making
an appearance.
This is probably the hardest question any goth could try
and answer, one may as well ask ‘what is society?’ as it
has so many facets it defies any definitive explanation
in this culture.
Goth in its simplest form, is a subculture. A group
of people who feel comfortable within each others
company. There is no specific thing that defines what
you need to do or be to fit into the goth scene (except of
course the implied black clothing). People in the goth
scene all have different musical tastes, follow different
religions, have different occupations, hobbies, and
fashion sense.
Why do people become goths?
Most goths become goths because they have been
spurned by ‘normal’ society because the way they
want to live their lives does not fit in with how most
people are told to live theirs. Goths are free thinkers,
people who do not accept the moral rules of society
because they’re told ‘This is just how it is’ or ‘This is
what God says!’. Rather goths tend to listen to what
you have to say, and make up their own mind. This
kind of free thinking and rejection of dogma earns
only rejection in todays society.
However because of this rejection from ‘normal’
society, goths have banded together to associate
with other free thinkers. This has a beneficial effect
on both the individual and society as a whole. For
the individual they have a sense of belonging,
and friends they can associate with. For society
it removes one more misfit filled with rage from
society’s streets.
This of course is not the case for all goths. Many
goths today are goths for a variety of other reasons.
They like the music, or the clubs are better, they
have goth friends and joined in with them, or they
just like staying up late nights and goths are the
only ones awake to talk to.
The gothic stereotype
Many stereotypes of goths exist these days. It
seems everyone has their own way to define ‘what
is goth’. From the stereotypes based on clothing to
music right up to the stereotypes of all goths being
satanists or part of some kind of cult. Categorically,
all of these are false.
The goth scene is just as widely varied as society in general.
There are many different professions represented in the
scene, from highly skilled professionals like doctors and
lawyers, to tradesman, to technically minded people to
clerical workers. Many different musical tastes exist (and
not all of them goth, there is a HUGE 80’s following
in the goth scene for some reason). The fashion varies
vastly from goth to goth from the traditional flowing
victorian style garments to the buckled and studded style
regalia (also called industrial style, which is often closely
related with goths.
This is the simplest part of the page. Go check out our
Community section over on the left, and use it to find
cultural identity issue cultural identity issue
out whats going on in your local area.
Goths tend to be accepting and open
minded. Just turn up to a club or event
wearing all black and your already in
the goth scene. You’ll pick it up as you
go along (just a hint though, lay off
the vampire comments!).
The gothic sense of humour is highly
developed, and often leans toward
the satirical. Quietly laughing at the
more idiotic and less tolerant factions
of society that seem to think yelling
out of cars at us makes them cooler.
Goths have learned to laugh at
themselves and see society in a much
different light. They have had to, and
it is a trait most would not give up.
Goths have for the most part (not
unanimously of course, but mostly)
dropped all forms of prejudice. Noone
is afraid within the goth scene to come
out as being gay, and noone has to
hide their religion for fear of scorn
from their peers or zealots wanting
to convert them from the arms of
Satan. In fact because of these facts
(and the general lack of prejudice)
the goth scene has a large proportion
of gays/bisexuals, and followers of
non-mainstream religions and views.
This of course is the most important
aspect of gothdom, and why most
goths became goths in the first place,
tolerance.Ah, but this is the beauty of
goths. Most subjects that are taboo in
‘normal’ society are freely discussed
and debated about. Death, religion,
magic, mysticism, and many other
topics that are only roached carefully
outside of the gothic community. Most
goths have realised that fear is only
a reaction instilled in us by dogmatic
propaganda, and once you realise
there is nothing to fear from the topic,
whats to stop you discussing it?
Goths often revel in the fear given to
them by society as a whole. Often the
behavior exhibited by society to them
based on society’s perception of them
from stereotypes, rumour, etc are a
constant source of entertainment.
Of course, most of the rumours are
totally unfounded, goths are people
like everyone else, however when
you already have a reputation, going
for the shock factor is often far too
tempting to see how much society at
large is willing to believe (or deduce)
with only a little encouragement. GOTHS OFTEN REVEL IN THE FEAR GIVEN TO THEM BY SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.
cultural identity issue cultural identity issue
MANY EMBRACE BOTH MEANINGS OF THE WORD, BELIEVING THAT THE AESTHETICS OF THE GENRE AND ITS MEANS OF PRODUCTION ARE DEEPLY INTERTWINED.
cultural identity issue cultural identity issue
Indie rock is a sub-genre of alternative rock that
originated in the United Kingdom and the United
States in the 1980s. The meaning of the term “indie
rock” is contested today by many musicians, fans and
commentators. Most use the term “indie” to describe any
rock music produced by artists working within the network
of independent record labels and underground music
venues that emerged in the United States and elsewhere
in 1980s and 1990s. Others see indie rock as a distinct
genre of rock music with a specific artistic aesthetic, and
care less about the context in which it is made. Many
embrace both meanings of the word, believing that the
aesthetics of the genre and its means of production are
deeply intertwined.
Indie rock artists are known for placing a premium
on maintaining complete control of their music and
careers, releasing albums on independent record
labels and relying on touring, word-of-mouth, airplay
on independent or college radio stations and, in recent
years, the Internet for promotion. However, in the 2000s
many acts with a musical style identified as “indie” signed
to major record labels or their subsidiaries, and began
promoting themselves through more traditional media
outlets. This has led to a further blurring in the meaning
of the term.
So have you heard? Indie rock is the choice of a new
generation! Allegedly! Don’t let the exclamation points
fool you into thinking I’m being sarcastic! Just try selling
iPods or straight-leg jeans without knowing what fresh-
faced guitar band is the hip new thing; just try telegraphing
to audiences that a character on your television show is
quite special and interesting. Stephenie Meyer, author
of Twilight, not often accused of lacking insight into the
hearts of America’s young, just told the world what her
favorite records were this summer-- Grizzly Bear and
Animal Collective among them. (Do you think that’s
awesome, or does it make you want to listen to nothing
but rap mixtapes and noise?) I just read an article by
a pretty likeable 57-year- old who’d decided indie rock
was really interesting, that older people should check it
out, and that Wilco were probably its godfathers. It’s not
just music, either. I don’t know quite when it happened,
but at some point a certain vague strain of “indie”
dropped its last vestiges of seeming weird and became
a commonplace-- sort of like in Britain, where “indie”
has long been synonymous with the normal guitar bands
people find fashionable.
cultural identity issue cultural identity issue
First, you have to get the clothes.
Seeing as you are probably not willing
to throw out your entire wardrobe and
purchase a new one, it might take a
couple months to transition into this
style of clothing. To start out, filter
through your wardrobe and remove
all sweaters, shirts, and sweatpants
with gigantic brand names sewn into
the front. This will make you look like
a walking billboard advertisement,
which is the exact opposite of indie.
So go on, throw them out. Even better,
give them to Goodwill. It is best that you
avoid all brand name stores such as
Roxy, Quicksilver, American Apparel for
America and Superdry, New Look, etc
for Britain. Wear Topshop clothes and
accessories and other boutiques. Also,
get rid of Uggs or Emus. Now, visit your
local thrift store. Some of the best indie
t-shirts and vintage pieces can be found
in these types of shops.
Tops: Vintage band t-shirts, Cardigans,
Sweaters, Knitted jumpers (cable knits
are good) and rugby shirts Bottoms:
Skinny jeans in gray, navy or dull
colours like mustard or olive,Chords in
any color, Neutral skirts with fine details,
Bright leggings or tights, chinos, high
waisted shorts Dresses: Vintage floral
with a peter pan collar, nipped in at
the waist, no sleeves dresses (you know
the ones I mean) are VERY indie. Lace
dresses in cream
Shoes: Old Converse, Chuck Taylors or
Hightops of any kind, Quirky flats, knee-
high boots, comfy slippers for around
the house.Accessories: Pearl or stud
earrings, vintage/different necklaces,
Aviator Sunglasses or Wayfairers,
Buddy Holly glasses, many bracelets
or things to wear around the wrist
such as coloured lace, woolly tights,
knee length socks, hair accessories like
flowers, big glasses and leather purses/
wallets. Outerwear: Trench coats, Shell
suits, Peacoats, Shooting jackets, Duffle
coats. Old who’d decided indie rock
was really interesting, that older people
should check it out, and that Wilco were
probably its godfathers. (That makes
more sense than you’d think.) And it’s
not like charts mean what they used to,
but still: they’re home to the Shins (#2
record), Wilco (three records in the top
10), Arcade Fire (17 weeks), Interpol (24
weeks), and Death Cab for Cutie, who
went to #1-- as in, knocking off Neil
Diamond and being replaced at the
top by 3 Doors Down, that #1-- without
even much changing their sound from
a decade ago. Toward the end of the
1990s the Flaming Lips were the kinds
of weirdos who released an album you
had to play on four different stereos at
once, and now they get considered for
Oklahoma’s state song and soundtrack
moving funeral scenes in Mandy Moore
movies. Let’s not even start on movies:
Natalie Portman said the Shins would
change your life, and she was in the
film Star Wars.
TOPS BOTTOMS SHOES
F I R S T YOU HAVE T O G E T THE INDIE CLOTHESTO WEAR
cultural identity issue cultural identity issue
NEDS AND “NED CULTURE” ARE ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLENCE, PARTICULARLY IN POORER HOUSING SCHEMES CONSTRUCTED ON THE PERIPHERY OF TOWNS OR CITIES IN THE POST-WAR ERA.
cultural identity issue cultural identity issue
Neds and “ned culture” are associated with violence,
particularly in poorer housing schemes constructed on
the periphery of towns or cities in the post-war era. These
lack the social facilities of city centres where former
working-class areas have been redeveloped, and gangs
of bored youths hang around isolated areas drinking
and taking drugs. They are likely to carry knives as part
of a culture of violence leading to Scotland having a
higher murder rate than England, though gun crime is
rare and the murder rate is significantly lower than that
in the United States. slang terms are to “chib”, stab with
a knife or sharp weapon, and “a square go” meaning a
fair fight between two individuals.
One folk etymology for Ned is that it stands for “Non-
Educated Delinquent,” a backronym which arose long
after the word “ned” came into use. In 2003, the Scottish
Socialist Party MSP Rosie Kane tabled a question to the
Scottish Parliament condemning use of the word “ned”,
which she said was degrading and insulting to young
people as it stood for non-educated delinquent.
A study using ethnography as a methodology of linguistic
research found working-class adolescent males in a high
school in the south side of Glasgow deploying a number
of distinct social identities: as well as those identified as
“neds” by themselves and others, pupils were grouped as
“alternatives” (sometimes called “Goths” or “Moshers”)
who enjoyed rock music and wore black clothes, “sports”
who enjoyed football and rugby and wore trainers and
sports clothing, and “schoolies” who generally did not
play sports but played musical instruments. Unlike other
groups, the “neds” socialised in the street rather than
being engaged in the school culture. Each group had
a characteristic way of speaking, and used this to create
social identity. Those in the “ned” category, for example,
lowered tones in words such as “cat”, and extended the
vowels. This in itself was insufficient to identify someone
as being a “ned”, consideration of clothing and social
activities was also needed. Both the “neds” and the
“sports” had an attitude of enjoying engaging in physical
violence, while the “schoolies” avoided violence, but
antisocial behaviour was often only carried out by a
small minority of adolescents, and many in the study
distanced themselves from the stereotypes. The “ned”
group were just as concerned about violence and crime
as the others.
UNLIKE OTHER GROUPS, THE“NEDS” SOCIALISED IN THE STREET RATHER THAN BEING ENGAGED IN THE
S C H O O L
cultural identity issue cultural identity issue
The BBC reports that Glasgow’s
tourist chiefs have hit out at a guide to
Glasgow which claims the city remains
blighted by violence, deprivation and
unhealthy lifestyles.
Although this is all perfectly true,
tourist chiefs are said to be dismayed
that after years of successfully telling
bare faced lies in order to attract
poor tourists to the city and it’s
surrounding slums, that all their hard
work has been outdone by this more
‘realistic’ report. The guide warns
visitors to expect poor weather (true),
sectarianism (true) and alcohol and
drug abuse in its deprived suburbs
(true), all of which are likely to put
tourists off coming to the city. They also
comment on the traditional Glasgow
lifestyle, with its high consumption of
alcohol, tobacco, fried food, sugar
and salt, is notoriously the least
healthy in Europe.
The tourism chiefs hit back claiming
that Glasgow is now “one of the
world’s leading tourist cities” (false).
I’m sure London, New York, Paris,
sectarianism. You can almost be sure
that you’ll see a deprived suburb. You
can be certain that you’ll need to eat
some terribly unhealthy food. You
can be certain that you’ll find a pub
that you like. You might even enjoy
it. But you probably won’t experience
any world class cultural activities and
you can be 100% certain that you’ll
experience the scourge of the neds.
So if you don’t like the sound of that
kind of thing, Glasgow probably isn’t
for you. Simple.
Barcelona, Berlin…(100 more)…
Manchester etc. are quaking in their
boots because of neds.
But one thing that both the tourist
chiefs and the Thomas cook guide
to Glasgow have in common is that
neither of them give any mention
to the most important and relevant
menace facing tourists in Glasgow…
the common ned. Both bodies fail to
acknowledge that these loathsome
creatures will actively attempt to ruin
any tourist trip to the city. While tourists
may easily avoid the sectarianism,
alcohol and drug abuse and the
deprived suburbs, they have little to
no chance of avoiding the neds. Well,
that and the crap weather.
So tourists, don’t listen to the Glasgow
tourist chiefs and don’t listen to the
Thomas Cook guide to Glasgow.
Listen to this…if you come to Glasgow
you can almost be sure the weather
will be rubbish. You can almost be
sure that you’ll see a poor person with
a drug or alcohol abuse problem. It’s
less likely that you’ll experience any
cultural identity issue
IMPERFECT
music fashion
N E X T I S S U E
OUT APRIL 6TH