Goth: A History Book

GOTH is an entertaining and engaging historical memoir, a journey through Goth music and culture, and an exploration of a place that offered refuge for the misfits of the 1980s and ever since. Written by Lol Tolhurst, cofounder of The Cure, GOTH is infused with stories from Tolhurst’s personal trove of memories, as well as anecdotes about the musicians, magicians, and artists who made it all happen—a veritable garden of earthly delights for the longtime Goth fan and newcomer alike. Equal parts teacher and storyteller, Tolhurst explores early art and literature that inspired the genre and looks into the work of T. S. Eliot, Edgar Allan Poe, Sylvia Plath, and more. He outlines the path of Gothic forebears and shows how some musicians played in punk bands before transitioning into Goth endeavors. He introduces readers to the “Architects of Darkness”—BAUHAUS, SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES, JOY DIVISION, and THE CURE—and discusses a group he calls the “Spiritual Alchemists,” bands like DEPECHE MODE and COCTEAU TWINS. He tracks the expansion of the genre overseas, from England to New York, Los Angeles, and beyond. Gothic fashion was an important part of the movement as well, and Tolhurst discusses the clothing that accompanied and complemented the music. Finally, Tolhurst examines the legacy of Goth music, and shows how its influence can still be seen to this day.

As thoughtful and thorough as it is utterly bewitching, GOTH is a timeless testament to why Goth matters—and why it always will.