GOTH is an entertaining and engaging historical memoir of the genre of Goth music and culture
exploring creative giants like The Cure Siouxsie and the Banshees Bauhaus Joy Division and
many more great bands that offered a place of refuge for the misfits of the 80s and ever since.
Written by Lol Tolhurst co-founder of The Cure this book offers a fascinating deep dive into
the movers and shakers of goth with stories and anecdotes from Tolhurst's personal memories as
well as the musicians magicians and artists who made it all happen - the people places and
events that made goth an inevitable and enduring movement . Starting with the Origins of Goth
Tolhurst explores early art and literature that inspired the genre and looks into the work of
T.S Eliot Edgar Allan Poe Sylvia Plath Albert Camus and more. He also outlines the path of
Gothic forebears and shows how many musicians played in punk bands before transitioning into
goth endeavours. Next he introduces readers to the 'Architects of Darkness' - Bauhaus
Siouxsie and the Banshees Joy Division and The Cure - the godfathers of goth who established
the genre's roots. Following these early bands Tolhurst discusses a group he calls the
'Spiritual Alchemists' consisting of bands like Depeche Mode Cocteau Twins and more who
helped the darkness expand into the culture. He also 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 across music film TV visual arts social media and so much more
finally concluding with 'Why Goth matters!'
