Now I first fell in love with this funky fluffy accessory way back when I was in a child’s body.  At raves and parties I would always admire the sweet, kooky, brightly coloured, heavily adorned and accessorised “Cyber Goths” who never failed to inspire me with their creativity and unique appearances.
Now as I am in a grown up lady’s body and living on a small, remote island while I raise children of my own, the scenes of raves and parties are but a distant fond memory brought back to the forefront of my mind whenever I hear the early choons of the Prodigy.  
That doesn’t mean I can’t still find some occasion to get my funk on … And such an occasion was on hand for me recently when I cheered on my kids (and their school house) in their races as their School Swimming Carnival.

Cyber Punky Mum

Now as you all know each house is usually represented by a name and a colour.  As our school is relatively tiny, we have only two houses ~ The Redbacks (named after the highly venomous Australian Redback Spider) which is represented of course by the colour Red. And the Scorpions which are represented by the colour Green.

On days such as this, friendships are divided for the day as the children and their supporters focus their energies into their respective houses of either Red or Green.

We are Redbacks!

Redbacks

Now as I’m one of those people who very rarely stray too far from black when it comes to clothing, finding appropriate ways to show my support for my team always brings a little sparkle of inspiration to me.
This year I decided to pull out my funky fluffy leg warmers and cheer my kids on as any good cyber punk mom would.

 It was a really fun day!
I am very proud to report that the Redbacks kicked some serious Scorpion ass that day and although I must give all credit to the super swimmers in the Redbacks, I’d like to believe that my small involvement of support by wearing my teams colours inspired and contributed some team spirit which drove us first to the finishing line.

Yay Redbacks!

Team Colours ~ Cyber Punk Style

You can buy your Fluffy Leg Warmers in your own teams colours to show your support in the most funky way at the Goth Clothes Shop
For The Best Alternative Clothing and Footwear

Wicked Gothic, Funkiest Punk, Coolest New Rock & Rockabilly and Emo To Die For

It’s our First birthday this month! OMG! We’re nearly ONE!

That’s exciting! And we’re so glad You’re here with us because you’re what it’s all about.

Looking back over our aims and goals when we set out to achieve this store, the intention has always been to make you happy.

So we intend to keep it that way ~

~As that is what’s important to why Goth Clothes functions and we’re grateful we’ve got you to share it with

On that note; Let’s introduce the giveaway ~

The Giveaway!

~ We have one of these luscious, freaky bags to give away to one of our Darklings

Black Body Bag

♥ Who ever comes up with the most creative and coolest way of getting our Goth Clothes logo & URL in front of as many eyes as possible. Evidence to be emailed to info (at) gothcothes.com.au or published on the Goth Clothes FaceBook page.

Entries open until 2359 of Wed 29^th Feb 2012.

Rules ~

• Goth Clothes do not concede any hacking, spamming or any illegal activities.  This type of entry will be banned.
• All entries submitted permit Goth Clothes all rites to media republication of the submitted material.
• Winning entry will be chosen for its merits by Goth Clothes and the decision will be final.

Fly Now My Pretty’s! Fly! Fly!

Goth Clothes:  Please tell us a little about you and how you spend your days.
 
Miss Massacre: I’m Kara, a 26 year old misfit with bright pink hair and a heart of gold (ok maybe I’m exaggerating..)! I’m a makeup fanatic and especially delight in special fx.. I demand MORE GORE!  I’m a gamer, animal lover, baker and a self proclaimed glue-gun Goddess.. seriously, give me a glue gun, some string, a few pieces of gum and I’ll make you a fancy top hat. I try to make the most of my time, I divide myself between the things and people that matter most…. my blog, family, hobbies and of course my boy toy!

Goth Clothes:  We’re having a tea party for you and 12 guests.  Where will we gather, who will be there, what’s on the menu and what are you wearing?

You’re invited to Miss Massacre’s Twistedly Twelve Tea Party! The theme is simple “Dressed to Kill”, don your most over the top attire and come ready to have a bitchen time.

Among the fabulous attendees are Marie Antoinette, Martha Stewart, Gentlemen Chogath, Emilie Autumn, Betsy Johnson, Shakespeare, D* Cyber Punk, Alexander Skarsgard, Louis CK, American McGee’s Mad Hatter and Tim Gunn

Where: We’ll meet at dusk in Marie’s private garden where an elaborate table display awaits you. Should you have trouble finding us through the hedge maze, just follow the blue roses…

The Menu: Absinthe cocktails, at dinner we will dine on fillets drizzled with a delicious red-wine reduction and garlic mash. For dessert, a variety of mini pastries, chocolate lava cakes and other sugary confections created by yours truly. After dessert I’ll temp your taste buds once more with a special concoction called bleeding hearts! tip it back and let the vodka, cranberry and amaretto take you over… mmmm (tea.. Miss Massacre style).

If you promise to come looking extra audacious, then I shall do the same! Head to toe goth glamour is my inspiration…. I would start with a so tight I can hardly breath corset, super poofy tulle tutu, argyle tights, sexy yetis and black chucks… to complete my look, dark red nail polish and a tilted tiara to top it all off!

Goth Clothes:  How would you define Gothic Style? 

Miss Massacre: I don’t consider myself “Gothic”, but I do adore Goth fashion, art and find the whole culture very inspiring. When I think of Gothic style, so many words come to mind: creativity, exciting, mysterious, invigorating, vibrant, dramatic, sexy, dangerous… The word Goth has so many meanings for me and I don’t just see a piece of dark clothing or black hair… Goth can be very beautiful and seeing someone live by their own terms is quite special. To love who and what you are despite what people might think is extremely powerful.

Goth Clothes:  What is your naughtiest indulgence?

Miss Massacre: As if I have just one… Sweets, glitter, pink hair dye, costume jewellery, mindless television, video games, dubstep, gossip and so much more!

Goth Clothes:  What is your most redeeming feature?

Miss Massacre: Without a doubt, kindness. I’m not perfect, as generic as it sounds I try hard to be a good person… at the end of the day I have to live with me haha. I love hard and once you’re in my circle you aren’t allowed to leave (just try, the more you squirm the tighter those chains get teehee). I try very hard to make people feel as special as I know they are and I like to think I’m a good listener.

Goth Clothes:  If you could make over any celebrity, who would it be and how would you have them look?

Miss Massacre: No shortage of difficult questions huh? I think I’d go with Liv Tyler she’s stunning, but always so minimal. If I were to make over Liv, I would give her an androgynous Victorian vampire look with a sprinkle of Steampunk! Her wardrobe would consist of various fabrics such as velvet, lace, leather and fur… overkill? I don’t think so! I would be sure every detail was perfect, including curling up her gorgeous dark locks, adorning her fingers with over sized rings and of course adding some wicked lipstick…  I’d throw in some fangs and knee high leather boots, then give her the last invite to my VERY exclusive party.

D* Cyber Punk would like to say a big fat “Thank You” to Miss Massacre for the invitation to her Tea Party and all the smudgy black kisses.

You can stalk Miss Massacre at her own website where you too can learn how to create ghoulish and gory special effects makeup, check out the coolest reviews of all the fab products Miss Massacre puts through their paces, or just admire her amazing, flamboyant creations. Follow Miss Massacre on Twitter and check her out on FaceBook.

That’s what makes the range of Goth Clothes Cyber Goth Goggles so uber cool ~ each pair come with a bunch of imagery and colour inserts which allow you to create a billion different styles.

Cyber Goth Goggles have got to be one of the coolest, freaky fashion accessories a Cyber Punk can have. With 160 cyber freaky images to combine with 18 colour inserts you can create whatever look you like to go with which ever funky style of outfit you wish to wear.

For the serious and not so serious Steampunks amongst us, may I introduce the Steampunk Goggles which come with either Steel or Brass spikes depending on your school of thinking.  The 78 inserts comprise of various designs including clocks, cogs, compass faces, bio hazards, bugs and plenty of other steampunk images to combine with your latest steampunk outfit.

The Mega Spike Goggles are a must have accessory for the Cyber Goth who loves shiny, spiky things (who doesn’t?).  With 60 weird and wonderful Cyber Goth images comprising of skulls, cyber hazard symbols, barcodes, bullets, circuits and 20 colour filters you can create a billion different combinations to suit any kind of hair and outfit you can think of.

And last but not least may I present the Cyber Goth surgical mask. I don’t know why I love these so much… I just do.  They’re funky.

Living on a remote island means I have to fly at least six times a year and there is nothing more I dislike than being stuck in a small, enclosed space with a bunch of strangers sharing the same circulated air over and over again.  I do, however love that I can line my mask with an essential oil blend on a tissue, stick it on my face and shut off the world until I reach my destination.  Ever so practical while always super cool

For all the coolest cyber goth clothing, cyber goth wear, cyber goth masks, cyber rave goggles, cyber goth goggles, cyber goth gear, cyber goth, rave masks, rave goggles and cyber punk goggles check out Goth Clothes where we just love to make you happy.

There is nothing particularly glorious about this night but it is rather dark (night time usually is!) and I am feeling the love right now so that’s how this entry shall exist.

Well, it’s been a while since I shared my memoirs with you, Dear Reader.  A lot has been happening in my life and that is just the way I like it.

Dry season in the tropics always brings out the devil in me!  It’s the constant array of parties, socials and soirées that come about with the magnificent weather.   

As much as I do enjoy being bad, I have begun to pack away my horns of late as I head down the path of being a good girl.  I have decided it’s time for a change. I have dyed my hair from blonde to black and rolled over in the same leaf.  The Jamesons has left the kitchen, I have packed away my pipe, my afternoon coffee has been replaced with a proper lunch and I am getting back into “shit-hot-shape” again after nearly way too long at being bad! 

Aaaah but it’s so much fun to be bad!  I must admit, it’s been a slow going process ~ this getting back to being good…  It’s taken me a couple of weeks to even get to this point and I must confess, I did digress a little this weekend!  A little ice-cream here, a little puff there, a beer on Friday and a few lollies now and then.  Oh yes, and those two pieces of birthday cake I had this weekend at the two kids birthday parties my wee’uns were invited too.  I’m one of those parents who will definitely have a piece of birthday cake “Thank you!” ~ actually, now that I think about it, I’m the only parent I know who will definitely have a piece of birthday cake!  I am a cake eater, I admit it! I love cake.  This weekend I had a piece of chocolate cake and a piece of ice-cream cake.  The ice-cream was at that amazing point where it’s right in the middle of ice and cream ~  oooo yum!  And that chocolate cake was pretty good too I must say!  My only complaint was the tiny weeny size of my piece!

OK, enough of cake ~ time to talk of good things and health kicks and being fit, feeling well and looking shit hot!  So, time for bed (as I cough up bits of ash from my lungs) as I must get up early and begin my serious training for I will look shit-hot by my birthday!  I hereby commit to my training regime and will let you know by my next entry how I am progressing.

Aaah, but it was a fun weekend!   Thank Goth for weekends

Punk you for reading.

V-Creeper Coffin Compartment Shoe

Take the uber cool V-Creeper shoes, for example ~ The V stands for Vegetarian / Vegan so if you’re a freak like me who doesn’t eat animals or like my sweet friend Razor Candi who doesn’t eat anything derived from our animal friends at all, you can rest assured that your conscious will be clear as you walk your weird ass Vegan / Vego path.

The entire range of V-Creeper shoes are made from non animal derived products (leather free) and are a quality shoe certain to rock you on the dance floor of life.  What’s more reassuring than that!

V-Creeper Coffin Compartment Shoe

Not only do these V-Creepers come clean in the consciousness factor, they also contain a very cool, not widely known secret compartment… The secret Coffin Compartment hidden inside the sole of ever single V-Creeper shoe!  Betcha didn’t know about that little beauty!

This sly, yet deliciously dark little secret compartment measures about 6.5 cm long, is about 2 cm deep and is approximately 2.7 cm across its widest part.  Perfect for stashing all kinds of little treasures!  It’s got me wondering, what did Demonia have in mind when creating this  little smugglers den? 

V-Creeper Coffin Compartment Shoe

You can get the entire range of super cool V-Creeper Shoes at your favourite Goth Clothes store ~ where we just love to make you happy!

Goth Clothes: Please tell us, how did you first discover your talents as an artist and how have you developed your talents over your journey?

Screaming Demons: I became aware that my drawing and painting were getting me unwanted attention from other pupils when I was about 10 years old; you know how they display your paintings in corridors at school.  Lots of people knew who I was because of my art; this was not always positive attention.  So naturally I attended an art course after leaving school.  After completing the two year course I got a job in a Landscape Architects Office.  Drawing trees and plans didn’t interest me at all, but at least I was getting payed to draw.  After 2 years the formality of the office environment became too much for me and I left.  I spent years drifting in and out of mundane jobs (mostly out) but I always kept drawing and selling art, it was mostly caricatures and cartoons.  At 24 I got my first tattoo and I knew from then I wanted to be heavily tattooed, so I got myself a tattoo gun and started tattooing myself.  I wasn’t interested in becoming a tattoo artist, it was about changing myself.  I’d always looked ‘alternative’ but now my appearance was a little more permanent.  At the same time I was piercing myself, most of my 30 piercings are visible so by now another office job was out of the question.

For the first time since I left college I started to paint again, these were large fetish fantasy paintings.  I had a regular slot at a fetish club, showing my paintings once a month. The next project was taking on the mammoth task of the graphic Novel; it was a dark tale of lust and horror.  The main character is called Zelta – she was a very sleazy Gothic Girl who used and abused everyone around her.  I sold it in local gothic clothing shops and comic book shops. Zelta was seen by Mark Berry who started up Naked Magazine, I illustrated for Naked for a couple of years.  It was while watching Mark manipulate my drawings that I became interested in digital art.  It took me few days to grasp the basics (and I’m still learning). Pretty much everything I do now is digital, I regret not trying it earlier.  Over the last couple of years I’ve been producing a lot of images for clothing and more recently CD covers.

Goth Clothes: Do you tattoo anyone else other than yourself?

Screaming Demons: I have only ever tattooed one person and that was my wife. I tattooed some stars on both her feet, I was very nervous but it went well and we’re both pleased with results.

Goth Clothes:  Can you tell us about your life experiences that have influenced your creative style and in particular, some of the creations we see in your portfolio?

Screaming Demons: I’ve always been into alternative music and fashion, I was scruffy  black clad teenager with heavy black eyeliner – trying  to make myself look dead ,  I think the  teachers thought I was a drug addict. I also used to draw on my body with a marker pen, a sign of things to come. I always attended gigs clubs and bars where the black clad pierced and tattooed go.  Later in life I started to go to tattoo conventions.  I think all these things have influenced my art and of course my lifelong love affair with horror films. All these things have a heavy influence on my artwork.

Goth Clothes:  Your current artistic style frequently focuses on the traditional “Pin Up” form with gorgeous girls featuring as your primary subjects. Can you tell us where you get your inspiration for these creations and do you base your girls on real life models?

Screaming Demons: I was always watching the old black and white films when I was young, so I’ve always had a soft spot for that vintage look, when you match it with tattoos – it looks great!  No they’re not based on real people; they’re almost cartoon like with impossibly slim waists and large breasts, huge eyes with tiny noses that you only find in Hollywood.

Goth Clothes: Your creations would definitely not be described as “mainstream” art.  How do you find the general population reacts to your work?  

Screaming Demons: The general public don’t get to see much of my art – I know where I’m not wanted – Haha.  I try to deliver it directly to the people who might be interested, but when the general public do see my artwork   the words ‘ weird ‘ and kinky’ are often used.

Goth Clothes:  Do you find you generally attract a specific genre of followers?

Screaming Demons: yes, extremely intelligent and good looking!

Goth Clothes:  If you could wrap up this genre in a portrait, what would the subject look like?

Screaming Demons: Big boots, pierced up, tattooed and heavy drinkers - much like me.

Goth Clothes:  What tools do you use to create your works and can you please give us a little bit of understanding of the process involved in how it all happens?

Screaming Demons: It goes something like this, I find an image in a magazine that I like because of the lighting or the pose, then I change it to my style so that the first stage becomes pointless. I’ll do a pencil sketch and then scan this in and paint in Photoshop. I often have only a vague idea of what I’m doing and then picture kind of evolves through ruthless editing and useful criticism from my wife.

Goth Clothes: Many of your works have a “Horror Film” influence to them ~ What is your favourite scary movie?

Screaming Demons: The horror film I’ve seen the most times is ‘American Werewolf in London ‘ by John Landis – the script is great and the effects were groundbreaking.

Goth Clothes: Tell us more about the novel Zelta ~ How did this novel come about in your life?

Screaming Demons: Zelta is a story about a tattooist guy who gets involved with a very seedy character called Zelta. There’s a lot of drink, drugs and strange visions. Most of it is set in bars and clubs and creepy old churches.  I wrote and drew it myself.  I remember getting a little frustrated not being able to find the sort of art I wanted to see in comics or graphic novels, so I decided to produce my own.  It took me three years to complete and I think I learned a lot. The story was a vehicle for the images I wanted to draw, so it’s full of voodoo girls, demon nuns and lesbian vampires. I’m planning to upload the whole thing onto my new website in five bite size chunks.

Goth Clothes: Where do you get your best ideas?

Screaming Demons: I always keep a little black book nearby in case inspiration strikes for a new T-shirt idea. Daydreaming on sunny afternoons in my living room seems to work best for me; all my night time dream ideas turn out to be mystic turds.

Goth Clothes: It’s probably as stupid as asking a mother which is her favourite child but do you have any creations which are your favourites?

Screaming Demons: That’s easy, it’s always the latest one, but the love affair is quickly over and I move on.

Goth Clothes: What is the question you are most often asked? 

Screaming Demons: In regards to my art, its “Why do your female figures have cuts and bruises?”  And the answer is simple; I’m just trying to make them appear more human. Digital art can look cold and sterile; this is me trying to combat that and now I suppose it’s a bit of a trademark.

Goth Clothes:  What do you consider to be the essential elements of Gothic style?

Screaming Demons:  A balance of beauty and horror – and black, lots of black.

Goth Clothes:  If you could be an apprentice to anyone in the world (fictitious or real, from any place, any time) for a whole week, who would it be and why?

Screaming Demons: I would liked to have been on set  with film director Stanley Kubrick whilst making ‘The Shining’, I’ve studied this film frame by frame and I love the way every shot is perfectly balanced – like a mini masterpiece. I consider it to be the creepiest film I’ve seen and the music is amazing.

Goth Clothes:  In a quiet corner of your day, when your time is completely your own, where are you most likely to be found and what would you be doing?

Screaming Demons: It’s really boring, but I’d be surfing the web – looking for an inspiration tattoo design or hoping to discover an amazing new band. 

Goth Clothes:  If you had to set your alarm to wake you up super early tomorrow morning, what music would you choose to wake you up?

 Screaming Demons: At the moment it would be ‘Trapped Love’ by the Cramps from their ‘Flamejob’ album.

Goth Clothes:  Who or what is your nemesis?

Screaming Demons: Anybody in authority who thinks they should control my thoughts and actions. 

Goth Clothes:  What most endearing quality?

Screaming Demons: My wife says I’m more willing to change than anyone she’s met. My philosophy is that it’s easier to change yourself to fit the world, than it is to change the world to fit you – keep yourself fluid.

Goth Clothes:  What aspirations or goals are you aiming to achieve within the near future?

Screaming Demons: I’m in the midst of co-designing my new website which I’m very excited about. I’m going to be selling prints and clothing, having competitions to win my art and uploading a hundred page graphic novel. I’d love to see my novel turned into a film or even to see it in print would be great. Otherwise I’d be happy to carry on designing more cool clothing and a few more CD/ album sleeves would be good.

Goth Clothes: Have you any tips for any aspiring artists out there in the alternative art world?

Screaming Demons: I don’t think I’m at a level of success to be handing out advice, but I’ll say this …I started to have some success when I gave up trying to please other people and just did what I loved doing, that’s when things started to happen for me.

Goth Clothes would like to pay a big fat “Punk You” to Screaming Demons for rescuing D* Cyber Punk from the lost children’s tent at the Glastonbury Festival.  You can see more of Marcus Jones’s amazing works on his website Screaming Demons, check our his Deviant Art Portfolio and follow him on Twitter for all the latest news on how his hang over is today.

The French are credited with the emergence of the modern striptease in the 18^th century when scantily clad women dancing for the entertainment of the male aristocracy became popular at clubs such as the Moulin Rouge.  The US version of striptease began in Vaudeville and Burlesque style performances in which the showing of naked breasts was outlawed ~ hence the very popular nipple covers we now refer to as “pasties”.

In our modern day western culture, the art of striptease with the added prop of the pole has now transformed to that of an act of exercise now very much combining elements of gymnastics, dance, theatre and acrobatics in the way of modern pole dancing performances.  As pole dancing increases in popularity, pole dancing for fitness (excluding the sexuality) has taken over the world as a favored “fitness” pastime and with this new industry, recognized schools and qualifications have developed.  But, what’s the point I ask you? Let’s get back to the REAL reason we all came to the pole in the first place… We didn’t come here to get fit, we didn’t come here to learn how to spin around and build our core strength… No,no, no! We came here to TEASE!  And what is tease without sexuality!  What is sexuality without High Heel Shoes!

These Stripper Shoes Have Light Up Heels and Platform Soles

There is something about high heel shoes that defines Femininity.   Perhaps it’s the elegance of the arc of the foot which adds to the allure, or is it the effect of vulnerability and apparent difficulty caused by the shoe which makes one look quite unable to make a fast escape. Whilst strippers and pole dancers are alluring to look at, it is in fact the high heel shoes that makes them stunningly beautiful. It all comes down to attention! High heel shoes and platform heels are attractive.  They add sensual curves to the calves, elongate the legs, make the simple act of walking look fabulous and add to the allure of the wearer with the many sensational styles available.  The sexier one looks, the better she (or he) feels and the more attention she gets!  High powered business women wear high heels as a sign of distinction, prostitutes wear high heels as a sexual stimulator and dancers wear high heels to enhance the sexuality of their performances.

Tip Jar Shoes. So Hot and Super Cool To Collect Your Shoe Money In!

Stripper Shoes are often worn for pole dancing performances or pole fitness lessons ~ for this reason they are also know as Pole Dancing Shoes. Whether you’re pole dancing in a club or attending a class for exercise, the stiletto heel provides extra grip to stick to the pole and perform pirouettes, whilst adding extra length to your legs which make your tricks look more sensational.

Be the Centre of Attention in These Strobe Light Shoes

Today women wear high heels to assert their sexual identity.  Not only do high heels make a woman look stunningly beautiful, high heel shoes enhance a woman’s posture, making her body appear more curvaceous as her pelvis and bust is forced forward to compensate for her shift in balance. Her legs seem longer, and her way of walking becomes sexier.

So if you like the idea of discarding one item of clothing at each of the seven gates of the underworld, or perhaps you are drawn to dance of the seven veils, or maybe you are just a dangerous female of seductiveness! Get yourself into a pair of Stripper Shoes or Pole Dancing Shoes for a performance, to strut your stuff around your bedroom, to stand out from the plebs in your office, to assert your sexual identity or to just look awesome while you walk to the tea room!  Whatever your reason, Goth Clothes has all the best Stripper Shoes and we just love to make you look fabulous!

Natasha Scharf by Taya Uddin, jewellery by Alchemy Gothic, hair colour and make up by Manic Panic

Goth Clothes: Hi Natasha, congratulations on achieving yet another dream ~ the publication of your first book!  And what a first book it is!  Can you tell us a bit about ‘Worldwide Gothic: A Chronicle of a Tribe’ and have you included anything about us Aussie Goths?

Natasha Scharf:  Thank you! The book is very different from anything that’s been done before and that includes its structure. It’s basically set out into three sections that roughly equate to the ’70s/’80s, ’90s and ’00s and each of those sections holds a chronological tale of Goth as a whole all around the world. Naturally, the Australian scene is covered throughout the years as part of this chronology. Starting with punk and the little band nights, it takes in the likes of Birthday Party/Nick Cave and Dead Can Dance and the impact the UK scene had on both, before moving onto more modern acts like Angelspit and Ikon and the popularity of cyber, gothic lolita and steampunk. So rather than having countries set out into chapters, it’s all woven into one giant prose or chronicle (hence the sub-heading) – and you can trace everything back to its roots to see how it’s translated in other countries. It’s not about dark culture or about what makes people gothic – it’s a chronicle of the goth movement and very unique, which is why I was so interested in taking on the project

GC: When you say you “Took on the project”, where was the idea conceived and who was responsible for its conception?

NS:  I was approached to write the book by the publishing company Independent Music Press. The idea was to chronicle the Goth scene around the globe from its birth to the current day because it had never really been done before. I was given free reign on the content although the format, word count and deadline were all part of the original brief. Although my actual deadline for the book was incredibly tight, the amount of research that went into it was a culmination of my life’s work so far and I sourced all the photos used as well so there are no dodgy “models” in fake blood pretending to be goths in there!

GC: Sounds fantastic ~ and its roots… I’m curious to know where you have traced the root of the matter to?

NS: Well this was the tough one – obviously the book had to start somewhere so it begins in September 1976 with the very first Siouxsie and the Banshees concert at the 100 Club’s Punk Special all-dayer in London. They were the first band to actually do something very different with both the punk look and sound and then other bands like Gloria Mundi, Joy Division, Brigandage, Killing Joke, Bauhaus etc picked up on what later became referred to as Goth. That’s the key really – it’s only later on that the G-word starts to become
applied to this look and sound that was already developing around the world.

GC:  Did you encounter any unexpected obstacles or challenges in completing the book?

NS: Yes! There were a number of people, particularly the old school bands, who didn’t want to give interviews for something associated with goth! And maybe surprisingly, a number of more modern bands said they were just too busy to do interviews for a book. It was a real shame but that said, a large number of key players did co-operate and I’ve got some really cool exclusives as a result.

GC:  I’d love to know if you talked to Robert Smith in the process and if so, was he a willing interviewee given his known reluctance in the past to be associated with the Gothic subculture ~ even though he has been and continues to be a very prominent icon and influence in the Gothic world?

NS:  Haha, Mr Smith was one of those who didn’t wish to be interviewed and the same goes for a certain Mr Eldritch, whose manager told me did not consider himself to be part of any dark alternative movement!

GC:  Did you uncover any treasures or surprises during the course of your research?

NS:  Oh yes, lots but I don’t want to go into too much detail here because that would spoil the book! One thing I will say is that I’ve been into gothic music for a long time and consider myself to be fairly well-travelled but I discovered scenes that I actually had no idea existed and that was really exciting. I spoke with goths who were persecuted because of their choice of music and the way they dressed and I was really taken back by their passion. When you trace goth right back to the beginning, a lot of the early bands were pretty outspoken in terms of politics and although we’ve lost a lot of that now, there’s a real feeling that these lyrics are still relevant to those in the more politically repressed countries. When you consider that in some countries, someone could be arrested for dressing in gothic clothing or listening to a band such as The Sisters Of Mercy, it really does pale into insignificance the occasional verbal attacks we might get for dressing unconventionally.

GC:  Can you give us the top 5 tracks that you would choose to make up the soundtrack to the book?

NS:  Oh my, what a question! I’m afraid that five tracks just wouldn’t cover it – I’m not even sure that 100 tracks could do it justice! I’ll have to pass on that one, sorry!

GC:  How do you feel now on the eve of the launch?

NS: I’m very excited but somewhat impatient! There are a few people who’ve seen the book already and I’ve had an excellent response to it so far so I’m really excited about letting everyone else see it. The impatient bit is because I can’t wait for the book to be in stores so people can actually buy it and share the exciting discoveries I made. I finished the writing process at the end of February so I’m itching to get it out there!

GC:  Cast your mind 5,000 years into the future when the human race is no longer what it is today.  ‘Worldwide Gothic: A Chronicle of a Tribe’ has just been discovered.  What messages do you think this strange, alien race will understand from deep within its pages?

NS:  You know that cliched question about whether you think goth will still be going in 10/whatever years from now? Well, I’ve kind of got a weird feeling that it’ll still be going 5,000 years in the future! I think it’ll have changed a bit so Worldwide Gothic will be considered something of a history book but I reckon people will still be singing ‘This Corrosion’ and doing the gothic two-step dance!

Image by Stephen Milward from the book Worldwide Gothic

Goth Clothes:  You’ve just returned from the Wave Gotik Treffen in Germany, did you attend the festival mainly for work, pleasure or was it a mixture of both?

Natasha Scharf:  It was a mixture of both. The WGT is a really unique festival because there’s just so much to do there and it really is like a sort of pick ‘n’ mix – I got to see loads of amazing bands although this time I was doing my best to make sure I caught those who were unlikely to play in the UK. Ikon were amazing, by the way! But, it was a great chance to let the largest gathering of goths worldwide know about my new book and I have to admit that the flyers were getting snapped up faster than I could put them down, which I think is a good sign! If you’ve never been, you should definitely start saving now for next year’s event.

GC:I’m sure there would have been plenty of hype surrounding the book and its impending launch at the festival. How was that experience for you and what was the general reaction among the festival goers to the upcoming launch?

NS:  Well the launch is happening in London, UK at Vagabonds goth night on Saturday 25 June with an additional signing taking place at the DV8 festival in York at the end of July. Those who are attending those events are pretty excited about it although obviously because WGT attracts goths from all over the world, not everyone will be able to attend from that festival. It would be wonderful if I could do launches in every single country but I’m not sure how practical that would be!

GC: Were you able to take in much of the program as a spectator/participant and if so, what were your favorite elements of the festival?

NS:  I saw lots of bands and had a good browse around the market stalls. My favourite thing about WGT is the chance to see bands that I haven’t seen before and I had a great time checking them all out.

GC: Did you wear anything spectacular?

NS:  I’m afraid my outfits would probably be regarded as more comfortable than spectacular! I do like my fishnet and lace and I wore my favourite leather-look waspie, which I’ve had for years on several days. I also wore some great wet-look, lace-up leggings that my boyfriend made me with fishnets for some of the deathrock shows.

GC:  Give us a couple of literary quotes that would best describe you or your outlook on life.

NS:  I’m a firm believer in fate so I do think that if something’s meant to happen then it will and if it doesn’t happen then it wasn’t meant to be – that’s something I say a lot.

GC:  Where do you do your best thinking?

NS:  Usually either in the bath or while walking through woodland. I live in London and I know some people assume that everywhere there is built-up but we actually have some wonderful green spaces that I adore. You can really forget you’re in a major city when you’re walking through deep woods with trees blocking out traffic sounds. It’s very peaceful and very inspirational. I also find inspiration often strikes on long bus journeys or in the British Library’s reading rooms.

GC:  Throughout your career as a Music Journalist, have you ever been star struck with any of your subjects?

NS:  Yes, once and it still brings me out in goose bumps thinking about it! I pride myself in being able to treat celebs as normal people and not getting star-struck but there was one person that I absolutely completely fell apart with and that was Siouxsie Sioux. Fortunately it was a telephone interview so she couldn’t see my hands shaking but I was soooo nervous. She was absolutely brilliant though – just the right balance of ice queen and friendly – but I had to record the interview because I was shaking so badly that I couldn’t take down any of her answers!

GC:  Do you have any favorite tools of your trade?

NS: People laugh at me for this but I adore my Psion Series 5. For those who don’t know, it’s a rather archaic PDA that came out at the end of the ’90s long before iPhones, laptops and when the internet was still in its infancy. This means it’s not much good for anything more than word processing but I love its compact size – I can put it in my handbag ready for instant ideas and then hook it up to my computer when I get home to transfer my words to a Word document. They’re obsolete now and I’m on my third – I’ve just found someone with an old one they don’t use that I’m going to buy once this one dies but it’s my absolute essential tool that I can’t go anywhere without! I also love my Sony minidisc recorder – it records interviews in crystal clear quality, which is really important for radio and makes transcriptions a lot easier if you’re dealing with loud environments or interviewees who have strong accents. I also keep my Oxford minidictionary with me at all times! I’m kind of old-school – once I find kit that works for me, I stick with it until it dies and then I panic about having to replace it with modern technology that I don’t understand!

GC:  Who would you most like to interview?

NS:  There is one person left that I haven’t interviewed who I would love to and that’s Marilyn Manson. I find him fascinating – I think he’s a very intelligent man and as he used to be a journalist, excellent at manipulating the media. I know a lot of people consider him to be a bit naff and I have to admit, some of his recent output has been a little disappointing but I’d still like to interview him!

GC:  What is the question you are most often asked?

NS:  I get asked what gigs I’ve been to recently and what I’m currently listening to a lot but the problem is, my mind always goes blank when people ask me that! I cover such a large range of genres as part of my work that when I do give an answer, it’s not always what they’re expecting!

Image by Stephen Milward from the book Worldwide Gothic

Goth Clothes:  I know the Ticket Master!  We can get you 5 “All Access Passes” to any 5 gigs at any venues in the world?  Who are you taking? What performers are you going to see? And where are you going to see them?

Natasha Scharf:  I’ve seen so many amazing bands over the years that I’ve pretty much ticked everyone off my “must see list” now! Although I still haven’t seen Madonna live and I’d love to see that just for the spectacle of it all – I don’t care where just anywhere where there’s a big stage and an excellent view! She might not be goth but she was part of that original New York punk scene and I have a lot of respect for the way she has built her brand and just kept on going no matter what.

I’d quite like to see someone alternative at the Sydney Opera House – maybe Nick Cave would push those buttons? I’d be very happy to see Siouxsie live again but maybe at a more intimate venue – could they reopen CBGBs in New York just for me?! If the Ticket Master has resurrection skills, could he reanimate Lux Interior for a one-off Cramps show somewhere suitably underground? Who else? Oh no, my mind’s gone blank! Iggy Pop’s always great fun live – maybe I could go and see him at the Rainbow in LA?

As for bringing people, well I made a deal with Miss Martini, who’s the singer with the band Maleficent that whoever gets a ticket to see Madonna first, has to take the other so she’d obviously have to come with me or I’d be in trouble! I think my boyfriend and my mother would also appreciate the show and then maybe I’d put the other two tickets up for grabs in a competition. As for the others, I think it would be competition time again and the most deserving people could come with. I am awful at making decisions!

GC:  What do you consider to be the essential elements of Gothic style?

NS: One thing I learned while researching this book is that gothic means so many different things to so many different people in so many different countries. What is considered gothic in say Australia isn’t the same as what they consider gothic in Egypt but the one unifying thing is what I refer to as “dark glamour”. You can’t say black clothing anymore because steampunk, EGL and cybergoth have brought a variety of hues with them but that dark glamour vibe still remains. There’s something sexy but sinister, kind of untouchable but enticing – that’s what gothic style is to me.

GC:  Who is your favorite Gothic icon and why?

NS:  She may dislike being referred to as a gothic icon but it’s Siouxsie Sioux! When I was somewhat younger and before I was allowed to cake my face in make up, I do recall performing a Siouxsie make-over on a family friend who was looking after me while my parents were out! I was very young and obviously experimenting for later in life!

GC: As a child, whose posters adorned the walls of your bedroom?

NS:  Siouxsie again! Madonna, Joan Jett, Debbie Harry – I’ve always admired strong women and appreciate them even more since I’ve seen the guts of the music industry. I also had some of my mum’s paintings on my wall – she’s an artist – and also some of my late grandfather’s drawings too. He did some beautiful oil pastels of kittens that I loved.

GC:  If you could be a fly on the wall in any organization for a week to watch and absorb what goes on, where would it be? 

NS:  Hmm, I’m not sure if I would. Sometimes the inner workings of the sanctum are better left a mystery…

GC:  What are you reading at the moment?

NS: I’ve just started Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy – I’ve almost finished the first book, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I actually saw the film first so I keep making comments like: “That wasn’t in the movie!” and “But I know who did it!” I am refraining was watching the next two before I’ve read them!

GC:  In a quiet corner of your day, when your time is completely your own, where are you most likely to be found and what would you be doing?

NS:  I very rarely get me-time but when I do, I like to escape to those aforementioned woods or disappear on a trawl through second-hand stores for disguarded treasures.

GC:  What music is currently spinning around in your music machine?

NS: I have literally just taken Ulterior’s Wild In Wildlife album out of my CD player and replaced it with the new Hatesex album that I got at WGT Earlier today, I was watching some video footage of my boyfriend’s new band Partly Faithful – you should check them out!

GC:  How are you planning to celebrate the launch of your first book given this is another of your dreams now realized?

NS: I’m having a launch party at Vagabonds goth night in London on Saturday 25 June, which should be great fun. I often do guest dj slots there but this time I’ll be sat at a table signing books! Then next month, on 23 July, I’ll be doing another signing at DV8 Fest in York, which I’m also really looking forward to. It seemed appropriate to celebrate the launch of a book on goth at two gothic parties!

GC:  Now that you’ve achieved so many of your dreams at such a relatively young age, what dreams and goals have you lined up to execute next?

NS: I’m not that young anymore! I’m aiming to resume work on some unfinished books that have been sat on my computer harddrive for a while and try to get them published too. Other than that, I’ll do what I always do and let fate take me to my next destination – if it’s meant to be, it will!

Goth Clothes: Have you any tips for any aspiring authors or journalists out there in the alternative world?

Natasha Scharf: Actually, that’s another question I get asked a lot! Honestly, if you really want to do it then just do it – don’t talk about it or dream it, just get on out there and do it! Writing a really tough career path, especially for a woman, and a lot of people will try to take advantage of you but if you’re determined, take the knock-backs on the chin and grab all the opportunities you’re presented with.

One thing I get frustrated about hearing is people who say: “I wish I could be a writer” – and that dream also seems to apply to other creative fields. I always ask them why they don’t just do it! I read a great article recently that talked about how fear stops us from doing things and I think it’s completely true: push fear to one side and just do it otherwise you’ll forever be dreaming of another life! I think that’s really the best advice I can offer.

Goth Clothes would like to thank Natasha for taking some time out to talk with us about this very cool chronicle on all you, me and everything about our culture.

Lady Amaranth by Taya Uddin, jewellery by Alchemy Gothic, corset by Larysa K

As Goth Clothes is the exclusive Australian retailer of Natasha Scharf’s book World Wide Gothic : A Chronicle of a Tribe ~ we have only ten Autographed Collector’s Edition copies of Natasha’s book for sale at a very special price.
First in best dressed as these copies will sell out fast!
Get yours now before they fly off the shelf! Click here

For European Goths,  head over to Natashas website: Meltdown to purchase your copy of Worldwide Gothic ~ this way you won’t have to pay as much in shipping as you would if you got it from us at Goth Clothes.

You can keep abreast of all the hype, book signing events and news on the Worldwide Gothic Facebook page.

The world of Goth is a strange and beautiful place where I find joy and inspiration in the beauty of all that is unique and in those who are brave enough to stand away from the crowd.

These last few weeks I have been blessed to encounter some very talented, rare and wonderful people who are unafraid to stand tall, develop their gifts and carve out their own personal careers doing that which they do best.  Stay tuned in the next few weeks dear reader, when I bring you some very interesting and deliciously different interviews detailing some of these very fine beings.

Earlier this month around 23,000 of our fellow darklings and followers of “the path less trodden” descended on the fair city of Leipzig, Germany for the 20^th annual Wave Gotik Treffen.  I personally enjoyed scouring the web continually throughout the weekend sucking the blood out of every news story I could possibly find on the WGT as it was with a pining heart that I wasn’t able to attend in person.  Oh well, there is always next year, and the year after… Thank Goth for all the wonderful freaks out there who make this event the fantastic, special occasion that it is.  From all accounts it was a festival to remember as personal stories begin to trickle in along with a fair display of images that make me wish I was there even more.

This video following is my favorite to date ~ enjoy the scenery and the sounds!

Well, for me here on my little isolated rock in the tropics of Australia, preparations are well underway for THE biggest event of our social calendar… Ladies Night!  When you live on a remote island, in a small town with a population of less than 700 people, there aren’t too many occasions when you get to really go all out and “glam up” with your friends for an event when OTT doesn’t come into to equation and ‘Far Out’ is the norm! Hooray!  So, with less than 5 weeks until the big night, costumes have been ordered, outfits are being put together, the creation of hair pieces is underway, girls are out exercising, accessories are being tried on and the whole town is filled with the general cheery banter of the affair.  At this stage of the game ~ being the self proclaimed “Glam Queen” of the town I cannot stress enough the importance of practice, practice, practice ~ especially when it comes to shoes!  My dear reader, no one gets to the dizzy heights of 4.5 to 6 inch heels over night!

Like anyone who has ever achieved greatness in their field, excellence very rarely comes without practice.  Certainly some of the worlds ‘Greats’ were born with talent but without practice, they surely wouldn’t have become the geniuses we know of today.  Rembrandt studied art as an apprentice for several years before becoming a master and is now recognized as one of the world’s greatest painters.  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the world’s greatest musicians. Would he have risen to such a level of immortality if he hadn’t been given the opportunity to practice music from the age of three?  Possibly, maybe… Who is to know?

Anyone who has ever achieved greatness in their sphere would attest to the power of practice. Like a muscle, the more you use it the stronger it gets.  Therefore, I wish to pass on my own humble advice to anyone with the outlook of wearing sky high heels to an event ~ Practice!

There is something very special about receiving your new purchase.  Taking them joyfully out of their wrappings and placing them on your feet for the very first time, but do not leave them on their pedestal until the night you intend to wear them for it would be such a shame to have the most beautiful shoes in the world only to be crippled by them within the first two hours of wearing them.

Try to spend at least an hour upright in them each day, gradually increasing the time you spend in them during the lead up to the event.  Some general activities you may wish to complete during your apprenticeship may be your general household duties such as folding the washing, unloading the dishwasher, making the beds, general administration and answering the phone.

D* the Domestic Goth~ess!

Some duties such as hanging out the washing or chopping vegetables can be enhanced as your increased height may add the benefit of leverage to these types of tasks.

The Benefits of Leverage Whilst Chopping Vegetables in Sky High Heels

Once you are most proficient at wielding the vacuum in your sky high heels you can definitely rest assured that you can handle almost any style of music that the DJ might throw your way as your break it down on the dance floor on the night!

Once proficient with the vacuum you are ready to take on any track the DJ may throw your way!

Take caution however as not all domestic duties are sensible for your practice sessions.  Tending to animals in the paddock or collecting eggs from the coop are not advisable in sky high heels due to the unstable ground in these areas. It would be a terrible thing to break oneself or cause injury that would disable one from enjoying or attending the very event one is practicing for!

As we all know, dear reader, practice makes perfect and on that note I shall leave you with some inspirational quotes on the topic of practice;

“Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, some act of vision, of faith, of desire. Practice is a means of inviting the perfection desired.”  Martha Graham

“When you are not practicing, remember, someone somewhere is practicing, and when you meet him he will win”.  Ed Macauley (~ This chap takes things very seriously! ~ D*)

“Practice is the best master.” ~ Proverb

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