"Would you call yourself a "Goth", Anthony?"

Hello people of Internet Land,

I was at school today doing some work on my major work for Art, and whilst doing so was listening to some music. Naturally, when it comes to my musical tastes, it's loud, heavy, angry and most of the time at break neck speed. Given that my artwork is communing with some of these ideas of expression and emotion, the music works in two ways: I enjoy listening to it and it gets me psyched up when I'm working away...

Some people in that class though got rather frustrated with my music though and proceeded to berate me because it's "depressing" and "makes them feel angry" and that I should play some "good music"... I get a lot of this when i'm listening to some of my favourite bands, and it's just annoying because they added insult to injury when they one "friend" asked: "Anthony, would you say you're a goth? Like because of the music you listen to?"

At first I said no. See, I don't exactly know what makes a goth a goth. The meaning of the word goes into so much depth that it's easy for me to get confused about it's true meaning and whether I fit into it's category. Either way, I see being "goth" this way...

"Goth" is a few things. It's people who are happy in the way they feel and look, which they openly admit is different to those around them. On that note, a "Goth" is a person who does not purposefully set themselves apart from society's status quo for shock value or so they can be noticed. They are set apart in the fact that they are who they are, and they don't care what other people would rather them to be (or in most cases - what other people would rathem them NOT to be).

"Goths" are also expressive and emotive people - so that may explain why a lot of people who "fit" into this "culture" are very expressive in their music/visual art/writing/etc. And again they're tastes are disimilar to pop art or the commonalities in everyday life.

One last thing - I see "Goth" as a stereotype for people who have obsessions with death, cutting themselves, wearing black, getting into hardcore music, or shy away from others. The word is also a misuse of a term that described a race of germanic tribesmen, and an architectural era - and so it's already lost its credibility.

What is a Goth? There's no such thing. Posers who think they fit into this stereotypical facet for people in contemporary society call themselves Goth because it most likely gives them the attention they are so desperately needing because Daddy and Mummy didn't hug them enough. What DOES exist though is a group of people who are happy in themselves, beautiful, expressive and wholly human in their ideas, intentions and beliefs. And that's just what they are...people!

To the fuckers who called me Goth - take a few lessons from this post and try and rethink what you called me! Just because I'm a little interested in heavy, fast paced music, doesn't mean i'm a satanic, blood drinking, inverted pentagram wearing sad case who does such things to gain attention. If you'd sit down and talk with me like a human, you'd discover I have some interests that you have too! Does that make you a Goth? Dumbass?? I'm not Goth because I personally believe the term doesn't exist.

Tell you what I am though? I think the best quote that sums it up is "everything you're never be", but "a number that isn't equal to any of you" is just as good. I'm just me, Anthony, your average bloke, who's into a lot of things and just doesn't like stupid people who think they can label a person, and therefore degrade someone, because of their tastes. Tastes aren't everything people, if you're a piece of shit it doesn't matter how many cool things you're into because nothing will stop you from being a fucktard!

To the people of Internet land, I pose this question. What does Goth mean to you? And if someone called you a Goth, would you be offended and what would you say back? I know what I'd say - " "Goth" is a desperate attempt to label those who are different by people, such as (person who is calling me goth) who are just stupid and scared of people who are different! You fuck!"

To everyone making a post - with your answer place the most depressing or angry or just your favourite lyrics to a song that someone has called you Goth or teased you about, over! It's going to be interesting seeing what people are into...here are my selections though!

Slipknot - Pulse of the Maggots
I fight for the unconventional
My right and it's unconditional
I can only be as real as i can
The disadvantage is I never knew the plan
this isn't just a way to be a martyr
I can't walk alone any longer
I fight for the ones who can't fight
and if I lose, at least I tried!

We are the new diabolic
We are the bitter bucolic
If I have to give my life, you can have it
We are the pulse of the maggots

I won't be the inconsequential
I won't be the wasted potential
I can make it as severe as I can
Until you realize, you'll never take a stand
It isn't just a one-sided version
We've dealt with a manic subversion
I won't let the truth be perverted
And I won't leave another victim deserted

We are the new diabolic
We are the bitter bucolic
If I have to give my life, you can have it
We are the pulse of the maggots

(Do you understand?) Yes

Say it again, say it again
(We won't die)

We fight 'til no one can fight us
We live and no one can stop us
We pull when we're pushed too far
And the advantage is, the bottom line is
We never had to fight in the first place
We only had to spit back in their face
We won't walk alone any longer
What doesn't kill us only makes us stronger

We are the new diabolic
We are the bitter bucolic
If I have to give my life, you can have it
We are the pulse of the maggots

(Do you understand?) Yes

Say it again, say it again
(We won't die)

Rammstein - Links 2,3,4 (translated)
Can you break hearts
can hearts speak
can you torture hearts
can you steal hearts

They want my heart on the right spot
but then I look below
it beats left there

Can hearts sing
can a heart burst
can hearts be pure
can a heart be made of stone

They want my heart on the right spot
but then I look below
it beats left there
left two three four left *

Can you ask hearts
(can you) carry a child under yourself
can you give it away
(can you) think with your heart

They want my heart on the right spot
but then I look below
it beats there in the left breast
the envious have not known it well

Left two three four left

Rammstein - Los (translated)
We were nameless
and without songs
We were never again
really wordless
Still we are
a little songless
Yet we're not toneless
You can hear us
After a gust of wind
began a storm
Simply matchless
It was time
-less

They were speechless
So totally shocked
And totally powerless
What happened
Somewhat composureless
and surely
understandingless
That will be censored
They said groundless
Too bad about the music
So shameless
That should be forbidden
It's witless
what they're trying there
So tasteless
how they're making music
Is it hopeless
Senseless
Helpless
They are godless

We were nameless
We have a name
We were wordless
The words came
Still we are
a little songless
Yet we're not toneless
You do hear it
We aren't flawless
Just a bit anchorless
You will become soundless
You'll never get rid of us

This is Anthony, signing off! *salutes*