Goth: A History

Very enjoyable book. Part memoir part historical narrative. I learned quite a few things about the English post punk scene. It was fun to read musical assessments written by an experienced professional musician who has walked the walk. It’s not a Feel-good collection of essays. It’s a historical account by someone who was there and has high musical standards.

The French-Romanian philospher E.M. Cioran said that the possiblity of suicide was a consolation that allowed him to continue living. This paradoxical way of thinking is one that I believe most goths would immediately understand, and it gets at the heart of Lol Tolhurst’s personal and intellectual investigation of what was known as the goth movement of the 80s. I began reading Tolhurst’s “Goth: A History” at the same time as John Robb’s “The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth.” Robb’s work is encyclopedic in every sense of the word. Though it is an excellent reference guide, I found the reading to be more informative than engaging. That is not the case with Tolhurst’s work, which is at once personal, philosophical, and archival. Reviewers can squabble about the bands Tolhurst names or fails to name as “goth,” but I think this misses the point. Those seeking a comprehensive overview of goth will probably find Robb’s book the resource they are looking for. (Though Robb’s book seems to privilege a British perspective. For instance, Christian Death do not even appear in the index, which will leave most goths on this side of the pond scratching their heads.) Tolhurst’s book, on the other hand, is testament of his metaphysical and psychological soul searching, more than just dates and background about various bands. Reminiscing about first attending a Clash show as an adolescent, Tolhurst remarks that “what I saw that night […] was more akin to one of Saint Augustine’s ecstatic visions than a simple rock show.” Years later, The Cure would provide that same epiphanic experience for others. I was 17 in 1985 when I saw The Cure at The Tower theater in Philadelphia. The experience was life-changing in part because the music and lyrics expressed so precisely what we were feeling. Tolhurst astutely notes that “in goth, lyrics form out of emotional vulnerability as opposed to bravado and certainty. The process is one of internal analysis and confession, revealing to the world frailty and humanity.” But there was more: seeing The Cure or Christian Death one found what Leah Bush is quoted as calling “community.” But I think a more precise word is communion. And it is communion that goth readers will find in this book, in the form of Tolhurst’s recollections, reflections, interviews, and speculations. The tone is conversational, intimate, and consoling. Goth readers will find a kindred spirit in Tolhurst. As he says early on in the book, “The Cure did not have a particular style; rather, we were the essence of a melancholy spirit.” That seems right. Goth was never just a musical movement, a fashion statement; goth was (and is) a mode of being, a lens through which many see the world. Tolhurst’s book is full of insights such as these and others, and I highly recommend it.

Lols first book was such a fabulous journey into my favorite band and a personal experience we can all learn from- so well written!!- Goth is an even deeper dive into the genre (per se) and lifestyle and incorporates all things dark in just the right manner

For those not aware he was a founding member of The Cure, a band I discovered in the 1980s and is still my all-time favorite (because they’re awesome). My decision to request was further solidified when I saw that a large focus was going to be on what Tolhurst coined the “Architects of Darkness” — Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division, and, of course, The Cure. I still listen to these four bands every single day. Goth and post-punk are my favorite music genres, and not a day goes by that I don’t listen to music. The scope of this book is a bit broader than I was expecting, but also narrower, in the sense that the scope is very much dictated by Tolhurst’s own upbringing. He starts with literature, covering the influence of French philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre & Albert Camus, as well American poet Sylvia Plath. Then we get into the early music influences of The Doors, Nico, and the Godfather of it all, David Bowie. The only reason this did not get 5 stars from me is the writing style. It was just a bit too high brow and esoteric for my taste. I mean, Tolhurst actually read the authors I listed earlier as a teenager, and I really can’t relate to someone who’s reading French philosophy at 16. Otherwise this was a great read.

Lol (who has an amusing name now thanks to the internet) really can write a book, and spin a yarn. He writes very well, and he knows how to engage a reader. Is he part Irish? He tells a tale and uses language as if he were. I have little feeling or interest regarding goth, especially as it is sort of a fabrication. There never really was goth, it was just something that some fans adopted, while most who like the Cure and other bands alleged to be goth, just loved and enjoyed the music. People will argue this, but I was there at the time. It was an idea and label that some adopted, just because it made those who adopted that label appear to be more of how *they* perceived themselves to be. I recall my younger sister and her friends, all smoking, wearing black, donning the makeup, and avoiding going outside so they could remain pale. It was just another fad. Then there were those who couldn't care less about a label and the fad that went with it. They just passionately loved the music. These were the ones who supported these then lesser known obscure bands, and made it possible for them to come and tour the states. That's what mattered. Lol Tolhurst describes that time, those events and those bands. Fortunately, there's precious little, if any of the fad of goth. Based on this book, and his other one "Cured" he more or less eschews and ignores the goth cult of identity. It's about the music, the musicians and the times. If that interests you, you'll love this book. Also, as your attorney, I strongly suggest you read his other book, "Cured". You'll *never* see Billy Idol the same way again. He'll forever more be old piss pants, pee pee boy or whizz leg to you forever more.

this was more like reading a wikipedia page. super analytical. I wanted it to be a little cooler and feel more like I'm stepping into his personal world. i couldn't get very far in it as it just lacked personality. fell asleep every time I tried to finish it. love the Cure though.

After reading "Cured, the tale of two imaginary boys" I was very eager to get my hands on Lol's second book, though the bar was set very high. "Goth, a history" portrays a comprehensive picture of how the Goth movement started and the cross-paths and interaction among fellow colleagues and bands. As with any author that stages the scene of a certain historic period by also having been part of it, he gives his own first-hand impressions and doesn't shy about giving his own opinions of certain bands or people (personally or artistically). Some people may be thankful about that, I particularly am. In my opinion, it is not as heartfelt and emotional as his first book, which I have read twice so far, but it's quite understandable the difference between telling one's story and the one of the context around it. I like it a lot, I didn't love it but, anyway, happy to have it on my bookshelf and intend to consult every now and then.

After getting irritable with Bernard Sumner’s memoir, thinking of all the promising authors in the world this advance and recognition won’t go to because they aren’t already famous, I decided I was only going to buy books from now on because of how good the book itself apparently is rather than because of who wrote it. I reminded myself of this part way through this book but it got much better for me. This is as stated more of a personal memoir of living through those years and being part of it. It’s quite broad in scope and even parts I didn’t really agree with got me thinking. I like the part about Elder Goths as I’m seeing a lot of in action in my now late 40s. I will probably read another well regarded, more complete book released around the same time on this subject so will likely get the best of both worlds. You can’t argue with Lol’s drumming on three of the Cure’s ‘dark trilogy’. I often think of it. Stark, precise, powerful, perfectly complementary to the material. I remember articles on Robert Smith when it all went down with the lawsuit as a young fan. Very damaging to Lol’s reputation and the great work he did. I was surprised to find out years later they made up and had done those shows together. An added benefit to this book is I very early on worked out from reading this Lol is a decent, interesting guy and as I’ve gone through some of the same issues it was great to let that go.

There is no one I would rather have take me on this journey through the history of Goth than Lol. He's touched on all my favourites and given me the urge to check out bands I've overlooked. His knowledge and insider stories make this more enjoyable than an academic breakdown. His storytelling is engaging and his credentials undeniable. Well worth a read.

It is an exciting journey to know and enjoy from one of the first hands that helped to shape with his group that scene and genre. Mick Mercer, definitely you said “The Cure is not goth, is pop music”, and you are right, the cure is a pop band that inspired along with others bands the beginnings of the dark wave.

The book itself makes me somewhat steer clear of books bought from Amazon. The product itself and the material in the book have as much difference as much as my clear conscience and over zealous buy-a-thons for all things alt/metal is. Lol does great work, considered more as an homage and a collective history of the sub culture as a form of parallelism with punk/anarcho ideologies as well as a personal ode to Goth and all things macabre. The book contains stories from the inside and a peek behind the fabled sub-culture. As a book in itself it's a 10/10, also to be read is Cured. The quality of the product in print was brilliant whence it first left the press yet at home and post delivery, the creases send shivers down my spine for such intellectual work deserves the utmost reverence and careful handling. The condition of the book reminds me why I prefer buying books from stores at full prices instead of just from online stores at Amazon, albeit at heavy discounts. The silver lining is the peace that comes afterwards to have been such close to the epitome of creation. Cheers and happy reading.