The movement was started with bands such as The Damned, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Bauhaus. At the time, however these bands were defined as more Punk but it most likely originated from disgruntled Punks. In the 1980's came bands like The Sisters of Mercy, London After Midnight and The Shroud.

These musicians came to be commonly defined as the Goths. Most of the real Gothic music and community remains very much underground. Thus the meaning that most "Gothic" bands you encounter are either intentionally trying to latch onto a certain image, or are liked by the "Spooky Kids" otherwise known as wannabe Goths.

Some examples of this are bands like Slipknot and Cradle of Filth, which really come under the definition of Metal. The real Goth movement is underground, and the real Goths are not necessarily those shouting about it, and going out to shock people.

Contrary to popular myth the 80's Goth scene was not one of doom and gloom. The dress style was peacock although black was predominant. One of the off shoots of Goths were the New Romantics. Bands like Depeche Mode were able to move between both crowds as were the likes of Visage.

The original Goths actually wore white garments to try and shine light into what they called the darker days. Most of them were actually burned as witches or magicians of black magic with their white bright guise to try and trick people towards the devil. They were very spiritual and as times went by were driven more underground by the wrongs of society.

Goths as people, however can enjoy anything from Medieval, to 80s - Dark Wave, to Dark Techno/Industrial/EBM, to Dark Metal. For over a decade there have been many people within the Gothic subculture who have embraced Pagan and occult practices. The Gothic culture stemmed from a musical style that began in the early 1980's and has thrived in the shadows until the present. The music ranges from haunting, ambient soundscapes to industrial-edged rages to pop-influenced work with humorous lyrics.

The unifying thread though all this genre of music is its exploration of taboo emotions, tragic love and death imagery. Goths, who celebrate the darker side of life, are drawn to the dramatic rituals and lack of dogma that Paganism can offer. Many Pagans have been drawn to Goth as an answer to their deep need for an understanding and celebration of the dark to balance the light and have found Goth enriches their understanding of their craft.

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