SR 1 PAGE THIRTEEN

Not to brag, I spent a preeeeetty significant portion of my 20’s and 30’s at goth/industrial shows. Mostly standing in the back, holding up the walls, quietly taking in all the outstanding haircuts and sensual taffy-pulling dances. Just loved those spooky vibes. Still do, whenever there’s a band I just have to see at, like, Bar Sinister or Das Bunker or whatever. (Live music’s great! Give it a try sometime!) So when I make fun of the subculture it is from a place of pure affection. It makes me so happy to see people living life so theatrically.

Yes, happiness is allowed in goth! Were you aware? In fact, sometimes goth is the only way for chronically unhappy people to experience happiness. Lot of joy to be had in being weirdos together.

Our bud Tiphany Revile would never admit to experiencing joy, though. That would be breaking character! I’ve always thought Agatha and (possibly) Mortado are just having fun being themselves, but Tiphany here has an agenda. He’s basically cosplaying as a Tortured Romantic Poet Rock God until he gets enough people to believe he’s a Tortured Romantic Poet Rock God. Then maybe move on to… Baphomet sex cult? With blood-drinking? Harem? He’s the type who either hasn’t thought it through or has thought about it way too much.

TIffany’s not based on anybody in particular, although obviously people will think of the universally beloved and totally unproblematic Marilyn Manson. I had no strong opinions about MM at the time. (Definitely do now, though!) TIffany is a pretty basic goth dude type, going back to Christian Death, Alien Sex Fiend, Specimen, London After Midnight, etc. The whole “death rock” thing. Somehow that particular subculture of the subculture never worked for me, and I’m not sure why. I love the melodic post-punk goths and the furious industrial goths, but the death rock middle way never quite clicked. Outstanding haircuts, though.

By the way, are any of you folks fans of The Midnight Pals? Why am I asking? No reason.

STRAY REFS: Budgie was the drummer for Siouxsie and the Banshees. Safeway is a national grocery chain in the US. *The More You Know theme*

SR 1 PAGE FOURTEEN

Look, I was raised Catholic so that flyer was a VERY edgy thing to draw. I had to pray 6000 rosaries and whip my back into raw hamburger before I could even think about lifting the pencil. To this day I worry my immortal soul is gone for all time.

Ha ha, just kidding! It was only 600 rosaries and the hamburger whip was for fun.

It’s funny, you’d think 14 years of Catholic education would make me more fearful of sacrilege, but I didn’t think about it at all. None of the theological stuff really sunk its claws in my brain, thankfully. Plenty of generalized guilt and shame, though! 

Just noticed that little kitty face on the flyer. That’s weird, huh? Maybe Agatha doodled that on there? Clearly, she’s a Pokémon fan, so for sure she’s in favor of mixing a little sugar in the spice.

Wish I’d kept more band flyers from back in the day. Those would be fun to look at now. Are flyers even still a thing anymore? Any flyer-receivers out there reading this, collect that junk!

BACK TO THE PRESENT!

No news this week, but Happy Day After Thanksgiving to all who celebrate! Hope you’re spending America’s most freakish holiday doing absolutely nothing at all. Seriously, if you’re lucky enough to have the day off, DO NOT WORK. I’m certainly not!

NEXT WEEK: RUBIKOV: ORIGINS.