Johnny Slut, from the band Specimen, exhibits death rock fashion

Death Rock fashion is the distinctive style of dress usually associated with the death rock music scene. Download high resolution version (391x605, 48 KB)JohnnySlut File links The following pages link to this file: Death rock fashion Specimen (band) ... Download high resolution version (391x605, 48 KB)JohnnySlut File links The following pages link to this file: Death rock fashion Specimen (band) ... Death Rock (also spelled Deathrock) is a term used to identify a playfully spooky offshoot of Punk Rock which first appeared in Los Angeles during the late 1970s and early 1980s, then later merged with the New Wave and Glam influenced Batcave musical scene to form Gothic Rock. ...

Origins and influences

The playfully spooky Death Rock look was first popularized by Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie & the Banshees for females, and and Robert Smith of The Cure for males. However, a careful look at horror movies, TV shows, certain 1950s novelty music acts (such as Bobby "Boris" Pickett and the Monster Mash), and Gothic Literature reveal earlier influences. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... Siouxsie and the Banshees, from Peepshow album art. ... Robert Smith Robert James Smith (born April 21, 1959), a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, is the lead singer and driving force behind English post-punk band The Cure since its founding in 1976. ... The Cure is a British rock band widely seen as one of the leading pioneers of the British alternative rock and post-punk scenes of the 1980s. ... // Events and trends This map shows two essential global spheres during the Cold War in 1959. ... Bobby Boris Pickett (born Robert George Pickett on February 11, 1940) is a musician and actor best known for singing and co-writing the 1962 hit novelty song Monster Mash. Pickett performed the tune in an impersonation of veteran horror film star Boris Karloff. ... Monster Mash is a 1962 novelty song and the best known song by Bobby Boris Pickett. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Gothic novel. ...

Musical influences

The Death Rock look was been most strongly shaped by musicians from the first generation of Gothic Rock bands in Europe. In addition to Siouxsie Sioux and Robert Smith, the look was also influenced by the Virgin Prunes, Specimen, Alien Sex Fiend, etc.; the early Californian Death Rock bands Christian Death, 45 Grave, Voodoo Church, etc.; Glam rockers David Bowie, Alice Cooper, and to some extent Marc Bolan; and to a lesser (and more monochromatic) extent the fashion conscious New Wave/New Romantic acts Adam Ant, Madonna (early in her career), Deborah Harry, Cindy Lauper, etc. Gothic rock evolved out of post punk during the late 1970s. ... The Virgin Prunes was an Irish avant-garde rock band. ... In biology, specimen is an individual animal or a plant or a microorganism that is used as a representative to study the properties of the whole population of that species. ... Alien Sex Fiend is a gothic rock/deathrock band from the UK. Getting their start at the Batcave club in London in the early 1980s, they quickly became known in the gothic scene for their dark electronic, industrial sound, heavy samples and loops and manic vocals. ... // Christian Death is a band name that originally applied to a Los Angeles death rock group during the post punk era in the early 1980s, but after some major line up changes (which resulted at one point, during the mid 1990s, in two bands with the name Christian Death), it... During 1979-1990 in Los Angeles, 45 Grave was born in the chaos of the punk movement and churned out their own brand of death rock. ... VooDoo Church are a deathrock band from California. ... David Bowie David Bowie (born David Robert Jones on January 8, 1947 in London) is an English rock musician and actor. ... Image:114. ... Marc Bolan Plaque marking Marc Bolans childhood home, 25 Stoke Newington Common, Hackney. ... New Wave is a term that has been used to describe many developments in music, but is most commonly associated with a movement in American, Australian, British, Canadian and European popular music, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, growing out of the New York City punk rock scene, itself... New Romantic was a New Wave music subgenre and fashion movement that occurred primarily in the United Kingdom during the early 1980s. ... Adam Ant Adam Ant is the stage name of Stuart Leslie Goddard (born November 3, 1954, London, England), lead singer of 1980s pop group Adam and the Ants and also a solo artist. ... Madonna (born Madonna Louise Ciccone; Veronica is her chosen confirmation name; on August 16, 1958 in Bay City, Michigan) is an American multi-Grammy Award winning pop and rock artist and composer, Golden Globe winning actress and bestselling author. ... Debbie Harry on the cover of her collection Most of All: Best Of Deborah Harry (born July 1, 1945) is a Miami-born American rock and roll musician who originally gained fame as the frontwoman for New Wave band Blondie, which originated in the late 1970s and achieved commercial success... Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper (born June 22, 1953), better known as Cyndi Lauper, is a singer whose melodic voice and wild costumes have come to epitomize the 1980s, the decade in which she first came to fame. ...

Horror movie influences

The Death Rock look has also been strongly influenced by non-musical sources, primarily horror movies and TV horror movie hosts. DVD cover showing horror characters as depicted by Universal Studios. ...

The most influential of the horror movies have been the underground cult movies such as Return of the Living Dead and Night of the Living Dead; Universal Horror movies, especially the ones starring Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney; Hammer Horror movies, especially the ones starring Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing; as well as some of the silent film classics including The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Nosferatu, The Phantom of the Opera and Metropolis. These movies are still played on TV monitors or projected in the background at Death Rock clubs. A cult film is a movie that attracts a small but devoted group of obsessive fans or one that has remained popular over successive years amongst a small group of followers. ... Return of the Living Dead is a series of films that was produced between 1985-2005. ... Night of the Living Dead (1968) is a seminal horror film directed by George A. Romero which was to transfigure the horror-movie genre. ... Universal Horror is the name given to the distinctive horror films made by Universal Studios in California from the 1920s through to the 1950s. ... Bela Lugosi as Dracula United States stamp Béla Lugosi was the stage name of actor Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó (October 20, 1882–August 16, 1956). ... Boris Karloff Boris Karloff (November 23, 1887 – February 2, 1969), born William Henry Pratt, was a famous actor in horror films. ... There were two famous American actors named Lon Chaney, both known for their work in horror movies. ... Hammer horror refers to a series of gothic horror films produced from the late 1950s until the 1970s by the British film production company Hammer Film Productions Ltd. ... Christopher Lee portrays Count Dooku in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE (born May 27, 1922 in Belgravia, London) is a legendary and prolific British actor known for his versatility and film longevity. ... Peter Cushing OBE Peter Cushing (26 May 1913–11 August 1994) was a British actor, best known for playing Baron Frankenstein and Professor van Helsing in Hammer films, often appearing opposite his close friend Christopher Lee (a typical example being Horror Express (1973). ... A silent film is a film which has no accompanying soundtrack. ... The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Das Kabinett des Dr. caligari in German) is a groundbreaking 1919 silent film directed by Robert Wiene. ... Max Schreck as Count Orlok Nosferatu, eine Symphonie des Grauens (A Symphony of Horrors in German) is a German Expressionist film originally shot in 1922 by F.W. Murnau. ... The title character as depicted by Lon Chaney, Sr. ... Metropolis Metropolis is a science fiction film produced in Germany set in a futuristic urban dystopia. ...

Some of the horror movie hosts who have influenced Death Rock fashion include Vampira in Los Angeles, John Zacherle in Philadelphia and New York, Elvira initially in Los Angeles and later nationally, and Ghoulardi in Cleveland. Actress Maila Nurmi (born December 21, 1921) portrayed Vampira in many shows, and starred in Ed Woods Plan 9 From Outer Space. ... John Zacherle as Zacherley - promotional photo John Zacherle (born September 27, 1918, he is sometimes credited as John Zacherley) is a U.S. television host and voice actor known for his long career hosting television broadcasts of horror movies in Philadelphia and New York City in the 1950s and 1960s. ... Elvira poses with mechandising Cassandra Peterson (born September 17, 1949) is better known for her on-screen persona Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. She gained fame wearing dark, gothic, cleavage-enhancing clothing as host of Elviras Movie Macabre, a weekly horror movie presentation. ... Ghoulardi from a WJW-TV publicity shot Career Biography Ghoulardi, played by disk jockey, voice announcer and actor Ernie Anderson, was the host of late night “Shock Theater” at WJW-TV, Channel 8, in Cleveland, Ohio from 1963 through 1966. ...

TV Show influences

No description of the Death Rock subculture and Death Rock fashion would be complete without mentioning the influence of the Addams Family and the Munsters. Virtually all cast members (except for normal looking Marilyn Munster) would have no trouble fitting in at a Death Rock club, and are considered an early influence on the scene by influencing the musicians who developed the Death Rock look. The pencil thin eyebrows and low cut dresses and tops of Morticia Addams, and the differently colored streaks in Lilly Munster's hair are mimicked by many Death Rock females. Four major characters from the original television adaptation: Thing (foreground) with Uncle Fester, Morticia and Gomez Addams The Addams Family is the creation of American cartoonist Charles Addams. ... Cast of The Munsters (1965). ...

Gothic influences

Gothic novels, especially the works of Edgar Allen Poe, and gothic artwork have also influenced the Death Rock look, mainly by providing a rich and dark imagery common to Death Rock fashion accessories: graveyards, tombstones, coffins, churches, celtic crosses, ghosts, vampires, skulls bats, and human skeletons. Strawberry Hill, an English villa in the Gothic revival style, built by seminal Gothic writer Horace Walpole The gothic novel is a literary genre, which began in Britain with The Castle of Otranto (1764) by Horace Walpole. ... Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809–October 7, 1849) was an American poet, short story writer, editor and critic. ... Graves at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York A cemetery is a place (usually an enclosed area of land) in which dead bodies are buried. ... Tombstone most commonly means a headstone marking the grave of a deceased person. ... An open coffin A coffin is a box used for the display and burial or cremation of a dead human body. ... This article is about the Christian buildings of worship. ... A Celtic cross For Celtic Cross, the ambient/dub band see Celtic Cross (band) A Celtic cross combines the cross with a ring surrounding the intersection. ... This article is about the paranormal. ... Further reading Christopher Frayling - Vampyres: Lord Byron to Count Dracula 1992. ... For symbolic or mythic uses of the human skull, see Skull (symbolism). ... For the flying mammal see bat. ... A human skeleton The human skeleton is made of bones, some of them joined together, supported and supplemented by a structure of ligaments, tendons, muscles, and cartilage. ...

Contemporary Death Rock Fashion

Modern Death Rock fashion occupies the middle ground between Punk fashion and Gothic fashion. Whereas a Punk would have a hard time blending in a Goth club, and a Goth would look out of place at a Punk concert, a Death Rocker would have relatively little trouble blending in at either venue. However, Death Rock fashion incorporates a darker, more androgynous, and far sexier look than Punk fashion; and a more tattered, pieced together and DIY look than Gothic fashion. Also, the influence of horror movies as well as a lack of BDSM fashion elements helps to differentiate Death Rock fashion from Gothic fashion. Punk fashion is a fashion style largely associated with the punk movement during the late 1970s and early 1980s. ... Goths in southern Germany Gothic fashion is a style of dress of young people who identify themselves as goths. ... See also: DIY Network, a cable TV network. ... BDSM fashion refers to the clothing worn in the BDSM scene, often erotic or revealing in nature. ...

Death Rock Clothing

Death Rock fashion is characterized by layering black and white clothing. The clothing more often or not comes from thrift stores and frequently includes older designer clothing which has been altered in some way and extensively accessorized. Occasionally, vibrant reds, greens, blues and purples will be used accent colors, especially for dresses, jackets, tights, and when dying one's hair. Clothing items with black and white, black and red or black and green stripes are also extremely common. A charity shop (UK), thrift store (US) or op shop (Australia/NZ, from opportunity shop) is a retail establishment operated by a charitable organization for the purpose of fundraising. ...

Common Death Rock clothing items include black jeans, tight black or colored plaid bondage pants, short black or colored plaid bondage mini-skirts, black lycra mini-skirts, black or white lace skirts, etc.; black or white death rock band or horror movie t-shirts, black, white or colored corsets, black or white dress shirts or polo shirts (both normally worn with a narrow tie), black or white camisoles, black or white lace tops; black, white or red fishnet tops (normally worn under other band t-shirts or corsets); black or white sport coats with band patches sewn onto the back; black leather motorcycle jackets with death rock album covers painted onto their backs; black or white tights, black and white striped tights; black fishnet stockings; and near mandatory Dr. Martens boots. Also Blue Jeans Jeans are trousers made from denim. ... Tight pants with superfluous zippers,straps,rings and buckles,all to give the appearance of some sort of BDSM style. ... T-Shirt A T-shirt (or tee shirt) is a shirt with short or long sleeves, a round neck, put on over the head, without pockets. ... Hourglass corset from around 1880. ... An example of a dress shirt (US). ... Tennis Shirt A tennis shirt, also called a polo shirt or a golf shirt, is a T-shaped shirt with a collar, (typically) two or three buttons down a slit below the collar, two small slits on the bottom of either side, and an optional pocket. ... A cami or camisole is a womans undergarment which covers the top part of the body. ... A style of mesh clothing popular with the traditional gothic look. ... An album cover is a printed cardboard cover that was typically used to package 12 gramophone records from the 1960s through to the 1980s when the 12 record was the major format for distribution of popular music. ... Three women wearing different styles of tights Tights are a type of leg coverings fabric extending from the waist to feet. ... Dr. Martens is a brand of shoe, often known as Doc Martens, Docs, or DMs. They have a characteristic air-cushioned sole developed by Dr. Klaus Maertens (note the different spelling). ...

Death Rock Fashion Accessories

California Death Rock patch

Whereas Goths tend to go for more understated accessories, Death Rockers tend to love excess. It's not uncommon to see a Death Rocker wearing three heavily studded belts at the same time as well as dozens of badges and multiple band patches sewn into their clothing. Image File history File links California death rock patch File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links California death rock patch File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... A Badge is a device, patch, or accoutrement which is presented or displayed to annote some feat of service, a special accomplishment, or as a simple means of identification. ...

Basic Death Rock accessories include Death Rock band patches of various sizes sewn onto clothing; safety pins worn as jewelry; rosary beads worn as necklaces; numerous Death Rock band or horror movies badges over shirts, tops and even leather biker jackets; silver toned jewelry (frequently with human skulls, skeletons, bats, etc.); fingerless gloves, fishnet gloves and lace mitts; multiple pyramid studded belts and/or bondage belts with chains dangling through the hoops; pyramid studded bracelets and chokers; lunch box or coffin purses; and a Death Rock patch - the initials "D" and "R" along with two initials indicating the wearer's geographic location, such as "C" and "A" for California, "N" and "Y" for New York, or “G” and “R” for Germany. A safety pin is a device most commonly used to attach two pieces of fabric together. ... Jewelry (the American spelling; spelled jewellery in Commonwealth English) consists of ornamental devices worn by persons, typically made with gems and precious metals. ... Our Lady of Lourdes - Mary appearing at Lourdes with Rosary Beads The Rosary (from Latin rosarium, crown of roses), an important and traditional devotion of the Catholic Church consisting of a set of prayer beads and a system of set prayers. ... A necklace is an article of clothing or jewelry; which is worn around the neck. ... A Badge is a device, patch, or accoutrement which is presented or displayed to annote some feat of service, a special accomplishment, or as a simple means of identification. ... For symbolic or mythic uses of the human skull, see Skull (symbolism). ... Skeleton is also a winter sport: see skeleton (sport). ... For the flying mammal see bat. ... A bracelet is an article of clothing or jewelry which is worn around the wrist. ... A choker is a tight fitting necklace, worn high on the neck. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... An open casket A coffin (which some call a casket) is a box used for the display and burial or cremation of a cadaver. ...

Death Rock Makeup

Death Rock fashion makeup (for both males and females) has strong horror movie influences, especially zombie movies. This makeup deliberately emphasizes unnaturally pale and death-like complexions (with some death rockers taking the look so far as to use "whiteface" make-up); either black or blood red lipstick; dark eyeshadow applied both over the upper eyelid and underneath to create a sunken or sickly look; and heavy black eyeliner. Fingernail polish is usually black though it may occasionally be white or red, green, blue, purple or a combination of these colors. Cosmetics or makeup are substances to enhance the beauty of the human body, apart from simple cleaning. ... A zombie, at twilight, in a sugarcane field in Haiti A zombie is traditionally an undead person in the Caribbean spiritual belief system of voodoo. ... Lipstick is a cosmetic substance for the lips that is richer in color and texture than lip gloss and has the primary purpose of applying color to the lips. ...

Death Rock Hairstyles

An example of a deathhawk

Death Rocker hairstyles have a decidedly '80s big hair or punk influence. Betty Page style bangs, oftentimes coming to a point in the middle of the forehead, are very popular for females, especially when combined with a shoulder length or chin length bob. Short and spikey hair (especially when bleached or dyed) is popular with both sexes. Death Rockers who do not keep their natural hair color either bleach their hair to platinum blonde or near white; or use Manic Panic or another semi-permanent hair color to produce vibrant reds, blues, greens, purples, etc. hair colors; while others prefer an unnatural black hair color. deathhawk File links The following pages link to this file: Death rock fashion Mohawk hairstyle ... deathhawk File links The following pages link to this file: Death rock fashion Mohawk hairstyle ... Bettie Mae Page, also known as Betty Page (born April 22, 1923) is a United States model, the subject of numerous pin_up girl photographs in the mid 20th century. ... Manic Panic is a store chain based in New York City. ...

One favorite Death Rock hairstyle for both males and females is the deathhawk, which is a wider version of the punk mohawk hairstyle. Deathhawks are teased or backcombed to produce a very full, soft and sexy look. Another variation of the mohawk is the bihawk, which is a double (split) mohawks. The bihawk was popularized by the band Specimen. This is not to say that other mohawk variant's aren't worn, although they may be less comman than the above two. The famous Mohawk leader Joseph Brant wearing a scalp lock. ... In biology, specimen is an individual animal or a plant or a microorganism that is used as a representative to study the properties of the whole population of that species. ... Mohawk is: A tribe of American Indians: see Mohawk nation The Mohawk language spoken by the Mohawk people. ...

See also

• Death rock
• Gothic rock

Death Rock (also spelled Deathrock) is a term used to identify a playfully spooky offshoot of Punk Rock which first appeared in Los Angeles during the late 1970s and early 1980s, then later merged with the New Wave and Glam influenced Batcave musical scene to form Gothic Rock. ... Gothic rock evolved out of post punk during the late 1970s. ...

External links

• A portal on death rock and death rock fashion
• A Livejournal community dedicated to DIY deathrock fashion

See also

• Gothic fashion
• Industrial fashion

Goths in southern Germany Gothic fashion is a style of dress of young people who identify themselves as goths. ... Industrial fashion is a form of fashion most closely associated with the industrial music scene. ...

Other

• BDSM fashion
• Black metal fashion
• Cyberpunk fashion
• Emo fashion