About Me
..GOTH CHIC is the first book to properly explore Gothic culture from within. Taking a pop and subcultural perspective, it identifies hidden gems from the underground alongside mainstream manifestations, charting the most important, exciting and unusual works, figures and ideas in the different areas of dark culture, including vampire cultists, horror comics, fetish clubs and Goth rock superstars.
Both a peerless primer for novices, and an incisive analysis that will challenge and compel even the most seasoned veteran, Goth Chic is a connoisseur’s guide to dark culture. Shrouded in centuries old history and tradition, yet consistently vibrant and innovative, Gothic values and aesthetics evince a dark passion for the extremes of existence. This shadowy realm, where sex and death intertwine, is endlessly compelling, the ghost in the machine of popular culture which refuses to be laid to rest.
Goth Chic is an acknowledged classic in its field, and has been translated into many different languages throughout the world.
CHAPTER TITLES AND SUBJECTS:
INTRODUCTION –
What Is Gothic?
I. THE IMP OF THE PERVERSE –
The Golden Age of Gothic Literature
II. A SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS –
The Golden Age of Gothic Cinema
III. EVERY COVER WAS BLACK –
Modern Gothic and the Horror Genre
IV. STAY TUNED FOR TERROR –
Gothic Television and Radio
V. MORBIDITY, PUTREFACTION & PAIN –
The Modern Horror Movie
VI. THE SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT –
From Shilling Shockers to Graphic Novels
VII. THE FLOWERS OF EVIL ARE IN FULL BLOOM –
Gothic Music
VIII. A MORE SINISTER BEAUTY –
Gothic Style
IX. DARK ANGELS OF SIN –
Modern Gothic Sensibility and Sensuality
X. DARK SHADOWS OVERWHELM US –
Goth Rock
• Photo illustrations range from Goth fashions and bands to the Goth-erotic imagery of Salvation Films, and vivid exclusive shots of the patrons of the Slimelight Club and the Carnival of Souls fetish fest.
THE REVIEWS:
‘Baddeley’s Goth Chic is a lengthy and richly illustrated trade paperback that ranges from chapters on gothic literature, film, and music (chapters one through seven and ten), to fashion, “sensibility, and sensuality†(chapters eight and nine). On the heels of his other, similarly organized Plexus studies on Satanism in popular culture (Lucifer Rising, 1999) and Marilyn Manson (Dissecting Marilyn Manson, 2000 – highly recommended for teaching in popular culture courses), Baddeley is quickly becoming the patron saint of gothic journalism because of his humorous, sometimes ironic writing style, his thoroughness, and his obvious interest in the dark cultures. Gothic Chic is well-written, highly informative, and currently the best introduction to gothic culture and style intended for a broad audience.’ – Journal of Popular Culture
‘[Goth’s] pre-history is the focus of Gavin Baddeley’s Goth Chic. An author who was once invited to join the Church of Satan, he has produced an imaginative lineage of the Gothic sensibility.’ – TheTelegraph
‘In the end, this is a book that will have . . . a huge appeal to lovers of pierced nipples and rubber pants. There is a lot of material on the history of gothic and neo-gothic bands; Baddeley includes Joy Division, the Cramps, David Bowie and the Rolling Stones, as well as Bauhaus and the Sisters of Mercy, in his round-up. It’s interesting, but it’s not as interesting as his analysis of de Sade and Walpole and Stoker . . .’ – New Statesman
‘Goth is cool. Not all Goths are cool, some are just sad. But as an aesthetic, and taking in the breadth of Gothic style (music, film, literature, sex, fashion, architecture), it’s right up there with gayness as a defining influence on 20th and 21st century popular culture . . . From Byron to Poe, Tim Burton to Lovecraft, Christopher Lee to fetish clubs, Goth Chic is an essential handbook for aspiring Goths.’ –Loaded
‘This hefty, 288-page tome is a picture-heavy compendium of Goth culture . . . Well informed and wide-ranging, Goth Chic is a great introduction to the subculture.’ – Kerrang!
‘Goth Chic is a compelling and illuminating read, covering everything from Buffy and the Batcave to Smirnoff ads.’ – Metal Hammer
‘This isn’t an encyclopaedia, the author preferring to flit from area to area and age to age as the chapters unfold, giving the impression of a constant thread of dark culture as opposed to a reference guide for the uninitiated. That said, you don’t have to own any Sisters of Mercy albums or have ever been to Whitby to enjoy Baddeley’s exhaustive exploration.’ – Terrorizer
‘Goth Chic is a remarkably interesting “facts to know and tell†book about the often misconceived gothic culture. The author of Lucifer Rising, Baddeley examines and offers an explanation of a culture described as “a philosophical perspective†but which is denied by most of its icons . . . Not just for the Mission-adoring veteran, this is a truly interesting and informed read for anyone who has a passing interest in gothic literature, music, and for those with a black-eyeliner fixation.’ – Record Collector
‘This is a MUST for all you creatures out there.’ – Vampyre Radio
‘Goth Chic is written by a well-known writer of the underground alternative scene . . . Lavishly illustrated throughout, Goth Chic makes for an enthralling read . . . there is masses of information on a lot of interesting and relevant topics . . . an essential book for anyone interested in Goth’s place in the history of dark culture!’ – Kaleidoscope
‘Hey! I see you poking fun at that pale Goth girl with black lipstick, and mocking her fey male counterpart in the rubber pants. Stop being so mean. If you’re a metalhead, death doomer, stoner, or horror punker, you may have more Goth in you than you’d care to admit. Gavin Baddeley’s easy-to-read guide sketches out the history of this voluptuously gloomy subculture . . . Although your typical headbanger might deny his or her Goth side, Baddeley shows that metalheads and other lovers of the loud and brutal share many influences with Goths . . . We’re all tribes of the same deviant breed – Gothic. Goth Chic wallows in everything sumptuously heathenish and debauched in literature, art, fashion, cinema, and music.
This book pried my eyes open to a world I was too stuck up to take note of. I might be a death metal momma, but I am hands down a Goth girl, too.’ – Lollipop
‘. . . The layout and cover are beautifully done. Nevertheless this is a good read unto itself, I assure you. Highly recommended for fans of Gothic culture, and to those who are curious. Each chapter – ten in total – is thick with information pertaining to a certain gothic scene . . . I cannot challenge a word of this book because Gavin Baddeley is a man who writes what he knows about. Well researched and written with lots of heart and passion for a word that many use, without knowing what it really means.’ – Feast of Hate and Fear
‘The author, Gavin Baddeley, possesses a wide knowledge of the history of the “dark side†that has been tapped to produce a work that shows where Gothic culture came from, where it’s at today, and where it’s going.’ – Book of the Month, Tattoo Savage
Click here to order a copy from Amazon.co.uk
Click here to go to Amazon and order GOTH CHIC
THE AUTHOR:
Gavin Baddeley is a British journalist specialising in the occult, rock music and trash culture. During his research for Lucifer Rising, he was presented with an honorary priesthood of the Church of Satan by founder Anton LaVey – who dubbed him a ‘smart cookie’.
OTHER BOOK CREDITS:
Lucifer Rising: Sin, Devil Worship and Rock ’n’ Roll (Plexus 1999)
Dissecting Marilyn Manson (Plexus 2000, revised and updated 2003, 2005)
The Gospel of Filth: A Black Metal Bible – with Dani Filth (Fab Press 2007)
TV AND DOCUMENTARY FILM CREDITS:
With a persona described by his editor, Paul Woods, as ‘a rock ’n’ roll Vincent Price’, Gavin Baddeley is regularly interviewed by production teams seeking enlightened and entertaining soundbites on ‘the dark side’.
Principal interviewee/consultant on the following:
• Greatest Ever Movies Show: ‘Horror’ episode (Channel 5, 2006)
• ‘Devil’s Disciples’ documentary on Satan’s Blood disc (sell-through DVD, 2006).
• Heavy: The Story of Metal (VH1, 2006)
• Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey (theatrical documentary, now released to DVD, 2005)
• Fear of a Satanic Planet (on black metal music, sell-through DVD, 2005)
• Cure Special (MTV, 2004)
• Hideous Crimes: ‘Vampire Killers’ (principal interviewee, the film ending on a dramatic Baddeley statement – Channel 5, 2003)
• London Goth (Korean Broadcasting, 2003)
• Masters of Darkness: ‘Aleister Crowley’ and ‘Dr. John Dee’ (Channel 4, 2002)
• ,Sky News (expert interviewee on the Daniel and Manuela Ruda ‘vampire murder case’, 2002)
• From the Cradle to the Grave (on black metal band Cradle of Filth, sell-through DVD, 2002)
• Clive Anderson’s Conspiracies (debunking satanic ritual abuse myths, BBC, 2001)
• Central Weekend Live (debunking satanic ritual abuse myths, Carlton, 2001)
• Consultant on 1997 BBC1 series, Clive Barker’s A-Z of Horror.
‘. . . As for Gavin, the most frightening thing about him is his devilishly powerful intellect.†– Bristol Evening Post
CALLING ALL DENIZENS OF THE DARK . . .
If you love the dark aesthetic but blanch at the label ‘Goth’, or if you sport black eyeliner and smoke clove cigarettes, Goth Chic has your interests covered. Vampires. Cyber-goths. Dominatrixes. Dark wave and industrial.
Whatever your obsession, or whatever your adopted tribe, we are seeking your opinion as to how well the author covered your area of interest. Come on out of the shadows and join in the debate.
LINKS:
http://www.myspace.com/prelati
http://www.rue-morgue.com/
http://www.darklinks.com/
http://www.deathrock.com/
http://www.terrorizer.com/
