Deathrock Weblog

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|stylistic_origins=[[Punk rock]], [[Post-punk]], [[Gothic rock]], [[Glam rock]], [[Horror film scores]], [[Acid rock]]

|stylistic_origins=[[Punk rock]], [[Post-punk]], [[Gothic rock]], [[Glam rock]], [[Horror film scores]], [[Acid rock]]

|cultural_origins=Late [[1970s]], [[United States]]

|cultural_origins=Late 1970s, [[United States]]

|instruments=[[singer|vocals]], [[guitar]], [[bass guitar|bass]], [[drum kit|drums]], [[synthesizer]], [[Drum Machine]]

|instruments=[[singer|vocals]], [[guitar]], [[bass guitar|bass]], [[drum kit|drums]], [[synthesizer]], [[Drum Machine]]

|popularity=Generally low although in the 1980s a few bands closely identified with deathrock music did have top 40 hits.

|popularity=Generally low although in the 1980s a few bands closely identified with deathrock music did have top 40 hits.

|other_topics=[[List of classic deathrock bands|Classic Deathrock Bands (through 1990)]] – [[List of modern deathrock bands|Modern Deathrock Bands (1990-present)]] – [[Gothic rock|Goth]]

|other_topics=[[List of classic deathrock bands|Classic Deathrock Bands (through 1990)]] – [[List of modern deathrock bands|Modern Deathrock Bands (1990-present)]] – [[Gothic rock|Goth]]

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”’Deathrock”’ (or ”’Death Punk”’) is a term used to identify a fusion of [[punk rock]] and [[gothic rock]] which incorporates elements of horror and spooky atmospheres within a Goth-Punk style and first emerged most prominently in the [[West Coast of the United States]] and [[London]] during the late [[1970s]] and early [[1980s]].<ref>[http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/england-fades-away-stylus-magazines-guide-to-goth.htm England Fades Away: Stylus Magazine’s Guide to Goth - Article - Stylus Magazine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

”’Deathrock”’ (or ”’Death Punk”’) is a term used to identify a fusion of [[punk rock]] and [[gothic rock]] which incorporates elements of horror and spooky atmospheres within a Goth-Punk style and first emerged most prominently in the [[West Coast of the United States]] and [[London]] during the late 1970s and early 1980s.<ref>[http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/england-fades-away-stylus-magazines-guide-to-goth.htm England Fades Away: Stylus Magazine’s Guide to Goth - Article - Stylus Magazine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

==Characteristics==

==Characteristics==

However, the frequently simple song structures, heavy atmosphere and rhythmic music place a great demand on the lead vocalist to convey complex emotions, so deathrock singers typically have strong, distinctive voices and a strong stage presence.<ref>[http://www.starvox.net/crypt/3april2.htm StarVox.net]</ref>

However, the frequently simple song structures, heavy atmosphere and rhythmic music place a great demand on the lead vocalist to convey complex emotions, so deathrock singers typically have strong, distinctive voices and a strong stage presence.<ref>[http://www.starvox.net/crypt/3april2.htm StarVox.net]</ref>

Despite the similar sounding names, deathrock (which is a subgenre of Post-Punk and Goth) has no connection to the similarly named [[death metal]] (aside from occasionally similar lyrical themes), which is an extreme subgenre of [].

Despite the similar sounding names, deathrock (which is a subgenre of Post-Punk and Goth) has no connection to the similarly named [[death metal]] (aside from occasionally similar lyrical themes), which is an extreme subgenre of [].

==History==

==History==

===Etymology===

===Etymology===

The term “deathrock” was first used in the [[1950s]] to describe a thematically related [[genre]] of [[rock and roll]] called “death rock” which began in 1958 with Jody Reynold’s “”Endless Sleep””<ref>[http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/artist/artist.cgi?ARTISTID=388439 MMGuide.com]</ref> and ending in 1964 with J. Frank Wilson’s “”Last Kiss””.<ref>[http://www.oldies.com/artist-view/J-Frank-Wilson.html Oldies.com]</ref> These songs about dead teenagers were noted for their morbid yet romantic view of death, spoken word bridges, and sound effects. [[The Shangri-Las]]’ “[[Leader of the Pack]]” is arguably the best known example of the 50s/60s use of the term.<ref>[http://www.classicbands.com/shangrilas.html ClassicBands]</ref>.

The term “deathrock” was first used in the 1950s to describe a thematically related [[genre]] of [[rock and roll]] called “death rock” which began in 1958 with Jody Reynold’s “”Endless Sleep””<ref>[http://www.mmguide.musicmatch.com/artist/artist.cgi?ARTISTID=388439 MMGuide.com]</ref> and ending in 1964 with J. Frank Wilson’s “”Last Kiss””.<ref>[http://www.oldies.com/artist-view/J-Frank-Wilson.html Oldies.com]</ref> These songs about dead teenagers were noted for their morbid yet romantic view of death, spoken word bridges, and sound effects. [[The Shangri-Las]]’ “[[Leader of the Pack]]” is arguably the best known example of the 50s/60s use of the term.<ref>[http://www.classicbands.com/shangrilas.html ClassicBands]</ref>.

The term deathrock re-emerged 15 years later in 1979 to describe the sound of various West Coast punk bands which would later become associated with the deathrock scene and most likely came from one of three sources; [[Rozz Williams]], the founding member of [[Christian Death]], to describe the sound of his band,<ref>[http://www.starvox.net/crypt/dr/germany2.htm Starvox.net]</ref> or the music press reusing the 1950s term to describe an emerging subgenre of punk. Another theory is that the term came from [[Nick Zedd]]’s 1979 film “They Eat Scum”, which featured a fictitious cannibalistic “death rock” punk band called “Suzy Putrid and the Mental Deficients”.<ref>[http://mysite.verizon.net/holyokeresearcher/ZEDD.html Verizon.net]</ref>

The term deathrock re-emerged 15 years later in 1979 to describe the sound of various West Coast punk bands which would later become associated with the deathrock scene and most likely came from one of three sources; [[Rozz Williams]], the founding member of [[Christian Death]], to describe the sound of his band,<ref>[http://www.starvox.net/crypt/dr/germany2.htm Starvox.net]</ref> or the music press reusing the 1950s term to describe an emerging subgenre of punk. Another theory is that the term came from [[Nick Zedd]]’s 1979 film “They Eat Scum”, which featured a fictitious cannibalistic “death rock” punk band called “Suzy Putrid and the Mental Deficients”.<ref>[http://mysite.verizon.net/holyokeresearcher/ZEDD.html Verizon.net]</ref>

The earliest influences for some deathrock acts, such as [[45 Grave]] for example, can be traced to the horror themed novelty rock and roll acts of the late 1950s and early 1960s such as [[Bobby Pickett|Bobby “Boris” Pickett]] with “”[[Monster Mash]]””, [[Screamin' Jay Hawkins]] with “”[[I Put a Spell on You]]”” and [[Screaming Lord Sutch|Screaming Lord Sutch & the Savages]] with “”Murder in the Graveyard””. These songs used sound effects<ref>[http://www.cod.edu/People/Faculty/pruter/Horror/themes.htm COD.edu]</ref> to create a creepy atmosphere, dealt with taboo subjects (such as [[cannibalism]]) in a humorous, often campy manner, and are still occasionally played at deathrock clubs.<ref>[http://www.deathrock.com/ghoulschool/setlists07.02.03.html Deathrock.com]</ref>

The earliest influences for some deathrock acts, such as [[45 Grave]] for example, can be traced to the horror themed novelty rock and roll acts of the late 1950s and early 1960s such as [[Bobby Pickett|Bobby “Boris” Pickett]] with “”[[Monster Mash]]””, [[Screamin' Jay Hawkins]] with “”[[I Put a Spell on You]]”” and [[Screaming Lord Sutch|Screaming Lord Sutch & the Savages]] with “”Murder in the Graveyard””. These songs used sound effects<ref>[http://www.cod.edu/People/Faculty/pruter/Horror/themes.htm COD.edu]</ref> to create a creepy atmosphere, dealt with taboo subjects (such as [[cannibalism]]) in a humorous, often campy manner, and are still occasionally played at deathrock clubs.<ref>[http://www.deathrock.com/ghoulschool/setlists07.02.03.html Deathrock.com]</ref>

This horror influence on rock music continued into the 1970s with theatrical hard rockers [[Alice Cooper]]<ref>[http://www.canada.com/topics/entertainment/music/story.html?id=f4bfbd42-008d-4e5f-983c-17f7a092f98a&k=71594 Canada.com]</ref> and [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]]. Rozz Williams has specifically credited the [[1970s]] output of both [[Alice Cooper]] and Kiss as childhood influences,<ref>[http://thebluehour.free.fr/rozzarticles-cnoctem.htm TheBlueHour.fr]</ref> [[45 Grave]] also covered Alice Cooper’s “”[[School's Out (song)|School's Out]]”” on their debut full length album.

This horror influence on rock music continued into the 1970s with theatrical hard rockers [[Alice Cooper]]<ref>[http://www.canada.com/topics/entertainment/music/story.html?id=f4bfbd42-008d-4e5f-983c-17f7a092f98a&k=71594 Canada.com]</ref> and [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]]. Rozz Williams has specifically credited the 1970s output of both [[Alice Cooper]] and Kiss as childhood influences,<ref>[http://thebluehour.free.fr/rozzarticles-cnoctem.htm TheBlueHour.fr]</ref> [[45 Grave]] also covered Alice Cooper’s “”[[School's Out (song)|School's Out]]”” on their debut full length album.

Other rock and [[glam rock]] bands who influenced many early goth/deathrock artists include [[The Doors]], [[David Bowie]], [[The Velvet Underground]], [[The Stooges|Iggy Pop and the Stooges]], [[the Cramps]], [[T.Rex (band)|T. Rex]], [[New York Dolls]], [[The Damned]], [[MC5]], and [[Richard Hell and the Voidoids]]<ref>. Most of these artists explored darker themes, sometimes incorporated horror-themed visuals into their shows, or had their music used in horror movie soundtracks.[http://www.horrorpunk.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=4]</ref>

Other rock and [[glam rock]] bands who influenced many early goth/deathrock artists include [[The Doors]], [[David Bowie]], [[The Velvet Underground]], [[The Stooges|Iggy Pop and the Stooges]], [[the Cramps]], [[T.Rex (band)|T. Rex]], [[New York Dolls]], [[The Damned]], [[MC5]], and [[Richard Hell and the Voidoids]]<ref>. Most of these artists explored darker themes, sometimes incorporated horror-themed visuals into their shows, or had their music used in horror movie soundtracks.[http://www.horrorpunk.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=4]</ref>

===Emergence===

===Emergence===

Deathrock first emerged in [[United States|America]] in the late [[1970s]] and early [[1980s]] as a darker offshoot of the pre-existing [[punk rock]] and pre-[[hardcore punk|hardcore]] LA music scene.<ref>[http://www.alicebag.com/dinahcancerinterview.html AliceBag.com]</ref>. The most active and best documented deathrock music scene was in [[Los Angeles]], which centered around the bands [[The Flesh Eaters (band)|The Flesh Eaters]] (1977), [[Kommunity FK]] (1979), [[45 Grave]] (1979), [[Christian Death]] (1979), [[Gun Club]] (1981), [[Voodoo Church]] (1982), [[Burning Image]] (1983), and [[Super Heroines]] (1984).<ref>[http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/england-fades-away-stylus-magazines-guide-to-goth.htm England Fades Away: Stylus Magazine’s Guide to Goth - Article - Stylus Magazine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.furious.com/perfect/gunclub.html The Gun Club story in detail<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

Deathrock first emerged in [[United States|America]] in the late 1970s and early 1980s as a darker offshoot of the pre-existing [[punk rock]] and pre-[[hardcore punk|hardcore]] LA music scene.<ref>[http://www.alicebag.com/dinahcancerinterview.html AliceBag.com]</ref>. The most active and best documented deathrock music scene was in [[Los Angeles]], which centered around the bands [[The Flesh Eaters (band)|The Flesh Eaters]] (1977), [[Kommunity FK]] (1979), [[45 Grave]] (1979), [[Christian Death]] (1979), [[Gun Club]] (1981), [[Voodoo Church]] (1982), [[Burning Image]] (1983), and [[Super Heroines]] (1984).<ref>[http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/england-fades-away-stylus-magazines-guide-to-goth.htm England Fades Away: Stylus Magazine’s Guide to Goth - Article - Stylus Magazine<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.furious.com/perfect/gunclub.html The Gun Club story in detail<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

However, other western cities in the United States also had bands which would later be described as deathrock such as [[Theatre of Ice]] (1978) in [[Fallon, Nevada]] and [[Mighty Sphincter]] (1980) in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. These early West Coast deathrock bands took the pre-existing base of punk rock and added dark yet playful themes borrowed from horror movies, film noir, surrealism, religious imagery, etc.<ref>[http://www.wweek.com/html/musicb102500.html wweek.com]</ref> A couple of bands blended hardcore punk with a gothic sound, most notably [[TSOL]];<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:1jd1vwmva9yk~T1 AllMusic.com]</ref> and [[Burning Image]].<ref>[http://www.wildhunt.org/gothblog/2005_02_01_archive.html WildHunt.org]</ref>

However, other western cities in the United States also had bands which would later be described as deathrock such as [[Theatre of Ice]] (1978) in [[Fallon, Nevada]] and [[Mighty Sphincter]] (1980) in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. These early West Coast deathrock bands took the pre-existing base of punk rock and added dark yet playful themes borrowed from horror movies, film noir, surrealism, religious imagery, etc.<ref>[http://www.wweek.com/html/musicb102500.html wweek.com]</ref> A couple of bands blended hardcore punk with a gothic sound, most notably [[TSOL]];<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:1jd1vwmva9yk~T1 AllMusic.com]</ref> and [[Burning Image]].<ref>[http://www.wildhunt.org/gothblog/2005_02_01_archive.html WildHunt.org]</ref>

While deathrock, positive punk and the Batcave bands were similar enough in sound to eventually all be filed as “”gothic”{{Fact|date=September 2007}}, later generations of gothic rock moved progressively away from the original sound, and towards a more heavy-guitar rock influenced sound.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}

While deathrock, positive punk and the Batcave bands were similar enough in sound to eventually all be filed as “”gothic”{{Fact|date=September 2007}}, later generations of gothic rock moved progressively away from the original sound, and towards a more heavy-guitar rock influenced sound.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}

The mid [[1980s]] marked the second wave of gothic rock, when the sound began to shift away from its punk and post-punk roots and towards the more serious, rock-oriented approach.<ref>[http://www.scathe.demon.co.uk/latehist.htm ScatheDemon.co.uk]</ref> [[Bauhaus]] broke up, Rozz Williams left [[Christian Death]], and The Sisters of Mercy became the dominant and most influential gothic act. The term “gothic rock” became preferred over “deathrock” (previously, they had been used interchangeably), a change which Rozz Williams attributed to the influence of the [[The Sisters of Mercy]].<ref>[http://www.darkwaver.com/subculture/articles/undead.php DarkWaver.com]</ref> As a result, the term “deathrock” was seldom used except in retrospective reference to the Los Angeles bands [[45 Grave]] and Christian Death.

The mid 1980s marked the second wave of gothic rock, when the sound began to shift away from its punk and post-punk roots and towards the more serious, rock-oriented approach.<ref>[http://www.scathe.demon.co.uk/latehist.htm ScatheDemon.co.uk]</ref> [[Bauhaus]] broke up, Rozz Williams left [[Christian Death]], and The Sisters of Mercy became the dominant and most influential gothic act. The term “gothic rock” became preferred over “deathrock” (previously, they had been used interchangeably), a change which Rozz Williams attributed to the influence of the [[The Sisters of Mercy]].<ref>[http://www.darkwaver.com/subculture/articles/undead.php DarkWaver.com]</ref> As a result, the term “deathrock” was seldom used except in retrospective reference to the Los Angeles bands [[45 Grave]] and Christian Death.

The mid [[1990s]] marked a so called “”third wave of gothic rock””, as the music drifted its furthest from the original punk and post-punk sound by incorporating many elements of the harsher, factory-inspired sound of [[industrial music]] and the more repetitive and electronic sounds of [[electronic body music|EBM]].<ref>[http://www.starvox.net/crypt/dr/dr.htm Deathrock.com and LA Deathrock Scene<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Some clubs even completely dropped deathrock and first generation gothic rock from their setlists to appeal to a [[crossover (music)|crossover]] crowd.<ref>[http://www.starvox.net/crypt/dr/dr.htm Starvox.com]</ref> These changes alienated many in the goth scene<ref>[http://kisskissbangbang.bravehost.com/fdfdfd.html KissKissBangBang.com]</ref> who preferred the livelier, punkier deathrock sound<ref>[http://www.midnightcalling.com/interviews.html MidnightCalling.com]</ref> and led them to seek out their earlier deathrock roots.<ref>[http://www.author-me.com/nonfiction/whatisgothic.htm Author-Me.com]</ref>

The mid 1990s marked a so called “”third wave of gothic rock””, as the music drifted its furthest from the original punk and post-punk sound by incorporating many elements of the harsher, factory-inspired sound of [[industrial music]] and the more repetitive and electronic sounds of [[electronic body music|EBM]].<ref>[http://www.starvox.net/crypt/dr/dr.htm Deathrock.com and LA Deathrock Scene<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Some clubs even completely dropped deathrock and first generation gothic rock from their setlists to appeal to a [[crossover (music)|crossover]] crowd.<ref>[http://www.starvox.net/crypt/dr/dr.htm Starvox.com]</ref> These changes alienated many in the goth scene<ref>[http://kisskissbangbang.bravehost.com/fdfdfd.html KissKissBangBang.com]</ref> who preferred the livelier, punkier deathrock sound<ref>[http://www.midnightcalling.com/interviews.html MidnightCalling.com]</ref> and led them to seek out their earlier deathrock roots.<ref>[http://www.author-me.com/nonfiction/whatisgothic.htm Author-Me.com]</ref>

===Revival===

===Revival===