It's me May again. I am so sorry I left this blog abandoned for so long. I just didn't have any time at all to get on this site. I didn't even have time to get on Tumblr, if that means anything. I had way too much homework assigned. College is rough, it sure is not like high school, where I didn't have any homework at all. Unlike high school, college leaves me with excess homework every day. But, enough of my excuses. I should be getting with today's topic. That's right, today's topic is going to be about the dreaded Babybat and Emo Goth phases *shudders*. I know none of us want to remember these times in our lifes but, it is something I would have to get through sometime in this blog. Personally, I have went through a mix of both of these phases. Not all the way, but somehow kind of like a crossover. I had a bit of both phases I guess...
I think it would be proper if I would talk about my experience in these phases first so that you all have a clue of what it was like for me when I went throught these phases. This was of course back in high school of course, back when I didn't really have a clue of what the Gothic subculture was really about. Back then for me Goth was about heavy metal and dressing all in black, all the time. Back in high school I would listen to bands like Korn, Evanescence, Slipknot, Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom, 30 Seconds to Mars, Slayer, Metallica, Blink 182, Avril Lavigne, H.I.M, Avenged Sevenfold, Eyes Set to Kill, and Paramore. As for the fashion part, well I didn't really dress "Goth" because well, I couldn't afford the clothing. Let's face it Gothic clothing is expensive, whatever style it is. Victorian, Cyber, Lolita, Pin-Up, Ethreal, Cabaret, Fetish, Corporate, Steampunk, etc. All of it is expensive to at least have one perfectly coordinated outfit. As how I see it, I think I dressed Emo instead. Skinny jeans, Scene hair, Converse shoes, striped tees, and studded belts were pretty much the staples of my wardrobe back in 2008- and early 2011. Pathetic isn't it?
But here is the odd part during my phase in high school, while I did all of that stuff to embrace my alternative side. I never said I was a Goth, instead I just said I was a rocker chick. I think the reason was because well, like I said earlier of the perception I had of Goth back then. I didn't dress like a Goth, more like an Emo kid. But back then, I also had the perception of Goth the styles of: Victorian, Gothic Lolita, and Romantic Goth, and Vampire Goth.
Me in late 2010... |
Now that I shared with you all my personal experience of being in those phases for a few years. If you noticed my phases started quite late I was 14 or 15. Usually the Babybat phases take place in teenagers with the ages of 11 or 12. I somehow feel like a late bloomer of some sorts lol. Now time to get on with what these phases I am talking are all about.
What is a Babybat?
Spooky kids, Kindergoths, Mansonites, Mallgoths...these pre-teen or early-teen types are known by many names, most of which are derogatory. They are often regarded with scorn and contempt by older members of the Goth community. Their crimes? Generally, not being old enough to remember the 80s, not being rich enough to afford a “proper Goth” wardrobe, and not being wise enough to know the “right” music to listen to or the “right” amount of make-up to wear.
It is true that, while Baby Bats often consider themselves “Goth,” they show quite a number of differences from members of the original scene; they tend to show a preference for metal (Marylin Manson and HIM being typical “Baby Bat” music), wear clothes that reflect metal/skater fashion and tend to go for a “shocking” rather than “aesthetic” appearance.
Information from www.blackwaterfall.com
What is an Emo Goth?
Although the term “Emo” has been around for over a decade or so to describe a particular genre of Punk, it has recently become a buzzword of the 21st century to describe the features of the contemporary youth fashion movement. Visually a hodgepodge of many different styles including Punk, Retro, a touch of urban Japanese and Goth, it was inevitable that Emo would start demonstrating crossovers with Goth at some point.
Those Emos who cross over more than most into the Goth spectrum can be identified by their dyed black hair, black nail varnish, black eyeliner and a love of skulls and piercings. They will blend all these elements with other “typical” emo elements, such as Converses, horn-rimmed glasses, stripe and star patterns, and accents of bright colour (very often pink).
Emos, like Goths, enjoy their music, and Emo Goths (or Gothy Emos) may listen to My Chemical Romance, The Rasmus or Funeral for a Friend (great Gothy name after all).
Emos have a reputation for being rather moody, as do Goths, so one would expect an Emo Goth to be ultra-moody. This may be true of some, but many are too fond of children’s cartoons, old computer games, cute accessories and Tim Burton films to really be considered uber-dark.
Information from www.blackwaterfall.com
So, what do you think of this? Did you go through any phases of the ones that I mentioned in this post? Leave your responses below if you did, I would love to know how your experience was. Hopefully much better than mines!
See you soon,
May