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I have been thinking about 'goth' music these days, and for the most part I hate it. I would pretty much rather punch myself in the eye than listen to 'Cradle of Filth'. People come from different orientations, different perspectives in music and mine has perhaps followed a different course than some younger members here due to my age, and being able to really remember and follow the development of the scene as a whole.



Reading HJ's journal made me reflect on these things. I was a new wave addict right from the start: I was very young, but used to try and make my hair stand up like the flock of seagulls guy and that sort of thing. Depeche Mode is probably who I would name as one of my most influential bands as far as taste is concerned. They were different then than they are now. Now "dark" is everywhere in all sorts of ways, but I remember when "Master and Servant" and "Blasphemous Rumors" were controversial, edgy, and dark. Of course, at a little older I loved Sisters of Mercy, Cocteau Twins, and so on. There were also certain aspects of the goth scene that were combined with Euro influences that I liked alot: Siouxsie and the Banshees, the Cure; really sort of a mixture of the music and the faux-glam ala Iggy Pop and early Bowie.



I easily see how a number of these sounds have developed into "gay" music: gay clubs and audiences still heavily embrace a dark wave sound and it is present in a lot of club music. The other direction of course being industrial: an offshoot/combination of metal or hard rock with darker goth influences. I liked a bit of Thrill Kill Cult back in the day like any other, but would definately go for the front 242 first. Later KMFDM or Nitzer Ebb: N.E. for me for sure, like I said its an orientation thing.



A band I really like is Ladytron. I think they are completely underrated. One of their recent releases 'Destroy Everything You Touch' reminds me so much of 'older goth music' that it floods me with memories, it's just excellent. One of my favorite songs by them is 'Playgirl'.

It's hard not to notice that so many people have changed their names on VR accounts. I'm not referring to people who buy multiple accounts so that they can participate in varied VR activities as much as those, who, at very high status levels change their name so that their ratings scores can start from scratch now that they know some people and can come up with a decent profile. My question is, what's the big stinkin' deal? I know its all about the ratings for some people, but wow, that seems a little excessive.



I did however come across a name, that were I to ever create a second account (which I won't) I would use. My sense of humor is not for everyone, but this made me laugh: Count Rat Bastard. That would be me, Count Rat Bastard.