Often viewed as an aesthetic or style, there is more to goth than the heavy eyeliner and dark clothes. Originating in the late 1970s, it is an incredibly rich and diverse subculture, based on post-punk music and community. Goth challenges norms and encourages a unique and dark style. It has changed since then, but is still alive today, including in Rochester. 

Goth Culture

While most have heard of goth, few truly understand it. Towards the end of the late 1970s, goth had emerged from the post-punk revival, it has evolved over time, and become a complex, multidimensional identity. In recent years, it has seemingly been reduced to an aesthetic to most and in a way gone full circle. Goth, originally referring to a style of music based in post-punk and alternative rock, has become a more all encompassing term. Bands like The Cure or the Bauhaus helped define the sound, inspired by gothic literature such as Mary Shelley or Edgar Allan Poe. 

Goth wasn’t all music, as it also created community. First found around the London area, clubs would play the music and it was a space for goths to connect. Gothic fashion became increasingly defined, with black clothing, leather and extravagant makeup made to stand out and challenge the norm, reflecting its post-punk roots views of anti-conformity. Morbidity and romanticism became very popular themes within the goth community.

Eventually, more bands got into the genre, and it branched out. Within this subculture, there are different sub-genres such as gothic metal, darkwave and gothabilly. The genre has evolved over the years, and what is considered goth has as well. Goth has become more of an umbrella term for music that holds the theme of anything spooky, and became a way to describe generally darker music. There are still “goth purists” who believe nothing after the 1980s should be considered goth. It’s something to reflect on: why try to confine a genre when it was made to stand out?

Rochester’s Goth Community 

Goth is grounded in its music and community, and Rochester’s goth scene features a vibrant community full of life.

There are a few well-known spots in the local community, such as Vertex. The club, founded in 2014, is known as the prime spot for goths of Rochester. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was 18-plus for entry, but now operates for 21-plus, as it is unclear if the club will return to 18-plus. Outside of Vertex, there remains a vast community, albeit one less visible at a glance.

Record Archive, a Rochester music store, hosts a goth event called “Tragic Tuesday” on the third Tuesday of each month from 5-8 p.m. Having started this year, this event is slowly gaining momentum. 

Zach Burnett, the creator of “Tragic Tuesday,” has been into goth music himself for the past 20 years. He admits he was bummed to find out about Vertex being 21-plus. 

“No age restrictions at all [at Tragic Tuesday] so now younger goths have the chance to check out the scene,” said Burnett.

There is also an elder goth legend at RIT – Pagan Chaplain Rauncie Reynolds, well known in the Rochester goth scene. Known as “granny goth” within the community, she has a TikTok following and has hosted many events throughout the years, including the event that started it all – the Rochester Vampire Ball. When Kelly O’May, a community member known by her stage name of “Penny Scandall,” was killed due to a domestic violence incident, Reynolds was empowered to do something. She created the Vampire Ball in an effort to raise the money for a scholarship in the victim’s name. The scholarship goes to a writing student, and for the past three years, Reynolds has been successfully able to raise the money.

In October, Reynolds hosts Retroween, an “old school Halloween party,” and in December, the Krampus Ball. While it may be too late to attend the Vampire Ball or Retroween, the Krampus Ball is around the corner. It is an 18-plus event, hosted this year on Dec. 6 from 8-10 p.m.
“I found some things that weren’t being provided to the community,” Reynolds said. “I wanted to provide for people, as there are people in our community who have wheelchairs, people in our community that need to use a walker. And there are also goths like myself who are older who don’t want to wait until 10 p.m. to go to an event.”

Reynolds doesn’t just host events but loves to participate in others. She refers to herself as a Vertex regular and speaks highly of it and the community it has helped build.

“I will tell you this, I know if I were in deep trouble my community would come to my aid, because that is the way that they are,” and “We are really lucky in Rochester to have a club like Vertex,” Reynolds said.  

Reynolds serves as a reflection of the greater goth community in Rochester. When interviewing the employees at Record Archive, they brought up Reynolds. Local events are tied to Reynolds. Reynolds expressed feeling passionate and proud of the community, and encouraged any student interested in the goth community to talk to her.

“It’s been a real honor that my community recognizes me and thinks I represent what we are about.”