Some Web Updates, and Introducing Featurette I

The holidays are quickly approaching, and along with colder temperatures, darker months, and a Full Moon on Christmas comes the accompaniment of holiday stress. So while I do have new posts coming up in the New Year, in the interim I wanted to announce some updates to the site: 

First, I added links next to the cited sources in my previous posts. I hope this is helpful to anyone who wishes to view the original articles I referenced. 

Second, I am introducing a series, titled Featurette, in which I showcase interesting media that I happened to stumble on or was enthralled by. Here are five sites that I’ve been currently frequenting: 

VonMonsta: While stumbling around on the Internet, I came across a site run by the lovely Naomi von Monsta. It is a beautiful site filled with amazing outfit photos, enchanting artwork of fairytales and folklore, DIY posts, recipes, and so much more. I enjoy reading about her myriad adventures in the lush hillside and finding aesthetic inspiration. 

Black Widow Sanctuary: Black Widow Sanctuary is another gorgeous blog run by Hukutettu Nukke, serving as another great source of outfit and DIY inspiration. I found this blog when she posted an outfit inspired by Naomi von Monsta; I find it interesting how, with the innovation of the Internet, we are able to be connected across the many miles of continents and countries. This is a fun blog to read, and I definitely recommend it. 

Take a Bite: This webzine, which was unknown to me as an angsty teenager, is a faint but interesting look at Goth in the earlier days of the Internet. While the site is very simplistic compared to modern day Goth webpages, The Net.Goth Handbook is an example of the glow of the sharp wit characteristic to Goths glowing through the austere text and design. Sadly, there are only two issues of Take a Bite, but they are both intriguing and humorous. While some of the pages sadly no longer function, I would also suggest checking out other articles on Vamp.org, such as the discographies of Bauhaus, an amusing Guide to Napalming, and the hilarious alt.gothic.FAQ that I have linked to through my resources page. 

Skin Artists: I hope to get a tattoo and a piercing someday, and I often visit Skin Artists for information on piercings and tattoos, interviews about different artists and look for inspiration for that first inked image to cover a piece of skin. I’ve read quite a few articles and find them very intriguing, and the art is breathtaking to look at. 

Ethical Scavenger: Despite the inherent morbidity involved in collecting and cleaning bones, I find the cracks and surfaces of animal skulls mysteriously beautiful, but I completely object to killing animals for the mere reason of adding to one’s own personal collection. I love this site because it is a great resource for those who want to build a collection of bones and other oddities, but with an ethical respect for an animal’s habitat. The site features information on laws regarding collecting items such as bird feathers and parts from animals that died from natural causes (however, these laws only apply to those who live in the US), a step-by-step guide on collecting and whitening bones, resources on identifying skulls, and guides on dry and wet preservation. Additionally, there are lovely photos of bones and taxidermy that serve as great inspiration for my décor. I highly recommend this site to anyone who adores morbid curiosities and would love to surround themselves in an environment of oddities. 

I hope these websites are both informative and entertaining, and once I create some semblance of a schedule, I would like to periodically write Featurette posts. Thank you to those who have visited and followed my blog, and have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. 

A Glimpse into the Darkness: A Brief Look at the "Scary Stories" Series

Once again, the season of autumnal gloom has descended upon us. As Halloween arrives, I find myself looking through the pages of a small set of books, admiring the artwork that once terrified me as a kid. Eventually I come across a black book with a red border with the words “Scary Stories to tell in the Dark” printed in large black letters. Below the letters is a macabre image of a skull with the familiar red “Scholastic” logo at the bottom, resurrecting old memories of book sales and small paper catalogs passed out by grade school teachers in homeroom.

The infamous cover image. Book cover art is
© HarperCollins

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a series of books written by the late Alvin Schwartz and featured the infamous drawings by Stephen Gammell. Featuring stories such as “What Do You Come For?”, “The Dead Man’s Brains”, “Such Things Happen”, the three books—Scary Stories, More Scary Stories, and Scary Stories 3 –were the subject of controversy due to their chilling imagery and were consequently the most frequently challenged series for library banning from 1990-99 (“100 Most Frequently Challenged Books”).  The series was also challenged from 2000-2009 and was the 7^th most challenged series for the decade (“Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books”). 

 

Notwithstanding being challenged multiple times, the series has survived and or continues to be a classic collection for spooky stories. To celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the series, Scary Stories publisher Harper Collins rereleased the series with new illustrations by Brett Helquist, best known for illustrating Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. This change in illustration angered many who found Helquist’s illustrations lacking in their depth of displaying haunting detail in comparison to Gammell.  Quite simply, “Gammell’s  skill at reaching into the darkest depths of his imagination and returning with vivid nightmares which he then captured in all their macabre detail through his paintings is, simply put, unmatched”(Pellegrini). It is a disappointment, as the stories lose the intended impact that Gammell’s drawings created. Mark Pellegrini’s article “Scary Stories to tell in the Dark:Gammel vs. Helquist” provides a helpful juxtaposition between the artwork of the two editions. 
 

Despite the years of controversy, the Scary Stories series has remained as an important source of inspiration and nightmare fuel for many children of the ‘80s and 90s and has recently received some attention. CBS Films hired screenwriter John August to rewrite a screenplay after the previous version, written by Saw writers Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton, was thrown out (Hall). Moreover, the series is also the focus of a documentary directed by Cody Meirick—Scary Stories: A Documentary, which aims to highlight the legacy of the series, the history of gothic children’s folklore, and the impact of illustrations on young children. “In addition, to tackle the books as a subject inevitably involves the topic of censorship amongst children’s literature. Using the most censored modern example of this practice, this documentary intends to shine a light on the practice and explore the many facets and opinions involved with challenging children’s books in America” (“Synopsis”). Be sure to visit the documentary website if you wish to learn more about this exciting project. 

Honestly, I cannot recommend this series enough. The books offered a unique angle unlike other scary story series such as Goosebumps; though Gammell’s illustrations were extremely frightening to me as a child, there was an unmatched charm with these books that drew me to them. I have many fond memories flipping through the pages, thoroughly engrossed in the horrors that awaited the unsuspecting victims. Schwartz did not talk down to his audience but instead challenged the convention of what is allowed in children’s literature. Today, the series serves as inspiration for my art projects and general aesthetics. 

The original print of these books, while not impossible, is a bit difficult to come by, but I do suggest searching eBay, Thrift Books, or visiting a thrift store if you would like to acquire the series for yourself. If you’re having difficulty locating a copy, you can still celebrate this wonderfully dark day by dimming the lights, cozying up with a snack, and listening to the incredibly recorded audiobooks fill the emptiness of the room. 

To continue the festivities, I also created a Halloween playlist, "Pumpkins and Old Records" (link in case the playlist doesn't load), and you can also listen to last year's playlist if you wish. I suppose my Halloween playlist will officially become a tradition of sorts.

Here is the track listing in case YouTube doesn’t load:

Screaming for Emily—The Love
Your Funeral—I Wanna Be You
Screaming Dead—Lovers
The Legendary Pink Dots—Lisa’s Party

45 Grave—Riboflavin

Cinema Strange—Moundshroud

Cinema Strange—Finger Broken Branches (Instrumental)

Scarecrow—Mother’s Calling

Exces Nocturne—L’Echo des Lumières

Specimen—Dead Man’s Autochop

Siouxsie and the Banshees—Head Cut

Bauhaus—St. Vitus Dance

Oingo Boingo—Dead Man’s Party

I try to focus more on songs that usually aren't included in Halloween playlists, so if you like any of the featured bands, be sure to check them out.

Lastly, welcome and thank you to new readers! I truly hope you enjoy your stay.

Have a deathly decadent Halloween♥

Sources Cited:

“100 Most Frequently Challenged Books: 1990-1999”. American Library Association. N.d. Web. 15 October 2015. (link)

Hall, Jacob. “‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ Will Get Rewritten by ‘Frankenweenie’ Writer John August”. The Movie Network. 18 November 2014. Web. 23 October 2015. (link)

Pellegrini, Mark. “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark: Gammell vs. Helquist”. Adventures in Poor Taste. 18 December 2011. Web. 14 October 2015. (link)

“Synopsis”. Scary Stories: A Documentary. 2015. Web. 23 October 2015. (link)

“Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009”. American Library Association. N.d. Web. 15 October 2015. (link)

 

 

Aural Tendencies: Big Electric Cat, with an Addendum on Blog Changes

Oh, technology, you never cease to amaze me. Shortly after I celebrated my return to blogging, I began to deal with a number of computer issues, which resulted in months of trying to replace my broken computer. This, along with other things, contributed to a very long absence.

My long absence aside, let’s talk Goth music. Goth music can be an acquired taste for some and may require some getting used to. Some bands may sound too harsh and grating, while others may feature bands with high-pitched voices that new listeners may be unaccustomed to, such as The Sex Gang Children. For first time listeners seeking exposure to Goth music, I recommend checking out Big Electric Cat (BEC) which was a very important gateway band that introduced me to the subculture as a gloomy, angst-ridden teenager. Intrigued and amused by their name, I listened to “Black Water” and instantly fell in love with the track’s dark, throbbing beats. Now as an adult, Big Electric Cat is one of my favorite bands of all time, with Eyelash being my favorite album by far.

Big Electric Cat was formed in 1993 with Paul Sadler, David Block, and Deborah Denton. The band name was inspired by the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. Adding to the lineup was the drum machine, Dr. Ruth, named after a famous sex therapist (Bruce). This seems to be in a similar vein to The Sisters of Mercy’s Dr. Avalanche and The Merry Thoughts’ Thoughtmachine. In Peter Marks’s interview with Paul Sadler, the guitarist and lead vocalist, it seems the moniker was a backhand to The Sisters of Mercy. Sadler responds, “…[a]ll these gothic bands name their drum machines something. And Dr. Avalanche has been around for a few years, so we thought we would just twist that a little bit”(Marks). 
 

In 1989, Sadler moved from the UK to Sydney, Australia, as he believed it allowed for a healthier musical atmosphere. The band’s music was intended to confront the darker aspects of the human condition, like sadness, and was influenced by a variety of sources, such as music from Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, “an appreciation of deep feelings and emotions, and a belief in love transcending death” (“iTunes Preview”).  

After putting out a self-financed EP called Suspiria, which resulted in a three-album contract with Cleopatra  Records, Big Electric Cat debuted with Dreams of a Mad King in 1994, reworking four of the tracks that appear in the final version of the album (“iTunes Preview”). Although I prefer Eyelash over Dreams of a Mad King, I still enjoy this album, my personal standout tracks including “Bed of Nails”, “Orchid Dreaming”, “Winter Room”, “Twisting Man”, and “Paris Skyes”. Their compilation Burning Embers was released in 1995. This is my least favorite release by BEC. While highly imaginative, the remixes vary in quality. Bruce, the author of the article “The Unquiet Grave: Big Electric Cat” succinctly states that “Burning Embers is a spotty piece of work, with a chill take on ‘Christabel’ and a skitterish[sic] darkwave mix of ‘Paris Skyes’ faring better than some outdated house workouts” (Bruce).

After what I would consider to be their weakest release, the 1997 release Eyelash proved to be a masterpiece in my eyes—an experimental, morose album that, to me, highlights the dreamy, poetic essence of Goth. The titular track, written in the memory of Sadler’s father, is a stunning composition with painful lyrics. “Crash Flight 232” is another track that caught me off guard as unnerving and tense, but still particularly well-written and composed. Sadly, their sophomoric album would be their last, as developments on new album releases have been quiet since.

Paul Sadler’s soothing vocals matched/set against the overall sounds of Big Electric Cat have made my transition to Goth music extremely easy. I’ve found their music has provided great a soundtrack while meditating. Big Electric Cat’s take on David Bowie’s classic “Cat People” adds a more sinister, electronic spin on the classic track.  The incorporation of synthesizers reminds me of Clan of Xymox’s melodic and danceable “Stranger”. The solemn, yet beautiful “Transience” is the final track of Eyelash, closing with a slow, mournful tone, highlighted by Sadler’s languid, melancholy vocals:

                Do you still remember

                The passing of your soul?

                Carve the name eternity

                For everyone to hold    

The haunting and dreamy lyrics that drew me in as a fledging Goth continue to astound me with their beauty and depth. This is a band I can’t recommend enough. Their Discogs page can be found here for more information on the album releases and formats.

Recommended Tracks:

Paris Skyes

Cat People(Putting out Fire) (David Bowie cover)

Orchid Dreaming

Bed of Nails

Christabel

Transience

Winter Room

Black Water

Crash Flight 232

Twisting Man

If my rambling on Big Electric Cat interests you, I've created a playlist featuring the aforementioned tracks, which can be listened to here. Unfortunately, I was unable to find "Crash Flight 232", so instead I included the track "Eyelash".

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As an addendum, I wanted to note some of the changes I made to the blog. I had originally posted “In Defense of Dark Things”, and I made some grammatical edits after previewing the article on the blog. I want to note that The Count, whom I mentioned in the post, recently posted his YouTube video on his new site, The Belfry. The site is a fantastic source for interesting podcasts and posts. I have added this and other numerous links to the Resources page. I also want to thank The HouseCat for mentioning me on her Facebook website; I really appreciate you sharing my post! 

While I closely follow the Blogging without Obligation principle, I sincerely hope to not make a habit of disappearing this long. Many things are coming in the works for this blog.

Sources Cited:

Big Electric Cat. “Eyelash”. Eyelash. Cleopatra, 1997. (link)

Bruce. “The Unquiet Grave: Big Electric Cat”. I Die: You Die. 4 July 2012. 15 July 2015. (link)

“ITunes Preview: Big Electric Cat”. Apple. Nd. 13 July 2015. (link)

Marks, Peter. “Interview with Paul Sadler of Big Electric Cat at EJ’s, Portland, OR, September 6”. Sonic Boom. 24 Sep 2012. 7 July 2015. (link)