Toronto Goth Scene

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This article is about the Toronto, Ontario Goth music scene, its distinctive origins and history.

In Toronto, the emergence of goth subculture and the associated music scene has origins which differ from other major cultural centres. Goths within the Toronto area have attitudes and subcultural behaviors which are influenced by local Canadian multiculturalism, bilingualism, and factors distinct to the City of Toronto. Torontonian subcultural boundaries were affected drastically in the aftermath of notable events such as the Columbine High School massacre.

Contents

[edit] The City of Toronto

Toronto Evening Skyline
Toronto Evening Skyline

See main article : Toronto


Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario, located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. The city had a population of 2,503,281 and its census metropolitan area (CMA) had a population of 5,113,149 at the 2006 Canadian census.[1] The Greater Toronto Area (GTA), a provincial planning area that differs from the federal CMA, had a population of 5,555,912 at the 2006 Canadian Census.[2] Toronto is the economic centre of the Greater Golden Horseshoe, a large urbanized region of 8.1 million people,[3] spreading outwards from the western shores of Lake Ontario. Residents of Toronto are called Torontonians.

As Canada's economic capital and a major global city, Toronto has highly developed finance, business services, telecommunications, aerospace, transportation, media, arts, film, television production, publishing, software production, medical research, education, tourism and sports industries.[4][5] The city is home to a majority of the country's corporate headquarters and transnational corporate offices as well as the Toronto Stock Exchange, the world's seventh largest stock exchange.[4] Toronto is home to top professional teams like the Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Blue Jays, and the Toronto Argonauts. Defining the Toronto skyline is the CN Tower, the world's tallest free standing structure. The city is also an important international cultural player with hundreds of world-class museums, galleries, performance venues and festivals. Toronto's population is cosmopolitan and international, which reflects its role as a major destination for immigrants to Canada.[6] Because of its low crime rates,[7] clean environment and generally high standard of living, Toronto is consistently rated one of the world's most livable cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit[8] and the Mercer Quality of Living Survey.[9] In 2006, Toronto was rated as the most expensive city in Canada to live in.[10]

[edit] Toronto Goth Subculture

See article : Goth subculture

Most of the general behaviors and beliefs which have become associated with the international Goth subculture also apply within Toronto. This article focuses on the characteristics which may differ or carry a heightened or diminished emphasis. The origins of Goth in Toronto are also particular to this urban centre.

[edit] Origins of the Toronto "Goth" subculture : The "Freaks"

In the UK, where goth rock originated, the term "gothic" or "goth" was used to refer to a subculture and style of music since approximately 1982[11], however in Toronto, usage of the term "goth" and identification of a subculture as "goth" did not occur until several years later, and emerged under circumstances unique to Toronto's underground music scene.

In Toronto a subculture called "the freaks" existed prior to 1982 and was a cultural blend of New Romantic, death punk, punk and hardcore punk enthusiasts. The term "freak" was a referrance to individuals in this scene, and as inclusion had no specific requirements, the Toronto scene was more diverse than other goth/punk scenes. The "freaks" at this time included fans of specific music genres but also consisted of many people of colour, transgendered individuals, homosexuals and also included any others who participated in the Toronto underground music scene. [12]

Certain of the "freaks" (primarily "death-punks", and "new-romantics") were extremely fashion-conscious, and after 1982 (around the same time "gothic" found usage as a subcultural identifier in the UK) moved to dress in darker styles and fashions, while maintaining a local identify seperate from "goth". Some local punks thought of these individuals as "pretentious, vacuous, fashion victims".[13] The term freak was used generically however some Hardcore punks, themselves, aschewed being labeled as "freak" altogether and used the term "Blitzkids" when referring to the darker "new-romantics", and leaving the term "freak" for the others. [14]

The word "freak" was not derogatory; those who called themselves "freak" and others "freak" were largely the same individuals who would later become "the goths" around 1988. However, unlike concurrent goth subcultures elsewhere, "freaks" were more fashion conscious. Taking fashion as the primary cultural identification, and music as secondary. Freak fashion was largely based on old B&W horror films, film noir or ratty new-romantic and glam rock style. [15]

It took another 6 years , until 1988, for the term "goth" itself to used in Toronto. Since then, the term "goth" was used to refer to those "freaks" who centered on gothic fashion and gothic rock. At that time the goths took the idea "gothic" very seriously and in the years from 1988 until the mid 90's, the goths in Toronto took gothic literature, romantic poetry, gothic fashion and gothic aesthetics to a much greater extreme than standard goth subculture in other parts of the world. Generally merely being a fan of gothic rock defined "goth". This was not the case in Toronto. At that time few in Toronto who called themself goth, did not read gothic literature such as Anne Rice, extensively.[16] But Edgar Allan Poe, Lord Byron, Brahm Stoker and other gothic romanticist authors were also widely considered customary. A new darker Vampire fashion became the default definotion of goth style.[17]

Around the same time as the appearance of the term goth, a clothing store by the name of "Siren" was opened by Groovela Black on Queen Street West to cater to the goths' fashion needs. Siren opened in 1988. Groovela Black also founded the Toronto Gothic Society. [18]

Capitalizing on the popularily of vampiric archtypes in Toronto, on September 3rd 1992, a bar called "Sactuary The Vampire Sex Bar" opened on Queen Street West to cater to goths and vampire enthusiasts. When Sanctuary originally opened it emphasized the Gothic fashion aspect of the scene so strictly, it imposed a gothic dress code.[19]Although the name suggests it, in fact, sexual activity did not actually occur here.[20]

Also capitalizing on popularity of vampires in Toronto, a TV show, Forever Knight, about an 800 year old Vampire who became a Toronto Cop, was filmed in and around the Toronto area and aired internationally from 1992 until 1996. The show did not conceal the fact that it took place in Toronto and references to "Toronto", local landmarks and street names brought Toronto prestige, amongst its fans, as a city full of vampires.

In 1997 a book "Tales From Sanctuary: The Vampire Sex Bar" was published, documenting tales and anecdotes from Toronto's alleged "vampire" scene.[21] And in 1999 a book called "The Vampire Book:The Encyclopedia of the Dead" was published in the United States. This book featured an entry on Groovella Black, founder of the Toronto Gothic Society, and described her store, "Siren", as the "worlds oldest shop catering to the combined enthusiasms of the overlapping communities devoted to the gothic and vampire genres."[22]

By this time Goth, in Toronto, had become widespread enough that the Media referred to it as "pop-culture", in contrast with the term "cult" which would apply in later years. [23]

The Columbine High School massacre, on April 20 1999, created a public backlash against local goths and especially youths as teachers and parents looked at the goth fashion-subculture with suspicion and mistrust. In Toronto, previously, "goth" was a relatively obscure subculture of fashion and music enthusiasts until the massacre intoduced the word "goth", rightfully or wrongfully, fully into the international mainstream in a negative light. Violence of any kind was very rare at Toronto goth clubs and notable figures in the local scene spoke to media against the association of violance and "goth" and insisted that the shooters were not goth, did not listen to goth music, and that goths were non-violent and pacifistic. [24] However while many mainstream media outlets were quick to associate the shooting with the goth subculture Certain elements of the media, notably the local Toronto entertainment and culture media actually defended goths. Toronto's, Eye Weekly columnist Donna Lypchuk published her opinion stating "I've been laughing for the past two weeks as talking heads blame the goth subculture for the killings in Colorado. The mainstream goth movement, which has been around for at least 25 years, is not secret enough to be a subversive society."[25]

Additionally a southern Ontario organization, Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, did research on the Goth subculture and that same year, published a report on goth subculture. They concluded that goths are non-violent, pacifistic, passive and tolerant of others. Many in the media have incorrectly associated the Goth subculture with violence, hatred of minorities, white supremacy, and others acts of hate. However violence and hate do not form a part of goth idealogy; rather, recognition, identification and grief over societal and personal evils that the mainstream culture wishes to ignore or forget, does. These are the prevalent themes in goth music. [26]

However, notwishstanding the rebutals against the goth association with the shooting, the goth scene in Toronto started into a decline in popularity. Goth bars closed, and goth culture oriented business shut down. This included both Siren and Sanctuary The Vampire Sex Bar, which had billed itself as the longest running goth bar in North America. [27] By late 2005, media outlets predicted the downfall of the goth subculture in Toronto saying "Bask in the nostalgia while it lasts" [28]

After the Dawson College Shooting on September 13, 2006, local media, and The Toronto Sun especially harshly, criticized what remained of the Toronto goth subculture for weeks. Although whether this hurt as much, more or less than the previous shooting is not yet known.

(this section is not yet complete)

[edit] Cultural Differences

Toronto's goths have distinct cultural differences from the world goth subculture:

  • Toronto goths do not desire the status of 'counter culture' but desire to be accepted within the "mainstream" as "goths": According to Matthew Didier, founder of The Toronto Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society and regular contributor to the CFRB paranormal radio show, "Mind/Shift", "They want to be "professional" and be accepted for their contributions to whatever than shunned. They want to be "The Goth Lawyer" or "The Goth Accountant"... not the scary person in the gutter."[29] On March 16, 2000, a relationship help column for Eye Weekly Magazine suggested "everyone in Toronto has a certain percentage of Goth in them". [30]


  • Toronto goths were an outgrowth of what was already a very fashion conscious subculture, and in Toronto, fashion tends to identify "goth subculture" more prominantly than musical tastes do in the world goth subculture. In Toronto, fashion was considered the most appealing facet of the goth scene.[31]


  • Toronto goths were more influenced by gothic and romanticist literature than goth subculture elsewhere. General definitons of the term "goth" do not mention gothic literature as a prerequisite of the subculture.[32]

(this section is not yet complete)

[edit] Toronto Based Goth Bands

This is a list of bands based out of Toronto which performed Goth Rock, Darkwave,Ethereal wave or Death Punk music.

Amy's Arms
Birthday Massacre
Delica
Eye Butterfly
Perdition
Rhea's Obsession
Scarlet Fever
Sex Without Souls
Masochistic Religion

[edit] Historic Local Events

(this section is not yet complete) in 1998 Toronto was host to Convergence IV [2]. An annual North American meeting of the net.goths.

Events included:
  • Masochistic Religion and DJs Michael Salo and Greg Clow play the Opera House Friday (Aug. 21) 1998.
  • Faith and the Muse, Rhea's Obsession, the Changelings and My Scarlet Life with DJ Marylace played the Opera House Saturday (Aug. 22).
  • An April March and DJs Lady Bathory and Lord Pale played Clinton's Sunday (Aug. 23), with the goth/medieval magick sideshow Carnival Xaotika as the added attraction.

[33]

[edit] Goth Clubs

Data from :[34][35]

Anarchist's Cocktail
Closed
Boom Boom Room
Closed
Catch 22 -
Closed
  • The floor was made of stainless steel.
Club Noire - (510 Queen St. W.)
Closed
Death in the Underground
Owner: ex-employees of Sanctuary.
Opened: 1993
Closed: towards the end of 1994
  • A song was written by Sex Without Souls about this club.
Exit to Eden
Closed
Catacombs (732 Queen St. W. - basement)
Owner: Lance Goth
Opened: June 1st, 1995
Closed: June 30th, 2000
Sanctuary Vampire Sex Bar (732 Queen St. W.)
Owner: Lance Goth
Opened: September 3rd 1992
Closed: June 30th, 2000
Silver Crown - (Located on Richmond St.)
Closed
Freak Show
Closed
Funhaus (526 Queen St. W.)
  • still open.
Twilight Zone
Closed
Nuts and Bolts - (corner of Victoria and Dundas St E).
Closed
Night Gallery - (Above Gasworks on Yonge St).
Closed: 1992 or early 1993
Stillife or Stilife - (Richmond St. and Duncan St.)
Closed
The Empire - (where St Charles Tavern used to be on Yonge St)
  • it became the Time Club but then it was closed down due to illegal activity.
Limelight -
Closed: 2001.
Neutral (349A College St)
  • still open
Savage garden (550 Queen St. W.)
  • still open
The Vatikan - (Queen St. W., one block West of Ossington)
Owner: Lance Goth
Closed: July of 2006.
Velvet underground (510 Queen St. W.)
  • still open.

[edit] Other Notable Locations

Old City Hall (Toronto)

[edit] References

  1. ^
  2. ^ Total population of the City of Toronto (2,503,281) and the regional municipalities of Durham (561,258), Halton (439,256), Peel (1,159,405) and York (892,712). These population figures are taken from Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census divisions, 2006 and 2001 censuses - 100% data. Statistics Canada (2007-03-13). Retrieved on 2007-03-18. The fact that these municipalities form the GTA is stated in Ontario Population Projections Update, 2005-2031 Ontario and Its 49 Census Divisions. Ministry of Finance, Government of Ontario (April 2006). Retrieved on 2007-03-18. “The Greater Toronto Area (GTA), comprised of the City of Toronto and the regional municipalities of Durham, Halton, Peel and York, ...”
  3. ^ Portrait of the Canadian Population in 2006: Subprovincial population dynamics, Greater Golden Horseshoe. Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population (2007-03-13). Retrieved on 2007-03-13.
  4. ^ a b City of Toronto (2007) - Toronto economic overview, Key industry clusters and A Diversified Economy. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
  5. ^ ICF Consulting (February 2000). Toronto Competes. Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
  6. ^ Citizenship and Immigration Canada (September 2006). Canada-Ontario-Toronto Memorandum of Understanding on Immigration and Settlement (electronic version). Retrieved on 2007-03-01.
  7. ^ Statistics Canada, The Daily (2006-07-21). Crime statistics. Retrieved on 2007-03-05.
  8. ^ "Vancouver is 'best city to live'", CNN, 2005-10-05. Retrieved on 2007-03-05.
  9. ^ Mercer Human Resource Consulting (2006). Mercer 2006 Quality of Living Survey. Retrieved on 2007-03-05.
  10. ^ Beauchesne, Eric. "Toronto pegged as priciest place to live in Canada", CanWest News Service, 24 June 2006. Retrieved on 2007-03-05.
  11. ^ goth subculture
  12. ^ M.C Toronto Gothic History Madamme Webb's Sight
  13. ^ Nancy KilpatrickInterviews "The goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined"
  14. ^ Matthew Didier So Goth it Hurts - The Lost Post... DoubleDeckerBuses.Org
  15. ^ Matthew Didier So Goth it Hurts - The Lost Post... DoubleDeckerBuses.Org
  16. ^ LEAH RUMACK Goth shock Now Magazine
  17. ^ Matthew Didier So Goth it Hurts - The Lost Post... DoubleDeckerBuses.Org
  18. ^ J.Gordon Melton "The Vampire Book" Visible Ink Press, ISBN 157859071X
  19. ^ Matthew Didier So Goth it Hurts - The Lost Post... DoubleDeckerBuses.Org
  20. ^ [1]
  21. ^ Stephen Andrew Lee ""Tales From Sanctuary: The Vampire Sex Bar" (Toronto, Spitfire, 1997).
  22. ^ J.Gordon Melton "The Vampire Book" Visible Ink Press, ISBN 157859071X
  23. ^ LEAH RUMACK Strange places where evil lurks Now Magazine
  24. ^ LEAH RUMACK Goth shock Now Magazine
  25. ^ Donna Lypchuk Necrofile Eye Weekly Magazine
  26. ^ ReligiousTolerance.org's article on "Goth"
  27. ^ LEAH RUMACK Goth sex spot pegged for Starbucks haunt Now Magazine
  28. ^ marc weisblottPale by comparison Paved Word Press
  29. ^ Matthew Didier So Goth it Hurts - The Lost Post... DoubleDeckerBuses.Org
  30. ^ Love Bites Eye Weekly Magazine
  31. ^ Holly Goes CHOOSE YOUR ALTERNATIVEEye Weekly Magazine
  32. ^ "Goth" www.dictionary.com
  33. ^ CINDY MCGLYNN Weekend of the living dead Eye Weekly
  34. ^ Toronto Goth History
  35. ^ Local Clubs Torontogoth.com

[edit] Toronto Gothic Weblinks

  • [3] Lilith Art Gallery
  • [4] Torontogoth.com
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