Gothic Role Models (They Do Exist!)

[-Resurrected Writer-]

I wonder if Peter Murphy qualifies. I don't know a lot about his personal life (outside of him smoking, but then there are great people out there who do smoke).  

[GilAskan]

-Resurrected Writer-

I wonder if Peter Murphy qualifies. I don't know a lot about his personal life (outside of him smoking, but then there are great people out there who do smoke).

Peter Murphy was someone I was considering writing up (as I did with Voltaire). Peter Murphy is an extremely successful singer and artist who came out of a low-class working family in Britain. He made a name for himself with Bauhaus, but never used the group as a crutch. His solo work is varied stylistically, but generally well reviewed by critics, and he's had a number of very successful singles. He's been happily married for many years, has two sons, and he has made major lifestyle changes in order to convert to Islam. Even after conversion to Islam, he's stayed involved with secular music, striking a balance between the tenets of his faith and his personal devotion to music as an art.

Sounds like a pretty good guy to look up to.  

[trampyre]

David Bowie
Charlotte Bronte
Floria Tosca  

[osozaki girl]

hm, maybe i'm biased, and maybe he's not "goth" but Robert Smith (maybe?)

me being a musician, i really respect how he still acts like a normal person rather than a "star", and that he doesn't want to cheat his fans out of their money.  

[GilAskan]

Smith isn't a bad choice. He's always been a solid figure in the goth community, and has never been seriously wrapped up in any controversies or cliche rock trappings (i.e. drugs, prostitutes, jail time). He's also a vanguard of a certain image of a handsome, overweight man. Goths are often accused of being shallow and image obsessed (particularly with being thin), yet our beloved "Fat Bob" has been an honestly adored sex-symbol in goth community for decades.  

[GilAskan]

Gil'Askan presents Gothic Role Model Profile vol. 2-

Grey DeLisle



Born Erin Grey van Oosbree, Grey DeLisle is a name I decided to bring up because she's a great goth role model who (while passionate about music) primarily does not work as a musician.

Growing up, Grey lived with a drug-addicted mother, but Grey has never fallen to drug addiction of any kind. Grey was a fan of goth-bands (notably, the Cure, Joy Division, and Einsturzende Neubauten) for most of her teen years, but in her late teens, also grew interested in old Americana, Gospel, and Alternative Country music. Her mother eventually kicked the habit and became a born-again Pentecostal Christian, which also influenced Grey's musical tastes towards Gospel and Hymns.

At the suggestion of a friend, Grey tried her hand at stand up comedy, which led her towards a career in voice-acting, which is now her primary vocation. Grey Delisle is one of the most successful voice actresses working today, nailing major roles and earning high praise for her naturalistic, nuanced vocals. Some of her major roles include-

Azula (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
Mandy (The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy)
Vicky, plus numerous smaller characters (Fairly Odd Parents)
Frankie Foster, Goo, various smaller roles (Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends)
Sam Manson (Danny Phantom)

Besides her career in voice acting, she has become a very talented and reasonably successful alternative country musician. Drawing heavily from her studies of older Americana (i.e. pre-1900), she's created a brand of very authentic alt-country, with occasional modern, gothic sensitivities. While music isn't a full time profession for her, her passion for the art and craft of music drives her to write and record on her own, even when there's no serious profit.

One such song- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIx9IGaOKBQ

In short-

- Goth since her early teens
- Never fell to drug addiction, despite a family history
- Successful worker with consistent job opportunities
- Praised within her industry as one of the most talented voice actresses today
- Creative and productive in her spare time  

[osozaki girl]

ah, i didn't know about her. but i do recognize her voice. she seems like a good role-model, i wouldn't have known about her otherwise.  

[GilAskan]

Gil'Askan presents Gothic Role Model vol. 3-

Doc Hammer & Lisa Hammer



Another pair of goths worthy of role-model status, Doc Hammer and Lisa Hammer will be named separately for a specific reason. The two Connecticut natives first made waves in the goth scene as the classic third-wave goth sensation of the 90's, Mors Syphilitica. Working under famous goth label Projekt, the two were one of a number of husband-wife duos in 90's goth. Though they did eventually divorce, the two remain close friends (Lisa even retaining her married name), working together to this day. While Mors Syphilitica was a fun project for the two of them, it isn't either their primary vocation.

Lisa Hammer (born Lisa Houle) is a mind behind film and television. Graduating from Emerson College with a BA in film, Lisa went on to found a modern studio inspired by German Expressionism. Lisa is the mind behind such cult hits as Pu$sbucket and Joanie4Jackie. Lisa has also worked with public access television in New York City, and has won awards for some of the programs she has produced.

Doc Hammer (born Eric Hammer) is more multidisciplinary, and very successful in all his ventures, no pun intended. Doc Hammer has become a cult figure for being one of the two creators behind the Adult Swim hit The Venture Brothers, and to this day, acts as the editor, one of the primary writers, and a voice actor for the series (Lisa also drops by to provide a voice or two in the series). Hammer's involvement is likely the cause of all the numerous goth references dropped in the series, but it may only be speculation. Doc Hammer is also a successful painter (primarily in oil) who is currently exhibiting in SoHo, New York City. To add to it all, Doc has also recently started a band named Weep which has just now released it's first album through Projekt.

In short-

- Goth icons of the 90's scene
- Lisa a successful filmmaker, with the help of her former husband
- Doc a successful TV icon, with the help of his former wife
- Both very creative people using their spare time well
- Both known for being very active with fans
- Interesting tidbit: Both are practicing vegans  

[-Resurrected Writer-]

Great examples, GilAskan biggrin
And thanks for clarifying the Peter Murphy thing. Where do you find your info?  

[LadyBatLove]

I was inspired my Moka Akashiya, a fictional character from an anime called Rosario + Vampire. I'll post a picture below. She's not really goth, but sometimes she portrays that "look". You know what I mean.

 

[tisumie]

emily the strange ....  

[Death of Cool]

tisumie

emily the strange ....

Plagiarism is not a good role model.  

[CREATUUURE FEATUUURE]

P;

Oscar Wilde
Edgar Alan Poe
Mana  

[Whisper Gently]

Coffee with Dorian

P;

Oscar Wilde
Edgar Alan Poe
Mana

Sure if you want an alcoholic who married his 13 year old cousin as a role model, go right ahead.

 

[Angel of the End]

I look up to Kent and Vixen, personally. Pray for them every night, and if I ever get to meet them, I want to give them a hug and thank and speak with them ^^