How to become Goth, Punk and Emo

Goth, Punk and emo are all very different things. Goths see beauty in darkness and in things that normal people would usually find ugly, strange or weird, Punks are more

about politics and rebellion and emo is about listening to emocore (or sometimes known as emotive hardcore) and being emotive and creative.

1.) Learn about the subculture you want to be part of . You cannot be all three otherwise you will just be alternative. Of course you cannot just be something you're not and you cannot just "turn" Goth, you realize or grow naturally in to the subculture. Same with Punk and emo. Do lots of research and see which one fits you better.


2.) After you've chosen which subculture you seem to fit with, look on Google images for looks . If you walk in to school the next day wearing platform boots and fishnets after being preppy the day before you'll be seen as a complete poseur. Don't do the transformation over night otherwise you'll look like a poser, the summerholidays is a good time.

Punk clothing may include tartan, coloured
fishnets and choppy looking clothes with
band logos on the front. Leather may go wellwith boys. Boots which include doc martens or simple platform boots may go well too.

(Trad) Goth clothing may include fishnets, dark clothing, accessories which include spikes, chains and studs, black boots or Platforms.

Emo clothing includes flat shoes (converse
or vans), sweaters, band shirts, any type of
trousers (which tend to be blue or black) and a messenger bag which carries your diary and pencils.

3.) Get a emo, Goth or Punk hairstyle .

Goth. You do not need to dye your hair if you don't want to. If your hair is blonde, leave it blonde. Some people just prefer to go traditional and if you have black hair then it goes with any outfit you wear.

Punk. Punks are mostly recognized by their
hairstyle. You may see Punks with liberty
spikes or simply mohawks. They also often
wear black. Again, don't think you have to
get a mohawk to be punk. But some of them
may go for a similar style. If you decide to
you could dye it a bright unusual colour
(most Death rockers dye their hair black and you might be confused as a Goth) but it's your choice.

Emo. You do not have to have a certain
hairstyle to be emo. Feel free to have any
hair style you want but just not backcombed because people will think you're scene and scene and emo are two completely different things.

4.) Make friends with goths, punks and emos (be careful with the emos, most of them tend to be fake) most of all but also make friends with other people . You don't want to form a clique.Be polite to everyone because if you're nasty they may get the impression all Goths, Punks and emos are all nasty and stuck-up. If someone offends you don't swear at them back, just use logic.

5.) Don't fall into the trap of thinking that because you have a dark appearance, you should listen to whoever stereotypes you as sad, evil or non-conformist . Just be kind to people and you will feel more accepted in difference social groups.

6.) Keep a positive attitude . Don't be afraid to speak your mind. Be happy if someone says you're a freak (isn't everyone?). Don't make false accusations. Help people in need - even if you can't stand them!

7.)If anyone says you are not normal, either walk away or retaliate with "Who defines normal ?"

8.) Don't be violent, physically or mentally . Mental violence can be even worse than physical violence. Don't say anything that is intended to hurt or offend someone, as they may take it very seriously.

9.) Don't give in to bullies . If they try to put you down:

Ignore them

Walk away

Stick with friends. This makes them much

less confident.

10.) Goth, Punk and emo are all about being

creative. So find a hobby, it could be making your own clothes (you'll look unique), making candles, collecting animal bones, writing, reading, painting, playing an instrument,listening to music or just about anything, really.

11.) Find emo, punk or goth music . Listening to emo, punk or goth music is very important and you must at least enjoy a decent portion of it otherwise what makes you different from all the other people who wear eyeliner and fishnets? Understanding music genres is important and do not label a band 'emo' because you're not sure of the genre.

Goth music. Goth music is mainly underground. Try Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, Faith and the Muse,

Sisters of Mercy, Creature Feature, Faith and the Muse, Christian Death, Alien Sex Fiend, Type O Negative, the Misfits, Samhain, A Pale Horse Named Death, Cradle of Filth, Killing Joke, The Cult, Clan of Xymox, Switchblade Symphony and Sopor Aeternus, Epica, Nightwish, Within Temptation, Wintersun, MaYaN, After Forever, My Dying Bride, Katatonia, Therion, Dethklok.

Punk music. As well as Goth, you'll find

Punk music underground too. Try The Clash, The Sex Pistols, The Exploited, Bad Brains, Bad Religion, NoFX, Minor Threat, The Adicts, Black Flag, AFI (old), Title Fight, 4- Skins, Siouxsie & the Banshees, the Misfits, Balzac, Alkaline Trio, Guttermouth, Anti- Flag, The Descendents, Green Day

(especially older stuff), Clit 45, The

Casualties, The Business, UK Subs, Against

Me!, etc.

Emo music. There are many types of emo.

Maybe try old-school like Rites of Spring,

American Football, Jimmy Eat World, Sunny Day Real Estate, Embrace, The Hated, I Hate Myself, Indian Summer, Drive Like Jehu, etc. You could also modern emo, like Dashboard Confessional, the Get-Up Kids, the Saddest Landscape, Senses Fail, Snowing, Brand New or Circle Takes the Square.

12.) Have fun, don't think it as a chore. It's who youare and if you're not any of them don't fret because you may not naturally belong to any subculture.