Sketch Sheep

I've been thinking that I'd like to have a more multi-functional blog... somewhere that isn't just limited to what I've drawn, and what artists I like. I want it to be more of an about-me place, and a place to store my studies. It's possible I may make another blog soon, or just dump absolutely everything here. My five followers, if you're still with me, I'd appreciate your opinions.
So, then, I would like to begin writing about the industrial scene--the cyber subculture. This includes rivetheads, cybergoths, and cyberpunk. I myself identify with the industrial subculture, but very few people (only those closest to me) know this. I listen to the music genres (ebm, industrial, aggrotech, futurepop, etc.) very regularly, and already I have a pretty huge collection of artists (Grendel is a favorite). I also absolutely love the attitude and fashion. Already I have a folder exclusive to the cybergoth fashion, and I have seen many cyberpunk movies and even read a cyberpunk novel (which I loved). I'm a huge fan of horror, thus making me something of a goth... seeing as I thrive on the darker side of live, I certainly identify with, understand, and get along with goths. Since I also love electronic music, cyberpunk entertainment, and the theory of a dystopian future where technology harms humanity more than it helps us, I think I fall into the cyber/industrial scene perfectly. Besides, I feel it's who I really am on the inside. I only need further prove this by studying sci-fi art and trying to use it in my work. (At this point, I suck at it. But I can improve.)

The funny thing is, I've always loved this, but just haven't realized it until more recent years. I have been following cybergoth specifically for about 5 years now.

"Oh dear Sketchy, what is this CYBERPUNK you speak of?"
Well, to put it simply, it's high tech and low life. Here's Urban Dictionary's definition.

"a literary genre that has nothing to do with the Matrix, being cool, or anime. it's a subgenre of sci-fi in which there is strong sense of helplessness, misery, dystopic ideals and loss of morality and/or humanity. corporations control the lives of their workers and reside in microcosms dictated by the status quo"

The Matrix is actually a pretty cyberpunk movie. The first one, anyway. But The Matrix does not define it--just gives a better idea of what it is. For anime, Japan is often viewed as a real cyberpunk city. William Gibson, cyberpunk novelist (the one who really got this stuff rollin'), incorporates a lot of Japanese elements--vocabulary especially, from what I've noticed. (I only read one cyberpunk novel, that being his work Neuromancer--the most distinguished cyberpunk book.)

Pretty dark, huh? Screencap from Blade Runner.

What are some real, solid cyberpunk movies? Blade Runner is the best example. Great film; I absolutely loved it. Aliens is also pretty cyberpunk, when you read between the lines. Aliens is especially cyberpunk in visuals. As of anime, Akira, Serial Experiments Lain, and Ghost in the Shell are all cyberpunk. I'm not so into Ghost in the Shell, but Akira and Lain are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. I fell in love with Lain when I was only in 7th grade. Akira I didn't know about until recently, but by God, is it good stuff.

My favorite two manga are Uzumaki (horror) and BLAME! (cyberpunk.) Here is a look at BLAME!

Pure eye candy.

In sum, cyberpunk is very hopeless... dark... depressing. Humanity is at a loss. Evil corporations/government control us. Androids are pretty common. Many humans rely on prosthetic limbs and artificial body parts in general.

"Okay, Sketchy... then what is CYBERGOTH?"
Different from cyberpunk, but they have their overlapping qualities and similarities.

Whereas cyberpunk is more of a literary style, cybergoth is more of a subculture. A similar subculture is rivethead, which I am not-so-much-into seeing as I don't obsess over Germany, war, or being angry. Their music is pretty good, though, but a bit less like my taste. I don't "get" rivetheads like I get cybergoths. Real cybergoths, that is. (Therefore, I won't concentrate on rivetheads.)

So, what defines a real cybergoth versus a fake one? Often you hear people (teenagers, that is) screaming at each other about posers. Every subculture has its group of posers, which I see as people that just follow along and join in on the fun just because they can. Or to get attention. Usually a combination of both.

Here is a poser.

It's also a very, very poor misconception of what cybergoth is. I'm not sure how the dude that made this got the idea of them looking like that. The snake in the hair is an obvious joke at how much stuff is on the cybergoth's head.

Here's a real one. One that does it right, and lives up to her cybergoth lifestyle. DO watch the video--it will give a very good idea of cybergoth dance, music, and fashion. D TokSIcK is one of my favorite industrial dancers.

Now, then, here is another Urban Dictionary definition, this time on the cybergoth...

"A person who listens to an extreme type of electronic music known as 'Noise'. Noise consits of different types of static laced together to create some form of structure. Noise can be classed as 'Anti-Music'. May probably also listen to 'Powernoize/Noize'. Powernoize is using the same concept of static, yet making it harsher and with a techno drum beat/a heavy drum beat of some kind. It can have a sound reminisiant of Harsh EBM (A type of Industrial). Cybergoths also may listen to a type of music known as 'Futurepop'. Futurepop is quite often a light form of EBM. (It retains it's 'dark' edge, whilst being light.)

A Cybergoth dresses in a way associated with the future or to concepts of what a 'Cyberpunk' may look like. A cybergoth usually has hair extentions (jokingly given the name of 'The Gothic Pineapple' due to the way the hair is worn) and will often wear Goggles of some kind (similar to that of a Rivethead). Cybergoths seem to have a liking for neon and clashing colours. Some also wear LED lights on their clothing or in their hair. Quite often they wear big big shoes.

Some have described Cybergoths as a mixture of Rivetheads, Ravers and Goths. Cybergoths will most certianly listen to music from one, if not all of the other mentioned subcultures.Ahh! The noise that Cybergoth is playing is annoying me! Get out the Skinny Puppy and blast her with it!"

They don't just listen to noise. They also listen to industrial, ebm, and futurepop, also described in this passage. Basically, any electronic music with a darker, harsher sound is a good way of putting it, I think... if you think of electronic music and techno starts playing in your head, as in Deadmau5 or Ian Van Dahl, you're horribly wrong. (By the way, cybergoths will listen to Skinny Puppy. I do. Incredible band.) Think of what a computer would sound like if it had a voice, and if that computer happened to enjoy being a bit angry and dancing around a lot.

Combichrist is the most well-known example of EBM, which is a choice cybergoth music genre.

Urban Dictionary's clothing description is pretty accurate. HOWEVER, I'm a bit sick of the stereotypical cybergoth look, where there's dredfalls, goggles, a skirt, and fuzzy leg warmers worn with boots. To be a cybergoth, you can't be a raver, and I don't particularly care for Japanese "cybergoths." I call those anime convention and Japanese "cybergoths" ravers. (Not that a raver is a bad thing. I was once into the rave scene, and still do like their music...)

This is a pretty horrible "cybergoth." If I had to label her, she'd be a raver. Notice the typical fuzzy legwarmers. And the super-cuteness. Cuteness won't cut it.

Rivethead + raver + goth = cybergoth. I think that formula cuts it pretty well, except cyberpunk should be thrown into the mix as well. They're often described as gravers, which is a combination of "goth" and "raver," which I guess is accurate, since they're much darker varients of the electronic club scene.

Now then, cybergoths have a very dark, cynical view on things: they show us what humanity is headed towards. Artificiality, synthetic body parts, hair, etc; and a violent/hopeless future. Does that mean cybergoths don't have fun?

No.

They are very happy, playful people, characterized by their common usage of bright neon colors. D TokSIcK in particular is a very cheerful cybergoth. If you take a look through her videos, you will see one where she answers questions. She's perky and smiley. In her comment responses, she often uses this emoticon :] and is kind to all but the people that excessively hate on her.

That may seem entirely contradictory, but it's not. It's not impossible for someone to love and treasure the darker side of life, while also, at the same time, loving and treasuring the happier side of life. I know I do. I am fascinated by the dynamic contrast of dark and light. Take perky goths, for example. They're playful and happy, yet are decked out in dark, depressing black clothes and love fun horror stuff.

Without getting into that further, let's carry on. I don't want to ramble too much.

Would you like to see some real cybergoths?

Barcode? Check. Goggles? Check. Boots? Check.

See how cute and playful she is? Definitely not 100% terrifying.

Dredfalls, goggles, and really huge boots are NOT a requirement. Facemasks and gasmasks are very common, however.

Yeah, I know, they are all women. This style of dress is asexual, however. Men are more than welcome to dress up just as the women do. Personally, I prefer they stick to shorter hairstyle cuts and pants, but I like them in their long gothic skirts sometimes, too. (Yeah, let's not get into that.) Want some cybergoth men... that dance? Here are my other two favorite industrial dancers, KillskillZ and Tank9.

I love them.

To those of you that are now frightened of me, or view me as a freak, or wish to make fun of me... take one look at hipsters and I dare you to tell me that the cyber subculture is worse.

Cybergoths do not take ourselves as seriously as they appear to, by the way. If you want an example of cybergoths taking themselves too seriously, and also failing at cybergoth completely, check this out. The person ripped the video and put nyan cat music to it to make fun of them. If you want to see a cybergoth (Tank9) not taking himself seriously, aka having fun with his lifestyle, view this video. Trust me, it's quite entertaining opposed to the other dance videos. His, uh, girlfriend, I'm guessing?--she also has youtube dance videos up, if you want to view those as well. She's my fourth favorite, behind D TokSIcK, KillskillZ and Tank9.

Diving further into cybergoth music, the best place for newbies to start is with Combichrist. His music is fast, fun, exciting, dark, and playful--even funny at times. Another good place to start is with Nine Inch Nails, but since it's a mainstream commercial band a lot of real cybergoths and rivetheads will hate on them (and you for liking them). I still love the band, particularly their lyrics. Here is a collective list of the genres: industrial, ebm, industrial rock, electro-industrial, dark electro, elektro, hellectro, darkwave, coldwave, no wave, goth industrial, industrial metal, noise, noize, powernoise, experimental, synthpop, futurepop, ambient industrial, dark ambient, martial industrial, techno-industrial, terror ebm, harsh ebm post-industrial. All of these are linked to last.fm.

If you want some of my personal favorite bands, check these songs out. They're some of my favorites.
1000 Watts by Dope Stars Inc.
UltraNUMB by Blue Stahli. A little less cybergoth, but very underground.
Telekinetic by God Module.
Void Malign by Grendel.
Cutting and Drinking by XP8. One I view humorous.
Kunstprodukt by Miss Construction. Also humorous.
Domination by T3RR0R 3RR0R.
The Last Firstborn by Celldweller. I like to blur the lines a little. This is not 100% cybergoth, but is good stuff.
Optimissed by Skinny Puppy. Very rivethead.
Maschinerie by Pzychobitch.
Skinny Little Bitch by Angelspit.

By the way, don't let others tell you what to listen to and what not to listen to. You won't be happy following their orders. I still listen to freakin' Linkin Park and Evanescence for Pete's sake! Bands I listened to in my childhood! Seriously, what was I, 9? About 11 when I first heard Evanescence. Primarily, however, I am industrial since that is at least half of what I listen to these days--and will continue to listen to for God knows how long.

Don't be what you aren't.
Be yourself.

Who am I? An artist. A Silent Hill fangirl. An industrial chick. Cybergoth. An animal lover. Shy, sweet, quiet, but also tucking away a darker, angrier self. I'm a horror nut, an electronic rock music freak, a creative, deep, and thoughtful thinker. I want to reach out to people. I want to open their minds. But I can't do it unless they let me in.

Check it out, all. It's my theme song. Art!