Emo vs Goth - Difference and Comparison

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	Emo	Goth
Definition:	Mid 90’s to present day punk rock movement, focus on chaotic / abstract expressionist media through sound, performance, etc.	Early 80’s to present post-punk rock movement focus on dark themes & non-conformism through music, performance, etc.
Stands for:	Emotional Hardcore	Gothic Rock
Prominent in:	Mostly USA and more prominent in states of Washington DC, NJ and the West Coast	Worldwide
Related to:	Punk Rock	Post-Industrial Rock
Typical Intsrument:	guitar, bass, drums	Guitar, Bass Drums
Style:	Hardcore rock, Indie rock	Punk rock, post punk, glam rock etc

Emo and Goth are forms of Hardcore Punk and Experimental Underground Music.

The Emo and Goth movements both represent sub cultures in post-industrial or post-modern civilization. They are both based in the punk rock movement of the late 1970’s that spread internationally and continues to influence art, culture and media around the world.

Emo stands for “emotional hardcore,” a type of punk rock music that evolved out of Washington DCin the mid 1990’s. Emo or emotional hardcore was an attempt by a number of bands to experent with chaotic music patterns and personal expression in abstract and primal ways.

Goth is associated with Gothic rock, which dates back to the early 1980’s as an alternative music and culture movement. Goth is related traditionally to dark themes of which Gothic architecture in Europe is cited symbolically. Both the emo and Goth movements relate art to being through personal expression methods.

They differ mostly in the sense of expression of music and emotions. Though they both belong to the same genre of music but their expressions and cultural inclinations set them apart. Their thinking and influences on music also differ.

1 History
2 Behaviour
3 Music Genre
4 Style
5 Expression
6 Culture Influences and thinking
7 Prominent in
8 References
9 External Links

[edit] History

The first waves of Emo started in 1985 when veterans of the music scene in Washington decided to break away a form a new genre of music. Goth finds its origins in the 1970’s from English Punk rock.

[edit] Behaviour

Emo rock is associated with being emotional, sensitive, shy, introverted, or angsty. It is also associated with depression, self-injury, and suicide. Goth's are associated with dressing in All Black and are introvers who like to stay secluded.

[edit] Music Genre

They both belong to the punk rock scene. Emo focuses on emotional expression, and abstract waves of sonic dissonance. Gothic rock as a genre of rock music involves expression of emotional themes through introverted/extroverted methods in music, art, media, literature, fashion, poetry, etc.

[edit] Style

Emo belongs to hardcore rock and Indie rock style while Gothic Rock is a form of punk rock, glam punk and post punk. Emo rockers preach release of primal energy with abstract and chaotic sub structures while Goth are recognized by emphasis on Darkness in their tone, dress, hair dyes, make up, emotion, etc.

[edit] Expression

The emo hardcore scene focused on personal expression in a manner that also derives from poetry such as Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”. The Goth subculture is related often to black magic, witchcraft, and vampires popularly, though this may be more of a stereotype than fact, as evidenced by "Christian Goth". A good example of Gothic art and lifestyle is the UK punk and “Alien Sex Fiend”.

[edit] Culture Influences and thinking

Emo rockers are culturally critiques of society based on punk philosophy, post-punk, and other movements in art, music, literature, etc. Goth rockers, on the other hand, have a wide eyed and irrational approach and often are known for their inquiry into the nature of death, fantasy and fiction.