Heartland

The Synopsis

One of the most fascinating musical periods in recent history was the time just after punk. Sadly, many of the best bands from this period have never had the recognition they deserve – the goth scene has been removed from music's historical narrative. This book will be a major work that redresses this oversight and underlines the cultural power of, arguably, the key movement of that period.

There has never been a serious book that examines why this scene happened and details its history. The book aims to cover all the bands, music and characters and examine why such a fascinating music emerged from punk. There will be at least 150 interviews with key players, along with a personal insight from me, the author – I was actually there and have a real sense of what it was about and why it happened.

This book will look at punk's historic roots in art, literature and architecture and its modern foundation in the music of the Doors, Iggy, Bowie and glam. The book will examine how different people interpreted and developed punk, from Southern Death Cult's fascination with native Americans to the Cure's dark psychedelic take on their initial pop punk, from Nick Cave's feral and untamed poetry to Siouxsie's iconic look and jagged melodies, from Adam Ant’s pre-fame songs of taboo to Bauhaus's small town genius, from the Damned's flirtation with vampires to Joy Division's journey into the heart of a very personal darkness.

It will show how the music created by bands like these has grown into one of the world's biggest music subcultures with a massive influence that carries on to this day, as seen in hip young bands like Savages and Toy and also on the emo and black metal and rock scenes. It will look at the clubs, the clothes, the lifestyle, the magazines and fanzines that all helped birth this enduring culture and where it went next on its fascinating journey.

Bands covered will include: Adam and the Ants, Alien Sex Fiend, Bauhaus, The Birthday Party, Blood and Roses, Brigandage, Cocteau Twins, Crass, The Cure, The Damned, The Danse Society, Dead Can Dance, Depeche Mode, The Doors, Einstürzende Neubauten, Flesh for Lulu, Gary Numan, Jesus and Mary Chain, Joy Division, Killing Joke, The Lords of the New Church, Lydia Lunch, The m*****n, New Model Army, Play Dead, Screaming Lord Sutch, Sex Gang Children, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Sisters of Mercy, Skinny Puppy, Southern Death Cult, Iggy and The Stooges, Test Dept, Theatre of Hate, This Mortal Coil, Throbbing Gristle, UK Decay, The Velvet Underground, Virgin Prunes and Xmal Deutschland.