Gothic Western Explained

Gothic Western (sometimes referred to as Western Gothic and Gothic prairie) is a subculture, artistically similar to gothic Americana, but blends goth and Western lifestyles that are notably visible in fashion, music, film and literature.

History

The post-war consciousness between 1940 and 1950 left consumers wanting less monster-related horror in favor of dark storytelling connected with reality. In other words, the monster, subject to relativism, survives in the shadows of the idealized American Dream.[1] Westerns were at their peak of popularity, but with the increase of technology, modernization and social changes, not without artistic commentary. An amalgamation of the two genres befitting this reflection was imminent.

In 1971, Johnny Cash introduced the "Man in Black",[2] stating:

"I wear the black for the poor and the beaten down, livin' in the hopeless, hungry side of town, I wear it for the prisoner who has long paid for his crime, but is there because he's a victim of the times."[3]
Larry Vincent, a horror host named Sinister Seymour, established Knott's Halloween Haunt in 1973, one of the first Halloween related events on a large scale, blending Gothic and Western aesthetics at Calico ghost town, and providing a first venue for the growing subculture.[4]

Literature

In literature,[5] the stereotype of the heroic cowboy gives way to a more complex antihero who has experienced trauma or is overcoming personal tragedy, and often associated to the darker side of Weird West monsters and villainy.[6] The novel by Richard Brautigan was one of the first to incorporate the term in its title,[7] while Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy and The Dark Tower by Stephen King are also popular examples of the genre. The young adult series, The Goodbye Family by Lorin Morgan-Richards, has been considered Gothic Western with an element of humor.[8]

Music

The mixture of goth and Western music has brooding and dark motifs interwoven into cowboy culture while incorporating themes of death, occult and superstition.[9] Crossover elements are seen in gothic country, but are unique to experiences of the American frontier, including Northern Mexico. The music encompasses storytelling and the cultural diversity of instrumentation associated with the American frontier.[10] The spaghetti Western sound of Ennio Morricone is influential to the genre.[11] Tom Waits, Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, The Handsome Family and Richard Marx have written Gothic Western songs.[12]

Film and television

Filmmaker John Carpenter spoke of the unique quality of the genre, noting it is not the same as a Western horror.[13] In television, Penny Dreadful season three is considered an example of gothic Western, with vampires invading the West.[14] And God Said to Cain,[15] True History of the Kelly Gang[16] and The Power of the Dog[17] have also been referenced as being Gothic Westerns.

Gaming

Several games have been promoted as Gothic Western, including Darkwatch, West of Dead, , and Evil West.

Fashion

Gothic Western fashion is a mix of Western wear with goth or Victorian era mourning attire, incorporating black and leather elements.[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1950s Horror Movies.
  2. Flashback: See Johnny Cash's Style-Defining 'Man in Black'. Rolling Stone. 16 February 2016.
  3. Web site: Why Did Johnny Cash Always Wear Black? 25 Facts about America's Outlaw.
  4. Web site: Disney's Haunted Mansion and the Invention of Halloween as You Know It. 11 January 2022.
  5. Book: The Gothic World of Stephen King: Landscape of Nightmares. Gary. Hoppenstand. Ray Broadus. Browne. July 31, 1987. Popular Press. 9780879724115. Google Books.
    - Race, Labor, and the Gothic Western: Dispelling Frontier Myths in Dorothy Scarborough's The Wind. Susan. Kollin. September 1, 2000. MFS Modern Fiction Studies. 46. 3. 675–694. Project MUSE. 10.1353/mfs.2000.0053. 162272027.
  6. Web site: The Cowboy and Vampire Collection. Cowboy and Vampire. 16 June 2016. October 18, 2020.
    - Web site: Western Gothic – The Gothic Network. Google. 2020-07-14. 2020-10-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20201025140921/https://sites.google.com/site/thegothicnetwork/home/collaborative-wiki-project/western-gothic. dead.
    - Web site: 10 Western Books Too Twisted To Be Made Into Films. January 17, 2020. ScreenRant.
    - Web site: Yorgos Lanthimos Set for 'Favourite' Reunion with New Gothic Western Monster Movie. Indiewire. Zack. Sharf. May 19, 2020.
  7. Web site: 'The Hawkline Monster' Will Be a Gothic Western from 'The Favourite' Director Yorgos Lanthimos. December 17, 2019. /Film.
  8. Web site: Author Interview with Lorin Morgan-Richards. June 19, 2020.
  9. Web site: Welcome to the Gothic Western Collective Website. January 1, 2018.
  10. Web site: 10 essential gothic western albums. Gothic country.
  11. News: Ennio Morricone obituary: 1928–2020. NME. July 6, 2020.
  12. Web site: The Western Gothic In Film, Music, And Literature: A Primer . Bassoff . Jon  . June 20, 2023 . crimereads.com . Lithub . June 25, 2024 .
  13. Web site: John Carpenter Wants Amy Adams To Star In His "Gothic Western" (In His Dreams). Drew. Taylor. Indiewire. September 5, 2011.
  14. Web site: Penny Dreadful' Premiers Season 3 as a Gothic Western. Lauren. Sarner. Inverse. 2 May 2016 .
  15. Web site: This Spaghetti Horror-Western Gave Us One of the Best Showdowns . Todoruk . Jordan . March 1, 2024 . collider.com . Valnet Publishing Group . June 25, 2024 .
  16. Web site: Review: TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG is a Play on the Mythicism of Legends. 20 April 2020.
  17. Web site: Review: 'The Power of the Dog' is a sublime gothic Western. Associated Press. 17 November 2021.
  18. Web site: Gothic Western Fashion Part I – Cowgirl Goth. Gothic Americana. August 10, 2019. July 15, 2020. July 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200715231905/http://gothicamericana.com/2019/08/10/gothic-western-fashion-part-i-cowgirl-goth/. dead.