KMFDM, “Juke Joint Jezebel”

by Alexandra Molotkow

I was never a True Goth, though I always wanted to be. I had a few black velvet skirts and a pair of combat boots, but they were from John Fluevog and I paired them with a puffy down jacket because I put comfort first and thus would never be goth. I never dyed my hair, never even gelled it, and I didn’t know the first thing about makeup. I liked industrial music, but never as much as I liked emo.

Why am I telling you this? I could lie and say I was goth, but I have too much respect for the real goths in my life and the effort they applied to their outfits and lifestyles. Goths of Toronto circa 2000, you look fantastic. I’m checking you out in my mind’s eye and especially you, Jes, you blue-haired angel. Remember the time you tried to help me sneak in to Savage Garden, but the bouncer wasn’t having it, so we went to Java House and ate tofu cubes and I asked you what sex felt like? I loved you then as I love you now, Jes, this is for you.