Cyber (subculture)

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An example of cyber fashion
An example of cyber fashion

Cyber, also referred to as cybergoth, cyber culture or cyberculture, is the name given to a subculture that has roots in multiple music scenes including the European Goth scene and rave/clubbing scenes. Someone who identifies with the Cyber subculture can be referred to as a "cyber", although the term "cybergoth" is used to refer to what is perceived by some as a goth-influenced end of the subculture, and "cyberkid" to refer to those who attend trance/hard dance clubs. While science-fiction inspired fashion and an interest in electronic dance music are two areas that define the cyber subculture, cybers also tend to have a general interest in new and future technology, an optimistic view of its influence on society, and other such cyberculture topics. The subculture enjoys niche status and a relatively small following.

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[edit] Music

Associated music is heavily electronic in nature, covering both alternative electronic (genres such as electronic body music, Industrial music, futurepop and noise) and club oriented dance music styles such as trance and hard dance, and other electronic genres including drum and bass, synthpop, gabber and intelligent dance music.

[edit] Fashion

Cyber fashion resembles a combination of industrial, rave, and goth fashion, as well as drawing inspiration from anime and science fiction. Androgyny is common.[1] Some common themes include the use of starkly contrasting colours such as black, white, luminous neon and/or UV-reactive colours,[2] contrasting materials such as plain rubber and PVC with cybernetic patterns such as circuit boards, trench coats, large shoes or boots (often platforms), various forms of body modification and superflous goggles (especially aviator-style), typically worn on the forehead or around the neck rather than on the eyes.[1]

Brightly coloured and often stylised hair is common in the cyber community, either dyed and styled real hair or, more commonly, elaborate extensions or wigs either braided or somewhat resembling dreadlocks known as 'falls'. Falls can be made out of synthetic hair, thick plastic ribbon or more exotic materials such as computer cables, foam strips and tubular crin (known as CyberLox); as cybergoth fashions typically aim for an artificial or heavily-stylised look, materials that are very obviously not real hair are particularly common. The perceived ubiquity of falls in the cybergoth community has led to the derogatory terms yarnhead or gothic pineapple amongst non-cybers.

Cyber-influenced or outright cybergoth clothing labels include the British chain Cyberdog, Plastik Wrap, New Rock, and shoe & boot manufacturers Swear Alternative and Transmuter (although in the case of Swear Alternative, it is rather more the case that the brand is merely popular amongst cybergoths for the 'futuristic' look of their products rather than Swear having any intentional cybergoth branding, as with Cyberdog).

The fashion presented in The Matrix has also had an influence.

[edit] Locations

Much of the culture centers around nightlife or the Internet; in the United Kingdom the former is provided by clubs such as the Slimelight and Synthetic Culture in London, The Wendy House & Darkside in Leeds, Electrotribe and Autonomy in Leicester, Tech Noir in Newcastle, Nightmare in Nottingham, Chains on Velvet in Norwich, Ascension, Cyberia or yearly Dark City Festival in Edinburgh, Bedlam at the Queen Margaret Union in Glasgow, and the yearly Infest festival. In the United States, clubs such as Albion in New York City (Now Closed), Leland City Club in Detroit, and Das Bunker in Los Angeles show a strong cyber presence. In Canada the cyber club presence is exemplified by Toronto's Savage Garden Nightclub, and the associated PosePod cybergothic superstore.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Kilpatrick, Nancy (2005). The Goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined. UK: Plexus, 55. ISBN 085965365X. 
  2. ^ 2002-09-13 "Dead fashionable" The Age (Retrieved on 2007-12-06)

[edit] External links