Gothic rock

:This article is about notable bands within the goth scene. For the goth scene in general, see Goth.

Musical predecessors (1960s–1970s or Earlier)

• David Bowie and glam rock. Elements of the seventies glam subculture helped influence goth both musically and visually. As goth broke further away from punk, the androgynous look, which Bauhaus favoured, developed, and was taken even further by bands like Alien Sex Fiend and their followers. David Bowie's androgynous appearance, love of melodrama and his use of dark themes meant he had a major influence on many early goth bands. His songs frequently appeared on the Batcave playlists. Bowie had also described his Diamond Dogs (1974) album as gothic when it first came out.
• The Velvet Underground (1960s), whose dark and depressing sound and themes were frequently referenced by early goth bands, especially by Siouxsie & the Banshees.
• Alice Cooper is also worth acknowledging. Despite rarely being considered goth music, they were key influences in the darker trend rock music began to take and have continued to take. Alien Sex Fiend in particular were Cooper fans. Generally speaking, musicians like Alice Cooper only set the stage for makeup wearing as acceptable among youth subcultural groups.
• T-Rex, another glam rock band and peers of David Bowie. Marc Bolan's style and lyrics were extremely influential. Records of early playlists from the Batcave include T-Rex tunes, and Bauhaus recorded a cover of Telegram Sam which appeared on their debut record, In the Flat Fields.
• The progressive rock band, Genesis, also showed strong elements of glam rock in the early 1970's. The music often consisted of twisted lyrics with dark and medieval sounding instrumental arrangements. Peter Gabriel's pale makeup, partially shaved head, extravagant and often androgynous costumes as well as his unusual stage persona would also become a predecessor of the gothic look later expanded upon by artists like Marilyn Manson and Trent Reznor.
• Honorable mention can also go to Black Sabbath, whose early work featured a sinister tone that some goth bands would appropriate as a means of darkening their sound. Sabbath's music was described as gothic in their early days.