The Horrors Do You Remember

I used to make fun of goths in high school; now, I'm intimidated by them. The Horrors fascinate me because outwardly, they embody everything I hate about our generation's music scene: the belief that looking like a member of The Clash means you are The Clash. Not true. That being said, there's something different about The Horrors: they're unusually good. Anyone can look the part, but I'm impressed if they can fill the shoes of their big-name punk predecessors.

Faris Badwan's voice gives a bit more elegance to the band's sound, which mixes post-punk with goth, a bit of Joy Division and The Jesus and Mary Chain. They mimic the sound of 80s punk rock with frightening accuracy, almost claiming the sound without shame. However, they add something different. They're not merely followers -- they're revivalists.

The band, which began with a somewhat humble goth beginning in 2005, has since blossomed into a mature and experimental sound. Their album, Primary Colours, is a far cry from the early screeching of Origins. I know some people will fight me on this, but I can appreciate a band much more if I don't feel like I'm being yelled at.

The Horrors soon began creating a stir in the punk scene, and rose to fame with the single "Who Can Say," directed by Douglas Hart, bassist for The Jesus and Mary Chain. At that point, they transcended into typical punk stardom, with a league of goth girls thinking Badwan's nose was "sexy" and Pitchfork hailing high reviews.

So why hasn't anyone I've met ever heard of them? Maybe we're not willing to admit that some 18-year-olds may revive 80s post-punk?