Growing up in the UK in the '80's was an amazing experience.
(No, 1980's not 1880's!)

I got into music a very young age, and although rock has always been at the fore front of my musical taste, I have been influenced to varying degrees by other types of music through the years.

I was into punk when it first started to gain a foothold in 1977.
I was 8 at the time, and the look of shocked horror on my parents faces when I started singing along to the Sex Pistols is a memory that still makes me grin!!

Now, I grew up in a town called Crawley, which is in West Sussex.
I'd be very surprised if any one here at AW has ever heard of it to tell the truth.

Nice, pleasant quiet place, great for raising a family. Very middle class, or blue collar, or whatever the term for it is.
(I mention all this, just so, dear reader, you can get an idea of the place!!)

So guess which Gothic musician comes from my home town?

Robert Smith, from The Cure!!

Well, what can I say, to actually be around when one of the first Gothic bands started out was a huge influence.
I loved the music, really loved the clothing and the look.
I went practically over night from nerdy quiet girl, to black garbed, raccooned eyed, mochicaned, with a small tatoo, Gothic dwarf!! (I'm only 5"2, 1.57m).

Looking back, I expect I looked like a real idiot, but you know, I don't really care!
It was a wonderful experience and time in my young life, and even though my dress is a lot more conservative these days, (after all, I am now 37!)I still listen to The Cure and the tattoo's are ever increasing in numbers!!! (8 to date!)