Last Saturday in July, as the sun dipped below East L.A.’s Don Quixote nightclub, a group of young people dressed in black with piercings on their faces buzzed with anticipation outside the establishment.
Inside, enthusiastic luchadores were eagerly preparing for a wrestling match, while alternative musicians fine-tuned their makeup, excited for their shows at the Lucha Goth Haus – a frequent event blending the traditional Mexican sport of lucha libre with the tunes of dark wave and industrial music.
The crowd displayed a unique blend of Latin charm, characterized by black cowboy boots clicking rhythmically on the pavement, ladies with long flowing lace veils sporting meticulously styled hair, many adorned with pale faces and embellished Tex-Mex hats, with a towering mariachi hat adding to the spectacle.
Within the city’s Latino population, there’s been a burgeoning movement reminiscent of the Gothic Renaissance. This cultural resurgence is reflected in music, style, and overall expression that blends post-punk defiance with Latin American heritage. Los Angeles residents are resurrecting a longstanding countercultural trend, all while challenging antiquated notions about what it means to be goth.
In modern popular culture, Tim Burton’s successful Netflix show “Wednesday” has spotlighted gothic Latino characters. Drawing from the iconic TV-turned-movie series “The Addams Family”, Jenna Ortega portrays the cherished character Wednesday Addams, who exclusively wears black clothing and carries a brooding gaze.
Ortega, with her mixed heritage from Mexico and Puerto Rico, ignited a trend among her youthful followers to adopt the iconic dark and eerie fashion style associated with her character. Through her portrayal of Wednesday, Ortega played a significant role in rekindling enthusiasm for the goth subculture.
Luis Guzmán, portraying Gomez Addams originally played by fellow Puerto Rican artist Raul Julia, stated that the series “Wednesday” stands as a celebration of uniqueness and eccentricity: “Our show communicates to people that it’s alright to be yourself regardless,” the actor shared with The Times in July. “It’s not about conforming – it’s simply about living your life, and it’s perfectly fine to remain true to who you are.
In a remarkable turn of events, Ortega and Guzmán’s characters have brought unconventional Latino personas into the limelight. As a result, the Los Angeles gothic Latino community is experiencing an unprecedented boom like never before.
Francisco Saenz, drummer of L.A. goth band Deceits, commented: “While I wouldn’t use the term ‘taking over,’ it’s accurate to say that Latinos are a significant and integral part of the goth scene in Los Angeles – to the point where we could rightly claim that we are the goth scene.
Every evening, groups of Latino youth who identify with the alternative scene can usually locate one another on the streets and at music establishments across Los Angeles. They are often searching for a sense of camaraderie and solace in a gothic-style environment.
A group known as LosGothsCo, hailing from Los Angeles, has garnered recognition by organizing gatherings that honor Latino traditions and the unique sense of avant-garde exploration characteristic of the goth subculture.
At the Lucha Goth Haus event, Eddie Escalante – a Salvadoran American musician blending Latin urban rhythms with atmospheric rock – performed. The stage was a wrestling ring bathed in purple light, and he adorned silver paint around his neck and played his guitar, whose strings sparkled too.
Escalante stated that contemporary artists like himself are bringing together both old and new generations of Latin music lovers who believe there’s more to love and be identified with beyond just reggaetón, while also making room for alternative styles.
Outside the venue of their performance, the post-punk duo Deceits mirrored Escalante’s feelings in the narrow street.
Kevin Moreno, the lead vocalist of Deceits, commented that while they appreciate goth music, they also value having a good time – even going as far as saying ‘complete chaos’ in Spanish. When one thinks of goth, they may imagine melancholy, but Kevin and his bandmates are simply passionate about the genre. They aim to honor its musical origins while infusing their unique style into it.
Today’s Goth culture is characterized by an affinity for the mysterious and eerie. The Gothic style in art, architecture, and literature is known for its dark romanticism and ethereal quality, as seen in Edgar Allen Poe’s raven or the intricate Gothic cathedrals of Europe, which feature high, pointed arches reaching towards the skies.
Musically speaking, goth music emerged as a transformation from England’s punk rock era. The rough guitar melodies of the 70s were polished by enigmatic post-punk groups like Joy Division and Bauhaus, who then harmonized exceptionally with the ethereal synth sounds produced by bands such as The Cure, The Smiths, Siouxsie and the Banshees. Meanwhile, American blues singer Screamin’ Jay Hawkins was leaving profound impacts on an innovative Australian artist named Nick Cave.
In Latin America, traditional boleros and rancheras were replaced by more contemporary forms of expressing sorrow, inspired by foreign artists but uniquely flavored with Latino elements of romance. As rock bands like Los Prisioneros and Soda Stereo conquered South America with their new wave adaptations, Mexican band Caifanes combined post-punk melancholy with traditional folk music in their 1988 cover of the Cuban cumbia song “La Negra Tomasa” – a harmonious blend of Latin American and gothic styles.
As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of the dark arts, nursing my love for all things goth in the heart of Los Angeles, I’m thrilled to report that our scene is experiencing an unprecedented resurgence. For years, I’ve been immersed in this subculture, and what was once a niche interest has now exploded with an abundance of fresh talent, pulsating events, bustling clubs, and new faces embracing the gothic lifestyle. Los Angeles is undoubtedly ground zero for this exhilarating revival.
Local Latino goth enthusiasts within the music and events scene go beyond merely expressing their subculture; they actively advocate for immigrant rights, particularly in response to ICE’s escalating actions targeting communities across Southern California. This heightened activity can be attributed, in part, to President Trump’s announcement of what he promised would be the largest mass deportation operation in modern American history.
Drummer Saenz, known for his deceptions, serves as a teacher in an immigrant-heavy community largely populated by children of immigrants. For both Saenz and Moreno, who share the same immigrant roots, standing up became a natural choice.
At the recently introduced goth-themed event titled SexBeat, held at Hollywood’s Knucklehead Club, they delivered their latest performance, and proceeds from this show were donated to the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights.
As a passionate devotee of the scene, I, Rey Garcia – known online as “Goth Tio” – continue to be a significant figure. Through my digital platforms, I’ve built a community of young goths who embrace uninhibited dancing. In my videos, you’ll often find me moving freely to the rhythm of industrial and funk music, all while sporting my signature black vaquero hat.
Garcia believes that helping immigrants is an essential tenet of the L.A. goth philosophy.
In essence, Garcia emphasized that the goth community often operates in this way: let’s gather together, share our cherished music, and offer support to those affected by these pressing issues. Interestingly, there seems to be a renewed interest in the goth culture, with many newcomers joining the scene. He wishes for them to experience the same sense of acceptance that he did when he first joined.
As a dedicated movie buff and proud co-founder of LosGothsCo, I can’t forget the impact we made when we helped bring our landmark event, Gothicumbia, to life. It was like hosting an unforgettable late-night carne asada party, but with the chilling beats of haunting music setting the atmosphere.
On one of those special nights, Martinez remarked, “It seemed as though an exciting event was on the brink of unfolding.” Despite being a first-time experience, there was a sense of familiarity, reminiscent of a warm family gathering. As the night wore on and the dance floor buzzed with energy, he added, “You can’t help but feel a cool sense of belonging to this group. There was an undeniable connection between the participants and the event itself.
Originating from a modest start at the downtown establishment La Cita, Gothicumbia has attracted outsiders from various corners of the city. Since then, it has expanded its presence from Riverside to San Francisco.
On August 15, LosGothsCo hosted their Gothicumbia homecoming event at the Regent in downtown Los Angeles. The event featured a dark and mischievous series of DJs playing music that blended cumbia, contemporary Latin alternatives, post-punk, and rock en español.
Upon my arrival at the cinema, draped in leathers, alongside fellow Latino enthusiasts, we were warmly welcomed by colossal skeletons, pulsating hand-held rave lights illuminating the darkened hall, and a bustling dance floor teeming with life. A truly unforgettable spectacle!
Martinez explained, “During my upbringing, there weren’t nightclubs like this one available for us.” Instead, he found himself either feeling out of place at Latin clubs or listening to the same music repeatedly at the goth club. Gothicumbia was a club I longed for when I first entered the scene because it wasn’t around back then.
Apart from its noted musical selections, Gothicumbia is also recognized for nurturing the most creative Latin goth fashion. Ladies often arrive adorned in black lace headpieces reminiscent of Virgencita and tear-painted faces, while men combine dark accents with their Chicano workwear and cowboy boots.
At local goth events, Daisy Linsangan is a well-known figure. Not too long ago, she was seen dancing at Gothicumbia in August, immersed in the tunes of The Cure and Anecito Molina. Known online and as a go-go dancer under the name hell_fairy, she spins in lace and leather, both on and off the stage.
Linsangan expressed that fashion serves as a means to reveal one’s genuine, authentic self by allowing personal expression.
Linsangan pointed out that fashion allows for personal expression which in turn uncovers one’s true and authentic identity.
During my regular workday, I’m not wearing my white face paint, and I need to communicate in a particular style that leans towards being ‘white-coded’. However, when I have the freedom to go out at night, I feel like I can express myself authentically.
Following the conclusion of another LosGothsCo event, a palpable sense of happiness seemed to emanate from the audience and filled the night air in East L.A.
“Awesome,” said one hair-sprayed and corseted Chicana to another. “What’s next?”
Read More
- Clash Royale Best Boss Bandit Champion decks
- RAVEN2 redeem codes and how to use them (October 2025)
- Ethereum’s Golden Cross: $4,000 Rally? Hold Your Breath!
- ESPN Might Drop Doris Burke From NBA Broadcast Team Next Season
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Gets Trial Experience On PS Plus Premium
- Kingdom Rush Battles Tower Tier List
- Chaos Zero Nightmare Combatant Tier List
- Clash Royale Furnace Evolution best decks guide
- Brawl Stars: Did Sushi Just Get a Makeover? Players React to Event Ending
- Tom Cruise’s Emotional Victory Lap in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
2025-08-28 18:32