12/30/03
Jeff
Seabrite of the
Milwaukee Gothic Council
(MGC) was kind enough to do a
brief interview with me.
The Milwaukee
Gothic Council was a group formed whose purpose it was to enlighten an
intolerant Milwaukee public about the Gothic Subculture, particularly in
Milwaukee's Walker's Point area. For background information on this interview, see the following web
page:
http://www.seabrite.com/milwaukeegothiccouncil/about.htm
JS - Well, I'll do what I've always done when asked this question and refer you to the Gothic Primer web site at http://www.sfgoth.com/primer/ This question is nearly impossible to answer in one or two paragraphs. So instead of retyping everything (which I don't have time for), go take a look there. I could never put it any better than them.
JJ - Do you feel that the MGC has fulfilled it's purpose, meaning that it has successfully educated the general public about the Gothic Subculture? Or is there work yet to do?
JS - For our purposes (getting the Walker's Point Neighborhood to calm down about it all), yes. We have, in fact, pretty much stopped our efforts at trying to get info out now to people about Goth. Now we produce bands and help out with charitable efforts.
JJ - You mentioned that representing the club formerly known as the Sanctuary in a legal conflict, was your initial involvement with the Milwaukee Gothic scene. How did your relationship with the club, and the Gothic Subculture in Milwaukee begin? What drew you to it?
JS - I just remember hearing about it opening back in 1996. Me and a buddy from law school were into cruising various Milwaukee night-life venues, so we decided to check it out. Opening night, we were not even there an hour (at old Sanctuary) when there was a crash of broken bottles and bouncers on bodies on the dance floor, so we got out of there with a quickness and didn't come back for six months (LOL)! I didn't actually make the owner's acquaintance until 1997 or 1998.
JJ - Would you ever consider bringing back your cable access show, if the facilities at MATA and the political climate were improved? Exactly what would it take for you to consider resurrecting the show?
JS - Not under ANY circumstances! The show was major time suckage, even when the studio had its act together.
JJ - What are the best local Gothic venues in the area?
JS - Obviously, Club Anything (807 S. 5th St.). Mad Planet (533 E. Center) has its moments from time to time, too. Other than that, it's a hit-or-miss affair in this city, depending on where Goth/Industrial shows might be happening.
JJ - To date, what is the best Gothic band you have seen live in one of the local venues?
JS - Probably The Crüxshadows - I've seen them a couple of times in Milwaukee and they rocked!
JJ - You mentioned that the Milwaukee Gothic Council has worked with charitable organizations. What would you say is the MGC's proudest achievement to date?
JS - Hands down, the $350.00 in cash and the load of non-perishable food items that we just collected and donated to the Hunger Task Force of Milwaukee this past December 19, 2003 at Club Anything when we had our 3rd-annual MGC fashion show! The folks at the Hunger Task Force were down-right giddy when we presented them the check!
JJ - The style of dress in the gothic community, tends to raise the eyebrows of some of the more conservative minded. What is the purpose of dressing in this manner?
JS - I guess just that - to raise eyebrows (and, consequently, promote open-minded thinking about things in general). It's really no different from when I was knee-deep in the Punk Rock thing back in the 70s & 80s. People stare at the misfits in spiky black, and they've got to be induced to think about it a little, eh?
JJ - You mentioned that the Gothic Subculture represents a broad cross section of spiritual beliefs. Would you say, that there is a spirituality unique to the Gothic Subculture? If yes what would that be?
JS - No. Period.
JJ - What is the single most biggest misconception about the Gothic community?
JS - That everyone in it is involved with Satanic practices and/or BDSM stuff.
JJ - For those who feel they have something to fear from the Gothic community, what you like to say to them to assuage their fears.
JS - Goths are misfits in society and just want to be left alone - they're not out on any secret, social agenda, so get over it!
JJ - Some people who are interested in the subculture, are turned off early due to a perception of stand-offishness by those "in the fold." Would you say that that is a misperception?
JS - No, I would say it's true. But what is perceived to be "stand-offish" is probably just a simple case of introversion and a desire to be left alone to one's own thoughts.
JJ - For someone wishing to become more involved, how would you suggest they introduce themselves to the scene?
JS - Get involved in a local Goth web list or two. Because a lot of Goths are computer geeks (IT engineers, programmers, etc.), they're all over the Internet.
JJ - For someone new to the scene, what CD's, books, or movies would you recommend?
JS - There would be way too many CDs I would recommend, and I lamentably don't have the time to do so for you here. But I would definitely recommend all of Mick Mercer's books.
JJ - Do the political battles continue for the gothic community, or has the climate become more receptive? If the battle continues, with whom and what can the average Joe to do help?
JS - It seems to have all pretty much settled down now. Mission accomplished (LOL)!
JJ - How would you describe the type of dance at the clubs? It's certainly different than anything I've seen at more mainstream clubs.
JS - Eh . . . "Goth/Industrial"? "Gothic"? I'm being a *little* sarcastic (sorry), but yeah - that's what it's called.
JJ - Do you have to dress like Marilyn Manson to be a part of the scene? Or can a more conservatively minded person be a part?
JS - A very precious few people consider Marilyn Manson (whose real name is BRIAN WARNER - he hates being called by his real name, LOL) to be a part of the Goth scene. The vast majority of the people whom I am acquainted with who frequent the scene consider Mr. Warner to be a mainstream Goth wanna-be. Your citation to him brings up a great point, though - many musical subcultures share a similar look. Looking in from the outside, it is common to confuse the members of the various musical subcultures out there who tend to gravitate towards black attire. Ozzy Osbourne tends to attire himself in black and silver jewelry, but he is not Goth. On the other hand, however, you have people who gravitate towards the variations of the Gothic-music subculture who know the music really well, but who feel most comfortable wearing jeans and T-shirts (not necessarily black). So there's really no "dress code," if that's the answer you're looking for.
JJ - What made you decide to move Leave New Orleans and come to Milwaukee? Why Milwaukee?
JS - Marquette Law School. I just felt I'd get the best bang for the buck there. I was getting sick of New Orleans and wanted to go somewhere I had never been, too. (See my e-book about New Orleans at http://redirx.com/?z97 )
JJ - You said that you are an attorney by day. What kind of law do you practice?
JS - General practice. I practice in a lot of areas, but not estate planning, probate, real estate or tax law. The majority of my practice is in family law (divorce, child custody/support), municipal law (liquor licensing), criminal defense, small-business related law (contracts, etc.), and a smattering of other things. Refer to my law-services web site to get a better idea of the types of things I help people with: http://www.atty-access.com
JJ - If you had to give a State of the Milwaukee Gothic Council address today, what would that be?
JS - "We're in great shape, folks!" (Really - that's all that need be said!)
JJ - Similarly, if you had to give a State of the Gothic Scene in Milwaukee address, what would that be?
JS - "Ditto!"
JJ - What do you hope the future holds for the council and the gothic scene?
JS - A continuation of the status quo. Hopefully, we will continue to be able to bring more great shows to Milwaukee's scene (and save people in the local scene frequent travel down to Chicago for live music shows, which used to be too much the case in years past).
:)~
JJ - Thank you very much for taking the time to do this interview with me.
If you are interested in the Gothic Subculture here in Milwaukee, check out the Milwaukee Gothic Council website:
http://www.seabrite.com/milwaukeegothiccouncil/
Or join the Milwaukee Gothic Council Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/milwaukeegothiccouncil/
Also, please feel free to discuss this interview here.
If you know someone who would make an interesting subject for an interview, please e-mail me at jjrakman@yahoo.com
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