Bauhaus
Bauhaus: Architects of the Gothic Night
In the shadowed corners of 1978 Northampton, England, Bauhaus emerged as the alchemists of gothic rock, crafting a sound that would define a subculture. Formed by Peter Murphy (vocals), Daniel Ash (guitar), David J (bass), and Kevin Haskins (drums), the quartet blended post-punk’s raw urgency with influences from dub, glam rock, funk, and krautrock. Their debut single, “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” (1979), a nine-minute elegy to the Dracula star, became the genre’s cornerstone. Its hypnotic bassline, bossa nova drums, and Murphy’s spectral croon conjured a vampire’s lament, cementing Bauhaus as goth’s founding fathers. Played relentlessly in underground clubs, the track’s eerie allure drew a cult following, its black-clad devotees shaping the gothic scene.
Bauhaus’s first album, In the Flat Field (1980), released on 4AD, unleashed a jagged, primal sound with tracks like “Dark Entries” and “Stigmata Martyr.” Critics were divided, but fans embraced its raw intensity, a stark contrast to punk’s aggression. Mask (1981) expanded their palette, weaving saxophones, keyboards, and dub rhythms into “Kick in the Eye” and “The Passion of Lovers.” The album’s theatricality, amplified by Murphy’s bat-like stage presence, mirrored gothic literature’s dramatic excess, resonating with your Scribes’ love for Poe and Stoker. By 1982, The Sky’s Gone Out reached No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart, propelled by a daring cover of David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” (No. 15 UK Singles). The band’s nod to Bowie, a glam icon, showcased their ability to bridge genres while staying rooted in darkness.
Tensions simmered within Bauhaus, leading to their 1983 breakup after Burning from the Inside, which featured “She’s in Parties,” a brooding anthem of hedonistic decay. Ash and Haskins formed Love and Rockets, while Murphy pursued a solo career, his mystic voice shining in tracks like “Cuts You Up.” Reunions in 1998, 2005, and 2008 produced Go Away White, but internal rifts ended their revival. Despite their short lifespan, Bauhaus’s influence looms large, inspiring Joy Division, The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, and Nine Inch Nails. Their minimalist lyrics, drenched in existential dread, and Murphy’s baritone—both operatic and menacing—set the gothic template, from fashion’s leather and lace to cinema’s shadowy soundtracks.
Bauhaus’s legacy endures in their refusal to conform, their music a nocturnal ritual for those who find beauty in the abyss. Their discography, a mere four studio albums, remains a gothic pilgrimage, each track a step into the unknown. In your Scribes, Bauhaus stands as a beacon, their undead spirit echoing through the gothic heartland, inviting you to dance in the moonlight of their macabre dreams.
Bauhaus - Bela Lugosi's Dead (Official Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq7xyjU-jsU
Lyrics: “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” (1979)
White on white translucent black capes
Back on the rack
Bela Lugosi’s dead
The bats have left the bell tower
The victims have been bled
Red velvet lines the black box
Bela Lugosi’s dead
Undead undead undead
The virginal brides file past his tomb
Strewn with time’s dead flowers
Bereft in deathly bloom
Alone in a darkened room
The count
Bela Lugosi’s dead
Undead undead undead
Where to Find Their Work:
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music (music.apple.com), SoundCloud (soundcloud.com)
Vinyl/CDs: Discogs (discogs.com), Beggars Banquet Records (beggars.com)
Albums: In the Flat Field, Mask, The Sky’s Gone Out at Barnes & Noble (bn.com)
Key Tracks:
“Bela Lugosi’s Dead” (1979)
“Dark Entries” (1980)
“Kick in the Eye” (1981)
“Ziggy Stardust” (1982, Bowie cover)
“She’s in Parties” (1983)
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