Basically, some people started incorporating gloomy aspects to punk aesthetics and music. Gloomy aspects from literature, film, tropes. Some were looking to express similar political sentiments but in a more metaphorical way, I suppose; that’s my impression, that there was an added element of artistry/artsy there. Some were looking to add also subjective themes (madness, unlove, etc.). Example

This gave us post-punk and similar sounds in the very late 70s and mostly early 80s. You probably know some bands that were influential. Example.

Anyway, the mohawk grew longer, blacker. Still teased, often shaved, but creepier. The leyering in clothing also became blacker or creepier (transparent layers, protagonism of the net layers). Theatrical and extravagant outfits emerged, inspired by the decade’s fashion too. Example in music video A. Example in music video B.

Famously, the night club called “The Batcave” started reuniting bands and listeners, and in the 80s many countries had similar venues. A little more aggressive or punkier sound persisted with a genre called deathrock. There was now post-punk, deathrock, goth rock, darkwave (inspired by the synth-driven genres of the 80s), etc. Example A. Example B.

The subculture was consolidated around these genres, and then the name “Goth” stayed, and then more communication and inspiration… And nowadays social media keeps many things alive through teachings in video and, I guess, text, like this one. Why? In part, because [context] a person that is new to all this world is called a “baby bat” and [/context] most Goths are protective and integrating of baby bats.

And that’s it. There was a good deathrock revival in the late 00s and early 10s. Example. And today there’s an obsession to bring back the original elements but it’s all still very different (and often cliched, which I don’t like, personally).

Here’s some Goth music from recent years. Another one. And another one.

(More knowledgeable Goths, correct or add as needed).