Exploring Ghost Dance: A largely overlooked gem of gothic rock

Ghost Dance was (and still is) a gothic rock band that formed in the mid-1980s. The band was formed by Gary Marx, formerly of The Sisters of Mercy, and Anne-Marie Hurst, formerly of Skeletal Family. Marx said: "There wasn't a great deal of pre-planning involved in forming Ghost Dance. I knew Anne Marie
from the Skeletal Family supporting us on tour - the pair of us left our bands at the same time, she contacted me and I thought, great, that will stop some of the Sisters comparisons if I work with a female singer."

In terms of style, their music combined elements of gothic rock and post-punk, characterized by atmospheric soundscapes, ethereal vocals, and a dark, moody aesthetic (though I think the "goth" label could be misleading here, as the band does not sound exaggeratedly, stereotypically goth-y). Ghost Dance's music typically features a blend of gothic rock and post-punk elements, with prominent use of guitar and melancholic vocals, but it is not a band that gets too bogged down in its own aesthetics, and they have a cult following for that reason.

Thei discography is definitely worth checking out. You may want to start with Gathering Dust (1988) – This album is a compilation of their earlier EPs and singles (there was apparently an official release on a record label initially, but years later it seemed to be more commonly available on CD-R – it can also be found on YouTube).

Stop the World (1989) – Their only studio album (thus far), featuring the single "Down to the Wire."

Notable Singles/EPs:
River of No Return (1986)
The Grip of Love (1986)
Heart Full of Soul [a Yardbirds cover] (1986)
Celebrate (1987)

Themes and legacy of Ghost Dance

Their lyrics often explore themes of love, loss, and existential angst, fitting well within the gothic rock genre (though they don't always have a song that's "typical" of only goth rock). While Ghost Dance did not achieve mainstream success, they have a dedicated following within the gothic rock and post-punk scenes. The band disbanded in 1989, shortly after the release of Stop the World.

Anne-Marie Hurst later pursued a solo career, while Gary Marx continued with various musical projects. However, the band has reformed in recent years, and their current lineup apparently includes Anne-Marie Hurst on vocals, Tim Walker (guitar), Stephen Derrig (guitar), Phil Noble (bass), and Dave Wood (drums). It seems Gary Marx is not a current member.

The band's music remains influential for fans of the genre and is considered a significant part of the gothic rock movement of the 1980s. That being said, they have a potentially broader appeal. The name Ghost Dance itself sounds a bit spooky, and their music may be somewhat goth-y and reminiscent of autumn, but it doesn't necessarily conjure images of Dracula's coffin. As Hurst explained: "Rather than try to sound like any specific genre, we just allowed our likes & dislikes to influence us."

Check them out!