The Gothic subculture as we recognize it today began to take shape in the late 1970s and early 1980s, primarily in the UK. It evolved from the post-punk music scene, with bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, and Joy Division influencing the aesthetic and ethos of the movement. The term "Goth" was initially used derogatorily to describe fans of this music scene, but over time, it was embraced as a badge of identity.