Check out Jesus and Mary Chain. Early Goth tended to be more melancholy with catchy melodies than outright depressing and this Goth band reflects that. Morrissey ruined it for everyone so I don't recommend the Smiths or the Cure (although I could argue that The Cure is not Goth, but I'll let that one go). The rise in the Smiths popularity is when I got out of the habit of listening and following Goth music/scene/subculture. Empathizing with the music you listen to is a different event than letting yourself dissolve into depression and self loathing. Worst thing I ever saw was a little Goth boy letting himself be led around by a little Goth girl (and no she was not cute), by a leash that was hooked to the spiked dog collar around his neck, at of all places Rockfest in KC. And Manson is not Goth, though labeled as such as is all Death Metal and Thrash now a days it seems, but it's really not in my opinion. Lazy journalists. Us Goth kids in my day were never that angry-passive aggressive and spiteful yes, but we'd never raise a hand against anyone other than ourselves. Still love the culture, what with the toys on the market and all and movies influenced by Goth, like Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas. You might also explore steampunk, very Goth in a brown sort of Victorian way, the way the Goths chose the black and purple Victorian style, but less focused on the human condition. Style is key to being Goth, but don't lose a job over it, nothing worse than having to squat as previously mentioned in the thread. But yeah, check out Jesus and Mary chain they are one of my favorite Goth bands next to Bauhaus and the Damned. Also check out Love and Rockets, not Goth per se, but you might like them.