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Straight edge refers to a lifestyle and scene that started within the hardcore punk subculture whose adherents abstain from alcohol, tobacco smoking, and other recreational drug use. There is considerable debate over what constitutes a straight edge lifestyle, and some adherents may also abstain from caffeine, psychiatric medication and promiscuity, or follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. The term was coined by the 1980s hardcore band Minor Threat. Although many adherents are still members of the hardcore punk scene, the lifestyle is not exclusive to hardcore punk. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links Emblem-important. ... A straightedge is a tool similar to a ruler, but without markings. ... Hardcore punk, now commonly known as hardcore, is a subgenre of punk rock that originated in North America in the late 1970s. ... Alcoholic beverages An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol, although in chemistry the definition of alcohol includes many other compounds. ... The cigarette is the most common method of smoking tobacco. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Caffeine is a xanthine alkaloid compound that acts as a stimulant in humans. ... Psychopharmacology is the study of the effects of any psychoactive drug that acts upon the mind by affecting brain chemistry. ... “Promiscuous” redirects here. ... A variety of vegetarian food ingredients Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes all animal flesh, including poultry, game, fish, shellfish or crustacea, and slaughter by-products. ... Vegan redirects here. ... Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band that formed in Washington DC in 1980 and disbanded in 1983. ...

Etymology

While many of the precepts can be traced to earlier ideas, the term "straight edge" comes from Minor Threat's 1981 song "Straight Edge." The lyrics, written and sung by Ian MacKaye, condemn psychoactive drug use: "I'm a person just like you /But I've got better things to do /Than sit around and fuck my head/Hang out with the living dead/Snort white shit up my nose/Pass out at the shows/I don't even think about speed/That's something I just don't need". Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band that formed in Washington DC in 1980 and disbanded in 1983. ... Ian Thomas Garner MacKaye (pronounced ), born April 16, 1962), is an American singer and guitarist. ... An assortment of psychoactive drugs A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness and behavior. ... Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. ... Amphetamine or Amfetamine(Alpha-Methyl-PHenEThylAMINE), also known as beta-phenyl-isopropylamine and benzedrine, is a prescription stimulant commonly used to treat Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. ...

The chorus is the phrase "I've got the straight edge." repeated several times. MacKaye says that he meant that by abstaining from drugs and alcohol, he had an advantage, or an "edge", when compared to those who indulged too heavily; and he was considered to be "straight" during an era where recreational drug use was closely correlated with rock and roll.^[1]

"X" symbol

The letter "X" is the most prevalent symbol of straight edge. Commonly it is worn as a marking or tattoo on the back of one or both hands, though it can be displayed on other body parts as well. Some followers of straight edge have also incorporated the symbol into clothing and pins. According to a series of interviews by journalist Michael Azerrad, the straight-edge "X" can be traced to the Teen Idles' brief U.S. West Coast tour in 1980.^[1] The Idles were scheduled to play at San Francisco's Mabuhay Gardens, but when the band arrived, club management discovered that the entire band was under the legal drinking age and therefore should be denied entry to the club. The Teen Idles were a hardcore punk band that existed only for about fourteen months. ... The Mabuhay Gardens (aka The Fab Mab) was a San Francisco nightclub located at 443 Broadway, on the Broadway strip of North Beach, an area best known for its strip clubs. ...

As a compromise, management marked each of the Idles' hands with a large black "X" as a warning to the club's staff not to serve alcohol to the band. Upon returning to Washington, D.C., the band suggested this same system to local clubs as a means to allow teenagers in to see musical performances without being served alcohol. While the practice was never widely adopted by D.C.-area music venues,^[1] the mark soon became associated with the straight edge lifestyle. Recently, however, after a slow pickup, more and more music venues have been employing this system.

Sometimes the number "24" is used, as X is the 24th letter of the alphabet. A variation involving a trio of Xs ("XXX") originated in artwork created by Minor Threat's drummer, Jeff Nelson, in which he replaced the three stars in the band's hometown Washington, D.C. flag with Xs.^{[citation needed]} The term is sometimes abbreviated by including an "X" with the first two letters of the words "straight edge": sXe. Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band that formed in Washington DC in 1980 and disbanded in 1983. ... Jeff Nelson was the drummer for the hardcore punk rock band Minor Threat. ... The flag of Washington, D.C. consists of three red stars above two red bars on a white background. ...

History

Straightedge has gone through three different eras since its creation in 1980.^[2] Associated with punk-rock, the early years of the straightedge subculture are now called the Old School Era. However in the late nineteen eighties the straightedge subculture seemed to drift further and further away from the punk culture. The following era called Youth Crew, presented different types of elements that began to change the subculture. For example, vegetarianism became a major theme along with following the Krishna-consciousness faith (see ISKCON). Youth Crew also led to tension inside the subculture. After nearly a decade of the separation of straightedge-punk from the punk culture, the era called Straight Edge 2000 brought the cultures together without clash. Punk rock is an anti-establishment rock music genre and movement that emerged in the mid-1970s. ... A variety of vegetarian food ingredients Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes all animal flesh, including poultry, game, fish, shellfish or crustacea, and slaughter by-products. ... This article is about the Hindu deity. ... The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) is a new religious movement based on Bengali, or more specifically Gaudiya, Vaishnavism founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, referred to by followers as His Divine Grace, in New York in 1966. ...

Old School

Straight edge ideas can be found in songs by the early-70s band The Modern Lovers, particularly their songs "I'm Straight" and "She Cracked". Hard rock icon Ted Nugent also inspired the early straight edge movement with his frequent declaration that he did not drink alcohol or smoke tobacco or marijuana.^[3] However, straight edge was most closely associated with punk rock, particularly the faster subgenre of hardcore punk that developed in the late 1970s and early '80s, which was partly characterized by shouted rather than sung vocals.^[4] Straightedgers of this early "Old School" era often associated with the original punk ideals such as individualism, disdain for work and school, and live-for-the-moment attitudes.^[2] This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Theodore Ted Nugent (born December 13, 1948) (a. ... Hardcore punk, now commonly known as hardcore, is a subgenre of punk rock that originated in North America in the late 1970s. ... Early punk rock musicians (1970s-1980) // 999 Acme Sewage Company Abrasive Wheels The Adicts The Adverts Alternative TV Amazorblades Angelic Upstarts Anti-Nowhere League Anti-Pasti The Angry Samoans The Au Pairs The Automatics The Avengers Bad Brains Bad Religion The Bags Big Balls and the Great White Idiot Big...

Though straight edge started on the US east coast in Washington D.C. and New York, it quickly spread through the entire nation and Canada.^[5] By the '80s, bands on the west coast, such as Uniform Choice, were gaining national acclaim. In the early stages of this subculture’s history, musical gigs often consisted of non-straightedge punk bands along with straightedge bands. However, circumstances soon changed and the Old School Era would eventually be viewed as the time “before the two scenes separated”.^[4] Old School straightedge bands included: Minor Threat, 7 Seconds, SSD, Uniform Choice, and Cause for Alarm Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... This article is about the state. ... Uniform Choice is an Orange County, California hardcore punk band fronted by Pat Dubar. ... Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band that formed in Washington DC in 1980 and disbanded in 1983. ... 7 Seconds are a hardcore punk band from Reno, Nevada. ... SSD (Society-System Decontrol) was a Boston hardcore band. ... Uniform Choice is an Orange County, California hardcore punk band fronted by Pat Dubar. ... The <Kill From The Heart> archives says: Originally a New Jersey band called Hinkley Fan Club, in early 1983 they moved to New York City and changed their name to Cause For Alarm. ...

Youth Crew

Although the music and the subculture are dependent on each other, at certain points, the musical influence seems to be stronger than at other times. During the Youth Crew Era, the influence of music seems to be at an all-time high. Furthermore, the new branches of straightedge that erect during this era all seem to come from an idea presented in a song. The Youth Crew Era emphasizes the idea that cultures are influenced by media; music is the dominant media source for tenets of the straightedge subculture. Youth crew is a sub-genre of hardcore punk that was most popular from approximately 1986 to 1990, primarily in New York City and, to a lesser degree, Los Angeles. ...

Starting in the mid- 1980s, the name of New York straightedge band Youth of Today became associated with the straight edge movement. In their song “Youth Crew” they expressed their views on uniting the scene into a movement.^[6] The most identifiable theme that arose during the Youth Crew Era was straightedge association with vegetarianism. Youth of Today was a straight edge hardcore band from New York City. ... A variety of vegetarian food ingredients Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes all animal flesh, including poultry, game, fish, shellfish or crustacea, and slaughter by-products. ...

In 1988 straight edge band Youth of Today released their song “No More” that would initiate this new theme within the subculture. Lead singer Ray Cappo displayed his vegan views in the lyrics: “Meat-eating, flesh-eating, think about it/ so callous this crime we commit”.^[7] By the end of the 1980s, bands all over the United States and Canada sang about animal cruelty. Youth of Today was a straight edge hardcore band from New York City. ... Ray Cappo (aka Ray of Today) is a singer with Youth of Today, Shelter, and Better Than A Thousand. ...

During the late 1980s, not all people that claimed to be straightedge identified with animal rights issues, though as the 1990s came on the horizon, bands such as Earth Crisis (with their frontman Karl Buechner) had continued this trend. By the early 1990s, militant straightedge was a well known presences in the straightedge music scene. The term militant described someone who was dedicated and outspoken, but also believed to be narrow-minded, judgmental, and potentially violent.^[8] The Militant straightedger was characterized by the following: less tolerant of non-straightedge people, more outward pride in being straight edge, more outspoken, and believed that violence was a necessary method to promote clean living.^[8] Youth Crew Era bands include: Gorilla Biscuits, Judge, Bold, Youth of Today Earth Crisis was a straight edge vegan hardcore band from Syracuse, New York, USA that recorded and performed from 1991 until 2001. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Gorilla Biscuits are a New York straight edge hardcore punk band on Revelation Records, consisting of Anthony Civarelli, Walter Schreifels, Arthur Smilios, Alex Brown and Luke Abbey. ... Judge was a New York City Hardcore Punk Straight Edge and Metalcore band, formed in 1987 by Youth of Today guitarist, John Porcell Porcelly, and former Death Before Dishonor/ Youth of Today drummer, Mike Judge (Mike Ferraro). ... Bold was a late 80s hardcore band from upstate New York, which along with bands like Youth Of Today and Side By Side were a part of the Youth Crew, and a major influence in the late 80s straight edge hardcore scene. ... Youth of Today was a straight edge hardcore band from New York City. ...

Mid-Nineties

In the early/mid Nineteen-Nineties, a number of bands began popping up with a much stronger metallic influence, further uniting the causes of Social Justice, Animal Liberation, Veganism, and straight-edge. Bands from this era include Vegan Reich, Raid, Culture Earth Crisis (whom it should be noted were not a Hardline band), Snapcase, Strife, and Integrity. A number of bands began further combining the above ideologies into a formal organization, borrowing as much from Abrahamic Religions, Anarchism, and Deep Ecology as Punk Rock. The organization that was formed as a result was known as Hardline. Following the dissolution of a formal hardline organization and the end of the 90s, Straight Edge underwent a new era. Animal Liberation is a work by Peter Singer, a famous vegan ethicist. ... Vegan redirects here. ... Raid were a Tennesee based straight edge metalcore band that formed from the ashes of the Christian metalcore band One way. ... Culture was one of the founders of the Floridas second wave hardcore scene. ... Earth Crisis was a straight edge vegan hardcore band from Syracuse, New York, USA that recorded and performed from 1991 until 2001. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Snapcase was a metalcore band from Buffalo, New York. ... Strife is a hardcore/metal band from Los Angeles, California. ... Integrity, formed in 1988, is a Cleveland, Ohio-based band. ... map showing the prevalence of Abrahamic (purple) and Dharmic (yellow) religions in each country. ... Anarchist redirects here. ... Deep ecology is a recent branch of ecological philosophy (ecosophy) that considers humankind as an integral part of its environment. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Straight Edge 2000 Era

As the mid-90s came and went, some of the more controversial aspects that surrounded straightedge started to disappear. The Straight Edge 2000 Era once again reunited the punk-rock culture. Similar to the Old School Era, straightedge and non-straightedge bands played concerts together regularly. Since the straightedge movement had existed for around twenty years, many members disliked the Youth Crew Era style of music and principles.^[9] Others did not care about Minor Threat or any of the pioneers of the movement. ^[9] Punk rock is an anti-establishment rock music genre and movement that emerged in the mid-1970s. ... Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band that formed in Washington DC in 1980 and disbanded in 1983. ...

Straight Edge 2000 Era bands include: Throwdown, Champion, Carry On, xDeathstarx, xAFBx, Lionheartxxx, xThe Warx, Good Clean Fun, Trial, Coke Bust, Blank Stare, Sick Fix, Eyes To The Sky, Have Heart, Remembering Never, Verse, The Geeks, The First Step, Betrayed, Down To Nothing, xTyrantx, First Blood, Liferuiner, Black My Heart, Too Pure to Die, Four Year Strong, Mychildren Mybride, Stick To Your Guns, StillxDrawingxBlank. Throwdown are a straight edge moshcore band. ... For other uses, see Champion (disambiguation). ... Good Clean Fun is a positive hardcore band from Washington DC. According to their homepage, the band was formed by four Vegan Straightedge dudes in 1997 because the hardcore scene was in dire need of a sense of humor. In other words, it may seem hard to tell whether their... Have Heart is a straight-edge hardcore punk band that was formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 2002. ... // Remembering Never is an American Hardcore band, formed in Ft. ...

It has been rumored* that more well known idols such as Dane Cook, the band Fall Out Boy, and Davey Havok (lead vocalist of the Rock Band AFI) lead a straight-edge life style. Dane Jeffrey Cook (born March 18, 1972) is an American stand-up comedian, actor and musician. ... Fall Out Boy (commonly abbreviated as FOB) is an American band from Wilmette, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) that formed in 2001. ... David Marchand [1] (born David Anthony Passaro, on November 20, 1975, in Rochester, New York) more commonly known by the stage name Davey Havok, is the lead vocalist of the American rock band AFI. // Havok was born in Rochester, New York and is of Italian ancestery. ... AFI is a three-letter acronym that may refer to: AFI (band) Air Force Instruction Armed Forces of India Amniotic Fluid Index American Film Institute Australian Film Institute Australian Foresight Institute American Football Israel association Agencia Federal de Investigación, Mexico Africa-Indian Ocean (as in AFI Region) in aviation...

As Ian MacKaye and Porcell were considered the leaders of the straight-edge movements in their day- today Pat Flynn of Have Heart is considered the "King Of The Edge". Have Heart is a straight-edge hardcore punk band that was formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 2002. ...

Violence

A subset of straight edge followers had a more militant mentality and were involved in physical assaults in the United States during the 1980s and up to the mid 1990s. Police in some communities—such as Salt Lake City and Reno—have classified straight edge as a gang due to violence associated with militant straight edge groups in these cities. The straight-edge lifestlye, however, does not encourage violence against anyone.^[10][11] For ships of the United States Navy of the same name, see USS Salt Lake City. ... Reno redirects here. ... For other uses, see Gang (disambiguation). ...

In media

• Davey Havok, the lead vocalist of the American alternative band AFI, follows a straight edge lifestyle, as well as following a vegan diet. His bandmate, guitarist Jade Puget, is also straightedge and vegetarian.
• Another State of Mind (1982) documents Minor Threat and Dischord's early history, including some scenes of Ian MacKaye explaining the rationale behind straight edge.
• Professional wrestlers M-Dogg 20, Davey Richards, Colt Cabana, Brian Fury, Josh Prohibition, and -- most well known -- CM Punk, are straight edge and use it as their in-ring gimmicks.
• The character Jason Embry (Kyle Gallner) on the (set in Utah) HBO drama Big Love identifies as Straight Edge, getting a Straight Edge tattoo in an episode. Beginning early in the second season he is seen attempting to "recruit" his best friend Ben Henrickson (Doug Smith) into the ethos, taking a hard line with him in the process. When they finally do go to a show together, Ben ends up getting beaten up.

David Marchand [1] (born David Anthony Passaro, on November 20, 1975, in Rochester, New York) more commonly known by the stage name Davey Havok, is the lead vocalist of the American rock band AFI. // Havok was born in Rochester, New York and is of Italian ancestery. ... AFI is a three-letter acronym that may refer to: AFI (band) Air Force Instruction Armed Forces of India Amniotic Fluid Index American Film Institute Australian Film Institute Australian Foresight Institute American Football Israel association Agencia Federal de Investigación, Mexico Africa-Indian Ocean (as in AFI Region) in aviation... Another State of Mind is a documentary film. ... Minor Threat was an American hardcore punk band that formed in Washington DC in 1980 and disbanded in 1983. ... Dischord founders Ian Mackaye and Jeff Nelson Dischord Records is a Washington, D.C.-based record label specializing in D.C.-area independent punk, hardcore, and post-hardcore music. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Scott Colton (born May 6, 1980 in Deerfield, Illinois), better known by his ring name Colt Cabana, is a professional wrestler currently under a developmental deal with World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Phil Brooks[4] (born October 26, 1978), better known by his ring name CM Punk, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on its Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) brand where he is the reigning ECW Champion. ... Kyle Gallner (born October 22, 1986) is an American actor. ... For other uses, see Big Love (disambiguation). ... Douglas Alexander Smith (born June 22, 1985) is a Canadian-American actor most notable for his work on the HBO series, Big Love as Ben Henrickson, the eldest son of a polygamist. ...

References

This article is about the year. ... For other uses, see October (disambiguation). ... Henry Rollins (born February 13, 1961 as Henry Lawrence Garfield) is an American singer and songwriter, spoken word artist, author, and actor. ... Ian Thomas Garner MacKaye (pronounced ), born April 16, 1962), is an American singer and guitarist. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 159th day of the year (160th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 159th day of the year (160th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Further reading

• Sam McPheeters, Dave Stein, Jason O'Toole, Brian Baker, THE STRAIGHT EDGE MOVEMENT (Buzz 1987)
• http://www.cjsonline.ca/reviews/youthsubcultures.html Review of recent book on straight-edge subculture