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Straight-edge refers to
a philosophy that's most basic tenets promote
a drug free lifestyle. It developed as an offshoot
of the punk rock/hardcore scenes of the early
1980's when the term itself is believed to have
been coined by Ian Mackaye, in the self titled
song, while he was the singer of the seminal hardcore
band, Minor Threat. Mackaye eschewed the nihilistic
tendencies of punk rock, promoting instead the
simple (almost simplistic) philosophy of "don't
drink/ don't smoke/ don't fuck."
In the 12 years since the demise of Minor Threat,
these simple beliefs have transformed the minds
of scores of teens worldwide. Increasingly disenchanted
with societal ills, young men and women adopt
the straight-edge doctrine as a blueprint to better
first themselves, and then the world in which
they live. While the original definition of straight-edge
only included the rejection of mind altering substances
and promiscuous sex, modern interpretations include
a vegetarian (or vegan) diet and an increasing
involvement and awareness of environmental and
political issues.
As noted, straight-edge
grew out of the punk rock/hardcore scene and so
music plays an important role. The Teen Idles,
an early 80's Washington, DC hardcore band, and
something of a precursor to Minor Threat, can
arguably be called the first straight-edge band.
Since that time there have been hundreds if not
thousands of bands who've so labeled themselves.
Early bands included Minor Threat, SSD and Uniform
Choice. In the mid to late 80's, straight-edge
hardcore reached a zenith, especially in the greater
Metropolitan area of New York City. This atmosphere
led to the creation of Gorilla Biscuits, Bold,
Wide Awake and arguably the most prolific band
of the era, Youth of Today. While the bands of
this period did much to popularize straight-edge,
they also contributed to its closeminded and antagonistic
aspects. The attitude between straight-edge and
the rest of the world often took on adversarial
tones during this time, largely becoming "The
positive youth crew versus people who drink, smoke
and/or do drugs." Many people dislike straight-edge
and its adherents because of such intolerant views.
Straight-edge today, while
nothing like the "halcyon" days "back
in '88," still offers a viable and positive
lifestyle. Bands such as Strife, Mouthpiece, Earth
Crisis and Snapcase, continue to proliferate and
bear the standard. While its detractors often
claim that straight-edge(rs) are no more than
suburbanite, cliquish, fashion victims, few can
argue that the philosophy is still valid. The
drug-free lifestyle has left its positive impact
on more than one wayward youth. Perhaps the ideals
and ideas are more pertinent today than ever as
the focus begins to reach beyond affecting merely
oneself to altering and improving one's society
and environment.
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