Straight edge

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For the drawing or cutting tool, see straightedge.
The album cover of The Teen Idles' Minor Disturbance showing straight edge symbols.

Straight edge (also known as sXe, and xXx) refers to a lifestyle, a personal commitment, a philosophy, and a subculture that is closely associated with hardcore punk music. Straight edgers abstain from tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. Followers of the straight-edge world view may also abstain from caffeine or casual sex, and practice vegetarianism or veganism. Originally most followers of straight edge were atheists[citation needed], who believed religion was a form of weakness and mind control; although as the culture grew, this ideology became less popular.[citation needed]

Etymology

While many of the precepts can be traced to earlier ideas, the term "straight edge" comes from the 1981 song "Straight Edge" by the hardcore punk band Minor Threat. The lyrics, written and sung by Ian MacKaye, condemn psychoactive drug use. The song begins:

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

— Ian MacKaye, "Straight Edge"

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]

Overview

There are various reasons why people may choose to be straight edge, and there are various interpretations of the practice and various applications of the precepts. Some use the lifestyle as a stepping stone because they believe it will allow them to be more involved with their own mental and physical health.[citation needed]

Straight edge is considered to be a chosen lifestyle by many of its followers. In that sense, no one is born straight edge or has been straight edge their entire lives. Labeling oneself straight edge is a conscious decision that someone makes for oneself and is generally not seen as a label that applies to everyone who does not partake in drugs. The label "straight edge" generally implies an acceptance of the philosophy and reasons for avoiding drug use posited by at least one segment of the straight edge community.[citation needed]

Attitudes towards spirituality

Straight edge is not a religion; it is a philosophy. Many straight edge people feel that having a clear mind is a better way to approach spirituality. Some are atheists, or agnostics, often believing in personal responsibility and rejecting the idea of a deity or any divine moral law. In many circles, the lifestyle has associations with spirituality—some straight edgers are Christian, and there were at one time significant Hare Krishna straight edge movements represented by bands like 108, Shelter and Baby Gopal.[citation needed]

Christians involved in the punk-hardcore subculture sometimes consider themselves straight edge; indeed, the rejection of illicit substances and alcoholic beverages (particularly underage) and abstinence from premarital sex are commonly encouraged by many mainstream churches and their youth groups. Prominent self-identified Christian straight edgers include the ex-bassist of Throwdown, at least one member of Comeback Kid, and at least one member of Stretch Arm Strong.[citation needed] There has also been criticism of Christians being involved within the straight edge community—reflected in songs such as "This Ain't No Cross On My Hand" by Limp Wrist, "Real Edgemen Hate Jesus" by XfilesX, and "Straight Edge Punks Not Christian Fucks" by Crucial Attack.

The 'X'

An 'X' on the back of the hand is a common straight edge symbol.

According to a series of interviews conducted 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 band insisted on performing, and as a short-term compromise, management marked each of the Idles' hands with a large black "X" as a warning to bartenders and bouncers not to serve alcohol to the band (this was largely unnecessary, as most of the Teen Idles avoided alcohol). Upon returning to Washington, D.C., The Idles suggested this same "X" gambit to a few D.C. clubs as a way to let teenagers see musical performances, yet not be served alcohol. The practice was never widely adopted by D.C.-area music venues,[1] but the "X" mark soon became associated with the nascent straight edge lifestyle.

Three X's (XXX) have their straight edge origin 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. Some people interpret this as a symbol of Ian MacKaye's perceived "don't smoke, don't drink, don't fuck" ethos, supported by the Minor Threat song "Out of Step".[citation needed]

Many adopters of the "straight edge" lifestyle voluntarily marked their hands in the same way to show their commitment to the ethos. Also widespread is the tattooing of the X symbol on other parts of the body or wearing it on clothing, pins, et cetera. The X is considered a mark of identity. Attaching the X to one's name or band name is common for straight edgers.[citation needed]

Backlash and criticisms

A subset of straight edge—hardline—had a more militant mentality and was 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.[2][3]

Straight edgers sometimes encounter mockery from others within the punk scene for various reasons, including their perceived elitism or uptightness around substance use. The actions and attitudes of militant members of the straight edge scene also draw heavy criticism, including from more tolerant straight edgers.[citation needed]

History of Straight Edge

Straightedge went through three different eras since its creation in 1980.[4] 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 faith. 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.

Old School Era

With the rise of straightedge as a subculture of punk-rock, the two scenes were very closely related. Like punk-rock, the singer of an Old School straightedge band shouted more than sang.[5] Straightedgers of the Old School Era often associated with the original punk ideals such as individualism, disdain for work and school, and live-for-the-moment attitudes.[4] Though straightedge started on the east coast in Washington D.C. and New York, it quickly spread through the entire nation and Canada.[6] By the mid-nineteen eighties, 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”.[5]

Old School straightedge bands included: Minor Threat, 7 Seconds, SSD (band), Uniform Choice, and Cause for Alarm

Youth Crew Era

Although the music and the subculture are dependent on each other, at certain points in the subculture’s history, 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.

Starting in the mid- eighties, the Era was given the name from New York’s straightedge band Youth of Today. In their song “Youth Crew” they expressed their views on uniting the scene into a movement.[7] The most identifiable theme that arose during the Youth Crew Era was straightedge association with vegetarianism.

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”.[8] By the end of the 1980s, bands all over the United States and Canada sang about animal cruelty.

During the late nineteen eighties, 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, hardline and militant straightedge were a well known presence in the straightedge music scene. The term militant described someone who was dedicated and outspoken, but also believed to be narrow-minded, judgemental, and potentially violent.[9] The Militant/Hardline 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.[9]

Straight Edge started out as a phenomenon within the punk-rock culture, then transitioned into a movement. A movement that had been perceived by some as a positive subculture associated with great morals. Other’s perceptions, which included the United States media, depicted members of the culture as “politically correct terrorists”.[citation needed] However, the end of the Youth Crew Era brought new elements to the straightedge subculture, elements of positivity.[citation needed]

Youth Crew Era bands include: Gorilla Biscuits, Judge, Bold, Youth of Today

Straight Edge 2000 Era

As the Youth Crew Era matured, some of the negative 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.[10] Others did not care about Minor Threat or any of the pioneers of the movement. More recently straight edge has got alot of media attention through the band AFI as both the guitarist Jade Puget and the lead singer Davey Havok are straight edge and openly support and endorse this way of life. [10] Straight Edge 2000 Era bands include: Champion, Carry On, Ten Yard Fight, Good Clean Fun, Casey Jones, Trial, Have Heart, Verse, Shipwreck, Down To Nothing, Shere Khan and Youth Attack.

In media

  • Professional wrestlers CM Punk, M-Dogg 20, and Josh Prohibition are straight edge and use it as their in-ring gimmicks . However, only CM Punk uses it as an integral part of his character.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Azerrad, Michael (2002). Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground 1981–1991. Back Bay Books. ISBN 0-31678-753-1
  2. ^ Perry, S. (2005-06-30). "Got gang?". Retrieved 2007-06-08.
  3. ^ Salt Lake County Sheriff. "An Overview of Gangs in Salt Lake County". Retrieved 2007-06-08.
  4. ^ a b Tsitsos, William (1999-10). "Rules of Rebellion: Slamdancing, Moshing, and the American Alternative Scene". Popular Music, 18(3), 403
  5. ^ a b Haenfler, Ross (2006). Straight Edge: Hardcore Punk, Clean Living Youth, and Social Change (p. 11). Piscataway: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-81353-851-3
  6. ^ Bartlett, Thomas (2006-09-29). "Studying Rock’s Clean, Mean Movement". The Chronicle of Higher Education, A16.
  7. ^ Haenfler, Ross (2006). Straight Edge: Hardcore Punk, Clean Living Youth, and Social Change (p. 12). Piscataway: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-81353-851-3
  8. ^ Youth of Today (1988). "No More". On We're Not In This Alone [LP/CD]. New York: Caroline Records (1988).
  9. ^ a b Haenfler, Ross (2006). Straight Edge: Hardcore Punk, Clean Living Youth, and Social Change (p. 88). Piscataway: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-81353-851-3
  10. ^ a b Haenfler, Ross (2006). Straight Edge: Hardcore Punk, Clean Living Youth, and Social Change (p. 17). Piscataway: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-81353-851-3

Further reading

External links

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