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Ian MacKaye

Background information
Born April 16, 1962(1962-04-16), (Age 46) Washington D.C.
Genre(s) Punk rock
Alternative rock
Occupation(s) Vocalist, Songwriter, Musician
Instrument(s) Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Baritone guitar, Piano
Years active 1979–present
Label(s) Dischord
Associated acts Fugazi, Minor Threat, Teen Idles, The Evens, Embrace, Egg Hunt, Skewbald/Grand Union, Pailhead

Ian Thomas Garner MacKaye (pronounced /məˈkaɪ/), born April 16, 1962), is an American singer and guitarist. Events 1178 BC - A Solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Alternative rock (also called alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative; known primarily in the UK as indie) is a genre of A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the The baritone guitar is a variation on the standard guitar with a longer Scale length that allows it to be tuned to a lower range The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Dischord Records is a Washington DC -based Independent record label specializing in the independent punk music Fugazi are an American alternative / post-hardcore band that formed in Washington D Minor Threat was an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D The Teen Idles were an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D The Evens are a Washington DC punk duo formed in the fall of 2001 comprising partners Ian MacKaye (of Fugazi, formerly of Minor Threat) For the UK indie rock band see Embrace (band. Embrace was a short-lived Post-hardcore band from Washington D Egg hunt is a Game during which Decorated eggs real hard-boiled ones or artificial filled with or made of Chocolate Candies, of various sizes Skewbald/Grand Union (commonly called Skewbald) was a Hardcore punk band from the Washington D Pailhead was a short-lived Side project of the Industrial metal band Ministry, which featured Ian MacKaye on vocals formerly of The Teen Events 1178 BC - A Solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Active since 1979, MacKaye is best known as the frontman of the influential hardcore punk and alternative rock bands Minor Threat, Embrace, Fugazi, and The Evens. Hardcore punk (now usually referred to as simply hardcore) is a subgenre of Punk rock that originated in North America in the late 1970s Alternative rock (also called alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative; known primarily in the UK as indie) is a genre of Minor Threat was an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D For the UK indie rock band see Embrace (band. Embrace was a short-lived Post-hardcore band from Washington D Fugazi are an American alternative / post-hardcore band that formed in Washington D The Evens are a Washington DC punk duo formed in the fall of 2001 comprising partners Ian MacKaye (of Fugazi, formerly of Minor Threat) He is a founder and owner of Dischord Records, a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label. Dischord Records is a Washington DC -based Independent record label specializing in the independent punk music Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D An independent record label (or indie record label) is a Record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the Major record labels

A key figure in the development of hardcore punk and a staunch promoter of an independent-minded, do it yourself ethic, MacKaye also worked as a recording engineer, and produced releases by 7 Seconds, Nation of Ulysses, Bikini Kill, Rites of Spring, and Rollins Band. Hardcore punk (now usually referred to as simply hardcore) is a subgenre of Punk rock that originated in North America in the late 1970s Audio engineering is a part of audio science dealing with the recording and reproduction of Sound through mechanical and electronic means You may also be looking for 7 Seconds of Love. 7 Seconds is a Hardcore punk band from Reno Nevada. Nation of Ulysses was a Post-hardcore band from Washington DC Bikini Kill were an American Punk rock band formed in Olympia Washington in October of 1990. Rites of Spring was an early American Hardcore punk band from Washington D Rollins Band was a rock group led by singer and Songwriter Henry Rollins. Along with his seminal band Minor Threat, he is credited with coining the term Straight Edge, though he did not intend to turn it into a movement. Straight Edge refers to a lifestyle that started within the Hardcore punk subculture whose adherents make a commitment to refrain from using alcohol, Tobacco

Contents

Biography

Youth

Ian MacKaye was born in Washington D.C. on April 16, 1962, and grew up in the Glover Park neighborhood of Washington D. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Events 1178 BC - A Solar eclipse may have marked the return of Odysseus, legendary King of Ithaca, to his kingdom Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Glover Park is a neighborhood in Northwest Washington DC, about a half mile north of Georgetown and just west of the Vice Presidential Mansion C. His father was a writer for the Washington Post, first as a White House reporter, then as a religion specialist; he was also active with the socially progressive St. The Washington Post is the largest and most circulated Newspaper in Washington D See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos Stephen's Episcopal Church. [1] According to MacKaye's longtime friend, singer Henry Rollins, MacKaye's parents "raised their kids in a tolerant, super intellectual, open-minded atmosphere. Henry Rollins (born February 13 1961 as Henry Lawrence Garfield) is an American singer-songwriter Spoken word Artist, Stand-up comedian, author An intellectual (from the adjective meaning "involving thought and reason" is a person who tries to use his or her Intelligence and analytical thinking, "[2]

MacKaye listened to many types of music, but was especially fond of mainstream hard rock like Ted Nugent and Queen before discovering punk music in 1979[3] when he saw The Cramps perform at nearby Georgetown University. Hard rock (also referred to as heavy rock) is a variation of Rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage and Psychedelic rock Theodore "Ted" Nugent (born December 13, 1948) (aka Queen were an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist The Cramps are an American Punk rock band formed in 1976. Their line-up has rotated much over the years with lead singer Lux Interior and lead guitarist Georgetown University is a Jesuit Private university located in Georgetown Washington D He was particularly influenced by the California hardcore scene. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. MacKaye looked up to hardcore bands like Bad Brains and Black Flag and was childhood friends with Henry Garfield (who later changed his name to Henry Rollins). Bad Brains are an American Hardcore punk band formed in Washington D Black Flag was a Hardcore punk band formed in 1977 in southern California, largely as the brainchild of Greg Ginn: the guitarist Henry Rollins (born February 13 1961 as Henry Lawrence Garfield) is an American singer-songwriter Spoken word Artist, Stand-up comedian, author

Early bands

Ian MacKaye's first band consisted of one performance as The Slinkees in the summer of 1979, performing a song titled "I Drink Milk". [4]. The band also recorded two demo tapes of covers as well as songs that would later be recorded by the Teen Idles.

In MacKaye's next project, The Teen Idles, he played bass guitar and sang back up vocals in from 1979-1980, and the short-lived Skewbald/Grand Union (1981-1982). The Teen Idles were an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Skewbald/Grand Union (commonly called Skewbald) was a Hardcore punk band from the Washington D

His brother Alec MacKaye has also been active in several notable bands. Alec MacKaye is a singer and musician best known as a member of the Washington DC punk and hardcore bands Untouchables, The Faith and Ignition

Minor Threat

After feeling creatively limited in the Teen Idles, MacKaye was determined to be the frontman and primary lyricist for Minor Threat (1980-1983). Minor Threat was an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D MacKaye cited the dynamic performance of British singer Joe Cocker in the Woodstock motion picture as a major influence on his own animated stage persona. Joe Cocker OBE (born 20 May 1944 is an English rock / Blues Singer who came to popularity in the 1960s and is most known for his gritty ---- Woodstock (subtitled "3 Days of Peace & Music" is a 1970 documentary on the Woodstock Festival that took place in August 1969 [5] The Teen Idles and Minor Threat were modestly successful in and around Washington D. C. , but would later be cited as two of the earliest and most influential hardcore punk groups, and as pioneers of the straight edge philosophy that rejects alcohol, illicit drug use and casual sex. Hardcore punk (now usually referred to as simply hardcore) is a subgenre of Punk rock that originated in North America in the late 1970s Straight Edge refers to a lifestyle that started within the Hardcore punk subculture whose adherents make a commitment to refrain from using alcohol, Tobacco In his early teens, MacKaye saw the negative effects of drug and alcohol abuse on several close friends and one immediate family member, and he vowed to never use tobacco, drugs or alcohol.

After Minor Threat broke up, MacKaye was active with several relatively short-lived groups, including Embrace (1985-1986) and Egg Hunt (1986). For the UK indie rock band see Embrace (band. Embrace was a short-lived Post-hardcore band from Washington D Egg hunt is a Game during which Decorated eggs real hard-boiled ones or artificial filled with or made of Chocolate Candies, of various sizes Pailhead (1988), a collaboration between MacKaye and Al Jourgensen of the industrial band Ministry, featured MacKaye on lead vocals. Pailhead was a short-lived Side project of the Industrial metal band Ministry, which featured Ian MacKaye on vocals formerly of The Teen Al Jourgensen (born October 9, 1958 in Havana, Cuba) is an American musician best known as the founder and frontman of the Industrial Ministry was an American Industrial metal band founded by Frontman Al Jourgensen in 1981

Fugazi

In 1987, MacKaye founded Fugazi. Fugazi are an American alternative / post-hardcore band that formed in Washington D Cited as one of the most important post-hardcore groups, Fugazi were active until 2002 and have since been on indefinite hiatus.

The Evens

Mackaye currently sings and plays baritone guitar in The Evens with drummer and vocalist Amy Farina of the Warmers. The Evens are a Washington DC punk duo formed in the fall of 2001 comprising partners Ian MacKaye (of Fugazi, formerly of Minor Threat) The Warmers were an indie-rock band based in Washington DC that recorded and performed from July 1994 through December 1997 The Evens released their self-titled album in early 2005, breaking a four-year silence by MacKaye. Their second album, "Get Evens," was released in November 2006.

Other Projects

In 1982, MacKaye sang lead vocals on one version of a Government Issue song titled "Asshole". Government Issue (often just GI) was an American Hardcore punk band originating from the Washington D The previously unreleased track was featured on the 20 Years of Dischord collection released in 2002. 20 Years of Dischord is a 3 CD box set featuring 73 songs 6 video clips and a 134 page booklet Backing vocals and collaborations -- as, for example, with brother Alec MacKaye's former band Ignition -- are numerous.

In February 2004, Mackaye produced the recording sessions for John Frusciante's solo album titled DC EP. John Anthony Frusciante (pronounced) (born March 5 1970 is an American Guitarist, singer songwriter and record producer DC EP is the third recording in a series of six that John Frusciante released from June 2004 to February 2005 After working with Mackaye, Frusciante states "Ian is one of the only living people who I really respect and look up to, so it was an honor and a pleasure as well as a great learning experience to hear his perspective. "[6]

Mackaye has also contributed guitar and backing vocals to Joe Lally's solo albums There to Here, released in October of 2006, and Nothing is Underrated, released in November of 2007. Joe Lally (born December 3, 1963 in Silver Spring Maryland) is a Bass guitar player primarily known for his work with Fugazi. [7]

Throughout his music career MacKaye has engineered and produced releases by a number of bands primarily on his Dischord label including 7 Seconds, Antelope, Bikini Kill, Black Eyes, Lungfish, Nation of Ulysses, One Last Wish, Q and Not U, Rites of Spring, Rollins Band, and others. You may also be looking for 7 Seconds of Love. 7 Seconds is a Hardcore punk band from Reno Nevada. Bikini Kill were an American Punk rock band formed in Olympia Washington in October of 1990. For the song see Dark Eyes (song Black Eyes was a punk band from Washington D Lungfish is a Post-punk band formed in 1987 in Baltimore Maryland. Nation of Ulysses was a Post-hardcore band from Washington DC One Last Wish was a short-lived Post-hardcore band from Washington D Q and Not U was a Post-hardcore band from Washington DC, signed with Dischord Records. Rites of Spring was an early American Hardcore punk band from Washington D Rollins Band was a rock group led by singer and Songwriter Henry Rollins.

Dischord Records

In 1980, MacKaye co-founded Dischord Records with Jeff Nelson. Dischord Records is a Washington DC -based Independent record label specializing in the independent punk music Jeff Nelson is best known as the drummer for the hardcore Punk rock band Minor Threat. The label was originally meant only as a means for distributing the Teen Idles 7 inch EP, but over the years it became a very well-established independent record label, as well as a source for a variety of different Washington, D.C. area artists. The Teen Idles were an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Today more than 150 titles have been released by Dischord.

Campaigning and activism

MacKaye refused to advertise in mainstream or corporate media, has rarely performed at events where admission was more than $5-$10, and consistently promoted anti-war and civil rights causes alongside his music. " Corporate media " is a term which refers to a system of media production distribution ownership and funding which is dominated by Corporations and is governed by The term anti-war usually refers to the opposition to a particular nation's decision to start or carry on an armed conflict unconditional of a maybe-existing just cause. He regularly attended left-wing organized protests and events, working closely with the Positive Force collective in Washington D. Protest expresses relatively overt reaction to events or situations sometimes in favor though more often opposed Positive Force DC is an activist organization founded in 1985 by members of the punk community in Washington D C. [8]

MacKaye has also been known for his stance against concert violence and his confrontations with slam dancers, crowd surfers, and people who start fights at shows. This is especially true of his days with Fugazi. Fugazi are an American alternative / post-hardcore band that formed in Washington D When people became belligerent or violent at a Fugazi show, the band would stop playing (sometimes right in the middle of a song) and MacKaye would tell them to stop. If those people continued their behavior, he would give them their money back and kick them out. [9] Because of this, MacKaye gained a reputation as a killjoy with some fans, and a misconception that he was against all dancing surfaced. MacKaye has said on numerous occasions that he has no problem with dancing but he simply does not feel comfortable letting people get hurt at his shows, and he wants to make sure everyone can have a good time.

MacKaye recently assisted in the investigation of the Kent State shootings when he helped clean up a field recording made by a Kent State student who recorded audio of the incident on a reel-to-reel tape machine from his dormitory windowsill. IMPORTANT After careful consideration the title "Kent State Shootings" has been applied in this article rather than "Kent State Massacre According to Alan Canfora, a Kent State student who was injured in the wrist that day by a gunshot, a voice can be heard on the tape yelling, "Right here! Get Set! Point! Fire!" before there is the 13-second volley of gunfire. [10][11]

Straight edge philosophy

Main article: Straight edge

The song "Straight Edge" was written by MacKaye for his band, Minor Threat, and was released in 1981 on Minor Threat's self-titled EP. Straight Edge refers to a lifestyle that started within the Hardcore punk subculture whose adherents make a commitment to refrain from using alcohol, Tobacco Minor Threat was an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D It was a song that described his personal life free of the "drugs" and the self-destructive idea of "sex as a conquest" which served as a part of the "sex, drugs and rock'n roll" banner originating as a rebellion in the 1960s - smoking, drinking, and drug use - to what wasn't socially tolerated previously. Rebellion is a refusal of obedienceIt may therefore be seen as encompassing a range of Behaviours from Civil disobedience and mass Nonviolent resistance Tobacco Smoking is the inhalation of smoke from burned dried or cured leaves of the Tobacco plant most often in the form of a Cigarette. Drinking is the act of consuming a liquid through the mouth Water, for example is required for many of life's physiological processes and excess or decreased water intake Drugs can be used in many different ways as detailed below Medication See also Medication People can use drugs to relieve pain or discomfort or to cure It began to influence youth culture as Minor Threat gained popularity through numerous live shows and through sales of the song on their EP. Although to MacKaye the song did not represent a philosophy or a movement, over time people adopted the philosophy of the song and many bands began to label themselves straight edge, founding the straight edge movement. Straight Edge refers to a lifestyle that started within the Hardcore punk subculture whose adherents make a commitment to refrain from using alcohol, Tobacco Although straight edge is not explicitly supportive of vegetarianism, MacKaye has stated that he is a vegetarian because he feels it's a logical progression from his view of straight edge. Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes Meat (including game and slaughter by-products Fish (including Shellfish and other sea [12]

Although "Straight Edge" gets the most attention, MacKaye wrote other songs with Minor Threat describing his clean lifestyle as well, most notably "Out of Step (With the World)," in which he said "I don't smoke. I don't drink. I don't fuck. At least I can fucking think. " "In My Eyes" is also at least partially about his philosophies, with lines such as "You tell me it calms your nerves; you just think it looks cool. "

Personal Life

In the fall of 2007, MacKaye was the subject of a death hoax. The false claims were posted on sites such as MySpace and Wikipedia before he was confirmed to be alive and well. [13]

On Saturday, May 24, 2008, Ian MacKaye and girlfriend Amy Farina welcomed their first child, a son named Carmine Francis Farina MacKaye. [14]

Works

Filmography

Mackaye was in the documentary films, "American Hardcore", "930 F", "Another State of Mind", "Instrument", "Dogtown and Z-Boys","D.I.Y. or Die: How to Survive as an Independent Artist", "Don't Need You: The Herstory of Riot Grrrl","Punk's Not Dead" , We Jam Econo and the K Records documentary, The Shield Around the K. American Hardcore is a documentary directed by Paul Rachman and written by Steven Blush. Instrument is a Documentary film by Jem Cohen about the band Fugazi. Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001 is a documentary about the history of Skateboarding. DIY or Die How to Survive as an Independent Artist is a low-budget Documentary film released by Music Video Distributors in 2002 Punk's Not Dead is a 2007 Documentary film directed by Susan Dynner, an American Hardcore punk fan We Jam Econo - The Story of the Minutemen, is a full-length documentary about the influential 1980s Punk rock band Minutemen, created by director K Records is an Independent record label in Olympia Washington, co-founded owned and operated by Calvin Johnson, formerly of the bands Cool Mackaye is also featured in professional skateboarder Mike Vallely's film Drive. Mike Vallely (pronounced VAL-uh-lee; born June 29, 1970) aka Mike V, is an American professional skateboarder.

Books

The Idealist, Glen E. Friedman (with Ian MacKaye contribution), Burning Flags Press, 1998, updated 2004, ISBN 0-9641916-5-2. Glen E Friedman (born 1962 is an American photographer and artist He also wrote a foreword for indie-punk band photographer Pat Graham's photobook Silent Pictures. Pat Graham is an American Photographer specializing in indie - punk bands with whom he often tours MacKaye is also featured in the Friedman book "Keep Your Eyes Open" (ISBN 09641916-8-7), a collection of Fugazi photos taken by Friedman over the course of the band's career.

Notes and references

  1. ^ 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. ^ Azerrad, 2002
  3. ^ Ian MacKaye speaking at Loyola University; Nov 14, 2006 http://www.loyno.la/ianmackayetalk.mp3
  4. ^ The AP History of Punk Rock X: Washington, D.C.. Alternative Press (1996). Retrieved on 2007-06-10, 2007. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1190 - Third Crusade: Frederick I Barbarossa drowns in the Sally River while leading an army to Jerusalem Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Retrieved on 10, 2007. Retrieved on 06 2007.
  5. ^ Azerrad, 2002
  6. ^ JohnFrusciante. com http://www.johnfrusciante.com/music/dc_ep.php. Retrieved on May 29, 2008. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  7. ^ Joe Lally Bio; Dischord. com http://www.dischord.com/band/joelally. Retrieved on May 29, 2008. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  8. ^ Scott Simon A Quieter Course for Punk Pioneer Ian MacKaye; NPR Weekend Edition Saturday, April 30, 2005 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4625784
  9. ^ Kellman, Andy. Fugazi biography; Allmusic. com http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wifqxqe5ldke~T1
  10. ^ Kymberli Hagelberg, Casualty wants new probe of KSU shootings Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal, May 2, 2007 http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/living/education/17166211.htm
  11. ^ Ian MacKaye helping with Kent State shooting investigation; PunkNews. org, May 8, 2007 http://www.punknews.org/article/23611
  12. ^ "Famous Vegetarians - Ian MacKaye." International Vegetarian Union. Last accessed December 10, 2007. Events 1041 - Empress Zoe of Byzantium elevates her adoptive son to the throne of the Eastern Roman Empire as Michael V Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  13. ^ "Regarding MacKaye, a steady diet of misinformation." DCist. com. October 3, 2007. Events 42 BC - First Battle of Philippi: Triumvirs Mark Antony and Octavian fight an indecisive battle with Caesar's Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  14. ^ "This is a Birthday Pony." DCist. com. Retrieved on May 29, 2008. Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian defeats the Sassanid army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common

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