Straight edge refers to a lifestyle and scene that started within the hardcore punk subculture whose adherents abstain from alcohol, smoking and recreational drug use. Hardcore punk (now usually referred to as simply hardcore) is a subgenre of Punk rock that originated in North America in the late 1970s Smoking is a practice where a substance most commonly Tobacco, is burned and the Smoke tasted or inhaled Recreational drug use is the use of Psychoactive drugs for Recreational purposes rather than for work, medical or spiritual purposes Some adherents may also abstain from caffeine and promiscuity. Caffeine is a bitter white crystalline Xanthine Alkaloid that acts as a Psychoactive Stimulant Drug and a mild Diuretic Promiscuity refers to sexual behavior of a man or woman who casually has sex with many partners The term was coined by the 1980s hardcore punk band Minor Threat in the song "Straight Edge". Hardcore punk (now usually referred to as simply hardcore) is a subgenre of Punk rock that originated in North America in the late 1970s Minor Threat was an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D There is considerable debate over what constitutes a straight edge lifestyle. Adherents' main objective is to not poison the body in any way. Some people in the straight edge movement embrace a vegetarian lifestyle and others abstain from all animal products, a philosophy known as veganism. Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes Meat (including game and slaughter by-products Fish (including Shellfish and other sea These two choices are considered add-ons to the straight edge lifestyle and are not essential aspects of the movement.

Contents 1 "X" symbol 2 History 2.1 Old school 2.2 Youth crew 2.3 Mid-1990s 2.4 2000s 3 References 4 Further reading

"X" symbol

The letter "X" is the most prevalent symbol of straight edge. Commonly it is worn as a marking, symbol 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. The Teen Idles were an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D S. West Coast tour in 1980. ^[1] the Teen 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 an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city 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 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. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D 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 X's ("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. Minor Threat was an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D Jeff Nelson is best known as the drummer for the hardcore Punk rock band Minor Threat. The flag of Washington DC consists of three red stars above two red bars on a white background The term is sometimes abbreviated by including an "X" with the first two letters of the words "straight edge" to give "sXe". By analogy, hardcore punk is sometimes abbreviated to "hXc".

History

William Tsitsos writes that straight edge has gone through three different eras since its creation in 1980. ^[2] Associated with punk-rock, the early years of the straight edge subculture are now called the Old School Era. However in the late nineteen eighties the straight edge 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. Youth crew is a subgenre of Hardcore punk that was pioneered by 7 Seconds in the early to mid-1980s and which thrived in the New York hardcore scene For example, vegetarianism became a major theme and a small minority expressed interest in Hare Krishna religon. Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes Meat (including game and slaughter by-products Fish (including Shellfish and other sea Youth Crew also led to tension inside the subculture. After nearly a decade of the separation of straight edge-punk from the punk culture, the era called Straight Edge 2000 brought the cultures together without clash.

Old school

Straight edge ideas can be found in songs by the early-1970s band The Modern Lovers, particularly their songs "I'm Straight" and "She Cracked". The Modern Lovers were an American rock band led by Jonathan Richman in the 1970s and 1980s 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. 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 ^[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 shouting rather than sung vocals. Hardcore punk (now usually referred to as simply hardcore) is a subgenre of Punk rock that originated in North America in the late 1970s ^[4] Straightedge people 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. This is a list of notable early Punk rock ^[2]

Although straight edge started on the US east coast in Washington D.C. and New York, it quickly spread through the USA and Canada. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page ^[5] By the 1980s, bands on the west coast, such as America's Hardcore (A. H. C. ), Stalag 13, Justice League and Uniform Choice, were gaining national acclaim. Justice League, formed in 1983 and disbanded in 1988, were a Southern California -based Straight edge Hardcore punk group Uniform Choice is an Orange County California Hardcore punk band 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: the D.C. core of Minor Threat, S. Minor Threat was an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D O. A. , Government Issue and Teen Idles, Reno Nevada's 7 Seconds, Boston's super-stringent crew made up of SSD, DYS and Negative FX, California's bands as mentioned above and N.Y.C.'s Cause for Alarm, among others. Government Issue (often just GI) was an American Hardcore punk band originating from the Washington D The Teen Idles were an American Hardcore punk band that formed in Washington D Nevada ( is a state located in the western region of the United States of America. You may also be looking for 7 Seconds of Love. 7 Seconds is a Hardcore punk band from Reno Nevada. SSD ( Society System Decontrol) were a Straight edge Hardcore punk (and later heavy metal) band from Boston. DYS was a Straight edge, Hardcore punk and heavy metal band from Boston Massachusetts, and part of the notorious " Boston Crew Negative FX was a hardcore band from Boston formed in 1982. Though the band lasted only a short time playing only a total of five shows (six flyers California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The City of New York

Youth crew

Although the subculture and music of the straight edge movement are dependent on each other, at certain points, the musical influence seems to have been stronger than at other times. During the Youth Crew Era, the influence of music seemed to be at an all-time high. Youth crew is a subgenre of Hardcore punk that was pioneered by 7 Seconds in the early to mid-1980s and which thrived in the New York hardcore scene Furthermore, the new branches of straight edge that came about during this era all seemed to come from ideas presented in songs. The Youth Crew Era emphasized the idea that cultures are influenced by media; music is the dominant media source for tenets of the straightedge subculture.

Starting in the mid-1980s, the name of New York straight edge band Youth of Today became associated with the straight edge movement. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Youth of Today was a Straight edge Hardcore punk band whose vocalist was from Danbury, Connecticut, and whose remaining members were from various In their song "Youth Crew" they expressed their views on uniting the scene into a movement. Youth crew is a subgenre of Hardcore punk that was pioneered by 7 Seconds in the early to mid-1980s and which thrived in the New York hardcore scene ^[6] The most identifiable theme that arose during the Youth Crew Era was straight edge association with vegetarianism. Vegetarianism is the practice of a diet that excludes Meat (including game and slaughter by-products Fish (including Shellfish and other sea

In 1988, straight edge band Youth of Today released their song "No More" that would initiate this new theme within the subculture. Youth of Today was a Straight edge Hardcore punk band whose vocalist was from Danbury, Connecticut, and whose remaining members were from various Lead singer Ray Cappo displayed his vegan views in the lyrics: "Meat-eating, flesh-eating, think about it/ so callous this crime we commit". Ray Cappo (aka Ray of Today is the former vocalist for the hardcore bands Youth of Today, Reflex From Pain, Shelter, Better Than A ^[7] By the end of the 1980s, bands all over the United States and Canada sang about animal cruelty. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page

During the late 1980s, not all people that claimed to be straight edge 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 the animal rights trend. Earth Crisis is a Hardcore punk / Metalcore band from Syracuse New York, that recorded and performed from 1991 until they broke up in 2001 Karl Buechner is the original singer for the band Earth Crisis from Syracuse New York, United States

By the early 1990s, militant straight edge was a well-known presence in the straight edge 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 straight edger was characterized by the following: less tolerant of non-straight edge 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, Chain Of Strength and Boston's Slapshot, whose members Choke (Jack Kelly) and Jonathan Anastas were part of Boston's Old School movement in Negative FX and DYS - living and leading through two movements. Gorilla Biscuits are a New York hardcore band consisting of Anthony Civarelli, Walter Schreifels, Arthur Smilios, Alex Brown Judge was a New York-based Straight edge band formed in 1987 by Youth of Today guitarist John "Porcell" Porcelly Bold is a late 80's Youth crew Hardcore punk band from upstate New York, which along with bands like Youth Of Today and Side Youth of Today was a Straight edge Hardcore punk band whose vocalist was from Danbury, Connecticut, and whose remaining members were from various Chain of Strength was an influential late '80s and early '90s Straight edge Hardcore punk band from Southern California. Slapshot is a Straight edge hardcore band from Boston Massachusetts. John Kelly or Jack Kelly is the name of People John Kelly of Killanne (died 1798 leader of the Jonathan Anastas was an early influencer and participant (recording his first record at age 15 in the American musical movement known as Hardcore punk. Negative FX was a hardcore band from Boston formed in 1982. Though the band lasted only a short time playing only a total of five shows (six flyers DYS was a Straight edge, Hardcore punk and heavy metal band from Boston Massachusetts, and part of the notorious " Boston Crew

Mid-1990s

In the mid-1990s, a number of bands advocating social justice, animal liberation, veganism, and straight edge practices displayed a stronger metal influence. Social justice, sometimes called civil justice, refers to the concept of a Society in which Justice is achieved in every aspect of society rather than "Animal liberation" redirects here for other uses see Animal liberation (disambiguation. Bands from this era include Vegan Reich, Raid, Culture, Earth Crisis, Snapcase, Undertow and Strife. Raid were a Tennessee based Straight edge hardcore band that formed from the ashes of the Christian hardcore band One Way Culture was a Florida -based Vegan / Straight edge hardcore band Earth Crisis is a Hardcore punk / Metalcore band from Syracuse New York, that recorded and performed from 1991 until they broke up in 2001 For the Discworld character see Lord Snapcase. Snapcase was a band from Buffalo New York. Undertow was a Straight edge Hardcore punk band from Seattle Washington active during the early-mid 1990s Strife is an American Hardcore punk band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1991 Some straight edge bands began combining the above ideologies with Abrahamic religions (especially Islam and Rastafari), anarchism and deep ecology. For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. The Rastafari movement (also known as Rastafari, Rastafarianism or simply Rasta) is a monotheistic, Abrahamic, New Testament Anarchism is a Political philosophy encompassing theories and attitudes which support the elimination of all compulsory Government, i Deep ecology is a recent branch of ecological Philosophy ( Ecosophy) that considers Humankind an integral part of its environment. The resulting movement was called Hardline. Hardline is a radical Deep ecology movement that had its roots in the Straight edge hardcore scene

2000s

After the 1990s, some of the more controversial aspects that surrounded straight edge began to disappear. In the 2000s, straight edge and non-straight edge bands played concerts together regularly. Some of these bands include xArmed For Battlex, Ten Yard Fight, In My Eyes, Carry On, Champion, Allegiance, Over My Dead Body, The First Step, Have Heart, Throwdown, Black My Heart, Rhinoceros, Trueflesh and Stop & Think. Ten Yard Fight was a Straight edge, football -based band from Boston, Massachusetts. In My Eyes was a Boston Straight edge band that spearheaded the 1997 Youth crew revival along with Ten Yard Fight, Bane Allegiance was a San Francisco based Straight edge Hardcore punk band with a metal influence that existed from April 2002 to February 2008 Over My Dead Body was a Straight-edge Hardcore punk band from San Diego that featured former members from Built To Last, Forced Life Palpatine The First Step ( TFS) is an American Straight edge band formed in 2001 and originally from Fayetteville North Carolina. Have Heart is a Straight-edge Hardcore punk band that was formed in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 2002 Throwdown Straight edge Metalcore / Groove metal band from Orange County, California. Black My Heart (BMH is a Straight edge hardcore band hailing from Boston Massachusetts. Rhinoceros (raɪˈnɒsərəs often colloquially abbreviated rhino, is a name used to group five extant species of Odd-toed ungulates in the family

References

Further reading

• The Straight Edge Movement, by Sam McPheeters, Dave Stein, Jason O'Toole, and Brian Baker, Buzz 1987

Sam McPheeters (born 1969 was a key member of the early 90s Hardcore punk scene writing a number of Zines (including "Error" Dear Jesus) and Brian Baker (born February 25, 1965) is an American Punk rock musician

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic