- Straight Edge An Outline -

Straight Edge began in the early 80's, the philosophy spanning and then diversifying from a song by the band Minor Threat, never meaning to start what effectively became a revolution.

The basic tenet of the philosophy centred on the issue of self-control. Straight Edge is abstinence from all narcotics (alcohol / tobacco / drugs).

The song Out Of Step (With The World) written by Ian Mackaye eschewed the nihilistic tendencies of punk rock, promoting the simplistic message dont drink, dont smoke, dont fuck at least I can fucking think The band also wrote the song Straight Edge which is where the name comes from.

Out Of Step (With The World) - From The In My Eyes EP 1981

"(I) Don't smoke

Don't drink

Don't fuck

At least I can fucking think

I can't keep up,

Can't keep up

Can't keep up

Out of step with the world"

Straight Edge From The Minor Threat EP 1981

"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

I'VE GOT THE STRAIGHT EDGE

I'm a person just like you

But I've got better things to do

Than sit around and smoke dope

'Cause I know I can cope

Laugh at the thought of eating ludes

Laugh at the thought of sniffing glue

Always gonna keep in touch

Never want to use a crutch

I'VE GOT THE STRAIGHT EDGE"

People over time finding themselves increasingly disenchanted with societal ills, began to adopt the Straight Edge doctrine as a blueprint to better first themselves, and then the world in which they lived. While the original definition of Straight Edge only included the rejection of mind altering substances and promiscuous sex.

Modern interpreters have suggested also vegetarianism, veganism, celibacy, religion and an increasing involvement and awareness of environmental and political issues but these essentially have nothing to do with the lifestyle they are separate choices, being Straight Edge means being DRUG FREE (A LIFETIME COMITMENT)

In America a common practice (in the late 80s) at all-ages punk shows was to mark minors with an "X" on their hands so they couldn't buy alcohol. As the Straight Edge philosophy grew popular, kids who were older than 21 (Or 18 like here in the UK) but didn't drink for ideological reasons started to mark themselves with the X in a show of solidarity. The X today is widely used as a sort of a nametag for straight edge kids. A symbol for drug free pride displayed proudly on clothing and other items making it easy for Straight Edge kids to identify with each other.

While its detractors often claim that Straight-Edgers are no more than suburbanite, cliquish fashion victims, few can argue that the X logo is still a valid symbol of unity, which is what it is ment to represent.

Straight Edge is more than a word, It's using the clarity of mind to become an effective revolutionary; a positive peer pressure, your parents will tell you to stay away from alcohol, tobacco, drugs and the initial reaction to that is to rebel, go out and do those things that they don't want you doing.

When you see your peers up on stage spreading this positive message, singing fast aggressive music, your opinion can change, the idea of not doing these things can stick in there and that is how I first heard about it from going to shows and listening to bands like:

Strife, Earth Crisis, Floorpunch, Youth Of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, Snapcase, Ten Yard Fight, Good Clean Fun, Count Me Out, Still Crossed, Sworn In, Battery, Carry On, Bold, Chain Of Strength, Over My Dead Body, In My Eyes, Morning Again (who are no longer together)

Current scene leaders like:

Force Of Change, xdeathstarx, Embrace Today, Throwdown, The Promise, Champion, The Break In, The Legacy, Cast Aside, Coalition, Until The End, Stand & Fight, 18 Visions, Something x Inside

 (There are too many bands to mention plus the fact that most hardcore bands have at least one sxe member or people who live drug free but don't take on the label)

In a way it's sad because there are situations of kids with alcohol problems and drug addictions. Straight Edge is more than just a lifestyle to me, Straight Edge is family; the whole hardcore scene is in all retrospect. I mean for example if you are in a band and you are looking for support from the scene but you are not seen to be supporting it then the scene will not support you.

 It's a lot more productive to have a clear head than to just go out, get wasted and forget about what's going on in the world.

It should make people think twice about what they are getting themselves involved in and these drugs they are taking, alcohol, tobacco or whatever.

It is taken to the point where people are no longer capable of being without their comfort drug when things are a little rough-at a time when a clear head would help the most.

 I've been straight edge now for 5 years (since 2000, my 18th birthday and the legal drinking age here in the UK). My dad had a heart attack 4 years ago; I'd been edge for little over 5 months. He then had another last year 04 and I know that everyone out there knows someone who's ill or has been ill or died and times like that in my opinion & from my own experiences were better with a clear head. I'm very close to my dad and when I was really young he took me to my first rock shows and festivals it's sad seeing a friend or family member to go through anything like that - especially if the lifestyle they had chosen had been a contributing factor to there illness.

It's taught me you really don't need those drugs cause if you can overcome that sort of heartache without them then you will be a better person for it. I don't like watching my dad go through anything like that; I don't really like talking about it. Life can be hard sometimes but it's learning from what gets thrown your way and becoming a better person for it that will see you coming out on top of it all. You have to stay positive & strong not just for yourself but everyone around you I have a nephew now who is the light of my life & I want to set good examples for him, instil in him good values. Being in control & not having a buffer is one of the ways I can achieve this.

Straight Edge kids don't have an outlet and as you know every day has its struggles but you deal with them, learn from them, and reflect on what you've done, go to bed and still try to be in a positive mood when you wake up in the morning. Enjoy the present & make the most of your future what happens in your life is your responsibility you can and will do anything that you set your mind to if you want it enough. Carpe Diem.

As long as the alcohol and tobacco industries are allowed to spend however many millions on advertising infiltrating & distributing there shit through the mass media monopolising prime time slots to target the minorities such as the poor, young and impressionable, Straight Edge will never be endorsed by the masses. People with money run the government and the tobacco and alcohol companies are big powerful industries. One person makes an individual stance, ten people make a team, 1000 make a fucking army and this army continues to grow with every passing day.

Everyone should live how they are comfortable, it's just my opinion to function with the aid of a drug is not healthy, I see it as a waste of a life.

I hate people joking around about it, even friends or family, sly remarks or just negative comments Straight Edge has never been a joke for me and so its difficult for me to accept other people joking around about it.

Straight Edge is not a violent movement* and it's not about enforcing opinion most violent behaviour is brought about by intoxication.

I live my life with a passion and I admit I hate people misjudging what the edge is, or express negativity, or call it a cult - for god's sake its so funny! It's just a bunch of punk kids who are teetotal trying to do something responsible and make the most of what we've got. Were not out to beat kids up most of us are pacifists. No one blinks an eye at a football team who go to the gym; workout, eat healthy and keep clear of drugs. So there must some kind of ulterior motive for us fucking "dead end" kids to do that stuff too. Its stupid but that's life and you know what? I wouldn't change it for the world!

*(Straight Edge & the hardcore scene for the most part is against violence of any kind, kids who encourage violence are usually shunned or if at shows kicked out)

Never back down and don't let anyone spit on your lifestyle you know? Be it Edge or whatever take pride in what you do and how you do it. It doesn't have to ever result in violence; more can be achieved through the power of spoken word & printed text.

At the end of the day people should be able to live the way they want to, who is to say what is right and what is wrong? Straight Edge has nothing to do with being better than anyone else which is another misconception about the subject that always pops up, a personal choice to improve oneself.

To me someone who gets caught up in that is a victim, people have accepted these problems caused by alcohol, tobacco & drugs instead of questioning why they continue to abuse their bodies. Death and related illness are now part of the norm it just doesn't seem right, but that is the choice people make. More people die each year from tobacco & alcohol related problems than any other drug on the street. It's become acceptable because that is the way the media has portrayed it.

The ironic thing is being punk means to get away from the norm and yet these punk kids are doing exactly what every other young person does, they go out and get drunk.

There is always going to be a different way of conducting oneself, the irony of the situation was if they wanted to get away from the norm, to be individual, the clean living lifestyle should have been the only option. It is my only option.

X Straight Edge Drug Free For Life X Death Before Dishonour No fucking compromise X

Article By Phil Wilkey. Contact: straightedgephil@hotmail.com

©2005 Phil Wilkey.

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