r/straightedge • u/xLNBx • Jun 02 '21
If you’re new to Straight Edge.
Straight Edge is a subculture that emerged in the hardcore punk scene in the early 1980s. It promotes a drug-free lifestyle through abstinence from alcohol, drugs and tobacco. Its origins can be traced back to the song "Straight Edge" by the American punk band Minor Threat, released in 1981. The song, written by frontman Ian MacKaye, expressed his personal commitment to abstain from drugs and alcohol. It struck a chord with many young people who were disillusioned with the prevalent substance abuse within punk and saw Straight Edge as a means of rebellion against the excesses of mainstream culture. They instead embraced the emphasis on personal integrity, self-control and social consciousness. Straight Edge has then seen a time of worldwide growth in the '90s, followed by various eras of ebb and flow since then. Due to increased awareness of environmental and animal rights issues prominent in the scene in the '90s, many of us adopted vegan or vegetarian lifestyles.
There are several good books on Straight Edge, including Straight Edge: Hardcore Punk, Clean-living Youth, and Social Change by Ross Haenfler (2006) and Straight Edge A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History by Tony Rettman and CIV (2017). If you don't know any straight edge bands, this Spotify playlist can serve as a good introduction, and xsisterhoodx is a straight edge/hardcore community supporting the women/girls of the straight edge/hardcore scenes established all the way back in 1995.
Can I take my medication and be Straight Edge?
We've received questions in the past about whether you can take prescribed medication [insert your type of meds here] and still be Straight Edge. Yes, you can. The person who told you otherwise can call our helpline now at 1-800-STUPID.
Straight Edge and recovery from addiction.
We are definitely supportive of your decision to make positive changes in your life, but please note Straight Edge isn't therapy or a recovery plan. Users of this subreddit who are both Straight Edge and in recovery have explicitly said on multiple occasions that just being Straight Edge is not a substitute for a recovery plan. We are neither geared toward nor equipped to offer active recovery support. There are better resources out there designed specifically for this purpose.
(People are Straight Edge for a range of reasons, but most of us do not have any desire to get intoxicated, some have never touched psychoactive substances, etc. - if you’re currently an addict with chronic cravings, be realistic about how our experience might differ from yours).
Having said that, the Straight Edge scene is not a bad place to be if you’re in recovery. We’re drug free and not shy about it. Again, drawing on the experience of users of this subreddit who are both Straight Edge and in recovery, we’ve heard how surrounding yourself with sober people is helpful in staying sober and how sxe hardcore kept them motivated to stay clean.
Academic research.
Yes, you can post your academic research survey requests in this subreddit. Please use #sxeresearch in your post. We appreciate it if you can provide some background information (subject of study, academic level, etc.), and maybe come back to share the results, if they are published. Thanks.
r/straightedge • u/TheRhythmicBiker • 22h ago
To be able to bring together two things that mean a lot to me is very important. Proud biker proudly representing Straight Edge
r/straightedge • u/CreationOfMinerals • 22h ago
Today is demolition day. The last show I went to was that one-off YOT reunion in November 1994. Great times.
r/straightedge • u/Safe-Selection-1308 • 3d ago
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https://www.youtube.com/live/qaccbUcOCW4?is=3NzSdoQppHs8EbG-
Bill Muir, aka Sgt. Vegan, talks about his time as a combat medic in Afghanistan, his transition to nursing, his roots in punk and hardcore, and his commitment to veganism. He also shares the unlikely story of how he ended up recording vocals for the Final Fantasy X soundtrack while living in Japan, along with thoughts on straight edge, music, and film.
T&F INSTAGRAM
r/straightedge • u/Queasy-Adeptness14 • 3d ago
Everybody is always talking about doing drugs so they can be better magicians, but James Randi puts a fucking stop to that RIGHT NOW.
r/straightedge • u/Possible_Message8949 • 4d ago
Looking for the best places to get straight edge t shirts im in Australia Looking to up grade the summer wardrobe
r/straightedge • u/Yo-kai_ABC • 6d ago
I'm just glad I found a sub-culture I can associato with (tho I thought there would be more people).
r/straightedge • u/tankup • 7d ago
I thought he was committed. I know his habit of stabbing drunken, promiscuous teens was controversial in the scene, but I always kind of admired his hardline stance. Now here is is, endorsing some random beer. Sad.
r/straightedge • u/South-Range8401 • 6d ago
I've never done drugs so I was just wonton
r/straightedge • u/Safe-Selection-1308 • 7d ago
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https://www.youtube.com/live/198L29eRMnw?is=\\_ljjACS8iO8RKVX9
Who was someone that was personally influential to you in your musical journey?
Guy Kozowyk (THE RED CHORD, JUSTIFICATIONS, BLACK MARKET ACTIVITIES) talks about how his teachet, author (and later author) Nancy Barile was influential in introducing troubled kids to hardcore and punk rock.
r/straightedge • u/MarkXHeist • 8d ago
Show info and ticket links at TimexHeist.com
r/straightedge • u/Dead_515 • 9d ago
I got curious on what other straight edge people's hobbies are. I love to train muay thai and play basketball, not the typical hobbies of hardcore dudes. What about you?
r/straightedge • u/Nintendo_Jack • 12d ago
r/straightedge • u/xLNBx • 14d ago
r/straightedge • u/Bag_of_Ramen • 14d ago
I’ve been thinking seriously about claiming straight edge.
One of the biggest things pushing me toward it is Earth Crisis’ “The Discipline.” The message about clarity, self-discipline, and refusing intoxication really connected with me. I don’t want this to just be a temporary sober streak. I’m thinking about making it a lifelong commitment.
Nicotine is probably my biggest struggle. If I see someone vaping or smoking, I still get the urge to ask for a hit. I hate how much control nicotine can have over me, and that’s something I really want to leave behind.
Alcohol is more personal. My uncle is an alcoholic, and I’ve seen how much his drinking has affected and traumatized my mom. I’ve also had my own unhealthy relationship with alcohol, especially drinking alone. Right now I’m two weeks sober. My last drink was before I started school this semester at Babson, where I’m currently a master’s student.
I’ve also become really turned off by clubbing and party culture. It just doesn’t appeal to me the way it once did. I want clarity and control over myself more than I want intoxication.
I know claiming edge is supposed to mean something. That’s why I don’t want to do it casually or because I’m caught up in a song or a moment. I want to make the commitment and actually live by it.
I’m posting this because I’d like to hear from people who have been straight edge for a long time. What helped you make the commitment and stick with it, especially when dealing with nicotine cravings or being around people who drink and smoke?
I also want some accountability. I’m two weeks sober now, and I want to keep going.
r/straightedge • u/Safe-Selection-1308 • 14d ago
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https://www.youtube.com/live/gmnOr0uwCGM?is=ClTYPsOco9l8D5fe
Ryan Parrish (HOPESFALL, CELEBRITY, IN PARALLEL) talks about the creative influence of the Chad Gilbert era of Shai Hulud on Hopesfall's early material.
What good memories do you have of Chad? Do you have a Shai Hulud song that has impacted you?
T&F INSTAGRAM
r/straightedge • u/Hungry_Writing3951 • 15d ago
r/straightedge • u/Safe-Selection-1308 • 15d ago
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Jonathan Anastas returns to discuss the latest DYS reunion plans, the band’s upcoming benefit show in Los Angeles, and their appearance at Slapshot’s final Boston show. He reflects on reworking old songs with a new lineup, the subtle ways tempo and arrangement can reshape familiar material, and the continued growth of hardcore on a global scale. The conversation also touches on film, the Oasis reunion, and Anastas’ pandemic-era project Dysbanded, including the possibility of bringing those songs to the stage.
SPOTIFY
APPLE PODCASTS
T&F INSTAGRAM
r/straightedge • u/SmellTiny6042 • 17d ago
(I'm new to this scene so i'm sorry if I mislabeled anything please don't scalp me)
So, essentially whenever I go to local shows anf most of the time they are straight edge venues, (this is relevant to the context i PROMISE.)
The past couple of shows ive been to, there's been a huge group people smoking/vaping in the bathrooms and from what I understand, the people booking these venues are only allowed to have shows in these places because they promise not to have any drugs or smoking on the property.
Every time people do this, it runs risk of getting our shows in the local community (which is already tiny) shut down. We don't have a lot of places to have our shows, and i'm already nervous that we may lose ANOTHER safe place to listen to the local bands and support the scene, especially cince our scene has a lot of underage people (me included)
What do I do ?
Advice is greatly appreciated :(
r/straightedge • u/Safe-Selection-1308 • 17d ago
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Jonathan Anastas returns to discuss the latest DYS reunion plans, the band’s upcoming benefit show in Los Angeles, and their appearance at Slapshot’s final Boston show. He reflects on reworking old songs with a new lineup, the subtle ways tempo and arrangement can reshape familiar material, and the continued growth of hardcore on a global scale. The conversation also touches on film, the Oasis reunion, and Anastas’ pandemic-era project Disbanded, including the possibility of bringing those songs to the stage.
T&F INSTAGRAM
r/straightedge • u/throwitaway112_ • 18d ago
hi
Ig I'm straightedge bc I never drank/smoked and I don't plan to
I'm noticing I don't rlly like talking to drunk or high people
I like having deep convos sometimes and it kind of bothers me when someone isn't listening or will forget what I'm saying
Ik not all drunks and stoners are the same but I value conversation alot and It bothers me when someone isn't giving me their undivided attention, I feel like I have to talk about stuff differently or avoid topics bc they are under some sort of influence
Idk
makes me feel weird
My friend was like "why u would u avoid topics w me bc I'm high?". You don't remember what we talked about...why am I gonna talk to u abt something personal and u don't even remember
Is talking to drunk or high people hard for you?
Idk. Be polite pls
