Straight edge refers to the lifestyle choice and music scene that developed in the 1980s hardcore punk subculture in America. There is still some debate as to what actually constitutes being straight edge, it is widely accepted that abstaining from alcohol, smoking and recreational drugs are the main three components of the lifestyle, however some people go as far as cutting out caffeine, pain killers and casual relationships, where others follow a strict vegetarian or vegan diet on top of the main three components.
The straight edge lifestyle and scene can be traced back to a band called Teen Idles who when on a tour of the west coast of America were almost prevented from playing in San Francisco’s Mabuhay Gardens as they were under the legal drinking age. A compromise was made where the bands hands were marked with large black X’s so they wouldn’t be served alcohol by staff at the gig. When the band returned to their home town of Washington D.C. they suggested this idea to music venues in the area as a way of allowing teenagers into clubs to watch bands playing without being served alcohol. The idea was never fully adopted at first but slowly over time the idea caught on and more and more venues started to use this system to protect themselves and staff from prosecution. This led to the mark becoming associated with the straight edge lifestyle and can usually be found worn on clothes as a symbol or tattooed onto the back of the hands or another part of the body. Slowly over the years, 3 stars has become and accepted symbol of straight edge.
The term straight edge found its origins though with the band Minor Threat who are credited with developing the term in the 1980s. with songs such as ‘Straight Edge’ with the lyrics, ‘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 straight edge’ giving rise to the belief that drugs and alcohol were not needed and should be rejected and people should be proud to be different and stand against the grain of popular society and culture and live by their own rules and standards. The general principle being people should have self-control and say no when offered alcohol, cigarettes or drugs.
The number 24 can sometimes be found incorporated into artwork or tattoos as X is the 24th letter of the alphabet. Minor Threats drummer Jeff Nelson was famous for replacing the 3 stars in in the bands hometown flag and replacing them with three X, also you can find tattoos and designs such as sXe the first letters of straight edge with the symbol X.
There have been many changes to the straightedge underground music scene over the years, from the close knit community of lifestyle and music scene of the early 1980s to the more hardlined 1990s subculture known as Youth Crew. To the late 1990s early 2000s of straight edge 2000.
The late 1980s saw a real shift towards straight edge bands becoming more extreme with their views and band such as Youth of Today singing ‘meat eating, flesh eating, think about, so callous this crime we commit.’ This started to inspire bands all over north America and Canada to sing about animal cruelty.
The late 1980s and early to mid-1990s saw a more militant form of straightedge take hold, they were less tolerant of non-straight edge people, they showed more outward pride that they were straight edge, they became more outspoken and believed violence was a necessity to promote clean living, a straightedge lifestyle.
As the late 1990s came about the hardline attitude started to fade and straight edge started to get back to its roots. Where the lifestyle and music scene became one and bands of all beliefs started to play the same venues and enjoy the brotherhood of punk music. As things stand today, straight edge is still considered a subculture of the music scene as it is still a minority of bands and followers who are straight edge. However a straight edge lifestyle is becoming more popular within todays’ society with people abstaining from, alcohol, cigarettes and drugs for a healthier lifestyle rather than for the belief of a straight edge life.
But however you came across the lifestyle, luck, judgement, personal choice, musical influence, don’t be afraid to be different, live your life the way you choose and be who ever you want to be. Be proud to be different.
