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Archive-name: cultures/straight-edge-faq
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Version: 1.11
Last-modified: 10 Feb 1999
URL: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/cultures/straight-edge-faq/
Copyright: (A) Anti-copyright see section i.
Maintainer: Lars Norved
alt.punk.straight-edge sXe FAQ
maintained by Lars Norved ><
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: i. Introduction
This article aims to provide information about being straight-edge.
The information has been compiled from many sources and is believed to
be close to the truth but there is no guarantee given. If you know
better, contribute your wisdom!
These frequently asked questions were initially gathered together on
22 May 1997 and was approved by the *.answers moderators on 05 Jun 1997.
Since then I've discovered an earlier, unofficial alt.punk.straight-edge
FAQ by Randy Thatcher [12] last updated 28 Feb 1995. This is actually
also the source of much of the information from some of the early
references for this document.
If you'd like to use this article to provide information to others for
free, then feel free but please present it whole or properly qouted
and referenced. Please cite it as:
Lars Norved , alt.punk.straight-edge sXe FAQ,
Usenet alt.punk.straight-edge,
.
------------------------------
Subject: ii. Table of Contents
i. Introduction
ii. Table of Contents
iii. References
iv. Where to find this FAQ
v. About the maintainer
vi. A word about SPAM
vii. Questions in progress
1. About straight-edge
1-1. What is alt.punk.straight-edge?
1-2. Where does the name straight-edge come from?
1-3. What's with the Xs?
1-4. What is sXe?
1-5. Where can I find hardcore sex?
1-6. Is straight-edge a religion?
1-7. Why do kids get into straight-edge?
1-8. How do I join the straight-edge?
1-9. Why do you need a label to be poison free?
2. About the music
2-1. What is hardcore?
2-2. What's the difference between old school and new
school bands?
2-3. What is emo?
2-4. Who was the first straight-edge band?
2-5. What is this windmill dance?
2-6. What is floorpunching?
2-7. What other dances are there?
3. About the commitment
3-1. Why are there so many rules?
3-2. If I slip from the 'edge does that mean I can't be
straight-edge anymore?
3-3. Can I be straight-edge and a Christian?
3-4. If I'm straight-edge can I take holy communion?
3-5. Can I be straight-edge and gay?
3-6. Is straight-edge about politics?
3-7. Do I have to be vegan/vegetarian to be straight-edge?
3-8. Can I take medications if I'm straight-edge?
3-9. Is taking caffeine straight-edge?
3-10. How much does pro-life feature in sXe?
3-11. Don't most stop being straight-edge when they reach
drinking age?
3-12. All my friends drink, does this mean I have to find
new friends?
3-13. Do straight-edge kids have sex at all?
3-14. I used to drink and do drugs, can I still be sXe?
4. About the scene
4-1. Aren't you all just mummy's boys?
4-2. Why do all you kids wear backpacks?
4-3. Why is straight-edge so narrow minded?
4-4. Why can't we have unity within hardcore/punk?
4-5. Isn't straight-edge just a fad?
4-6. What is hardline straight-edge?
4-7. What is a poseur?
4-8. Is sXe a crutch for the weak?
4-9. What is a sellout?
4-10. Why do a lot of you people use the name of your band
or 'zine as a surname?
4-11. Why don't sXe kids have a sense of humour?
4-12. What is DIY?
4-13. What is the relationship of sXe to skating and BMX?
4-14. Why is there so much violence in sXe?
5. About the people
5-1. What do you guys wear?
5-2. What's with the tattoos and stuff?
5-3. Who's who of apse?
------------------------------
Subject: iii. References
[1] Josh Krist , White Punks on Hope - What's
punk rock without the beer and nihilism? Better, according to
members of the Valley's "straight-edge" punk scene.,
Phoenix New Times, 1996,
.
[2] Daniel Zander , Straight Edge - The
Discipline, Cyber Edge,
.
[3] David Diekmann , Minor Threat: Lyrics,
CrackedAss punk-ska-hardcore zine & records, 1997,
.
[4] Juergen Heerdegen , More than you'd
care to know about straight-edge, straight-edge.com
Website, .
[5] Bruce Buckley, Earth Crisis - Desperate music for desperate
times, Syracuse New Times, 1996,
.
[6] , More Straight Edge For Your Money!!,
.
[7] Ruth Horner , sXe Intro, Punks G Hybrid zine,
.
[8] Greg Patterson, The Straight Edge, Seattle Times, 1995,
.
[9] Sean J. Mallison, The Straight Edge: Clean Living's New Look,
NY Times,
.
[10] Hardline Creed, .
[11] Laurie Mercer , What is Hardcore?,
D.O.A.'s Hardcore homepage,
.
[12] Randy Thatcher , alt.punk.straight-edge
Frequently Asked Questions, 1995,
.
[13] Matt Williams, Outside Dremley Studios - an interview with
Russ Rankin from Good Riddance, June '95,
.
[14] Michael Traub , rec.food.veg FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS LIST (FAQ), Usenet rec.food.veg,
.
[15] Straight Edge Vegan Mailing List, Vegan Straight Edge Site,
.
[16] Jacques and Nicolas
<950906nm@babbage.hogent.be>, x Straightedge Park x,
.
[17] "Earth Crisis going mainstream", Destroy Babylon, Issue 4,
1996.
------------------------------
Subject: iv. Where to find this FAQ
This FAQ is posted monthly to the Usenet newsgroups
alt.punk.straight-edge, alt.music.hardcore,
alt.lifestyle.substance-free, alt.skate-board, alt.answers, and
news.answers where you should be able to find it. Most news server
honours the expiration date for news.answers so this is probably the
best place to look for it.
The latest officially posted copy of this FAQ is archived at
rtfm.mit.edu. You can retrieve it by anonymous FTP from:
If you don't want to use FTP you can get it via email by sending an
email request to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with the following line in
the body of the message. Note there should not be any spaces before the
word send.
send usenet/news.answers/cultures/straight-edge-faq
A hypertext version is also maintained automatically at
.
------------------------------
Subject: v. About the maintainer
I was always meant to be straight-edge
I've never liked the taste of alcohol
I've never liked the smell of smoke
I've kept myself for my special girl
I've always dressed to be different
I've always liked my music radical
I've never really had any friends
Now I've been labelled straight-edge
------------------------------
Subject: vi. A word about SPAM
Since I started to post this FAQ I've been inundated with junk emails
from mindless shits that can't respect anyone's privacy. As a result
all email addresses are listed with exclaimation marks in place of
the periods to save my friends from the curse of SPAM.
On 02 Jul 1997 Rodger Whitlock wrote:
"What are Spammerz? They are parasitic, thieving, bottom-feeding,
asocial would-be entreprenuers with Ayn-Randish hero complexes, who
abuse UseNet by sending out massive numbers of newsgroup messages
(and email) advertising porn sites, phone sex lines, psychic readings,
make-money-fast schemes, multi-level marketing schemes, and other
methods for separating you from your hard-earned money without
providing anything of use in return.
"Why Spam? There is a Monty Python skit featuring a song, the text of
which is essentially "Spam" over and over - that's all you get - it's
everywhere.
"Welcome aboard."
------------------------------
Subject: vii. Questions in progress
The following are some questions that people want answers to but haven't
been finalised yet. Please mail me your ideas for questions and answers.
Got any more questions?
------------------------------
Subject: 1. About straight-edge
Straight Edge is a more philosophical offshoot of the punk movement, a
reaction to the hedonism and self-destruction that characterised punk.
The basic tenet of the philosophy centres around the issue of
self-control. The goal is to regain as much personal control over your
own life as possible. sXe is the only youth counter-culture to actively
discourage drug use, alcohol use, and casual sex. [2] [12]
Straight edge is a lifestyle centred around personal development and
well being, while encouraging fun and togetherness. sXe is not just
about being into contemporary punk music acts and being against drugs.
It goes deeper than this. The movement wishes to attract people away
from dependancy lifestyles centred around drug habits (legal or
illegal) and unhealthy and exploitative eating and general living
habits common in modern cultures. sXe is not dogmatic, there are no
hard rules, these are for you to decide. Nobody should dictate like
the police, or preach an ideology like the church or state. [15]
The term itself is believed to have been coined by the band Minor
Threat of the punk rock/hardcore scene in the early '80s. Their singer
Ian MacKaye eschewed the nihilistic tendencies of punk rock, promoting
instead the simple (almost simplistic) philosophy of "don't drink/
don't smoke/ don't fuck." [4]
Out of Step (with the world)
by Minor Threat, 1981 [3]
(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
In the 12 years since the demise of Minor Threat, these simple beliefs
have transformed the minds of scores of teens worldwide. Increasingly
disenchanted with societal ills, young men and women adopt the
straight-edge doctrine as a blueprint to better first themselves, and
then the world in which they live. While the original definition of
straight-edge only included the rejection of mind altering substances
and promiscuous sex, modern interpretations include a vegetarian (or
vegan) diet and an increasing involvement and awareness of
environmental and political issues. [4]
On 15 Sep 1997 Andy Dempz wrote:
"Well... [Ian] might be credited with starting it, but he's made it
abundantly clear he doesn't care for what's it turned into. Read old
Minor Threat interviews, i bet most Earth Crisis fans would be shocked to
hear him say 'it doesn't mean never drink a beer...' Besides, after
watching every "hero" since then fall, from SSD to Youth of Today to
today's flavor of the month, i think worrying about some stranger's
lifestyle in regards to your own is a little silly. I do this for me,
no one else."
On 17 Sep 1997 Andy Dempz wrote:
"I mean gees, just listen to what he mumbles in the middle of Out of
Step, 'there's no set of rules, i'm just bringing up three things
that are like so important to the whole world... whether they're
fuckin, or whether they're playing golf.' So maybe golf isn't sxe!"
From a Minor Threat interview in Touch & Go zine:
"Ian: Like Straight Edge, people have taken it to an extreme...as far
as i'm concerned all we did was put out an idea... if people wanna
hear it as preaching if that's what they want. Straight edge to me
is someone who is alert enough to benefit from what he or she is
doing...
"Lyle: the drug and alcohol is only one side of it anyway, it's alot
more than that, there are other things that can sidetrack you...
"Ian: That's what "don't Fuck" means... alot of people think that to
be straight edge you can't drink, smoke, or have sex and that's
silly... what the don't fuck thing is that the whole getting laid
and getting head thing
"Lyle: living for sex
"Ian: following your penis around is fucking people up more than
anything"
------------------------------
Subject: 1-1. What is alt.punk.straight-edge?
alt.punk.straight-edge is a news group on Usenet that provides a forum
for discussions about the straight-edge lifestyle. The sort of things
that should be posted includes questions and news about straight-edge
hardcore/punk bands, the straight-edge lifestyle, and the scene. The
sort of posts that aren't welcome is SPAM, mindless insults (lets try
to be creative :), and irrelevant cross-posted threads.
------------------------------
Subject: 1-2. Where does the name straight-edge come from?
According to legend, the drummer for Minor Threat [Jeff Nelson], one of
the first bands to preach the "stay punk, stay clean" ethos, ...was
drawing a poster for a show using a wood ruler. He commented to his
bandmates that the ruler's straight edge was a metaphor for their
lifestyle. [1]
Straight Edge
by Minor Threat, 1981 [3]
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
On 30 Aug 1997 erik mohr wote:
"my understanding of the origin was that ian mc.. wanted to call minor
threat "straight edge" and the rest of the guys wouldn't go for it. so
he wrote a song cause he liked the name."
On 09 Aug 1998 Larry Phillips wrote:
"Ian Macaye didn't want to call the band "Straight Edge", he wanted to
call it "Straight". here is the exact quote from the interview with
him in the sXe book on Revelation "I wanted just to name the band
"Straight," because we were going to push this thing even more. We
didn't end up using it for the name of the band, but I ended up writing
a song about it, and it was basically a song which was, in my mind,
championing the individual.""
------------------------------
Subject: 1-3. What's with the Xs?
A common practice 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, punkers who were older than 18 but didn't
drink for ideological reasons started to mark themselves with the X in
a show of solidarity. [1]
------------------------------
Subject: 1-4. What is sXe?
sXe is really just an acronym for straight-edge with the X thrown for
good measure.
If you have more stuff on the history and origin of the use of the
term "sXe", share it.
------------------------------
Subject: 1-5. Where can I find hardcore sex?
Man! You're seriously in the wrong place. And maybe you should see
somebody about that dyslexia.
------------------------------
Subject: 1-6. Is straight-edge a religion?
No. Although sXe embraces some of the moral values held by most major
religions, sXe'ers don't necessarily believe in a God. There is no
organised church or worship service. However, some sXe'ers are members
of organised churches, temples or mosques where they feel that the sXe
beliefs fit in. [2]
Straight Edgers say their life choices stem from a desire to be true to
themselves and not from any religious beliefs. [8]
------------------------------
Subject: 1-7. Why do kids get into straight-edge?
Some common reasons people decide to become sXe include: 1. wanting to
control their own lives 2. seeing what damage drugs can do to others
3. being raised in an alcoholic family 4. identifying with the sXe
values and 5. being with people who have the same values. [2]
Ruth Horner said "There's just such a TREMENDOUS social pressure to
drink, do drugs, and so on. Society says 'just say no' but what does it
matter, once you turn 21? Or at least become an adult. Then it's just
an accepted form of 'recreation.' By then it has become an accepted
'addiction' as well. Look at how prevalent alcohol and tobacco and
negative sexuality are in the media, not just commercials. it's a big
part of our culture, particularly youth culture. Where does it end you
up?
"That's right. Nowhere fast. I just don't understand. From what I have
heard, hangovers suck. Watching your life fall apart sucks. It's just
not fair o yourself, or anyone else around you that loves you to take
such a risk and purposely deny yourself the privilege of being healthy.
Health isn't a privilege, it's a given. It doesn't FEEL good to have
hangovers. It doesn't FEEL good to OD. It doesn't FEEL good to go
through withdrawal and it most certainly doesn't FEEL good to have
AIDS! So why don't today's youth learn from example? I did. A lot of
others out there have too. But for some reason, the ignorant are still
out there.
"You just have to learn to stand strong against it all. Stay true to
yourself. Find alternatives. Personally I find that I get a high from
going to hows. Just the ROAR of the guitar, and the RUSH of the drums
feeling he sweat drip from my face, being squashed by the others around
me. I find THAT exciting!!
"I don't think I'm any better than anyone else, I just think I'm being
smart. And if you have a problem with that then tough." [7]
On 07 Oct 1997 jeramie wrote:
"I speak for myself, but I think some of us find life to be more
entertaining when you can walk and talk straight or look at a member
of the opposite sex and not be obsessed with f@#$ing them. Being sXe
is it's own reward. It isn't for everyone, but I know a lot of people
who do more constructive things which their energy and time because
they believe in sXe and are'nt tearing themselves apart with vices and
addictions. You have to be brave enough to try it in order understand
why it's a lifestyle choice and quest."
On 09 Aug 1998 Larry Phillips wrote:
"Another reason kids get into sxe is cause they think its the cool
thing to do."
------------------------------
Subject: 1-8. How do I join the straight-edge?
You don't join straight-edge, you take on the straight-edge. You
just get involved in the scene and start thinking for yourself.
The idea is to closely examine your own life, identify what factors
influence your thoughts and behaviours, assess what impact they are
having on your life and rid yourself of those factors which you deem to
have a negative impact on your life. [2] [12]
------------------------------
Subject: 1-9. Why do you need a label to be poison free?
On 28 Aug 1998 Stew wrote:
"Well, you really dont. There are many hardliners that do it for
themselves, and themselves only. Afterall, sXe is a personal choice...
no one can make it for you. And today there are many more followers
than leaders, and we follow what other do and wont take a stand and
fight the minority. this label help keep us together and stay strong."
On 30 Dec 1998 wrote:
"the label shows you're actually serious about what you're saying and
that you're not making any exceptions (although there is lots of
hypocrisy, but this is ideally speaking). It's also a commitment thing,
something to believe in."
------------------------------
Subject: 2. About the music
Straight-edge grew out of the hardcore/punk scene and the music plays
an important role. The music is fast, powerful, with angry and
thoughtful lyrics. It forms a vital outlet for rage and sadness
against abusive and/or dysfunctional political, societal and family
structures.
------------------------------
Subject: 2-1 What is hardcore?
On 15 Apr 1997 wrote:
"Hardcore is the style that began in the early 80s, often applied to
bands such as Black Flag, Minor Threat, Sick of It All, Bad Brains,
Rollins Band, Fugazi, etc.--sort of "2nd wave" punk bands. They were
sloppy punk bands that played with more intensity and heaviness than
earlier ones like the Sex Pistols, The Clash, etc. Today's hardcore
bands are tighter and much heavier, and can be divided into two general
types (usually called East Coast or West Coast, for where the band is,
but it's not always consistent). The first type are smoother, with
heavy grooves that flow, with a vocalist that sings (or at least tries
to) or shouts. The second type is heavier, with tight, stop-and-go
rhythms and harsh vocals that are a cross between shouts and low
screams."
On 10 Jun 1997 Chris97a wrote:
"Hardcore music by definition HAS to fit a mold, but hardcore lyrics by
definition, are SUPPOSED TO BE THOUGHT PROVOKING!!!"
On 26 Jun 1997 erik mohr wrote:
"... to me that's pretty much always been what hardcore was, highly
politically charged punk. punk that screams an opinion."
Nicolas 'Da Ringmaster' <950906nm@babbage.hogent.be> wrote:
"Alright, this is what hardcore means to me: Energy, Positive attitude,
Rebellion, Independance, Separating from trends, Not following the
masses, Hard-core = hard music" [16]
From the D.O.A. website:
"D.O.A. popularized the term hardcore as applied to punk rock music
with the release of Hardcore '81, a pivotal record from the early
west coast hardcore punk scene.
"Hardcore was (and is) uncompromising punk attitude combined with
social activism. Sort of "punk with a message", but not to be confused
with "straight edge" or "PC" movements, later variations of hardcore.
West coast hardcore was completely different from the "fashionable"
punk rock of art school students and posers - in the early days of
punk there was a huge difference between the English-style punks
with their fashionably torn and safety-pinned look, and the hardcore
'street' punk who just didn't give a fuck about their appearance.
"It's an intelligent movement characterized by a deep anger at the
status quo. It is not surprising that it began on the U.S.west coast,
where radicalism and rebellion has deep roots... schools don't tell
you much about the labour riots of the 20's or other examples of
North American civil disobedience... Uncompromising hardcore shocked
the complacent hippie mentality, needless to say.
"Hardcore will never die where individualistic thought can survive -
which of course means it has been constantly oppressed by the vacuous
media of North America. The current popularization of 'punk' is more
concerned with style than substance, rather a new fashionable trend
for the pop machine.
"Hardcore survives in bands like Fugazi, NoMeansNo, The Ex, and
D.O.A. - hopefully with the current popularity of punk rock more kids
will discover that the world ain't exactly a great place, and work for
positive change despite the many evil forces in this world. And that is
the best definition of hardcore I can imagine." [11]
There is quite a bit of disagreement over exactly when hardcore
started but here are some people's thoughts:
On 10 May 1997 Fitaurari wrote:
"And by the way Bad Brains DID invent 'hardcore'!"
On 10 May 1997 paul.kaczmarek wrote:
"The Germs (April 77) , Black Flag (June 77), he Misfits (first show -
April 77), Chain Gang, The Pagans (mid-77), Canada's The Diodes (first
lp June 77) and The Viletones (recorded Jan 1978) were already under
the 'hardcore' banner in 1977.
"There's also a solid argument for giving the first hardcore prize to
Chrome, who recorded undoubted hardcore lps in 1976, or Crime, who did
the same."
On 10 May 1997 Rastapoodle wrote:
"Your knowledge of the dates of the emergence of the punk hardcore
scene is very good. I might add that by 1976, bands like Patti Smith,
Richard Hell and the Voidoids, and many that were playing at CBGB's
were called punk, and I think that the (mostly) West Coast bands that
you cite were the hardcore 'babies' of those groups. (Boy, I'm sure
they'd love that designation!) ;-)"
On 10 Jul 1997 TSOL12 wrote:
"without a doubt BLack Flag was the first HC band...anyone who says
otherswise is a fool. People forget that early HC has its roots in punk
everyone thinks that the newschool sound is what hardcore is
about.....plus theres more to being a HC band than just the sound."
------------------------------
Subject: 2-2. What's the difference between old school and new school
hardcore bands?
The basic musical difference is that old school is punk and new school
is metal.
On 12 Jun 1997 Peter wrote:
"it's actually really simple. new school is kinda like slayer, only
the 'kids' pretend it has something to do with hardcore. i see it as
cheap metal. old school (THE ONLY SCHOOL!) on the other hand is
precisely the other way around: fast and positive."
On 01 Jul 1997 BattleMonkey wrote:
"Actually, "old school" depends on how old you are. If YOT is old
school, then you need to reach back a little further into the Teen
Idles/Minor Threat days. And that wasn't always positive. The big
difference for me is that new school is a lot more exclusionary, a
lot less fun, and has bigger pants."
------------------------------
Subject: 2-3. What is emo?
On 1 May 1997 "DAVe B." wrote:
"emo is a type of music, which is derived from early 80's hardcore. I
don t know the whole story, but emo combines hardcore with more melodic
and experimental music. Fugazi is the easiest example of a band i can
name that is considered to be "emo" also bands like promise ring and
texas is the reason play this vein of music."
On 1 May 1997 Kevin Hirsch wrote:
"Emo is generally said to have started with DC bands like Embrace (Ian
MacKaye's band after Minor Threat and before Fugazi) and Rites of
Spring (Guy Picciotto's band also before Fugazi), but is in no way
limited to them, around '85. The sound was basically a slower more
emotional (hence the name "emo") post- version of hardcore. The vocals
are usually sung in "whiny" (for lack of a better word) sort of way.
"Emotional in this context generally connotes "vulnerability" and/or
"troubledness", which is different from the emotionality of the
screaming and thrashing generally associated with hardcore. This open
emphasis on "vulnerability" and/or "troubledness" represented a major
break in the hardcore/punk scene at that time, for it prided itself on
tough- and hardness, as it generally does today. Hence, the long
running feud between hardcore (sXe) and emo kids.
"As for emo today, as most other sub-genres, it has spawned many
(sometimes extremely opposite and/or contradicting) hybrids that all
stake claim to the label, rendering it somewhat useless. Here are some
examples: there's political, scream-and-flail-on-the-floor, emo like
Frail, Swing Kids, Impetus Inter, and a slew of San Diego based bands;
there's the really slow, discordant, artsy emo like Cap'n Jazz, Joan
d'Arc, Evergreen, etc.; then we have the more popular
melody/pop-oriented bands like Texas is the Reason, Sensefield,
Mineral, Promise Ring, Split Lip (now Chamberlain), etc.; and last but
not least we have the slow, stop-and-go, melody-thrash alternating
groups like Amber Inn, Still Life, and others I can't think of right
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