I have been straight edge for 30 years I microdose mushroom stems to manage my bp and anxiety. Better than giving big pharmacy get the money. and drink kombucha. I still consider my self xxx no matter what.And guess what any body is welcome back to the edge any time they want in my book. Its always about self improvement. Definition need to change with the times and health research. Cbd saves lives. And changes them .
Its hard not to get mad at high horse elitists in metal, or in any genre. Way to see a flaw in yourself props. We all talk shit on them. We shoudnt though cuz fuck it. Why does it actually matter?
I'd like to see a curved edge band that just screams about moderation. "PLEASE DRINK... RESPONSIBLYYYYYY!!!!" "DON'T GET HIGH IF YOU HAVE SHIT TO DO TODAYYYYYY!!!!" Their album cover would just be some Paul Rudd looking dude looking at his watch and waving off the bartender as he offers him another drink.
It’s has been a week today that I have started the straight edge life style, I’ve quit smoking and drinking, I’m eating healthier, and I haven’t felt physically better then I do now in a long time, I’m excited to see where life takes me not having to step out to smoke, or feeling like shit being hungover etc.
I haven’t smoked or drank in 5 years. Your skin is healthier and you have tons of energy. I just hit the gym and recently started a powerlifting program. 💪🏽
I’m doing well! Got reached out to earlier today by someone that found me on Facebook, I forgot I had posted this, I had a hiccup shortly after posting this but have continued it ever since and it has been an awesome feeling and experience and I’m never going back, I’m going to stand my ground and stay straight edge. Thank you guys for the support and for reaching out, the straight edge scene is awesome and I definitely feel at home.
"One day they're all about partying, the next day they're all about their 12 step recovery, and maybe next week they will be all about crossfit or going to church" NAILED IT
Nothin wrong with changing your lifestyle... Especially from self-destructive behavior to something positive. It may send a "scatterbrained/all over the place" type message to some people but we should try to judge and criticize less and support and understand each other more.
Personally I am not like that, been lean for about a year now after over 20 years of stupidity. For me it was hard to get motivated and excited about anything at first ( still is most days to be honest), but I sat down and picked a couple things and said " Ok I am going to try and replace the drugs with these hobbies, I know my mind is going to say it's boring at first but i'm going to stick with it", so far it's worked out for me. Different drugs do different things to the mind, personally I don't know what kinds of drugs he was reffering to, but it sounds like he didn't have a hard core physical addiction to deal with ( could be wrong of course, but he said he pulled himself out and the likelihood of that working without major help and commitment when your dealing with both physical and mental addictions is almost zero).
"Straight Edge is almost like a suit of armor you put on do defend yourself against addiction". Holy shit I never thought of it that way. That's what it's been for me for 10 years.
@Dev0205 He's right, you drink caffeine? You eat excessively? Tobacco addiction? Alcohol addiction? Marijuana addiction? Painkillers addiction? Cocaine addiction? Heroin addiction? Gambling addiction? Sex addiction? Internet addiction ? Work addiction ? You get the point, there are many different kinds of addictions, some more serious, some less.
Just got into Hatebreed a couple months ago, been helping me get/stay sober.It’s like an addiction counselor in heavy metal form. When you’re nothing but destructive to everybody and yourself the only person responsible is you
I’m a little confused to learning about these history videos, and everything in this video at least the Modern ones, modern Earth Crisis, World Of Tomorrow, Hatebreed, Code Orange, Knocked Loose, Vamachara, Boundaries, Varials, Orthodox, Jesus Piece, Inclination, World Of Tomorrow, Year Of The Knife, etc just screams Metallic Hardcore to me. Like 90’s Metalcore that evolved in its own direction, away from what bands like Unearth, The Ghost Inside, Make Them Suffer, Bury Tomorrow, Betraying the Martyrs, August Burns Red etc became today. Can someone explain this to me? I love learning about this stuff, but there’s still a lot I don’t understand.
It's cool that you get inspiration from bands...but dont forget to give yourself credit. In the end you cant blame your use on anyone...and you cant give credit to anyone for your recovery. Keep moving forward. Be good to yourself,mate.
I think it is important to state that there is a lovely youtube vid of the OG of wholesome punk rock values, Sir Ian Elvishe Mackaye, getting heckled at a Fugazi show for having a beer on stage: *I thought you had straight edge! Wtf, bro! Hypocrite, charlatan! Etc.. " To which he says " I wrote that song when I was a kid. Now I'm 40, and I'm going to have a beer."
I came to grips with the fact that I am not a normal person a long time ago. I did not have a normal childhood. I'm not saying it was bad, but it was not normal and I don't talk about it to a lot of people because they start to look at me like I'm an alien. I know I am just wired differently and that's OK. I don't smoke. I don't drink. I don't do drugs. Not because I think they are wrong, per se, but because I do not have the personality that seeks to escape my real life. I prefer to confront and overcome not avoid and escape.
@@m.j.colvin522 There is a lot of space between having a beer and dying from alcohol poisoning. I don´t think people who drink safely and are able to function well in their jobs and with their family are "flawed". On the other hand if you are someone who goes around looking for alcohol or drug users to beat them up I think you are a violent fascist who should go to jail for assaulting people who you don´t even know and who are not doing anything violent or ilegal
I'm going to have to completely disagree on one point-you said several times that nobody cares if you don't drink. I haven't found this to be true at any point since being a teenager. I decided as a teenager that drinking wasn't for me and carried it into adulthood. I admit that I was a bit of a dick about it in my teens and early 20's, but I gave up being angry about it and don't judge anymore. At every point in that whole process (I'll be 40 soon) I've had the experience of telling people that I don't drink and they act like it's bizarre. Not every person, of course, but it still happens. Even recently I was in a conversation with a couple of coworkers- one of them said "ok, it's not your thing, I respect that," and the other said "Nah. You should make it your thing." It's unfortunate, but drinking really is a big part of the adult social process, and if you don't take part, you will catch crap for it here and there.
NoctemOUT 100% agree. Although it not might be a constant thing, I’ve had people try to put me down for not drinking or smoking weed mostly. I’ve been told that when I’m 30 in a mid life crisis I’m going to turn to drugs and alcohol and go crazy because I didn’t go through a “experimental phase when I was younger”. Or that I’m weird. Doesn’t really bother me but I can imagine how it might effect people who are weaker. Still though a lot of people respect it.
@@BlackNoiseCat Same, as a teen and in my early twenties people always acted shocked when, in a conversation it came out that I don't drink alcohol: "Not at all?", "No"; On birthdays, family reunions?", "No"; "Not like, ever...even a tiny drop?, "NO!"; "Ok, cool...Are you religious or something?", Sigh "No". People find it weird when you don't engage on certain adult activities but that's the way I am. And they used to tell me: "You'll regret it when you're in your 30's" I'm 31 and not regretting at all being teetotal.
In my experience it's made me "less cool", but then you stop and think and realize that a MAJORITY of people who rely on substances to be happy lead pretty boring and depressed lives. They're not very interesting people to begin with, so if anything it's a good weeding out tool. I'm generalizing, obviously. Never said all. But a BIG portion.
I agree. The most common look I get when I tell people I don’t drink is pure confusion. A lot of people try to pressure me into drinking or just keep asking why I don’t drink, and every answer I give isn’t enough. Why do I need to justify it to them? It’s like young people today are expected to drink and if you don’t you’re a weirdo who must have something wrong with yourself.
This is similar to the "emo kid that cuts himself" cliche. I knew alot of emo kids. Only one of the 3 people I knew that cut themselves was loosely into emo (but more into MSI). I know a ton of straight edge kids too. They were more into defending the defenseless than they were punching a kid because they were smoking.
I knew a handful of straight edge kids in the 90s and I never met even one of them that I would describe as a jock or a bully. They hated jocks and bullies. That was like the opposite of what they were about.
The rich jocks I remember we're the ones that would prey on people smaller than them or ones that didn't play sports! And yeah... They drank and smoked! Fuck em never will look past the shit I went through school for being straight edge and choosing a different lifestyle than others!
Most of the jocks in my high school were good students who didn't cause any problems. It was fucking weird. My school had some successful teams, too. The bad kids were the ones who didn't really have anything to do. They had no hobbies or activities. I even had some friends who were in the Crips who were cool as hell. It was the suburban white kids with nothing to do where you were like, "Fuck that asshole."
I think it's really hard to draw the line though. Take someone who's experienced so much trauma that it led to (maybe undiagnosed) mental illness. You probably wouldn't have them take _all_ the responsibility for their actions. Jurisdiction protects them as well. But what do you do when someone's in a grey area? You know, someone who might not be diagnosed with borderline disorder or anything, but has really seen some shit, so much that you'd say "Okay under these circumstances, I would crack, too." Can they be held fully responsible?
@@faselblaDer3te I think that is the implied point. Receiving the trauma isn't our responsibility. Working to heal from it, is. Because "Hurt people, hurt people".
I remember being homeless in 2008 and getting jumped by a bunch of straight edge kids who all where big buff kids. My crime was drinking on the corner where i lived
They're all the same, scum. I don't live in a place where straight edge has a significant presence, thank god. Though i do see correlation from people I have met who have been very anti-drugs, they spend all their life judging others and never having fun. Thats literally all I have to say. I've seen people 'supervise' at parties by smashing drinks out of girls hands and cutting their feet. Honestly straight edge is just their way of being dickheads to people who care more about smoking a joint than how tall they are or how much they lift. Jesus, they even label themselves as 'Ultra-Aggressive.'
@@RutherfordBeehayze-kw2mz Ahh, I see. What a cowardly way to "teach a lesson" to someone going through a rough patch. A bunch of people beating on one guy. I bet those kids wouldn't step into a boxing ring or octagon alone to fight a professional fighter.
I'm not straight edge but I'd say bars love putting on straight edge gigs less trouble and considering soft drinks cost more than alcoholic beverages more money made at least they do in the UK anyway.
I feel this is another reason bands dont make a lot of money. Im straight edge myself but I saw how much money my dad would make weekends playing shitty Mexican covers. We are talking 150 bucks just for himself on a really bad night. I saw friends playing at venues where alcohol is not sold and they would cash in like 50 bucks if they were lucky... for the whole band! And im talking a nice little local show where tons of people showed up.
The only substantial experience I have is in the St. Louis scene, but around here there's only one DIY spot i know of that actively prohibits alcohol at shows, so even if there's a show with all sXe bands, there's still people drinking, especially at venues with bars. The more sXe bands are on the bill though, the less likely there is to be a belligerent drunkard though, that's absolutely true lol
As a recovering alkie who is now straight edge, DAMN RIGHT! It nearly killed me a few times. Couldn't stop for shit until I developed alcoholic hepatitis and nearly fucking died. Spent two days detoxing at home, having seizures and panic attacks. Fuck alcohol.
Sure it is. But an alcoholic and a drug addict are two different types of addict who self-destruct in different ways. A meth head and a pot smoker do different things. The distinction is more of a way to clarify the type of drug in a short amount of time. It's a way of giving more information without using more words. If I invite you out for a drink, you could reasonably believe I am not inviting you the crackhouse to shoot junk. I respect anyone who can go without all that stuff, anyhow. And I'd gladly go out for a milkshake or a sody water with any of you nice folks.
@@swampdonkey4919 Every drug has different kinds of addicts, from pot, tobacco, sugar, Mt. Dew, porn, to meth. But alcohol is a drug, period. You don't say "plants and trees" because a tree is a kind of plant. It's mostly liars who puff out their chest and say, 'I may drink and smoke, but at least I ain't no drug addict' When in fact, that person is addicted to alcohol and tobacco. Just because booze is taxed and legal doesn't mean it's not a drug.
I've definitely seen straight edge gangs basically antagonize people drinking, trying to get them to react or say something back so they could jump in and feel 'justified' in trying to beat them up. So yea, they can totally be quite shitty. There's nothing wrong with having a straight edge lifestyle, but like all walks of life - dont be a dick. It's really not that hard.
Yes! It should be something positive and more accessible to all punx. I got no support because of the way I look. Fucked up. I was and still am living by example. I want to join some crews. I got my own gang. And my friends are in gangs. But, I feel so alone. Western×Australian×hard×core! But im doin my best with no support. Thanks to posts like this. I found out there is fb groups. I just asked to join . Lets see where it goes!
I’ve seen crews in the mid 90s trash house that had kegs parties. I mean DESTROYED these kids parents super nice homes. They had no other outlet for their teen angst is my guess. But like this video says , you can’t judge everyone based on a few. The funny thing is these kids almost all became drunks or junkies later on in life. Those who scream the loudest are the first to fall is often true.
I'm straight edge for sixteen years now. I don't see why I would ever drink again, there is just no reason. Back then I was already going to hardcore shows for a couple of years when I decided to take a break from drinking alcohol and smoking pot. However I was still a heavy smoker which I could not quit. Then I thought: "Well if I quit smoking I could call myself straight edge!" Somehow that silly and ironic thought did the trick and I quit smoking. It was the year that the first Have Heart album came out. For this I am thankful and honor straight edge to this day. It's really sick though to see how deeply drinking alcohol and doing drugs is rooted in our society. How much of an outsider/freak you become once you stop drinking alcohol and doing drugs.
I just don't get the appeal of drinking alcohol because alcoholic beverages taste like garbage. That being said, my understanding is that what is appealing is not the taste, but rather how it makes you feel.
"The root of it all is that addict energy that's just channeling itself into different directions" This is a super important point. My family has a lot of addiction issues, and I thought I'd somehow escaped having any. Eventually, I realized that an eating disorder functions like an especially insidious addiction, which has helped me get better control of it. There are a lot of things that people do that channel that addict energy.
I relate but for me, in the past I was a rageaholic when I didnt drink. Now, I am sober 19 years because I deal with all the underlying stuff. I don't know too much about S/E personally but it doesn't seem like many of them understand that some people (like me) need to go through the self destructive drinking/drugs in order to get to a better place eventually.
Therapist: Why are you and your son here today? Mom: At first I was relieved that he was into this "straight edge" thing, but then I saw a text conversation between him and an adult man about "trading seven inches"
I got into punk without having a 'bad family history'... My parents don't drink alcohol or smoke, they supported me any got me a great education & musical education. And psychological help when I needed it. And I still like punk. A lot. And I know that a lot of people who like punk have gone through a hard life. But I sometimes notice that people sometimes think that because of my great upbringing I don't like punk as much, or that I can't fully be part of the scene. I have played in a punk/metal (we compromised on doing both and to be honest the drumparts are quite similar) band for years now, gone to crazy events, worked on a very high doublebass speed. And I would say that I have minimal trauma and medium edge.
Straight Edge, for me and most of my friends, was a gateway to get through ‘at-risk’ situations that caused others to stumble and fall hard. Being a junkie or alcoholic is NEVER useful, helpful, or healthy for anyone - if Straight Edge helps young people get-through their formative years without destroying themselves, it’s all good. Most all of us ‘grew out’ of it after we became 21 and graduated College.
So I've never heard the "if you're not sxe now, then you never were sxe" rhetoric before... So what are the "rules" for ex addicts /drinkers? Would I not be "allowed" to be sxe so to speak?
Eh, im a combat veteran. Ive been through all the shit the VA tries, and they do try, but the only thing that allows me to look forward instead of backward, is heroin. Id have eaten a bullet a long time ago if i couldnt get out of my head. Im healthy, i have a great job and im happy. So, NEVER? To me, straight edge was always an addiction in itself, like how atheism can become its own religion.
Eyedea315 hang in there man! Thanks for your service... I’ve battled the same demon for years and have it under control then lose that control once in awhile, too... I wish you the best of luck and can tell you my only advice is to not use alone with the way the Fetty around here is killing lots of friends of mine w/o any discrimination of race creed or color. Hang In there bro 🤘🏻🤘🏻
I think it isn't about youth as much as about thinking in extremes (aka black-and-white thinking), the fundamental idea that you'll inevitably end up as an addict if you experiment with drugs and/or alcohol and the idea that you're no longer straight edge (virgin) once you've given yourself to alcohol or drugs are testament to that. If straight edge is about these black-and-white thinking patterns (called splitting in professional jargon), it would de very attractive to people suffering from borderline personality disorder, which would also explain the anecdotal high occurrence of violence. Thinking that never anything useful comes from addiction is that same thought process, because in reality a hell of a lot of magnificent art was created by junkies and alcoholics. The harm and misery they caused themselves and other people becomes insignificant considering the happiness and joy their art has invoked in people for centuries.
What struggles? Honestly asking, as never heard him mention nothing about struggles. Apart from addicted parents, and a small time using, seems he had a great childhood. People really do oversell trauma and struggle these days. What they call trauma and struggle, is what used to be called life, or even a learning process. Stop calling minor life inconvenience, trauma, you downplay real trauma.
My dad had a drug and alcohol problem as well. Both sides of the family have a problem with addictive personalities so I identified with the straightedge kids for the longest time. It was nice knowing that I had the power to be able to say no.
How do you handle the boredom? I don't even like drinking or doing drugs all that much. It's all right, for a short while, but still a huge waste of time. I'd rather do something creative and productive, but how on Earth do you cope with the mind-bending drudgery of normal life without wanting to get at least mildly buzzed from time to time? My own life has been extremely weird to say the least, so I'm probably not a typical example. I certainly think you're better off in life if you don't get wasted, but when you're dysfunctional as hell then you're also bored as hell, and there's nothing you can do about it. Anyway congrats on quitting the bullshit :)
@@devilsoffspring5519 I found getting into hobbies really helps occupy the time and fight the boredom. I like to read, play guitar, and cook, so I dove into that stuff head first. If you don't have a hobby, take one up! Exercising is also a good outlet that everyone can benefit from as well. Having pets and positive family and around helps as well. It gives you companionship and a sense of purpose. And sometimes just doing mundane stuff like chores helps as well. I've found myself sitting at home bored and ended up cleaning the house, doing my laundry, etc, not because it was time to do it, but it gave me something to do haha. Hope all this helps and keep up the good fight!
5 years clean here. Thank god I lived long enough to see the better side of life. I never talk about it in public forums, but you're definitely right man.
the girl towards the end who said something like, "if you take even one sip or even one drag, you can't call yourself straightedge anymore cause there is no compromising in straightedge." just had me. I respect the passion and conviction she had there, cause it is important for her, but she could have said it way differently cause most people disagree or don't care.
I totally understand Christian straight edge values but I just don't have the faith to be a Christian. I think God is a logical inevitability and live pretty close to Christian conservative values but I think Christ is a story recycled from previous stories of older religions. Which doesn't really take anything away from it on my eyes. It gives it more credence.
I was anti cigarettes because when I was growing up my grandmother had smoked since she was 19 (they were advertised as healthy back then) she had 10% of her lung capacity left. I didn't drink until I was 16, I had one pint of Heineken and didn't drink again for another year. It's understandable.
If I told you, you’d find us on here. Our shit from the 80’s was remixed and sounds beyond awful. The playing is pretty good, but the recording is fucked.
Hey man I just started watching your show and just wanted to reenforce your reasons for being honest about your past. Please use your platform to bring awareness to that shit. Even if just one person gets off of drugs because of you or refuses drugs because they learned from you then it's 100% worth it! Thanks for being open and honest buddy. You are one of the few influencers that are actually a legit person with legit ideas and legit plans for the future if your show.
As a former addict also, I would say you shouldn't be embarrassed by your past decisions that you've described. You've obviously turned a new leaf and have learnt a lot about yourself through those times of struggle. Not only that, but you have something positive and constructive to say and can hopefully use that to influence others. You should be proud of yourself man!
I'm straight edge. I appreciate this video. My dad was an alcoholic, and after he died from lung cancer from smoking I got hard into drugs and drinking for a few years. I claimed edge at 22 (I'm 31 now). I'm chill about other people smoking and drinking or whatever (if a friend was doing hard drugs and hurting themselves I'd consider having a sympathetic talk to help them).Love your channel.
@@badbabybear1 you just said you were sober due to personal experience, and are chill to people who still drink and smoke etc. that aint straightedge man, thats just sober. straightedge movement was never chill about it and still isnt. i am curious why so punks and hardcore kids feel that they need to adapt the word straight edge and cant make a distinction between that movement that is rooted in militant zeal, and choosing to be sober. not criticizing you, just genuinely curious how this identity politics thing has become so inseparable from a personal individual decision. lots of people who did exactly what you did stay sober without lumping themselves into that movement.
@@rowdyjohnson6026 thanks for explaining my decisions and identity to me, straight edge is completely militant and doesn't have any peaceful people despite this video literally explaining the opposite of what you said. i can be whatever i want to be, regardless of others personal baggage to terms. im not debating my own life and choices with you anymore lol
@@badbabybear1 dont do that, man. . i didnt explain your decisions/identity to you., nor did i question your choice to be sober hahaha. . i explained a movement that has existed for a long time. i realize the vid presents the anomaly as the standard but that isnt honest, nor is it the be all end all of this topic. if i am explaining anything it is the concept of nuance and distinction. i dont doubt that there are kids that identify as straight edge that are nice enough,and never said anything to imply otherwise. but a person is not a movement. this movement is well documented and the comment thread is full of people who deal with people that make up the majority of this movement, myself included, since the 80's. understand that there is a difference between an institution and an individual and i am talking about the institution itself. a person can be against abortion without being one of those dicks standing outside clinics and attaching themselves to the "pro-life" movement. one is living by their convictions, the other is not really pro life but rather anti "those people" and would impede or force others to their way. this is the same difference between being sober and being a part of the long established straightedge movement. the guys like yourself are new to the scene and are the small minority in the big picture. my question is why not just be sober rather than attach yourself to this movement ? its a legit question. not an attack, dont be so defensive. why is sober a bad thing or illegitimate if ya dont attach yourself to this group?
@@ThePunkRockMBA 😂😂😂 if I would've fallen in any category of this in the 90s, I was 100% the lower left G rated kid, cuz yes my mom had to approve everything I listened to. "See mom? they're screaming and yelling but it's about not doing drugs, so you can't say no"
Thanks to straight edge, even though I barely knew what it meant as a kid, all I needed to do was put the x on the back of my hand and people finally stopped asking me why i wasn't drinking. When I first started going to gigs I was always dreading the inevitable question but everyone just accepted it at face value, so for that alone I'm eternally thankful to the movement.
I think the realistic situation is more like you are in some sort of indoor public space where smoking is forbidden and start smorking right next to someone who is straight edge. that person will probably rudely tell you to put out the cigarette and if you don't, you're in trouble. I am not even straight edge, but I don't smoke and I would react in exactly the same way.
@J Hoop same here lol back around 2006/07 me and a couple buddies of mine(one of whom I had met while we were both in a juvenile rehab center lol) had a shitty, short lived hardcore/punk band that we called D.R.U.G.S. which was an acronym for DARE REALLY UNDERESTIMATED GOOD SMACK. Our logo was even a parody of the DARE logo. We never took it seriously though, more of an excuse for us to just party and have a good time really.
I found straight edge when I was 11 and even though it didn't last long for me it definitely had a positive influence on me. I wanted the bands I liked to actually stay alive long enough to make more music and not be constantly fucked up out of their minds, as like you said it's a negative reminder of childhood growing up with addicts. too many of my peers died too young from substances and I think my exposure to sXe from such a young age helped keep me in check
Myself grew up in a messed up mexican household. Didnt drink till i was 18, drank a lot and started doing coke at 20-24 then one day after getting pretty trashed and had nose infections i gave up the coke and drink from time to time, what basically saved me was my relationship with my fiancee now, going to jail and asking myself wtf am i doing, now i dont hang with my old friends who still do that shit. I have 2 good jobs now and only have time for family and my girl. Im in no way straight edge but i can respect it tho. I love punk rock and 90s 2000s hip hop.
Very similar with me. The nose bleeds freaked me out but had me take a step back and eventually left coke behind in 06. Now when I am offered cocaine, I say I don't like the coke. I only like to toke.
A random kid getting punched just for smoking did happen, it happened to me outside a show in Salt Lake City. I never said anything to anyone, was just smoking a joint outside a show and I was sucker punched in the jaw and then jumped by his friends when I tried defending myself. I know I wasn't the only one either, it happened to many kids in Utah in the late 90's
I’m going to try really hard to keep this comment on the shorter side. I grew up around a lot of substance abuse that persisted through my teens and early adulthood. I’m sure it was a matter of perspective but it really did feel like there was no one I could relate to on a peer level that didn’t want to do the same things I was silently dealing with. When I was 12 I found a copy of can’t close my eyes by YoT at some weird skate shop that sold bootleg band tee’s on a boardwalk while on vacation with a friends family. I bought it and yeah... that thing happened to me. I remember being slightly scared that it was a nazi thing because of the way the cover looked (the green rerelease) but the X drew me in. I got super into hardcore from there and it just seemed like the most radically different thing from everything I was surrounded by. I’ve been hurt by heavy substance abuse (my trauma ;). so straight edge or not I think I made that decision long before a youth of today album came into my life. I’ve never drank as an adult and the one thing I DO want to say with this long comment is: people get really fucking weird when they meet you in your 20’s and 30’s and find out you don’t drink. I always just turn down the drink and let people secretly assume I’m a recovering alcoholic. But every now and then my partner will tell someone I just don’t drink with no AA baggage and people lose their mind. And still at 33, I get lectured by people. Sometimes people I’ve known for years under the guise of a recovering addict, will go on about how good of a decision it is or how they wish they could do that and it’s just incredibly awkward and weird. Also my first roommate sold pot out of our apartment and would get wasted and sing straight edge anthems with me in our living room and that was a rad time. (Sincerely rad).
no you have lust been sober, unless you are a zealot in your sobriety who uses this imagined ideology as an excuse to shit on "other" and tell other folks how to live to the point of violence.
@@sting5956 yes i did, and there are some tells. even he admits he jumped in at the end of the movement and either doesnt go out much or isnt being honest. every punk or hardcore kid thinks sober and straight edge are the same but they are not. one is a personal lifestyle choice, the other is a movement/collective that simply are not content with that and never have been.... pure identity politics mixed with fanatic zeal. has it mellowed due to the newbies who came in at the end who "identify as straightedge" simply because they like punk/hardcore, and are sober? yes, but that does not change the history of what the movement was or the fact that that is still the case for the "die-hards or straight edge scene as a whole. he is presenting the anomaly as the standard and vice versa. kids who dont drink smoke etc are sober, kids who hand out at shows starting shit with people who do, are straight edge.did you read the comment section? i am not the only one saying this. look at the experiences of folks who do go out and deal with these shitheads on the regular. hell i am even buds with a few of these guys, and they will tell ya the same. even these cats that i am friendly with behave this way, even toward me after decades of friendship {more so when the pack is around} which is why i call em buds now.
Edge bros randomly beating people up for doing nothing (like your example, standing there smoking a cigarette) has 100% happened, I’ve seen it multiple times here with the HC crews back in the day. When I lived in Reno, there were multiple arrests for this shit too, random attacks on random people at random places
This guy is an idiot for saying that it's never happened I've heard many first hand stories back in the early 2000s and there were a few i met that were absolute neanderthal scum that got off to hurting people, they literally had no personality or hobbies besides being straight edge and moshing at hardcore shows intentionally punching people as hard as they could and then saying "this is a hardcore show deal with it' absolute pieces of shit, this guy is a moron for making such a generalized statement like "I'm pretty sure that's never happened" well good for you bro you were fortunate to never be around these fucking dredges. On the other hand I had a straight friend in highschool and he was the shit, hung out with all the stoner metal heads.
Recovering alkie here. Proud AF to be straight edge but I don't look down on others. I do wish they'd realize life can be fun without being fucked up though. And I absolutely feel sorry for addicts and fellow alkies. Addiction is fucking hell. Alcoholic hepatitis and liver failure nearly claimed me not too long ago. The edge saved my ass. I claimed it as a teen and shit happened to me, plus mental illness so I became a casual user and then an addict and alkie. Also everyone in my family is an addict or a lush. I wasted 10 of what could have been the best years of my life and nearly died so many times. But I recently realized teenage edgy me was correct about intoxication. I just hope if you're reading this and you're dealing with addiction that you know it doesn't have to be this way. Love ya. 💙 Also I fucking LOVE this channel!
ironically, the most hardcore, violent extreme "straight edge" kids are the ones that need to be shown the most love and compassion.. you are doing positive, social work my brother, by providing knowledge and real facts of culture and music associated with addiction and abuse, in order to inform the public.. Its pretty amazing how you can use your platform of discussing "hardcore ock" music genres, as a learning tool for addiction, recovery, and love.. and remember homeboy, when shit gets real, its just one day ata time, if you can make it till the next day without taking a drink or a drug, you've won a big victory for yourself and your loved ones.. keep it simples stupids
Coming from someone who's 28, and been dealing with addiction since I was 18.. I can tell you alot of it is due to depression, and a feeling of not belonging, having no purpose, feeling empty. The euphoria a high brings, breaks the user out of the reality of their current life, and into a mode of pleasure. Then that feelings becomes addicting because the reality of the users sober life is depressing and painful.. I wish I had never gotten into drugs.. I didnt wake up and say.. I'm gonna shoot heroine today.. it escalated from something as small as taking half of a perc 30 once in a while.. I specifically was very sheltered growing up, and I ended up hanging out with the *cool crowd* to fit in, even though they werent even really my friends.. now I dont talk to any of them, and just have a habit that's difficult to deal with.. I'm on methadone right now, trying to better myself.. it's a rough and difficult road.. suicide is a daily thought, I just know it's up to me and only me to get through this.
Keep trying and don't give up bro I'm 8 months 5 days clean after almost 25 years on heroin and methadone and sorts other of other shit I go to NA meetings every week and honestly don't think about using anymore I relapsed last year and was injecting in my groin within 2 days I used for a month and hated myself got put back up on my methadone and haven't used since there's nothing left in using for me but pain ,I loved drugs but that part of my life is fucked and I can't go back, I would never look down on anyone still using, I tapered back down to get off my script got a sponsor and stuck in at my meetings, spent time trying to fix the relationships that I've fucked up with my family and friends and so far so good,theres always hope ✊✌✊
Not doing drugs and not drinking isnt for everyone? You don't to live and breathe the music and shove it down people's throats to be straight edge. Lol.
@@shaodynasty1017 leaving idiotic comments on the internet must really make you feel superior. Too bad everyone in your life probably looks down at how childish you are. It's pretty pathetic.
I was (or wasn't, depending on who you ask) straight edge once upon a time. I remember often being told I "couldn't" be straight edge because I wasn't "old enough to buy beer." I started drinking at 11, as did a lot of other people I know, so I never understood that attitude.
I'm 15 and straight edge. I never was into drugs, when I found out about SE I finally felt understood, kinda like home. I don't need drugs of any form in my life, I can perfectly live without them. I'm just pretty much an outsider in my "friendships" because my peers drink and smoke, and also get judged alot by them by "trying to be the perfect child every parent wants". I am sorry for you that you started drinking at such an early age. Hope you are alright now.
I'm straight edge I never drank alcohol or did any drugs. I grew up with my dad being a heavy smoker of cigarettes, he would smoke various cigarettes a day. It was a way to cope with stress, trauma in his youth and hardships we were facing at the time. I was so worried for his health but thank God my dad stopped smoking a couple of years ago and now he's healthy
"Hardcore isnt where normal people go to hang out" Yea... lol true for all heavy genres. Kinda weird to think about it cuz it just feels so casual to me
It's true though, so many of the buddies I met at metal shows have a rough past or a lot of mental illness and don't really feel like they fit the mold society gave them. I don't know much about hardcore but I can only imagine it might be even more so
Yep, there's a moment in life when you just got to admit that you're not gonna fit the mould of a "normal" person, so you might just embrace it to it's fullest
@@CaH6633 and are they still in to it or was it just a passing phase because I grew up in the same era, currently going on 23 myself and i know a lot of normies that claimed to like it but are no longer any where in the scene.
I've been straight edge for almost a year now, it's been rough at first craving for a cigarette and a drink, but I've gotten over it and started to work out and lost a few pounds.
When I was in my early twenties I was still straight edge and had never drank or anything and I met a girl who was straight edge and she told me she was an ex-junkie who was addicted to heroin and she told me she was really ashamed, I didn't judge her for it and she knew some FSU kids who were insane. I ended up in a relationship with her for about 2 and a half years, she's an awesome person, I loved her a lot and I've lost contact with her and I know she's not edge anymore but she's also not doing hard drugs and that's all that matters to me
You know what, I’m in my fourties I grew up with hardcore back in the day and some of our friends were straight edge, I thought it was cool. Now I work in mental health and recovery and my take on kids being straight edge is I have huge respect. In our world being young is tough enough, so to do something like this - to even try, is massive. To be involved in something positive, that does in a tiny way make a difference is really powerful - I see so much crap, and most mental health and addiction problems go back to some kind of trauma, and believe me some kids have been through hell. To become part of a positive group or community even for a short while can make a big difference in life outcomes (not everyone) but it’s a cool thing to see. Did make me laugh though, when you mentioned the kids who are super aggro about being straight edge and nobody can figure out why - super aggro about something literally nobody is forcing you to do.
Andrew Fanelli most I knew when we were teenagers were addicted to jerking off... for real... that’s all they’d talk about too! Skating and spanking off... then they found booze and dope and then was downhill from there...
LOL when you said true till 21, I thought of that Good Clean Fun song and Bam... You played the clip lol. Looks like we had a lot of the same albums. Such a good era of hardcore. Especially the Posi Stuff.
Hey man it takes a great amount of courage to be open with your experience with trauma and addiction. As someone who studies Psychology, I noticed that people tend to forget the experiences and motivations behind our actions and behaviors that define us. I'm glad to have watched this video to gain a better understanding of not only the straight edge culture but of you, the content creator.
I was militantly Edge from the ages of about 13 through till 18. And although I am partial to the odd alcoholic beverage now, it's never excessive. As Finn said it, being straight edge in my teens allowed me to avoid a lot of situations growing up that could have ended really poorly. But when I turned 18 and could legally drink in a controlled and regulated environment, I saw that alcohol isn't the worst thing the world and can actually be good in some circumstances.
YES!!!! Break Down The Walls was the album that really got me in touch with the roots with the music i fell in love with. I come from meth addiction... hardcore saved me. Im not perfect. But a chronic alcoholic who isnt doing to bad and always striving to be better. Im actually considering going Straight Edge in the new year. I dont care for resolutions but i owe it to myself, my wife, and my future. 🤘
I was too young for the early hardcore scene and really got into more post hardcore when I was in high school. I was coming from depressing nu metal. It felt like every song was about suicide and sadness. That's when I really got into Christian metalcore. I'm not religious, but I appreciated the uplifting lyrics with the intensity I needed. I got shit for it because they werent considered real Metal bands due to preaching about God and such but who cares. It seems to parallel the rise of Straight Edge. Trying to find your scene, trying to find meaning, and working through trauma (my dad was also an alcoholic).
i just needed to say that i read this and my eyes watered up a bit, i was in the same place in the early 2000s, i never considered myself straight edge because i grew up in the 90s and that scene was pretty much over by the time i had any idea of what i wanted my person to be, but i had an alcoholic dad and swore i would never be that way... but the music that was being force fed to me by the radio was just so depressing then i happened across some early internet radio stations that were playing heavy music with uplifting lyrics and it just struck a chord with me.
Being 44 I grew up through a lot of this. The problem I experienced was that while the people involved may have been positive towards each other, they sure as hell weren't towards people outside of it. I got constant lectures, and thing was I didn't even really drink or do drugs. I just didn't have a desire to give a title to that. So while bad experiences with alcohol/drugs formed some straightedge peoples lifestyle, my negative experiences with the straightedge people had an effect on me growing up as well.
Ah yes, CM Punk. The guy who introduced me to the word “straight edge” when I was about 15, and for the longest time I always told myself I’d stick to it. Then I turned 21 lol
Finn! Just found your channel a couple weeks ago. I can't believe I'm this late to the party. Love your videos man. It is amazing to see and hear you share your story and you are right, you're not alone. Like you, I was a late bloomer and didn't smoke or drink until college, and gradually worsened into my late 20s where I found myself drinking every single day. I am so glad that UA-cam recommended this video this morning because today I am proud to celebrate 10-weeks sober from alcohol. Thank you for all your inspiration and videos. Keep up the good work! Much Love - Pat
11:56 - That dude on the left is named Ron and I haven't seen him in years! In the mid-90s some friends and I drove to Syracuse for the second Hellfest with plans to just sleep in my car while there. Ron let us crash at his place, which I feel I still owe him for!
I’ve always been a straight edger, and can say that no one ever starts out in the middle of the chart. You get to it at some point through learning that it doesn’t make you special. I would LOVE a part 2 to this man. Keep up these videos🤘🏻🤙🏻
Totally agree. Everyone starts in one of the corners and either sells out(which I personally think is a dumb way to describe it) or gravitates towards the middle over time.
@Comicbookstoreguy177 I listened to hardcore for years and I've never been drunk or smoked a cigarette in my life but I was never straight edge up until a few months ago. I always thought I didn't need to put a label on being essentially drug free save for like one beer a month until some of my straight edge friends asked me if I wanted to start a straight edge band with them and I realized I had pretty much the same mindset as them already and I would lose nothing of value by claiming edge for the band. So I did.
Comicbookstoreguy177 The way I came about labeling myself as Straight Edge was that I was always a goody two shoes growing up. A Catholic Private school dweeb who was everyones target #1. I got more and more into Punk as I got older with the Tony Hawk games and found out there was a term not doing anything irresponsible while researching some of the bands I discovered. I don’t so much use the term or label anymore, but the first couple years I would wear it like a badge; especially online. I wouldn’t say it if nobody asked, but if it felt necessary at the time people would know. To this day I only know like a couple people who are straight edge, and the only reason I know that is because of word of mouth. I was never in it for the Straight Edge community, because where I’m from there really isn’t one. There’s a punk scene, but straight edgers are the vast minority in it.
@Comicbookstoreguy177 It gives you an identity and a sense of belonging to something- when you don't mesh with 99% of the world it helps. For me it helps to quantify how serious I am about it. When regular people hear that you dont drink etc, they automatically think you must have had an issue at some point.
As an addict your extremely right About this. Even though I was a druggie since 8th grade and hated straight edge. I definitely saw all of these kids in my school and your extremely balanced in every aspect of opinion, and views it's just awesome! Oh I'm clean now. But I do hate straight edge just for simply looking down at us. But it's cool.
straight edge to me is about protecting myself from addiction. as a person with ADHD, i’m 10x more likely to form addictions and make impulsive decisions. the last thing i need is to open the door for myself to make bad decisions easier accessed.
I like hate breed cuz ther guitars are mean n aggressive but they got positive message . I listen to it my hard construction job and it makes the hard work easier
Hahaha....yes, "Conceived through an act of violence". A positive story if I've ever heard one. I'm just playing of course. They came from CT, everyone here has great memories of when they were starting out and Satisfaction is one of my all time favorite albums in that genre.
i'm Straight Edge since early 1992 ... started to listen to metal / oi! & punk at a very young age (4). Around, the age of 4 listen to hardrock & metal. For my 6th b.day, i got Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden (the album was released few months before my 6th -birthday). Had the luck, to have bikers, skins, punks & metalheads in my area, i got mix tapes of them. The local priest, even fingerpointed me as heretic ... and, i went to thank him for this. There was even a monastery (nuns) in the street i grow up ... hmmm, and let's say, they were neighbors, and that was it. When, i went to high-school, started to drink beer before school and after school, those days as kid it was easy to get bear. + I went to a school, where we had tons of alcohol in school, of all kinds, and all brands. Even, at home ... we got table-beer (3.8% alcohol) insted of limonade or cola. Around, the age of 16 ... something inside me, can't explain ... i banned all forms of alcohol. Why, how, ... i can't explain. I was hated for this, from friends, even at school they hated me for this. My love for metal, oi!, punk, crust, grindcore, thrash, deathmetal, ... was just growing. It's thanks to S.O.D. i started to listen to hardcore ... due check out Agnostic Front in the thanks list. When, i went to high-school, on the bus/train/school ... became friend Josh (Wheel Of Progress, Congress, Liar, Kingpin, Mansruin, King Hiss). And, went lot to a bikers/hard rock café "The Bronx (Roeselare, Belgium), and became friend with brother of the owner Sid (Solid). Early '90's got in touch (and became friend) with bands like Nations On Fire, Blindfold, Spirit Of Youth, Shortsight, Rise Above, ... the H8000 Crew scene. Thanks to the friendship with Good Life Recordings, Reality Records, Sober Mind Records, Genet Records, I Scream Records, ... + H8000 Crew and the complete Belgian Hardcore Scene, i had the luck and chance to be surrounded by great people. And the many amazing gigs and festivals we have/had. I'm grateful to them. And proud to know them. I got introduced to Straight Edge, and so 29 years later, i'm still Straight Edge. One of the words i learn about the Hardcore scene, was the word " respect ". And, also Brain (Catharsis) told me "stay wide-open-minded". I didn't only go to Hardcore / Straight Edge shows, or Metal / Punk / Oi / Grindcore / Crust / ... gigs. I went also to House / Techno party's, listen to other gengres of music. Those who knew i was Straight Edge, always respected me for this. Some, in the Hardcore / Straight Edge scene had issues with it. Also, i got luck to life near Vort'n Vis in Ieper (Hardcore Ieper Fest) ... and i helped to run the bar as volunteer. And, some Straight Edge'rs had issue that i was serving beer to others. But, those Straight's forgot, thanks to those who order beer, they helped to pay the rent for rehearsel rooms, and for the gigs at the venue. I never had issues with someone who isn't into Straight Edge, or quit the Straight Edge ... because, i choose friends for who they are, not what they are. Isn't this the spirit of Hardcore / Straight Edge way of life. Next to Straight Edge, i'm also Vegetarian, just Vegetarian not a Vegan. Just like be Straight Edge, be Vegetarian or Vegan or Fruitope or ... is a personal choice. Some Straight's had also issue, when i went out eating with (example) Sientje (D.S.A., Retaliate, Deconsecrate) and he ate a Bicky Burger (meat) ... they complained, you sit next someone who is eating meat. I never forced Sientje to eat meat, and so long he enjoys it. Who am i to complain. He respect my choice, and i respect his. Okay, it happen that we tease eachother with the line "my food shit on your food" and i answer "your food eat that shit". In May 2000, i started to struggle with my health, chronical leukemia + complications. I stayed Straight Edge and Vegetarian ... and it's that to that way of life, i'm still around. The professor who threats me, told me this. Today, i have still issues with my health, i will never heal, list of complications is still growing. I could not longer go to gigs, and i missing this a lot. From May 2000 until mid 2007, spended more time in a hospital bed, than in my bed at home. Because, i could not longer go to gigs, i was looking for an alternative, and found one. I became a member of Rebel Legion (Star Wars costuming club). And, at conventions ... i see everyone from the Hardcore scene. Even, a lot Straight Edge'rs are also member of Rebel Legion and the 501st Legion. I even meeted Jerry (The Misfits) at one of the conventions, he and The Misfits had a booth next our club booth. Positive Mental Attitude (Bad Brains) I'm still Straight Edge, i still believe in the spirit of Hardcore / Straight Edge way of life - friendship / loyalty / commitment / unity / positive / respect + Straight Edge. It fits for me, it works for me ... am i better, not at all. But, i am happy each day i wake up, i say i'm still alive. And, when i go to bed, i say this was another day i survived. This is my Straight Edge story in short ...
To answer your question, yes the “random straight edge person swinging on cigarette kid” has def happened in my experience. It was at a Casey Jones show.
Yeah, I'm not even into the scene, but I know people who were and that type of shit happens in all realms of hardcore for various reasons. Sad but true.
@@XcrucialtoosX its shitty, I was never an edger, I drink, smoke and do drugs. as a kid I had friends that turned edge and we stayed friends. If a band I like came to my town now, I might attend, Im still gonna smoke. still gonna have a drink, I might be high. But I don't have a punchable face. So it's more a praying on the weak type sitch long story short, fuck those people
about the true til 21 thing, actually same. I never got into the music, but i used Christian sxe as an excuse to not do drugs or smoke or drink in high school and middle school, and mostly cause of my mom and her ex husbands who were all smoking and drinking til i was 13 or 14. late last year, I tried alcohol for the first time and found out i liked some things and didnt like other things and the whole world doesn't collapse when you have one drink. that's not to say I wanna become a drinker, but i realized that if im out with friends, it's alright for me to partake with them in an effort to not be judgemental. and with that there is the journey of finding 'my drink', which i took too zealously (the same way I did with coffee years ago.) I'm a bit of a foodie, so the 'favorite thing on the menu' aspect of alcohol appealed to me. My mom is on my case so I'm gonna make sure I don't start drinking regularly, but I just think it's funny how similar your story is to mine. Love you, Finn!
I got into straight edge through stick to your guns. I also knew other bands like the ghost inside, counterparts, old wounds, year of the knife, one step closer, inclination, and god's hate. I thought about not drinking, and smoking, but i drink occasionally, but i only got drunk like 3 times, and drink like 3 beers at a time with friends. I used to smoke weed back in high school, but I stopped after my step brother was in college. I'm also 31, I'll be 32 in January.
There was a straight edge scene here in Salt Lake City when I was in my teens. I heard of several and witnessed a few fights that only occurred because of some straight edge kid picking a fight with someone they know is drunk or they saw smoking pot.
weird how many of these stories there are and how few stories of these imagined moderate straightedge kids intervening hahaha. if one used math, and facts, it might look as if the alleged moderates are a very rare breed of people who latch onto an ideology that they dont understand, and that these elitists and zealots are actually the standard, not some fluke or "some thing that sometimes happens with the extreme minority".
Same man, I remember going to the BASH with a friend who smoked and some straight edge kids tried picking a fight with him for about 5 minutes. They finally left when they realized we weren't going to fall for their bait and laughed as they walked off.
@@rowdyjohnson6026 If you don't use drugs for personal reasons you are just sober, or abstinent. If you're straight edge you are trying to fit in to a scene or hang with a specific crowd and being sober is one of the criteria. I know plenty of sober people, I live in Utah. From my experience the differing factor is the violence.
The crew was called the "414 Crew" they were there and here in Arizona. Notorious for just being shitty. One of them slapped a cig out my hand and pushed me after my band played a show while I was putting my guitar away in my trailer. Shitty part was, he was originally coming over to congratulate me on the show and that he loved our music. Then snapped when he saw me light up a smoke. They are not allowed to come into many venues here in AZ. Mainly in the Tempe/Phoenix area. Some of them would literally just go to shows, to pick fights. Specifically when bands that had a history of partying hard we're playing.
When you talked about "future junkies" it hit me so hard. I've never been edge at all, but I've been (well still am) an addict and after one opiate addiction I got so into keeping up with my health. Then, a month later I relapsed. I also got into religion coming out of another addiction. That fell through fast. What you said about jumping between extremes is true. I actually did have a friend who was into punk a few years back and drank heavily and smoked. He decided he was straight edge one day and we were all like "what? Oh... Well good job." It lasted 3 days lol.
In my late 40s, I was in a hardcore band in the late 90s in Cincy an yea I saw many straight edgers beat people up for smoking…several times..Was about 96 and Earth Crisis which I loved Breed the Killers tour an VOD was on the bill..VOD had some ozzfest success from their first album an when they did the tour with earth crisis, was a lot of ozzfest kids there smoking was still allowed in thr venues back then, I saw with my own eyes 👀, them beat anyone up for smoking or a beer in their hand…Cincy hardcore scene was small but very good, but that was only type of shit I didn’t like about it…I saw many church shows with XDiscpleX, Shockwave, snapcase etc…was great times..great video man, I’m always watching…thanks
Most punks I hung out with in the eighties did drugs, so I could hardly think of myself as being part of a "movement" or culture. Someone would offer me some intoxicant, I'd say, "No thanks." They'd say, "Oh, you're straight edge? That's cool." I'd nod, and that was pretty much the extent of it. Granted, I was a big Minor Threat fan, but I never felt the urge to emblazon "straight edge" across the back of my leather. I thought of myself as straight edge, but it felt more like an individual choice to use common sense than membership in a strict fraternal order.
Check out the PRMBA Podcast: prmbapodcast.com/
I have been straight edge for 30 years I microdose mushroom stems to manage my bp and anxiety. Better than giving big pharmacy get the money. and drink kombucha. I still consider my self xxx no matter what.And guess what any body is welcome back to the edge any time they want in my book. Its always about self improvement. Definition need to change with the times and health research. Cbd saves lives. And changes them .
Good vid. Do more on the topic
If I missed it then sorry. I'll look at it again later. I was a part of that DC thing so maybe I'm being hypersensitive
Its hard not to get mad at high horse elitists in metal, or in any genre. Way to see a flaw in yourself props. We all talk shit on them. We shoudnt though cuz fuck it. Why does it actually matter?
i wish me one Episode about Feminism in the straight edge scene much love from germany
Dude, you totally failed to mention every band that you didn't mention
He didnt even mention the bands he doesn't know
But we got half of a rock/punk/metal psychology lesson, so it wasn’t all bad.
Gotta name some bands nobody has ever heard of or you won't sound hip! Ever heard of Jack Ass and the Total Fuckups? They rock
@@devilsoffspring5519 Sick hardcore band XZK look them up! They totally, like
.
.
.
.
.
don't exist.
LOL
I'd like to see a curved edge band that just screams about moderation.
"PLEASE DRINK... RESPONSIBLYYYYYY!!!!"
"DON'T GET HIGH IF YOU HAVE SHIT TO DO TODAYYYYYY!!!!"
Their album cover would just be some Paul Rudd looking dude looking at his watch and waving off the bartender as he offers him another drink.
That's really good dude. Curved edge heh It's a new genre!
Brachistocore
and you know something I would listen to them on repeat
This i can get behind.
"I... ENJOY... A... NIIIIIICCE GLASS OF MERLOT!!!! OCCASIONALLY!!!!"
straight edge rap is also on the rise. My favorite artist is Stann Smith and his went legit song. very interesting.
his videos have millions of views
absolutely love stann's stuff
gotta check him out
Vince Staples and Tyler the Creator are the biggest names here (athough that’s primarily due to them being asthmatic).
Tyler the fucking creator hell yeah
"sometimes straight edge is a last ditch attempt at avoiding addiction" that's when you smashed it out of the park. Well done.
I cried at that passage. Fuck
"...a suit of armor that you put on to defend yourself from addiction." Man, I felt this...
Right?
A shame that armor is usually for children defending themselves from the pressure of Christianity pure ness or “non slipping” edge pressure.
Straight up felt this
You felt how saccharine and cheesy it is?
@@microchrist6122 so, like true love waits?
It’s has been a week today that I have started the straight edge life style, I’ve quit smoking and drinking, I’m eating healthier, and I haven’t felt physically better then I do now in a long time, I’m excited to see where life takes me not having to step out to smoke, or feeling like shit being hungover etc.
How's it going?
update us bro
I haven’t smoked or drank in 5 years. Your skin is healthier and you have tons of energy. I just hit the gym and recently started a powerlifting program. 💪🏽
How you doing?
I’m doing well! Got reached out to earlier today by someone that found me on Facebook, I forgot I had posted this, I had a hiccup shortly after posting this but have continued it ever since and it has been an awesome feeling and experience and I’m never going back, I’m going to stand my ground and stay straight edge. Thank you guys for the support and for reaching out, the straight edge scene is awesome and I definitely feel at home.
"One day they're all about partying, the next day they're all about their 12 step recovery, and maybe next week they will be all about crossfit or going to church"
NAILED IT
Soldano999 When he said this that really stood out to me too. I’ve seen this all to many times.
Nothin wrong with changing your lifestyle... Especially from self-destructive behavior to something positive.
It may send a "scatterbrained/all over the place" type message to some people but we should try to judge and criticize less and support and understand each other more.
Kevin m. P that's not what he meant. It refers to people who take everything to the extreme. That's never good. Balance is what you want to achieve.
hmmmm why are my ears burning?..
Personally I am not like that, been lean for about a year now after over 20 years of stupidity. For me it was hard to get motivated and excited about anything at first ( still is most days to be honest), but I sat down and picked a couple things and said " Ok I am going to try and replace the drugs with these hobbies, I know my mind is going to say it's boring at first but i'm going to stick with it", so far it's worked out for me.
Different drugs do different things to the mind, personally I don't know what kinds of drugs he was reffering to, but it sounds like he didn't have a hard core physical addiction to deal with ( could be wrong of course, but he said he pulled himself out and the likelihood of that working without major help and commitment when your dealing with both physical and mental addictions is almost zero).
"Straight Edge is almost like a suit of armor you put on do defend yourself against addiction". Holy shit I never thought of it that way. That's what it's been for me for 10 years.
Yeah it originally started for me that way too!
Daniel Coontz wow. Me
no it isnt. It's getting addicted to denial of something
No one is really straight edge. Everyone has an addiction.
@Dev0205 He's right, you drink caffeine? You eat excessively?
Tobacco addiction?
Alcohol addiction?
Marijuana addiction?
Painkillers addiction?
Cocaine addiction?
Heroin addiction?
Gambling addiction?
Sex addiction?
Internet addiction
?
Work addiction
?
You get the point, there are many different kinds of addictions, some more serious, some less.
Just got into Hatebreed a couple months ago, been helping me get/stay sober.It’s like an addiction counselor in heavy metal form. When you’re nothing but destructive to everybody and yourself the only person responsible is you
I’m a little confused to learning about these history videos, and everything in this video at least the Modern ones, modern Earth Crisis, World Of Tomorrow, Hatebreed, Code Orange, Knocked Loose, Vamachara, Boundaries, Varials, Orthodox, Jesus Piece, Inclination, World Of Tomorrow, Year Of The Knife, etc just screams Metallic Hardcore to me. Like 90’s Metalcore that evolved in its own direction, away from what bands like Unearth, The Ghost Inside, Make Them Suffer, Bury Tomorrow, Betraying the Martyrs, August Burns Red etc became today. Can someone explain this to me? I love learning about this stuff, but there’s still a lot I don’t understand.
Hatebreed isn’t a straight edge band.
@@markrosenquist8259 yeah, they're better.
@@iprey4surf definitely
It's cool that you get inspiration from bands...but dont forget to give yourself credit. In the end you cant blame your use on anyone...and you cant give credit to anyone for your recovery. Keep moving forward. Be good to yourself,mate.
"Hardcore is not where normal people go to hang out"
That is an apt observation.
I think it is important to state that there is a lovely youtube vid of the OG of wholesome punk rock values, Sir Ian Elvishe Mackaye, getting heckled at a Fugazi show for having a beer on stage: *I thought you had straight edge! Wtf, bro! Hypocrite, charlatan! Etc.. "
To which he says " I wrote that song when I was a kid. Now I'm 40, and I'm going to have a beer."
That was my favourite part of this whole video. Hahaha.
I came to grips with the fact that I am not a normal person a long time ago. I did not have a normal childhood. I'm not saying it was bad, but it was not normal and I don't talk about it to a lot of people because they start to look at me like I'm an alien. I know I am just wired differently and that's OK.
I don't smoke. I don't drink. I don't do drugs. Not because I think they are wrong, per se, but because I do not have the personality that seeks to escape my real life. I prefer to confront and overcome not avoid and escape.
Great quote. I was gong to write the same. We’re all flawed.
@@m.j.colvin522 There is a lot of space between having a beer and dying from alcohol poisoning. I don´t think people who drink safely and are able to function well in their jobs and with their family are "flawed". On the other hand if you are someone who goes around looking for alcohol or drug users to beat them up I think you are a violent fascist who should go to jail for assaulting people who you don´t even know and who are not doing anything violent or ilegal
I'm going to have to completely disagree on one point-you said several times that nobody cares if you don't drink. I haven't found this to be true at any point since being a teenager. I decided as a teenager that drinking wasn't for me and carried it into adulthood. I admit that I was a bit of a dick about it in my teens and early 20's, but I gave up being angry about it and don't judge anymore. At every point in that whole process (I'll be 40 soon) I've had the experience of telling people that I don't drink and they act like it's bizarre. Not every person, of course, but it still happens. Even recently I was in a conversation with a couple of coworkers- one of them said "ok, it's not your thing, I respect that," and the other said "Nah. You should make it your thing." It's unfortunate, but drinking really is a big part of the adult social process, and if you don't take part, you will catch crap for it here and there.
NoctemOUT 100% agree. Although it not might be a constant thing, I’ve had people try to put me down for not drinking or smoking weed mostly. I’ve been told that when I’m 30 in a mid life crisis I’m going to turn to drugs and alcohol and go crazy because I didn’t go through a “experimental
phase when I was younger”. Or that I’m weird. Doesn’t really bother me but I can imagine how it might effect people who are weaker. Still though a lot of people respect it.
@@BlackNoiseCat Same, as a teen and in my early twenties people always acted shocked when, in a conversation it came out that I don't drink alcohol: "Not at all?", "No"; On birthdays, family reunions?", "No"; "Not like, ever...even a tiny drop?, "NO!"; "Ok, cool...Are you religious or something?", Sigh "No".
People find it weird when you don't engage on certain adult activities but that's the way I am. And they used to tell me: "You'll regret it when you're in your 30's" I'm 31 and not regretting at all being teetotal.
In my experience it's made me "less cool", but then you stop and think and realize that a MAJORITY of people who rely on substances to be happy lead pretty boring and depressed lives. They're not very interesting people to begin with, so if anything it's a good weeding out tool.
I'm generalizing, obviously. Never said all. But a BIG portion.
I agree. The most common look I get when I tell people I don’t drink is pure confusion. A lot of people try to pressure me into drinking or just keep asking why I don’t drink, and every answer I give isn’t enough. Why do I need to justify it to them? It’s like young people today are expected to drink and if you don’t you’re a weirdo who must have something wrong with yourself.
Be a rebel and beat everyone at their own game. I drank until everyone finally told me to stop!!!
This is similar to the "emo kid that cuts himself" cliche. I knew alot of emo kids. Only one of the 3 people I knew that cut themselves was loosely into emo (but more into MSI). I know a ton of straight edge kids too. They were more into defending the defenseless than they were punching a kid because they were smoking.
I knew a handful of straight edge kids in the 90s and I never met even one of them that I would describe as a jock or a bully. They hated jocks and bullies. That was like the opposite of what they were about.
My grandma was straight edge before all y'all.
Most Grandma's were straight edge. I come from a long line of straight edge women who were attracted to men who were very much not straight edge.
My entire family are teetotalers. Good thing my step-family can enjoy a good drink with me! Oh yeah, and good thing none of us have The Gene. 😬
I am your grandma.
OG
shout out to all my addict boyz. Clean fo 1 year and 4 months.
What’s up with that, you’ll cowords don’t even smoke crack
Damn, had a flashback there to that 90s movie Floundering. What's wrong with smoking crack? 🤣
I've smoked Crack a few times, not my thing.
They wanna see me gone cuz of my hops
I test my crack to sell the best crack.
Good ole viper
Minor Threat wrote 'Straight Edge'...Venom wrote 'Black Metal'...the rest is history. \m/
🤘😎
And Voivod wrote Brain Scan...
and possessed wrote "death metal"
Ew wrote dopethrone lol
Ive never heard of the "rich jock" stereotype for straight edge. Every rich jock I knew from high school were the ones who drank and smoked the most
The rich jocks I remember we're the ones that would prey on people smaller than them or ones that didn't play sports! And yeah... They drank and smoked! Fuck em never will look past the shit I went through school for being straight edge and choosing a different lifestyle than others!
Most of the jocks in my high school were good students who didn't cause any problems. It was fucking weird. My school had some successful teams, too. The bad kids were the ones who didn't really have anything to do. They had no hobbies or activities. I even had some friends who were in the Crips who were cool as hell. It was the suburban white kids with nothing to do where you were like, "Fuck that asshole."
100%. Was such a weird comparison.
Me neither. Like wearing champion and Fila didn’t make them jocks or rich lol
Tru.
7:41 Good point here. I like the saying "Your trauma isn't your fault, but it is your responsibility."
Perfectly put
Never heard that one, really good saying.
I think it's really hard to draw the line though.
Take someone who's experienced so much trauma that it led to (maybe undiagnosed) mental illness. You probably wouldn't have them take _all_ the responsibility for their actions. Jurisdiction protects them as well.
But what do you do when someone's in a grey area? You know, someone who might not be diagnosed with borderline disorder or anything, but has really seen some shit, so much that you'd say "Okay under these circumstances, I would crack, too." Can they be held fully responsible?
@@faselblaDer3te I think that is the implied point. Receiving the trauma isn't our responsibility. Working to heal from it, is. Because "Hurt people, hurt people".
@@skeenj Damn, thats a good one. "Hurt people, hurt people." That is so fuckin true.
I remember being homeless in 2008 and getting jumped by a bunch of straight edge kids who all where big buff kids. My crime was drinking on the corner where i lived
They're all the same, scum. I don't live in a place where straight edge has a significant presence, thank god. Though i do see correlation from people I have met who have been very anti-drugs, they spend all their life judging others and never having fun. Thats literally all I have to say. I've seen people 'supervise' at parties by smashing drinks out of girls hands and cutting their feet.
Honestly straight edge is just their way of being dickheads to people who care more about smoking a joint than how tall they are or how much they lift. Jesus, they even label themselves as 'Ultra-Aggressive.'
Did you learn your lesson?
@@RutherfordBeehayze-kw2mz What lesson would that be?
@@X2LR8 Dont drink on the corner. Cant you read?
@@RutherfordBeehayze-kw2mz Ahh, I see. What a cowardly way to "teach a lesson" to someone going through a rough patch. A bunch of people beating on one guy. I bet those kids wouldn't step into a boxing ring or octagon alone to fight a professional fighter.
Currently watching this with a hangover
nkostie lmao same here
So am i
Same
Same
same, new years eve was a bit to wild haha
Bars must hate when straight edge bands play
I'm not straight edge but I'd say bars love putting on straight edge gigs less trouble and considering soft drinks cost more than alcoholic beverages more money made at least they do in the UK anyway.
I feel this is another reason bands dont make a lot of money. Im straight edge myself but I saw how much money my dad would make weekends playing shitty Mexican covers. We are talking 150 bucks just for himself on a really bad night.
I saw friends playing at venues where alcohol is not sold and they would cash in like 50 bucks if they were lucky... for the whole band! And im talking a nice little local show where tons of people showed up.
Honestly, people just buy soda and water instead
@@lanagievski1540 here's one for a pint of beer local to me £ 2.50 however a pint of Orange juice+Lemonade which I drink when driving £4
The only substantial experience I have is in the St. Louis scene, but around here there's only one DIY spot i know of that actively prohibits alcohol at shows, so even if there's a show with all sXe bands, there's still people drinking, especially at venues with bars. The more sXe bands are on the bill though, the less likely there is to be a belligerent drunkard though, that's absolutely true lol
"Drugs and Alcohol" is a cowardly lie.
Alcohol IS a drug.
Amen to that
As a recovering alkie who is now straight edge, DAMN RIGHT! It nearly killed me a few times. Couldn't stop for shit until I developed alcoholic hepatitis and nearly fucking died. Spent two days detoxing at home, having seizures and panic attacks. Fuck alcohol.
@@onefordespair how are you holding up man?
Sure it is. But an alcoholic and a drug addict are two different types of addict who self-destruct in different ways. A meth head and a pot smoker do different things. The distinction is more of a way to clarify the type of drug in a short amount of time. It's a way of giving more information without using more words. If I invite you out for a drink, you could reasonably believe I am not inviting you the crackhouse to shoot junk. I respect anyone who can go without all that stuff, anyhow. And I'd gladly go out for a milkshake or a sody water with any of you nice folks.
@@swampdonkey4919 Every drug has different kinds of addicts, from pot, tobacco, sugar, Mt. Dew, porn, to meth.
But alcohol is a drug, period.
You don't say "plants and trees" because a tree is a kind of plant.
It's mostly liars who puff out their chest and say, 'I may drink and smoke, but at least I ain't no drug addict' When in fact, that person is addicted to alcohol and tobacco.
Just because booze is taxed and legal doesn't mean it's not a drug.
Straightedge McStraightedgerson has left the chat
Why did this make me laugh so hard?
Straighty McStraightEdgerson would be better tho
@@SomeJustice19k Straighty McEdgerson
Straitthony Edgetano. Finntheny McKentano?
Straightedict Cumberedge
I've definitely seen straight edge gangs basically antagonize people drinking, trying to get them to react or say something back so they could jump in and feel 'justified' in trying to beat them up. So yea, they can totally be quite shitty. There's nothing wrong with having a straight edge lifestyle, but like all walks of life - dont be a dick. It's really not that hard.
Same for vegans
Yes! It should be something positive and more accessible to all punx. I got no support because of the way I look. Fucked up. I was and still am living by example. I want to join some crews. I got my own gang. And my friends are in gangs. But, I feel so alone. Western×Australian×hard×core! But im doin my best with no support. Thanks to posts like this. I found out there is fb groups. I just asked to join . Lets see where it goes!
I'm also Stra*t Edge
Fuck yeah. It should be something positive. Not forced apon people
I’ve seen crews in the mid 90s trash house that had kegs parties. I mean DESTROYED these kids parents super nice homes. They had no other outlet for their teen angst is my guess. But like this video says , you can’t judge everyone based on a few. The funny thing is these kids almost all became drunks or junkies later on in life. Those who scream the loudest are the first to fall is often true.
I'm straight edge for sixteen years now. I don't see why I would ever drink again, there is just no reason.
Back then I was already going to hardcore shows for a couple of years when I decided to take a break from drinking alcohol and smoking pot. However I was still a heavy smoker which I could not quit. Then I thought: "Well if I quit smoking I could call myself straight edge!" Somehow that silly and ironic thought did the trick and I quit smoking. It was the year that the first Have Heart album came out. For this I am thankful and honor straight edge to this day. It's really sick though to see how deeply drinking alcohol and doing drugs is rooted in our society. How much of an outsider/freak you become once you stop drinking alcohol and doing drugs.
I just don't get the appeal of drinking alcohol because alcoholic beverages taste like garbage.
That being said, my understanding is that what is appealing is not the taste, but rather how it makes you feel.
"The root of it all is that addict energy that's just channeling itself into different directions"
This is a super important point. My family has a lot of addiction issues, and I thought I'd somehow escaped having any. Eventually, I realized that an eating disorder functions like an especially insidious addiction, which has helped me get better control of it. There are a lot of things that people do that channel that addict energy.
I relate but for me, in the past I was a rageaholic when I didnt drink. Now, I am sober 19 years because I deal with all the underlying stuff. I don't know too much about S/E personally but it doesn't seem like many of them understand that some people (like me) need to go through the self destructive drinking/drugs in order to get to a better place eventually.
Therapist: Why are you and your son here today?
Mom: At first I was relieved that he was into this "straight edge" thing, but then I saw a text conversation between him and an adult man about "trading seven inches"
Then I saw 10 inchers that cost more and were more common, that's when I freaked out!
HA HA HA HA HA HA HHA HA HA HA HAH A HA HA!!!!
this is the actual funniest thing i've read on the internet is ages.
@@radshoesbro I agree. That was brilliant.
My thoughts exactly, brilliant guys, absolutely brilliant.
I got into punk without having a 'bad family history'...
My parents don't drink alcohol or smoke, they supported me any got me a great education & musical education. And psychological help when I needed it.
And I still like punk. A lot.
And I know that a lot of people who like punk have gone through a hard life.
But I sometimes notice that people sometimes think that because of my great upbringing I don't like punk as much, or that I can't fully be part of the scene.
I have played in a punk/metal (we compromised on doing both and to be honest the drumparts are quite similar) band for years now, gone to crazy events, worked on a very high doublebass speed.
And I would say that I have minimal trauma and medium edge.
You aren’t alone.
Straight Edge, for me and most of my friends, was a gateway to get through ‘at-risk’ situations that caused others to stumble and fall hard. Being a junkie or alcoholic is NEVER useful, helpful, or healthy for anyone - if Straight Edge helps young people get-through their formative years without destroying themselves, it’s all good. Most all of us ‘grew out’ of it after we became 21 and graduated College.
Well said
So I've never heard the "if you're not sxe now, then you never were sxe" rhetoric before...
So what are the "rules" for ex addicts /drinkers? Would I not be "allowed" to be sxe so to speak?
Eh, im a combat veteran. Ive been through all the shit the VA tries, and they do try, but the only thing that allows me to look forward instead of backward, is heroin. Id have eaten a bullet a long time ago if i couldnt get out of my head.
Im healthy, i have a great job and im happy.
So, NEVER?
To me, straight edge was always an addiction in itself, like how atheism can become its own religion.
Eyedea315 hang in there man! Thanks for your service... I’ve battled the same demon for years and have it under control then lose that control once in awhile, too... I wish you the best of luck and can tell you my only advice is to not use alone with the way the Fetty around here is killing lots of friends of mine w/o any discrimination of race creed or color. Hang In there bro 🤘🏻🤘🏻
I think it isn't about youth as much as about thinking in extremes (aka black-and-white thinking), the fundamental idea that you'll inevitably end up as an addict if you experiment with drugs and/or alcohol and the idea that you're no longer straight edge (virgin) once you've given yourself to alcohol or drugs are testament to that. If straight edge is about these black-and-white thinking patterns (called splitting in professional jargon), it would de very attractive to people suffering from borderline personality disorder, which would also explain the anecdotal high occurrence of violence. Thinking that never anything useful comes from addiction is that same thought process, because in reality a hell of a lot of magnificent art was created by junkies and alcoholics. The harm and misery they caused themselves and other people becomes insignificant considering the happiness and joy their art has invoked in people for centuries.
Appreciate you being open about your struggles, man. Just goes to show how hard you've worked to get where you are in life, and that's cool to see!
What struggles? Honestly asking, as never heard him mention nothing about struggles. Apart from addicted parents, and a small time using, seems he had a great childhood. People really do oversell trauma and struggle these days. What they call trauma and struggle, is what used to be called life, or even a learning process. Stop calling minor life inconvenience, trauma, you downplay real trauma.
My dad had a drug and alcohol problem as well. Both sides of the family have a problem with addictive personalities so I identified with the straightedge kids for the longest time. It was nice knowing that I had the power to be able to say no.
I've been sober for a time. Anyone who knows addiction knows going clean is life changing.
No shit.
How do you handle the boredom? I don't even like drinking or doing drugs all that much. It's all right, for a short while, but still a huge waste of time. I'd rather do something creative and productive, but how on Earth do you cope with the mind-bending drudgery of normal life without wanting to get at least mildly buzzed from time to time?
My own life has been extremely weird to say the least, so I'm probably not a typical example. I certainly think you're better off in life if you don't get wasted, but when you're dysfunctional as hell then you're also bored as hell, and there's nothing you can do about it.
Anyway congrats on quitting the bullshit :)
@@devilsoffspring5519 I found getting into hobbies really helps occupy the time and fight the boredom. I like to read, play guitar, and cook, so I dove into that stuff head first. If you don't have a hobby, take one up! Exercising is also a good outlet that everyone can benefit from as well. Having pets and positive family and around helps as well. It gives you companionship and a sense of purpose. And sometimes just doing mundane stuff like chores helps as well. I've found myself sitting at home bored and ended up cleaning the house, doing my laundry, etc, not because it was time to do it, but it gave me something to do haha. Hope all this helps and keep up the good fight!
Can I ask you a question if you don’t mind, how old are you ?
5 years clean here. Thank god I lived long enough to see the better side of life. I never talk about it in public forums, but you're definitely right man.
The kid at the end saying “that’s something to mosh to” I love that kid and I’m dying my sides hurt
He is a legend
@@ThePunkRockMBA wheres that clip from?
the girl towards the end who said something like, "if you take even one sip or even one drag, you can't call yourself straightedge anymore cause there is no compromising in straightedge." just had me.
I respect the passion and conviction she had there, cause it is important for her, but she could have said it way differently cause most people disagree or don't care.
You should probably go to the ER
Me 6 months ago: Man I will never become a Christian Straightedge.
Me now: *Christian Straightedge*
Fr?
Not for me, but live your life.
I totally understand Christian straight edge values but I just don't have the faith to be a Christian. I think God is a logical inevitability and live pretty close to Christian conservative values but I think Christ is a story recycled from previous stories of older religions. Which doesn't really take anything away from it on my eyes. It gives it more credence.
Id never considered the Straight Edge perspective of taking the stance as a reaction to trauma. Thats deep.
I was anti cigarettes because when I was growing up my grandmother had smoked since she was 19 (they were advertised as healthy back then) she had 10% of her lung capacity left. I didn't drink until I was 16, I had one pint of Heineken and didn't drink again for another year. It's understandable.
Most of my family are former alcoholics/drug addicts. I have a very addictive personality and I knew I could be next. That's why I decided on it.
yep, i could think of the dudes with the XXX tats and most of 'em had the most trauma (addict parents/broken homes, etc)
Literally the reason I "signed up".
Why is that valid, but the people who end up self medicating in response to trauma aren’t?
In the 80’s my band played with Youth of Today. I was high.
Who were your band
Nice 👍!!!
Our motto: We aren’t straight, but we are positive!
What band?
If I told you, you’d find us on here. Our shit from the 80’s was remixed and sounds beyond awful. The playing is pretty good, but the recording is fucked.
Hey man I just started watching your show and just wanted to reenforce your reasons for being honest about your past. Please use your platform to bring awareness to that shit. Even if just one person gets off of drugs because of you or refuses drugs because they learned from you then it's 100% worth it! Thanks for being open and honest buddy. You are one of the few influencers that are actually a legit person with legit ideas and legit plans for the future if your show.
As a former addict also, I would say you shouldn't be embarrassed by your past decisions that you've described. You've obviously turned a new leaf and have learnt a lot about yourself through those times of struggle. Not only that, but you have something positive and constructive to say and can hopefully use that to influence others. You should be proud of yourself man!
I'm straight edge. I appreciate this video. My dad was an alcoholic, and after he died from lung cancer from smoking I got hard into drugs and drinking for a few years. I claimed edge at 22 (I'm 31 now). I'm chill about other people smoking and drinking or whatever (if a friend was doing hard drugs and hurting themselves I'd consider having a sympathetic talk to help them).Love your channel.
if you are chill about it, you are just sober and like punk. a very distinct thing from straight edge.
rowdy johnson I’m straight edge
@@badbabybear1 you just said you were sober due to personal experience, and are chill to people who still drink and smoke etc. that aint straightedge man, thats just sober. straightedge movement was never chill about it and still isnt. i am curious why so punks and hardcore kids feel that they need to adapt the word straight edge and cant make a distinction between that movement that is rooted in militant zeal, and choosing to be sober. not criticizing you, just genuinely curious how this identity politics thing has become so inseparable from a personal individual decision. lots of people who did exactly what you did stay sober without lumping themselves into that movement.
@@rowdyjohnson6026 thanks for explaining my decisions and identity to me, straight edge is completely militant and doesn't have any peaceful people despite this video literally explaining the opposite of what you said. i can be whatever i want to be, regardless of others personal baggage to terms. im not debating my own life and choices with you anymore lol
@@badbabybear1 dont do that, man. . i didnt explain your decisions/identity to you., nor did i question your choice to be sober hahaha. . i explained a movement that has existed for a long time. i realize the vid presents the anomaly as the standard but that isnt honest, nor is it the be all end all of this topic. if i am explaining anything it is the concept of nuance and distinction. i dont doubt that there are kids that identify as straight edge that are nice enough,and never said anything to imply otherwise. but a person is not a movement. this movement is well documented and the comment thread is full of people who deal with people that make up the majority of this movement, myself included, since the 80's. understand that there is a difference between an institution and an individual and i am talking about the institution itself. a person can be against abortion without being one of those dicks standing outside clinics and attaching themselves to the "pro-life" movement. one is living by their convictions, the other is not really pro life but rather anti "those people" and would impede or force others to their way. this is the same difference between being sober and being a part of the long established straightedge movement. the guys like yourself are new to the scene and are the small minority in the big picture. my question is why not just be sober rather than attach yourself to this movement ? its a legit question. not an attack, dont be so defensive. why is sober a bad thing or illegitimate if ya dont attach yourself to this group?
If your idea of destroying the system is destroying yourself, then you’re the system
I love this.
Your charts and break away clips from 90s focus pieces are always gold.
“They’re called the straight edge, and chandler russell is here to take a closer look”
@@ThePunkRockMBA 😂😂😂 if I would've fallen in any category of this in the 90s, I was 100% the lower left G rated kid, cuz yes my mom had to approve everything I listened to. "See mom? they're screaming and yelling but it's about not doing drugs, so you can't say no"
shout out to all my addict boyz. Clean fo 1 year and 4 months.
💪🏼
Thanks to straight edge, even though I barely knew what it meant as a kid, all I needed to do was put the x on the back of my hand and people finally stopped asking me why i wasn't drinking. When I first started going to gigs I was always dreading the inevitable question but everyone just accepted it at face value, so for that alone I'm eternally thankful to the movement.
If you hit someone because they're smoking you're just making yourself look like a psycho.
Yeah not straight edge at all.
@@pkrockin3923 that's jail edge
Hardline clown shit lol
I think the realistic situation is more like you are in some sort of indoor public space where smoking is forbidden and start smorking right next to someone who is straight edge. that person will probably rudely tell you to put out the cigarette and if you don't, you're in trouble. I am not even straight edge, but I don't smoke and I would react in exactly the same way.
"Hardcore is not where normal people go to hang out", isn't it?
The ‘crazy crew kids’ are the ones who wear D.A.R.E t-shirts and have CM Punk posters all over their wall.
@J Hoop i wore one when i was in a punk band
@J Hoop same here lol back around 2006/07 me and a couple buddies of mine(one of whom I had met while we were both in a juvenile rehab center lol) had a shitty, short lived hardcore/punk band that we called D.R.U.G.S. which was an acronym for DARE REALLY UNDERESTIMATED GOOD SMACK. Our logo was even a parody of the DARE logo. We never took it seriously though, more of an excuse for us to just party and have a good time really.
I was always into the "do what you want" kind of punk but this taught me a lot actually
Do what you want- including avoiding drugs, alcohol and premarital sex.
🎶 But don't do it around me.
Idleness and dissipation breed apathy 🎶
Straight edge. 35 years strong.
Straight edge before I even knew it was a thing.
Do workout supplements break your edge?
I'm not 35, but, same thing here. X
Oh wooooooooooow.
I was drinking before I new it was a thing.
Thanks maw
@@orlvndo Yes. Anything that would boost your performance or alter your mind is a drug to them.
Same. Drugs are disgusting, smoking and drinking grosses me out.
Dove deep into the addictions in my 30's too. Sober 5 years. Now I watch punk documentaries. Thanks for posting! Always good.
Yea me too trying to stay clean is hard in my city
I found straight edge when I was 11 and even though it didn't last long for me it definitely had a positive influence on me. I wanted the bands I liked to actually stay alive long enough to make more music and not be constantly fucked up out of their minds, as like you said it's a negative reminder of childhood growing up with addicts. too many of my peers died too young from substances and I think my exposure to sXe from such a young age helped keep me in check
Myself grew up in a messed up mexican household.
Didnt drink till i was 18, drank a lot and started doing coke at 20-24 then one day after getting pretty trashed and had nose infections i gave up the coke and drink from time to time, what basically saved me was my relationship with my fiancee now, going to jail and asking myself wtf am i doing, now i dont hang with my old friends who still do that shit. I have 2 good jobs now and only have time for family and my girl. Im in no way straight edge but i can respect it tho. I love punk rock and 90s 2000s hip hop.
Very similar with me. The nose bleeds freaked me out but had me take a step back and eventually left coke behind in 06. Now when I am offered cocaine, I say I don't like the coke. I only like to toke.
I was the only straight edge kid in our local scene. It was sort of rough.
feel ya
Real talk
Thanks for sharing your story man. I’ve struggled with alcohol and drug addiction for years, I’m now edge ❌❌❌
Same best choice I ever made
A random kid getting punched just for smoking did happen, it happened to me outside a show in Salt Lake City. I never said anything to anyone, was just smoking a joint outside a show and I was sucker punched in the jaw and then jumped by his friends when I tried defending myself. I know I wasn't the only one either, it happened to many kids in Utah in the late 90's
Mormon Straight Edge? That's terrifying.
That's such idiot shit. I'm sorry that happened.
Did you stop smoking aftee that?
hee hee, lotta sympathy. sorry too that happened.
peace
Like eating a cheeseburger In front of a bunch of vegans
I’m going to try really hard to keep this comment on the shorter side. I grew up around a lot of substance abuse that persisted through my teens and early adulthood. I’m sure it was a matter of perspective but it really did feel like there was no one I could relate to on a peer level that didn’t want to do the same things I was silently dealing with.
When I was 12 I found a copy of can’t close my eyes by YoT at some weird skate shop that sold bootleg band tee’s on a boardwalk while on vacation with a friends family. I bought it and yeah... that thing happened to me. I remember being slightly scared that it was a nazi thing because of the way the cover looked (the green rerelease) but the X drew me in. I got super into hardcore from there and it just seemed like the most radically different thing from everything I was surrounded by. I’ve been hurt by heavy substance abuse (my trauma ;).
so straight edge or not I think I made that decision long before a youth of today album came into my life. I’ve never drank as an adult and the one thing I DO want to say with this long comment is: people get really fucking weird when they meet you in your 20’s and 30’s and find out you don’t drink. I always just turn down the drink and let people secretly assume I’m a recovering alcoholic. But every now and then my partner will tell someone I just don’t drink with no AA baggage and people lose their mind. And still at 33, I get lectured by people. Sometimes people I’ve known for years under the guise of a recovering addict, will go on about how good of a decision it is or how they wish they could do that and it’s just incredibly awkward and weird.
Also my first roommate sold pot out of our apartment and would get wasted and sing straight edge anthems with me in our living room and that was a rad time. (Sincerely rad).
Awesome mate.
Rad
I used to hang out with you in Cleveland. I enjoyed this. Glad you found your way out of that rough time in your life. Be well!
I've been straight edge my whole life without actually knowing about it.
...poser
Literally same.
no you have lust been sober, unless you are a zealot in your sobriety who uses this imagined ideology as an excuse to shit on "other" and tell other folks how to live to the point of violence.
rowdy johnson did you even watch the video?
@@sting5956 yes i did, and there are some tells. even he admits he jumped in at the end of the movement and either doesnt go out much or isnt being honest. every punk or hardcore kid thinks sober and straight edge are the same but they are not. one is a personal lifestyle choice, the other is a movement/collective that simply are not content with that and never have been.... pure identity politics mixed with fanatic zeal. has it mellowed due to the newbies who came in at the end who "identify as straightedge" simply because they like punk/hardcore, and are sober? yes, but that does not change the history of what the movement was or the fact that that is still the case for the "die-hards or straight edge scene as a whole. he is presenting the anomaly as the standard and vice versa. kids who dont drink smoke etc are sober, kids who hand out at shows starting shit with people who do, are straight edge.did you read the comment section? i am not the only one saying this. look at the experiences of folks who do go out and deal with these shitheads on the regular. hell i am even buds with a few of these guys, and they will tell ya the same. even these cats that i am friendly with behave this way, even toward me after decades of friendship {more so when the pack is around} which is why i call em buds now.
Stop calling us kids... Some of us have grandkids!
He's specifically talking about kids, unless you still act that way as a senior citizen or whatever.
Edge bros randomly beating people up for doing nothing (like your example, standing there smoking a cigarette) has 100% happened, I’ve seen it multiple times here with the HC crews back in the day. When I lived in Reno, there were multiple arrests for this shit too, random attacks on random people at random places
As a former crazy crew kid I can confirm that dudes got punched for smoking a cigarette. Not my greatest moment as a person.
This guy is an idiot for saying that it's never happened I've heard many first hand stories back in the early 2000s and there were a few i met that were absolute neanderthal scum that got off to hurting people, they literally had no personality or hobbies besides being straight edge and moshing at hardcore shows intentionally punching people as hard as they could and then saying "this is a hardcore show deal with it' absolute pieces of shit, this guy is a moron for making such a generalized statement like "I'm pretty sure that's never happened" well good for you bro you were fortunate to never be around these fucking dredges. On the other hand I had a straight friend in highschool and he was the shit, hung out with all the stoner metal heads.
I grew up with an alcoholic mom too. I appreciate you being open about that.
Recovering alkie here. Proud AF to be straight edge but I don't look down on others. I do wish they'd realize life can be fun without being fucked up though. And I absolutely feel sorry for addicts and fellow alkies. Addiction is fucking hell. Alcoholic hepatitis and liver failure nearly claimed me not too long ago. The edge saved my ass. I claimed it as a teen and shit happened to me, plus mental illness so I became a casual user and then an addict and alkie. Also everyone in my family is an addict or a lush. I wasted 10 of what could have been the best years of my life and nearly died so many times. But I recently realized teenage edgy me was correct about intoxication. I just hope if you're reading this and you're dealing with addiction that you know it doesn't have to be this way. Love ya. 💙
Also I fucking LOVE this channel!
ironically, the most hardcore, violent extreme "straight edge" kids are the ones that need to be shown the most love and compassion.. you are doing positive, social work my brother, by providing knowledge and real facts of culture and music associated with addiction and abuse, in order to inform the public.. Its pretty amazing how you can use your platform of discussing "hardcore
ock" music genres, as a learning tool for addiction, recovery, and love.. and remember homeboy, when shit gets real, its just one day ata time, if you can make it till the next day without taking a drink or a drug, you've won a big victory for yourself and your loved ones.. keep it simples stupids
Well said my man! Actually better than I said it lol. Glad my point came through!
if by "love", you mean therapy, and basic life skills like learning to stay in their own lane, then i totally agree.
Coming from someone who's 28, and been dealing with addiction since I was 18.. I can tell you alot of it is due to depression, and a feeling of not belonging, having no purpose, feeling empty. The euphoria a high brings, breaks the user out of the reality of their current life, and into a mode of pleasure. Then that feelings becomes addicting because the reality of the users sober life is depressing and painful.. I wish I had never gotten into drugs.. I didnt wake up and say.. I'm gonna shoot heroine today.. it escalated from something as small as taking half of a perc 30 once in a while.. I specifically was very sheltered growing up, and I ended up hanging out with the *cool crowd* to fit in, even though they werent even really my friends.. now I dont talk to any of them, and just have a habit that's difficult to deal with.. I'm on methadone right now, trying to better myself.. it's a rough and difficult road.. suicide is a daily thought, I just know it's up to me and only me to get through this.
Jiboia Jinn It’s hard to read that. Peace
@@bisforbarb ?
Been there my man- not opiates, but the same feelings. Hope things get better for you 🙏🏼
@@ThePunkRockMBA thanks man I appreciate that.
Keep trying and don't give up bro I'm 8 months 5 days clean after almost 25 years on heroin and methadone and sorts other of other shit I go to NA meetings every week and honestly don't think about using anymore I relapsed last year and was injecting in my groin within 2 days I used for a month and hated myself got put back up on my methadone and haven't used since there's nothing left in using for me but pain ,I loved drugs but that part of my life is fucked and I can't go back, I would never look down on anyone still using, I tapered back down to get off my script got a sponsor and stuck in at my meetings, spent time trying to fix the relationships that I've fucked up with my family and friends and so far so good,theres always hope ✊✌✊
I did grow up with a shattered childhood but never became near as judgemental as the one line that sucked you into straight edge.
I'm 30 years old. Still straight edge, but straight edge isn't for everyone.
Not doing drugs and not drinking isnt for everyone?
You don't to live and breathe the music and shove it down people's throats to be straight edge. Lol.
The Otherside what's your problem
straight edge is so fucking lame lol. i love putting x's on everything to make myself feel superior
Me too straight edge for life
@@shaodynasty1017 leaving idiotic comments on the internet must really make you feel superior. Too bad everyone in your life probably looks down at how childish you are. It's pretty pathetic.
I was (or wasn't, depending on who you ask) straight edge once upon a time. I remember often being told I "couldn't" be straight edge because I wasn't "old enough to buy beer."
I started drinking at 11, as did a lot of other people I know, so I never understood that attitude.
I'm 15 and straight edge. I never was into drugs, when I found out about SE I finally felt understood, kinda like home. I don't need drugs of any form in my life, I can perfectly live without them. I'm just pretty much an outsider in my "friendships" because my peers drink and smoke, and also get judged alot by them by "trying to be the perfect child every parent wants". I am sorry for you that you started drinking at such an early age. Hope you are alright now.
Over My Dead Body - Drug Free Adult
@@Danielfucks69 How very Americentric.
I'm straight edge I never drank alcohol or did any drugs. I grew up with my dad being a heavy smoker of cigarettes, he would smoke various cigarettes a day. It was a way to cope with stress, trauma in his youth and hardships we were facing at the time. I was so worried for his health but thank God my dad stopped smoking a couple of years ago and now he's healthy
"Hardcore isnt where normal people go to hang out"
Yea... lol true for all heavy genres. Kinda weird to think about it cuz it just feels so casual to me
It's true though, so many of the buddies I met at metal shows have a rough past or a lot of mental illness and don't really feel like they fit the mold society gave them. I don't know much about hardcore but I can only imagine it might be even more so
Yep, there's a moment in life when you just got to admit that you're not gonna fit the mould of a "normal" person, so you might just embrace it to it's fullest
I wouldn't say that about all heavy genres. I grew up in the late 00s and early 10s and we had a lot of normies getting into metalcore.
@Luke Robinett #deep
@@CaH6633 and are they still in to it or was it just a passing phase because I grew up in the same era, currently going on 23 myself and i know a lot of normies that claimed to like it but are no longer any where in the scene.
I've been straight edge for almost a year now, it's been rough at first craving for a cigarette and a drink, but I've gotten over it and started to work out and lost a few pounds.
EccentricLuthier PMA Good shit man
EccentricLuthier PMA fuck yeah
Dude keep killing it edge for life brother
Really grateful you dug into the connection between straight-edge and trauma. This video was super well done.
"Skinny nerds who collect Star Wars comics."
This hit home hard.
@@LukaCuturic Sums it up pretty well but Eric is more a Descendents-Type, I'd say
I know, that’s offense..
And real true.
@@SharksInYourMouth193 For real. I think Eric would like Insted as well.
@@MrMmnngghh And Hyde goes for Dead Kennedys, Black Flag and Circle Jerks :D
Me. Comics and toys
When I was in my early twenties I was still straight edge and had never drank or anything and I met a girl who was straight edge and she told me she was an ex-junkie who was addicted to heroin and she told me she was really ashamed, I didn't judge her for it and she knew some FSU kids who were insane. I ended up in a relationship with her for about 2 and a half years, she's an awesome person, I loved her a lot and I've lost contact with her and I know she's not edge anymore but she's also not doing hard drugs and that's all that matters to me
She chose the train.
That’s the gang right there - FSU. That’s where Straight Edgers get that reputation, and it absolutely was a thing.
You know what, I’m in my fourties I grew up with hardcore back in the day and some of our friends were straight edge, I thought it was cool. Now I work in mental health and recovery and my take on kids being straight edge is I have huge respect. In our world being young is tough enough, so to do something like this - to even try, is massive. To be involved in something positive, that does in a tiny way make a difference is really powerful - I see so much crap, and most mental health and addiction problems go back to some kind of trauma, and believe me some kids have been through hell. To become part of a positive group or community even for a short while can make a big difference in life outcomes (not everyone) but it’s a cool thing to see. Did make me laugh though, when you mentioned the kids who are super aggro about being straight edge and nobody can figure out why - super aggro about something literally nobody is forcing you to do.
Most straight edge folks I personally know are addicted to caffeine. Edit: Specifically energy drinks, not even just coffee.
Andrew Fanelli most I knew when we were teenagers were addicted to jerking off... for real... that’s all they’d talk about too! Skating and spanking off... then they found booze and dope and then was downhill from there...
@@heydudedolfan13 The real straight edge dont do drugs or alcohol thats it ,just fuck around only one life dude
heydudedolfan13 whoopdee freakin doo for whoopdee freakin you
Mmm monster
heydude Give this man a reward. He’s an abstinent vegan straight edge! As long as you’re happy and healthy.
LOL when you said true till 21, I thought of that Good Clean Fun song and Bam... You played the clip lol. Looks like we had a lot of the same albums. Such a good era of hardcore. Especially the Posi Stuff.
Coming off shrooms, drinking a beer, hitting my pen and smoking a cigarette.
Hey man it takes a great amount of courage to be open with your experience with trauma and addiction. As someone who studies Psychology, I noticed that people tend to forget the experiences and motivations behind our actions and behaviors that define us. I'm glad to have watched this video to gain a better understanding of not only the straight edge culture but of you, the content creator.
I was militantly Edge from the ages of about 13 through till 18. And although I am partial to the odd alcoholic beverage now, it's never excessive. As Finn said it, being straight edge in my teens allowed me to avoid a lot of situations growing up that could have ended really poorly. But when I turned 18 and could legally drink in a controlled and regulated environment, I saw that alcohol isn't the worst thing the world and can actually be good in some circumstances.
YES!!!! Break Down The Walls was the album that really got me in touch with the roots with the music i fell in love with. I come from meth addiction... hardcore saved me. Im not perfect. But a chronic alcoholic who isnt doing to bad and always striving to be better. Im actually considering going Straight Edge in the new year. I dont care for resolutions but i owe it to myself, my wife, and my future. 🤘
I was too young for the early hardcore scene and really got into more post hardcore when I was in high school. I was coming from depressing nu metal. It felt like every song was about suicide and sadness.
That's when I really got into Christian metalcore. I'm not religious, but I appreciated the uplifting lyrics with the intensity I needed. I got shit for it because they werent considered real Metal bands due to preaching about God and such but who cares.
It seems to parallel the rise of Straight Edge. Trying to find your scene, trying to find meaning, and working through trauma (my dad was also an alcoholic).
i just needed to say that i read this and my eyes watered up a bit, i was in the same place in the early 2000s, i never considered myself straight edge because i grew up in the 90s and that scene was pretty much over by the time i had any idea of what i wanted my person to be, but i had an alcoholic dad and swore i would never be that way... but the music that was being force fed to me by the radio was just so depressing then i happened across some early internet radio stations that were playing heavy music with uplifting lyrics and it just struck a chord with me.
Haha my high school English teacher was in SSD 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Ha!
Being 44 I grew up through a lot of this. The problem I experienced was that while the people involved may have been positive towards each other, they sure as hell weren't towards people outside of it. I got constant lectures, and thing was I didn't even really drink or do drugs. I just didn't have a desire to give a title to that. So while bad experiences with alcohol/drugs formed some straightedge peoples lifestyle, my negative experiences with the straightedge people had an effect on me growing up as well.
Ah yes, CM Punk. The guy who introduced me to the word “straight edge” when I was about 15, and for the longest time I always told myself I’d stick to it. Then I turned 21 lol
Ah yes CM Punk. Someone who thinks he's tough until he steps into the octogon lol...
2009 was a good year for wrestling.
@@mattlatakas7051 doesn't help he started at like 40 years old
I'm 30 and claimed edge when i was 14 or 15. Great video as always, I really hope you can make a part 2 as well.
Finn! Just found your channel a couple weeks ago. I can't believe I'm this late to the party. Love your videos man. It is amazing to see and hear you share your story and you are right, you're not alone. Like you, I was a late bloomer and didn't smoke or drink until college, and gradually worsened into my late 20s where I found myself drinking every single day. I am so glad that UA-cam recommended this video this morning because today I am proud to celebrate 10-weeks sober from alcohol. Thank you for all your inspiration and videos. Keep up the good work!
Much Love - Pat
11:56 - That dude on the left is named Ron and I haven't seen him in years! In the mid-90s some friends and I drove to Syracuse for the second Hellfest with plans to just sleep in my car while there. Ron let us crash at his place, which I feel I still owe him for!
I’ve always been a straight edger, and can say that no one ever starts out in the middle of the chart. You get to it at some point through learning that it doesn’t make you special.
I would LOVE a part 2 to this man. Keep up these videos🤘🏻🤙🏻
Totally agree. Everyone starts in one of the corners and either sells out(which I personally think is a dumb way to describe it) or gravitates towards the middle over time.
@Comicbookstoreguy177 I listened to hardcore for years and I've never been drunk or smoked a cigarette in my life but I was never straight edge up until a few months ago. I always thought I didn't need to put a label on being essentially drug free save for like one beer a month until some of my straight edge friends asked me if I wanted to start a straight edge band with them and I realized I had pretty much the same mindset as them already and I would lose nothing of value by claiming edge for the band. So I did.
Comicbookstoreguy177 The way I came about labeling myself as Straight Edge was that I was always a goody two shoes growing up. A Catholic Private school dweeb who was everyones target #1. I got more and more into Punk as I got older with the Tony Hawk games and found out there was a term not doing anything irresponsible while researching some of the bands I discovered. I don’t so much use the term or label anymore, but the first couple years I would wear it like a badge; especially online. I wouldn’t say it if nobody asked, but if it felt necessary at the time people would know.
To this day I only know like a couple people who are straight edge, and the only reason I know that is because of word of mouth. I was never in it for the Straight Edge community, because where I’m from there really isn’t one. There’s a punk scene, but straight edgers are the vast minority in it.
@Comicbookstoreguy177 It gives you an identity and a sense of belonging to something- when you don't mesh with 99% of the world it helps. For me it helps to quantify how serious I am about it. When regular people hear that you dont drink etc, they automatically think you must have had an issue at some point.
As an addict your extremely right About this. Even though I was a druggie since 8th grade and hated straight edge. I definitely saw all of these kids in my school and your extremely balanced in every aspect of opinion, and views it's just awesome! Oh I'm clean now. But I do hate straight edge just for simply looking down at us. But it's cool.
straight edge to me is about protecting myself from addiction. as a person with ADHD, i’m 10x more likely to form addictions and make impulsive decisions. the last thing i need is to open the door for myself to make bad decisions easier accessed.
I like hate breed cuz ther guitars are mean n aggressive but they got positive message . I listen to it my hard construction job and it makes the hard work easier
Hahaha....yes, "Conceived through an act of violence". A positive story if I've ever heard one. I'm just playing of course. They came from CT, everyone here has great memories of when they were starting out and Satisfaction is one of my all time favorite albums in that genre.
i'm Straight Edge since early 1992 ... started to listen to metal / oi! & punk at a very young age (4).
Around, the age of 4 listen to hardrock & metal. For my 6th b.day, i got Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden (the album was released few months before my 6th -birthday).
Had the luck, to have bikers, skins, punks & metalheads in my area, i got mix tapes of them.
The local priest, even fingerpointed me as heretic ... and, i went to thank him for this. There was even a monastery (nuns) in the street i grow up ... hmmm, and let's say, they were neighbors, and that was it.
When, i went to high-school, started to drink beer before school and after school, those days as kid it was easy to get bear.
+ I went to a school, where we had tons of alcohol in school, of all kinds, and all brands.
Even, at home ... we got table-beer (3.8% alcohol) insted of limonade or cola.
Around, the age of 16 ... something inside me, can't explain ... i banned all forms of alcohol.
Why, how, ... i can't explain.
I was hated for this, from friends, even at school they hated me for this.
My love for metal, oi!, punk, crust, grindcore, thrash, deathmetal, ... was just growing.
It's thanks to S.O.D. i started to listen to hardcore ... due check out Agnostic Front in the thanks list.
When, i went to high-school, on the bus/train/school ... became friend Josh (Wheel Of Progress, Congress, Liar, Kingpin, Mansruin, King Hiss).
And, went lot to a bikers/hard rock café "The Bronx (Roeselare, Belgium), and became friend with brother of the owner Sid (Solid).
Early '90's got in touch (and became friend) with bands like Nations On Fire, Blindfold, Spirit Of Youth, Shortsight, Rise Above, ... the H8000 Crew scene.
Thanks to the friendship with Good Life Recordings, Reality Records, Sober Mind Records, Genet Records, I Scream Records, ... + H8000 Crew and the complete Belgian Hardcore Scene, i had the luck and chance to be surrounded by great people. And the many amazing gigs and festivals we have/had.
I'm grateful to them. And proud to know them.
I got introduced to Straight Edge, and so 29 years later, i'm still Straight Edge.
One of the words i learn about the Hardcore scene, was the word " respect ". And, also Brain (Catharsis) told me "stay wide-open-minded".
I didn't only go to Hardcore / Straight Edge shows, or Metal / Punk / Oi / Grindcore / Crust / ... gigs. I went also to House / Techno party's, listen to other gengres of music. Those who knew i was Straight Edge, always respected me for this. Some, in the Hardcore / Straight Edge scene had issues with it.
Also, i got luck to life near Vort'n Vis in Ieper (Hardcore Ieper Fest) ... and i helped to run the bar as volunteer. And, some Straight Edge'rs had issue that i was serving beer to others. But, those Straight's forgot, thanks to those who order beer, they helped to pay the rent for rehearsel rooms, and for the gigs at the venue.
I never had issues with someone who isn't into Straight Edge, or quit the Straight Edge ... because, i choose friends for who they are, not what they are. Isn't this the spirit of Hardcore / Straight Edge way of life.
Next to Straight Edge, i'm also Vegetarian, just Vegetarian not a Vegan.
Just like be Straight Edge, be Vegetarian or Vegan or Fruitope or ... is a personal choice.
Some Straight's had also issue, when i went out eating with (example) Sientje (D.S.A., Retaliate, Deconsecrate) and he ate a Bicky Burger (meat) ... they complained, you sit next someone who is eating meat. I never forced Sientje to eat meat, and so long he enjoys it. Who am i to complain. He respect my choice, and i respect his. Okay, it happen that we tease eachother with the line "my food shit on your food" and i answer "your food eat that shit".
In May 2000, i started to struggle with my health, chronical leukemia + complications. I stayed Straight Edge and Vegetarian ... and it's that to that way of life, i'm still around. The professor who threats me, told me this. Today, i have still issues with my health, i will never heal, list of complications is still growing.
I could not longer go to gigs, and i missing this a lot.
From May 2000 until mid 2007, spended more time in a hospital bed, than in my bed at home. Because, i could not longer go to gigs, i was looking for an alternative, and found one. I became a member of Rebel Legion (Star Wars costuming club). And, at conventions ... i see everyone from the Hardcore scene. Even, a lot Straight Edge'rs are also member of Rebel Legion and the 501st Legion. I even meeted Jerry (The Misfits) at one of the conventions, he and The Misfits had a booth next our club booth.
Positive Mental Attitude (Bad Brains)
I'm still Straight Edge, i still believe in the spirit of Hardcore / Straight Edge way of life - friendship / loyalty / commitment / unity / positive / respect + Straight Edge.
It fits for me, it works for me ... am i better, not at all.
But, i am happy each day i wake up, i say i'm still alive.
And, when i go to bed, i say this was another day i survived.
This is my Straight Edge story in short ...
Best of luck to you
To answer your question, yes the “random straight edge person swinging on cigarette kid” has def happened in my experience. It was at a Casey Jones show.
Yeah, I'm not even into the scene, but I know people who were and that type of shit happens in all realms of hardcore for various reasons. Sad but true.
Oh dang, a smoker came to see a band that sang about how much they hate smoking and got beat up? Weird how that works
Damn thats a whole new level of lame
Casey Jones are some crucial dudes
@@XcrucialtoosX its shitty, I was never an edger, I drink, smoke and do drugs. as a kid I had friends that turned edge and we stayed friends.
If a band I like came to my town now, I might attend, Im still gonna smoke. still gonna have a drink, I might be high. But
I don't have a punchable face. So it's more a praying on the weak type sitch
long story short, fuck those people
about the true til 21 thing, actually same. I never got into the music, but i used Christian sxe as an excuse to not do drugs or smoke or drink in high school and middle school, and mostly cause of my mom and her ex husbands who were all smoking and drinking til i was 13 or 14.
late last year, I tried alcohol for the first time and found out i liked some things and didnt like other things and the whole world doesn't collapse when you have one drink.
that's not to say I wanna become a drinker, but i realized that if im out with friends, it's alright for me to partake with them in an effort to not be judgemental. and with that there is the journey of finding 'my drink', which i took too zealously (the same way I did with coffee years ago.)
I'm a bit of a foodie, so the 'favorite thing on the menu' aspect of alcohol appealed to me. My mom is on my case so I'm gonna make sure I don't start drinking regularly, but I just think it's funny how similar your story is to mine. Love you, Finn!
I got into straight edge through stick to your guns. I also knew other bands like the ghost inside, counterparts, old wounds, year of the knife, one step closer, inclination, and god's hate. I thought about not drinking, and smoking, but i drink occasionally, but i only got drunk like 3 times, and drink like 3 beers at a time with friends. I used to smoke weed back in high school, but I stopped after my step brother was in college. I'm also 31, I'll be 32 in January.
There was a straight edge scene here in Salt Lake City when I was in my teens. I heard of several and witnessed a few fights that only occurred because of some straight edge kid picking a fight with someone they know is drunk or they saw smoking pot.
weird how many of these stories there are and how few stories of these imagined moderate straightedge kids intervening hahaha. if one used math, and facts, it might look as if the alleged moderates are a very rare breed of people who latch onto an ideology that they dont understand, and that these elitists and zealots are actually the standard, not some fluke or "some thing that sometimes happens with the extreme minority".
Same man, I remember going to the BASH with a friend who smoked and some straight edge kids tried picking a fight with him for about 5 minutes. They finally left when they realized we weren't going to fall for their bait and laughed as they walked off.
@@rowdyjohnson6026 If you don't use drugs for personal reasons you are just sober, or abstinent. If you're straight edge you are trying to fit in to a scene or hang with a specific crowd and being sober is one of the criteria. I know plenty of sober people, I live in Utah. From my experience the differing factor is the violence.
The crew was called the "414 Crew" they were there and here in Arizona. Notorious for just being shitty. One of them slapped a cig out my hand and pushed me after my band played a show while I was putting my guitar away in my trailer. Shitty part was, he was originally coming over to congratulate me on the show and that he loved our music. Then snapped when he saw me light up a smoke. They are not allowed to come into many venues here in AZ. Mainly in the Tempe/Phoenix area. Some of them would literally just go to shows, to pick fights. Specifically when bands that had a history of partying hard we're playing.
And they felt tough for sucker punching a drunk guy ... I hated those guys
When you talked about "future junkies" it hit me so hard. I've never been edge at all, but I've been (well still am) an addict and after one opiate addiction I got so into keeping up with my health. Then, a month later I relapsed. I also got into religion coming out of another addiction. That fell through fast. What you said about jumping between extremes is true.
I actually did have a friend who was into punk a few years back and drank heavily and smoked. He decided he was straight edge one day and we were all like "what? Oh... Well good job." It lasted 3 days lol.
In my late 40s, I was in a hardcore band in the late 90s in Cincy an yea I saw many straight edgers beat people up for smoking…several times..Was about 96 and Earth Crisis which I loved Breed the Killers tour an VOD was on the bill..VOD had some ozzfest success from their first album an when they did the tour with earth crisis, was a lot of ozzfest kids there smoking was still allowed in thr venues back then, I saw with my own eyes 👀, them beat anyone up for smoking or a beer in their hand…Cincy hardcore scene was small but very good, but that was only type of shit I didn’t like about it…I saw many church shows with XDiscpleX, Shockwave, snapcase etc…was great times..great video man, I’m always watching…thanks
"whats wrong with the youth of today?"
"ray cappo wont shutup and play"
Capt America meme here
He told everyone to sit down...
Went into this long-ass story, then proceeded to scream
"TAKE A STAND!"
Jim Winters 😂
...but didn’t the speeches start with Zack De La Rocha?!
@@nachshonrorick
Uh... This was in 1987
@@jimwinters3986 Ha - that really happened! I guess Ray of Today was the OG speech-giver. 👍
"You're not one of those weird straight edge people are you?"- Blake, workaholics
Most punks I hung out with in the eighties did drugs, so I could hardly think of myself as being part of a "movement" or culture. Someone would offer me some intoxicant, I'd say, "No thanks." They'd say, "Oh, you're straight edge? That's cool." I'd nod, and that was pretty much the extent of it. Granted, I was a big Minor Threat fan, but I never felt the urge to emblazon "straight edge" across the back of my leather. I thought of myself as straight edge, but it felt more like an individual choice to use common sense than membership in a strict fraternal order.