I always respected Ian and his "personal freedom above all" attitude. And I'm a guy who likes to smoke his joints. When Ian wrote "Straight Edge" it was a response to the stupid notion that you can't be hardcore without consuming drugs. Straight Edge is about self-empowerment and the right to renounce. It was never about imposing shit on others. Militant Straight-Edge kids are sheep. Fuck group mentality!
Ian is awesome. Growing up I was straight edge n didn't know it.. I just didn't need drugs n booze to have a good time it took forever for me to even like the taste of alcohol.. Years later I just do shit in moderation and respect anyone who has the discipline to avoid excess.
As someone who claimed straight edge for a number of years, I will with absolute certainty say that it has bred a sizable culture of violence. I remember seeing Terror (along with Kids Like Us, Nasty Crew and Call To Preserve) in Jacksonville, Florida, at Fuel Coffeehouse, and I saw one kid get the absolute shit kicked out of him for smoking a cigarette. Just because of one vice that that kid has. I don't see anyone beating the shit out of the bros from Terror for eating a goddamn cheeseburger at McDonalds. It just seems so counterintuitive.
That's the dumbest fucking thing I've ever heard. I've never witnessed anything like that firsthand, thank Christ. What a stupid cause. "Fuck Making Your Own Decisions!" Yeah, who couldn't get behind that. That's truly wild, man.
William Bagley I know exactly what you mean. I grew up in Utah and it's turned into a gang there. In high school I had friends hospitalized by these thugs all because they smoke weed. Funny thing is nearly zero percent have ever even heard the song let alone listen to punk.
Something that a lot of people tend to forget these days ist that straight edge is something you do for yourself! Am I straight edge? No, im growing into it. For me it is about living conscious, beeing aware of the moment and myself. Dont waste yourself. The day I become straight edge I will wear the X to show my commitment because is is something to be proud of, something that is not easy, but hard. But I will do it for myself.
Ian, you are an inspiration! I've listened to your music for years; and it never get's old. You inspire me to seek recovery and happiness. One day I will be Straight Edge!
the reason youd get asked that so much is probably cause like 90 % of edgers do it for the ego trip and then when "high school trends" are over they dont really care and give it up
I always loved tons of straight edge and vegan hardcore bands growing up. I drank smoked and did drugs back then. I would never do it at any of those shows out of respect. If I wanted to smoke a joint I would walk down the block. To me it was just being respectful of the environment I was in. The only people I ever saw get messed with were people who blatantly disrespected people or were trolling trying to get a rise out of people. If people smoked a cigarette someone would just usually nicely ask them to move down the street. If people had some “don’t tell me what to do” attitude it could escalate. In my mind it was just all about knowing where you were at and respecting the culture.
Yeah I've always thought that. I'm the same, don't smoke, don't drink, don't do drugs, but I don't go around shouting about it. I literally couldn't give a shit, it's not a big deal to me. I'm simply happy not doing those things. Don't know why people have to make a cult out of it.
People always feel an inherent need to belong to something. It makes us feel safe when we are a part of a group. There is a feeling of pride or even purpose for some if that group is paired with their values or some sort of moral agenda. The gatekeeping comes in when people in that group want to protect it from being diluted by people who don't represent those values enough in their eyes.
Anyone who uses violence or actually believes that violence can change the beliefs of others doesn't understand what straight edge was about in the first place: an individual's choice to maintain their ability to control their actions instead of allowing substances to interfere with that process. Ian MacKaye is an inspiration to us all.
ian is a genius and changed all of our lives whether we know it or not. his attitude about how art relates to inner city political termoil and strife, has been long suggested, tho as time goes on this attitude comes across as more and more miopic. i know ian started a movement, an indinviduals first movement, but that is not to say everyone is in a position to make a good choice. Art mimicks reality like a feedback loop, however to blame the art for the reality is a sad and common accusation. Love to hear this mans thoughts on everything
I don't care about this. I still love Mackye's work, I am still Straight Edge, and I still think Edge is a good thing. Of course it's unfortunate that some used it as an excuse to hurt people. But that is what people do. Simply being clean doesn't automatically out you above the herd.
@LeviAAA I know what your saying. This man's ideas are very important to me. I lived with a total addict on a council estate and watched people ruin their lives. Getting off your head is an escape. It's not helping anyone make their lives better. Alcohol and bad food are shoved down our throats as a treat we deserve, it harms us and our lives. I had heard of Fugazi and straight edge but I had to live a little to follow the rules.Love the rules, hate the bullshit!
This guy is brilliant but anyone who is so easily motivated to murder that they hear it in a song and go do it would of eventually found some other means to motivate them to do so. He said that this isn't a movie. True. But music is an art form just like movies. Is stephen king responsible if someone who reads his material becomes a creative killer? I don't think so.
Flynn Ryan causing someone to shoot someone in the face and providing an environment for it to seem normal are pretty different but people get it twisted a lot. Someone who wouldn’t normally shoot someone probably still wouldn’t after hearing it, but if someone was raised in a certain environment and they hear it it could totally push them over
Any time I ever feel down about the world and my faith in the future of humanity starts to diminish I just remind myself that Ian's a father now and the world's going to be ok haha.
he never claimed the title of straight edge he just lived drug free. because when he made up the straight edge, he didnt make it as a title. he made it as a way of living.
Very well stated, straight from the horses mouth so to speak. and when I talk to ppl about it myself, I often quote what Captain Barbados(from POTC) had to say about the Pirates Code "It's more like guidelines, than actual rules" in which these are individual guidelines, or should be anyways.
@sXeHCdrummer I didn't mean to say "it's wrong" I was just saying I hate when people try to make it a symbol for something else. Or, don't know what, "X's" mean you know?
@thegrandjew Not really, its mostly about an Occupy camp in my hometown. There is a blog on booze that took me ages and I would like people to read. I don't want to turn the world Straight Edge
WHAT THE HELL. I was responding to your post saying "it didn't always use to be violent" which is simply not true. NOT talking about now, I leave it to americans to care about their scene of today.
If you live in a community that is already saturated with gang violence, then music could have a large impact in you joining in that violence. Watch some documentaries on the Chicago and Atlanta scenes. I love music like that, but me not being directly surrounded by that culture of course I am not going to kill someone. Someone who lives in it everyday could be easily motivated.
Blake Wurtzler True, but this doesn't explain the surge in gang violence associated with straight edge in middle to upper middle class areas of Utah. There is a really bad problem with militant straight edge groups cause a great deal of harm to people who are not affiliated with gangs, but don't conform to the "straight edge" way of life.
@catholicgirlmustache I went straight edge because of real life, not just because of the movement. I gave up refined sugar because I was using it like a drug. Being strict on myself means I look at the world differently. I researched the subject before giving it up, Like the man says, don't follow him think for yourself! I have done drugs and life is as good without them. Maybe if I hadn't I wouldn't feel so strongly!
straight edge or jump off the ledge... as i always say. caffeine is a drug though. if you wanna get technical about it... if not we wont get technical about it.
@elementskaterxl Not doing drugs has nothing to do with christianity and it was never billed in that way. "And where does that get you" I know that's not a question, but it's just a personal choice. Most people who don't do do drugs don't even make a deal out of it or called themselves straight edge.
to all of the 'straight edge' kids. Look, I appreaciate your lack of harming your bodies. just dont make it a label and subscribe to it. Just be the guy/girl who doesnt shoot up, doesnt smoke pot or crack, and doesnt get wasted on a daily basis. Be that, not some sxe kid...
There was always the violence that comes with youth culture, there are stories about Henry Garfield (before he was Rollins) having his friend stopping him from beating up drunk people. Obviously doesn't count for it as a violent movement thogh.
agree. i'm straight edge, but i could not give a fuck what the guy next to me does. i have friends who drink and smoke and do drugs but i don;t care, because its my own thing. i also refuse to draw x's on my hands or anything like that because i don't need to prove my shit to anyone else.
Interesting guy. Can't say I agree with him on singing about subjects that are violent or even celebrate violence. Art should never be constrained by the same code as life. That said. I would have trouble sleeping that night if I felt I influenced people to do bad things.
@deathbypowerglove what's wrong with wearing X's on your hands ? Religious people express their faith with symbols, why can't we ? (not that I'm calling sXe a religion, but still.) As long as I don't shove it down other people's throats I don't see anyhting wrong.
I knew Ian in 81 and experienced the inception of.DC hardcore. Ian is genuine and refused to follow the path of opportunistic pompous types like Brian Baker.
I think people do it just to feel accepted especially in the scene considering how many drugs are in it, its a little ackward regardless of if you have the "who cares" attitude being at a show where everyone is shit faced and your just there for the music. Most of my friends like to get drunk and high at shows, but i just dont care to, i think some do it for fun others to be accepted because its a socially accepted thing "social drinker" but thats with alot of things, all depends on who you are
@thegrandjew I don't think making drugs illegal helps. How many people would bother doing crack if it was legal tomorrow who wouldn't do it anyway? Most people do drugs to escape or be one of the crowd,then often become addicts. The addicts are victims too. Ancient people did drugs in a different context and with respect. Make conditions where people have more respect for themselves and others and people may stop poisoning themselves. The drug laws are a chaotic joke.
How far would you take not taking prescription drugs? I avoid anti depressants but I have children so if I couldn't look after them I feel I would have to. The same would go for a physical illness. I have made my own edge that suits me but there is only so far I can take it. Never having sex would be hard but I went clubbing and got all sorts of offers. I was proud to turn them down. If somebody sticks around I will think about it.
It techniqually makes them humans, with a lifestyle choice. Labels segregate. Fuck them. Live your life the way you want to and not the way you think you should. Peace.
I always respected Ian and his "personal freedom above all" attitude.
And I'm a guy who likes to smoke his joints. When Ian wrote "Straight Edge" it was a response to the stupid notion that you can't be hardcore without consuming drugs. Straight Edge is about self-empowerment and the right to renounce. It was never about imposing shit on others.
Militant Straight-Edge kids are sheep. Fuck group mentality!
Nothings punk about “imposing shit on other people” so “Straight-Edge Militants” are fraud punks.
A lot of straight edge people need to listen to this
I'm about to drive to DC to fix his hoodie strings.
I'll go with you to unwrinkle that tea cosy.
I read your comment about 30 seconds into the clip and now those uneven strings are all I can see.
Do the washing more, and you'll become the very thing you hate ;p
@@rjwusher I’ll go with you guys to take that beanie off his head
Is he throwing shade at Lou Reed when he said "at least I didn't write Heroin" lol
He is nowhere near the almighty Lou reed in terms of music or general punk rock attitude. Ian is a selfish pompous asshole
@@thdgcfx stank
@@thdgcfx Just no, dumb claims, weird opinion. You do you I guess
Velvet underground is definitely one of the best bands of all time, but yeah… fuck Lou reed
@@thdgcfx selfish pompous asshole almost perfectly describe Lou Reed, throw an 'overrated' in there and I think you might be set.
He literally wrote the song in 1980 to a small scene of like 30-40 people, all of which he knew. How was he to know folks would take it so damn far?
Ian is awesome. Growing up I was straight edge n didn't know it.. I just didn't need drugs n booze to have a good time it took forever for me to even like the taste of alcohol.. Years later I just do shit in moderation and respect anyone who has the discipline to avoid excess.
As someone who claimed straight edge for a number of years, I will with absolute certainty say that it has bred a sizable culture of violence. I remember seeing Terror (along with Kids Like Us, Nasty Crew and Call To Preserve) in Jacksonville, Florida, at Fuel Coffeehouse, and I saw one kid get the absolute shit kicked out of him for smoking a cigarette. Just because of one vice that that kid has. I don't see anyone beating the shit out of the bros from Terror for eating a goddamn cheeseburger at McDonalds. It just seems so counterintuitive.
That's the dumbest fucking thing I've ever heard. I've never witnessed anything like that firsthand, thank Christ.
What a stupid cause. "Fuck Making Your Own Decisions!" Yeah, who couldn't get behind that.
That's truly wild, man.
William Bagley I know exactly what you mean. I grew up in Utah and it's turned into a gang there. In high school I had friends hospitalized by these thugs all because they smoke weed. Funny thing is nearly zero percent have ever even heard the song let alone listen to punk.
You also don't see those bros coming after Scott Vogel for being a pothead. But hey, what do I know? 🤷
@@jrmwigga5555 Is he?! Where did you hear this?! That would crush these losers lol 🤣
His skin looks great.
they say dudes cool down with age but I love that MacKaye is still ornery asf
Something that a lot of people tend to forget these days ist that straight edge is something you do for yourself! Am I straight edge? No, im growing into it.
For me it is about living conscious, beeing aware of the moment and myself. Dont waste yourself.
The day I become straight edge I will wear the X to show my commitment because is is something to be proud of, something that is not easy, but hard. But I will do it for myself.
Ian Mackaye puts a smile on my face.
ian mackaye is a fucking badass
Ian, you are an inspiration! I've listened to your music for years; and it never get's old. You inspire me to seek recovery and happiness. One day I will be Straight Edge!
loads and loads and loads of respect for that man.
the reason youd get asked that so much is probably cause like 90 % of edgers do it for the ego trip and then when "high school trends" are over they dont really care and give it up
Yep. Lol. Great comment!
great guy, so down to earth, so right in the head
I always loved tons of straight edge and vegan hardcore bands growing up. I drank smoked and did drugs back then. I would never do it at any of those shows out of respect. If I wanted to smoke a joint I would walk down the block. To me it was just being respectful of the environment I was in. The only people I ever saw get messed with were people who blatantly disrespected people or were trolling trying to get a rise out of people. If people smoked a cigarette someone would just usually nicely ask them to move down the street. If people had some “don’t tell me what to do” attitude it could escalate. In my mind it was just all about knowing where you were at and respecting the culture.
movements are systems and systems kill
crass
DJonrustnv Crass is gay.
Crass are not straight edge Steve Ignorant goes to the pub and drinks alcohol.
@@user-gw8xv6qg4v Crass was quite before “straight-edge”
Yeah I've always thought that. I'm the same, don't smoke, don't drink, don't do drugs, but I don't go around shouting about it. I literally couldn't give a shit, it's not a big deal to me. I'm simply happy not doing those things. Don't know why people have to make a cult out of it.
People always feel an inherent need to belong to something. It makes us feel safe when we are a part of a group. There is a feeling of pride or even purpose for some if that group is paired with their values or some sort of moral agenda. The gatekeeping comes in when people in that group want to protect it from being diluted by people who don't represent those values enough in their eyes.
I was poppin pills on the highway
If I'm gonna do it, then I'm doin' it my way
J told me im a threat
Great speech, great person, true hardcore.
Thanks Ian.
(lol) Probably his best and funniest interview. Stay straight edge Ian, don't lose it man!
Anyone who uses violence or actually believes that violence can change the beliefs of others doesn't understand what straight edge was about in the first place: an individual's choice to maintain their ability to control their actions instead of allowing substances to interfere with that process. Ian MacKaye is an inspiration to us all.
I love ians honesty
"Oh tell your friend FUCK YOU" hahaha Ian's the man, live your life the way you want it
Damn this really still applies to everything to this day.
ian is a genius and changed all of our lives whether we know it or not.
his attitude about how art relates to inner city political termoil and strife, has been long suggested, tho as time goes on this attitude comes across as more and more miopic.
i know ian started a movement, an indinviduals first movement, but that is not to say everyone is in a position to make a good choice. Art mimicks reality like a feedback loop, however to blame the art for the reality is a sad and common accusation.
Love to hear this mans thoughts on everything
"oh, tell your friend...FUCK YOU." lol'd
the more i look at ian mackaye the more i see robert duvall...
>i....am OVERPOWERED...with how ABSOLUTELY great..."these words"...make me feel....thank you Ian MacKaye...!@!
Ian is a very nice guy, ive met him at one of his spoken words.
More relevant now than ever
Ian told me the exact same thing while sitting on a sofa at Dischord House in 82.
how did you end up there?
He says that he doesn't associate himself with Straight Edge.
I don't care about this. I still love Mackye's work, I am still Straight Edge, and I still think Edge is a good thing. Of course it's unfortunate that some used it as an excuse to hurt people. But that is what people do. Simply being clean doesn't automatically out you above the herd.
@LeviAAA I know what your saying. This man's ideas are very important to me. I lived with a total addict on a council estate and watched people ruin their lives. Getting off your head is an escape. It's not helping anyone make their lives better. Alcohol and bad food are shoved down our throats as a treat we deserve, it harms us and our lives. I had heard of Fugazi and straight edge but I had to live a little to follow the rules.Love the rules, hate the bullshit!
This guy is brilliant but anyone who is so easily motivated to murder that they hear it in a song and go do it would of eventually found some other means to motivate them to do so. He said that this isn't a movie. True. But music is an art form just like movies. Is stephen king responsible if someone who reads his material becomes a creative killer? I don't think so.
Flynn Ryan causing someone to shoot someone in the face and providing an environment for it to seem normal are pretty different but people get it twisted a lot. Someone who wouldn’t normally shoot someone probably still wouldn’t after hearing it, but if someone was raised in a certain environment and they hear it it could totally push them over
Reality genuflects to narrativity only so much.
Any time I ever feel down about the world and my faith in the future of humanity starts to diminish I just remind myself that Ian's a father now and the world's going to be ok haha.
he never claimed the title of straight edge he just lived drug free. because when he made up the straight edge, he didnt make it as a title. he made it as a way of living.
Better to do iced tea than crack! My daughter jokes when they offer me a cup of tea in the old peoples home I'll accuse them of being drug dealers.
Thank you
ian has beautiful blue eyes
Great to hear this
LOVE YOU
I'm straight Edge and I agree with Ian
i like his mug
i completly agree with all this, funny cause im watchin a marathon of Gangland right now.
Funny because FSU is a straight edge gang in the philly hardcore scene
quote
Well said man.
Ian was in a band called Pailhead best ever but uncle Al got him to drink beer so he has had beer before so think about that for that movment???
Very well stated, straight from the horses mouth so to speak.
and when I talk to ppl about it myself, I often quote what Captain Barbados(from POTC) had to say about the Pirates Code "It's more like guidelines, than actual rules" in which these are individual guidelines, or should be anyways.
@sXeHCdrummer I didn't mean to say "it's wrong" I was just saying I hate when people try to make it a symbol for something else. Or, don't know what, "X's" mean you know?
@moshxking This moshxking was probably not even born when "Breakdown the walls" came out...never mind Minor Threat or SSD
"his really clever"
Yes, he is.
Yup.
Why do ppl care so much what other ppl put in their bodies
Sugar is a drug. No more candy if you are straight edge.
Ian MacKaye this true hardcore
gotta listen to ALL the words Ian says, not just those two..
@thegrandjew Not really, its mostly about an Occupy camp in my hometown. There is a blog on booze that took me ages and I would like people to read. I don't want to turn the world Straight Edge
Ian is the best. Totally summed up group-think and the problem with today's social climate.
Yeah, smart kids.
WHAT THE HELL. I was responding to your post saying "it didn't always use to be violent" which is simply not true. NOT talking about now, I leave it to americans to care about their scene of today.
Glad you're here to remind us all of the rules.
What would we ever do without you?
@beatles61 It's good they learnt a new word.
If you live in a community that is already saturated with gang violence, then music could have a large impact in you joining in that violence. Watch some documentaries on the Chicago and Atlanta scenes. I love music like that, but me not being directly surrounded by that culture of course I am not going to kill someone. Someone who lives in it everyday could be easily motivated.
Blake Wurtzler True, but this doesn't explain the surge in gang violence associated with straight edge in middle to upper middle class areas of Utah. There is a really bad problem with militant straight edge groups cause a great deal of harm to people who are not affiliated with gangs, but don't conform to the "straight edge" way of life.
@Joncarlingdotcom I simply don't think he defines it the same as you would.
@catholicgirlmustache I went straight edge because of real life, not just because of the movement. I gave up refined sugar because I was using it like a drug. Being strict on myself means I look at the world differently. I researched the subject before giving it up, Like the man says, don't follow him think for yourself! I have done drugs and life is as good without them. Maybe if I hadn't I wouldn't feel so strongly!
Вот бы с переводом посмотреть!
straight edge or jump off the ledge... as i always say.
caffeine is a drug though. if you wanna get technical about it... if not we wont get technical about it.
@upWITpeople They're definitely not for everybody. Quit being so assumptive and generalizing about their affects. Everyone reacts to them differently.
@elementskaterxl Not doing drugs has nothing to do with christianity and it was never billed in that way. "And where does that get you" I know that's not a question, but it's just a personal choice. Most people who don't do do drugs don't even make a deal out of it or called themselves straight edge.
is he referring to heroin the velvet underground song?
I wonder how many people looked up antithesis after watching this
to all of the 'straight edge' kids. Look, I appreaciate your lack of harming your bodies. just dont make it a label and subscribe to it. Just be the guy/girl who doesnt shoot up, doesnt smoke pot or crack, and doesnt get wasted on a daily basis. Be that, not some sxe kid...
Isn't that what No Trend pointed out?
There was always the violence that comes with youth culture, there are stories about Henry Garfield (before he was Rollins) having his friend stopping him from beating up drunk people. Obviously doesn't count for it as a violent movement thogh.
he's still sober. I think he's tried to separate himself as much as possible from the "movement" of the idea.
can someone upload a torrent?
I am not into drugs, i am not into drinking and i am not into casual sex. However sometimes i am in the mood for them and i go for them.
@WorldGenocide55 Thats the exact reason I became straight edge.
@decadepasts at one of his friends wedding reception
agree. i'm straight edge, but i could not give a fuck what the guy next to me does. i have friends who drink and smoke and do drugs but i don;t care, because its my own thing. i also refuse to draw x's on my hands or anything like that because i don't need to prove my shit to anyone else.
How was this 10 years ago wtf
Interesting guy. Can't say I agree with him on singing about subjects that are violent or even celebrate violence. Art should never be constrained by the same code as life. That said. I would have trouble sleeping that night if I felt I influenced people to do bad things.
they don't think anything is real, but shit is real!
“Shit is real”
@deathbypowerglove what's wrong with wearing X's on your hands ? Religious people express their faith with symbols, why can't we ? (not that I'm calling sXe a religion, but still.)
As long as I don't shove it down other people's throats I don't see anyhting wrong.
yep, i did, twice.
I knew Ian in 81 and experienced the inception of.DC hardcore. Ian is genuine and refused to follow the path of opportunistic pompous types like Brian Baker.
PMA ALL DAY MAH FRIENDS! XXX
But is he still straightedge though
i thought ian had hair in the thumbnail lol
I think people do it just to feel accepted especially in the scene considering how many drugs are in it, its a little ackward regardless of if you have the "who cares" attitude being at a show where everyone is shit faced and your just there for the music. Most of my friends like to get drunk and high at shows, but i just dont care to, i think some do it for fun others to be accepted because its a socially accepted thing "social drinker" but thats with alot of things, all depends on who you are
Yee! Dope
@thegrandjew I don't think making drugs illegal helps. How many people would bother doing crack if it was legal tomorrow who wouldn't do it anyway? Most people do drugs to escape or be one of the crowd,then often become addicts. The addicts are victims too. Ancient people did drugs in a different context and with respect. Make conditions where people have more respect for themselves and others and people may stop poisoning themselves. The drug laws are a chaotic joke.
How far would you take not taking prescription drugs? I avoid anti depressants but I have children so if I couldn't look after them I feel I would have to. The same would go for a physical illness. I have made my own edge that suits me but there is only so far I can take it. Never having sex would be hard but I went clubbing and got all sorts of offers. I was proud to turn them down. If somebody sticks around I will think about it.
STRAIGHT EDGE! haha
SOCIAL ECONOMIC FACTORS
It techniqually makes them humans, with a lifestyle choice. Labels segregate. Fuck them. Live your life the way you want to and not the way you think you should. Peace.