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, 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!
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 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
@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?
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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...
@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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
@@democratictotalitariansoci1462 the experiences themselves cannot be attained sober. For some people it's an escape, for others, it's part of life. Just depends on how you look at it. Not everyone is the same and not everyone needs to try drugs, but different drugs serve different purposes and it's up to the individual to exercise control over their own actions.
It was more the early 90s-era hardcore generation with bands like Judge that I started seeing straight edge kids turn into militant hooligans beating people up. I think for the most part it was understood where Ian was coming from when Minor Threat was around, but in the 90s it turned into something very ugly.
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.
@weedsportsux Yeah, that whole thing is just stupid. As far as caffeine is concerned, it's technically classified as a drug, but realistically, you can't get high off of caffeine. Most people don't drink a soda or ice tea or whatever because they want to get a buzz from the caffeine. I consider myself straight edge, but I also think with common sense as well.
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
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!
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 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.
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.
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? 🤷
@@DingusBobingus5555 Is he?! Where did you hear this?! That would crush these losers lol 🤣
Ian Mackay and Ray Cappo have had more influence in my life than anyone else!
loads and loads and loads of respect for that man.
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?
they say dudes cool down with age but I love that MacKaye is still ornery asf
His skin looks great.
great guy, so down to earth, so right in the head
ian mackaye is a fucking badass
Great speech, great person, true hardcore.
Thanks Ian.
(lol) Probably his best and funniest interview. Stay straight edge Ian, don't lose it man!
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
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.
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!
I love ians honesty
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.
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.
@@강경화-j8s Crass was quite before “straight-edge”
Damn this really still applies to everything to this day.
>i....am OVERPOWERED...with how ABSOLUTELY great..."these words"...make me feel....thank you Ian MacKaye...!@!
"Oh tell your friend FUCK YOU" hahaha Ian's the man, live your life the way you want it
Thank you
Ian told me the exact same thing while sitting on a sofa at Dischord House in 82.
how did you end up there?
Great to hear this
More relevant now than ever
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
Ian is a very nice guy, ive met him at one of his spoken words.
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.
Well said man.
Yup.
LOVE YOU
I'm straight Edge and I agree with Ian
@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?
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.
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.
the more i look at ian mackaye the more i see robert duvall...
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.
i like his mug
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.
He says that he doesn't associate himself with Straight Edge.
@Joncarlingdotcom I simply don't think he defines it the same as you would.
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
Ian is the best. Totally summed up group-think and the problem with today's social climate.
ian has beautiful blue eyes
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???
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.
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...
is he referring to heroin the velvet underground song?
@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.
Вот бы с переводом посмотреть!
@moshxking This moshxking was probably not even born when "Breakdown the walls" came out...never mind Minor Threat or SSD
In 2021 that's all people do too damn 0:32 0:32
Ian MacKaye this true hardcore
Glad you're here to remind us all of the rules.
What would we ever do without you?
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.
Isn't that what No Trend pointed out?
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.
But is he still straightedge though
can someone upload a torrent?
Yee! Dope
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.
How was this 10 years ago wtf
Yeah, smart kids.
I wonder how many people looked up antithesis after watching this
"his really clever"
Yes, he is.
PMA ALL DAY MAH FRIENDS! XXX
@WorldGenocide55 Thats the exact reason I became straight edge.
yep, i did, twice.
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
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.
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.
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.
@decadepasts at one of his friends wedding reception
Hi
he's still sober. I think he's tried to separate himself as much as possible from the "movement" of the idea.
gotta listen to ALL the words Ian says, not just those two..
i thought ian had hair in the thumbnail lol
being sober is the best drug ever.
weed and lsd are both fantastic drugs
@@stale_. Yes they are good while you're high, but reality sucks when you don't have drugs.
@@democratictotalitariansoci1462 reality doesn't have to suck if you decided to look at things differently.
@@stale_. then why you need drugs, if not to escape reality?
@@democratictotalitariansoci1462 the experiences themselves cannot be attained sober. For some people it's an escape, for others, it's part of life. Just depends on how you look at it. Not everyone is the same and not everyone needs to try drugs, but different drugs serve different purposes and it's up to the individual to exercise control over their own actions.
Why do ppl care so much what other ppl put in their bodies
STRAIGHT EDGE! haha
@LiberlismIsALie Pics or it didn't happen
@rudypeni Proof?
they don't think anything is real, but shit is real!
It was more the early 90s-era hardcore generation with bands like Judge that I started seeing straight edge kids turn into militant hooligans beating people up. I think for the most part it was understood where Ian was coming from when Minor Threat was around, but in the 90s it turned into something very ugly.
Im straight edge.hahahahaha xD
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.
So wait... Is he still straight edge?
@LiberlismIsALie And you know this how?
@weedsportsux Yeah, that whole thing is just stupid. As far as caffeine is concerned, it's technically classified as a drug, but realistically, you can't get high off of caffeine. Most people don't drink a soda or ice tea or whatever because they want to get a buzz from the caffeine. I consider myself straight edge, but I also think with common sense as well.
@circleonejunkie hahahaha...win!
“Shit is real”