Ian MacKaye talks about Minor Threat's song Straight-Edge and the movement it inspired.

[@LaurensMusicBox14]

I really wish the sound quality was better on this.

[@mattcalza4199]

RIGHT!?!!

[@bloodaonadeline8346]

I can barely understand what he’s saying

[@skettisauce4651]

some subtitles would be nice

[@michaelcolello2735]

I was cast as an extra in a Hollywood film several years ago. Casting guy said he chose me because 'you wear your hat like Ian MacKaye.' Fair enough.

[@r.m.2598]

What film?

[@michaelcolello2735]

The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Long Island, NY. 2003.

[@bear5945]

@@michaelcolello2735 now THAT is a fuckin conversation starter

[@ari-pma]

@@michaelcolello2735 i love that movie. Which one is you

[@michaelcolello2735]

@@ari-pma Beach flashback scene. Didn't make it to the screen, tho.

[@loudmuch]

I don't feel as alone after hearing this man talk, I've watched a few of his interviews now. Thank you for posting.

[@Absorbvids]

I'm so thankful for having Ian as an influence growing up.

[@1afterthep]

I am straight edge and share a flat with two drug addicts. I spend most of my money on road cycling and mountain Biking, they spend theirs on drugs and partying. Let everybody live their lives!!!!

[@KingCrimson82]

stop pretending to be a hero because you use the technique of "anti examples" to thrust your head out of temptation.

[@gutwounds]

Darth Fader how is he in any way portraying something heroic? Go cry bitch

[@Scream77541]

Why don't you try and help your roommates become sober?

[@1afterthep]

@@Scream77541 They can only help themselves. Sadly one of them died last year. One is doing therapy now, I hope he pulls through.

[@Scream77541]

@@1afterthep I'm sorry to hear that.

[@voiceofalpha3876]

I dont see why you argue about it people. The idea of straight edge is not the same for every person, some count caffeine some dont, some people still take perscriptions its about what they believe straight edge is. Ive taken up Straight Edge for 3 years now and it doesnt make me a monster. I choose it because its how i want to live, dont argue

[@Astromyxin]

Yes, I'll argue. You're missing out willingly on pieces of life that are great. You're not a monster, but you might as well be religious.

[@i1730]

I've never been jealous of a druggies life. I know a lot of alcoholics and they'are all retarded losers. I prefer a clear mind, thanks. :)

[@263malice]

It’s not missing out if you don’t want it. Why don’t people acknowledge that? I got through college without any coffee, alcohol, drugs, or marijuana. I live in Sacramento, California and people gave me shit for it.

[@mattcalza4199]

@@263malice tell me: how many years in prison for being straight edge?

[@vanjabulajic1573]

@@mattcalza4199 Lifetime

[@MisfitJ74]

Me and my friends loved Fugazi back in the 90's. We drank, smoked cigarettes, most smoked weed. We did not agree with his on stage preaching but now that im older, wiser, have found myself more in tune with the straightedge lifestyle than the get drunk, say fuck it, punk ethos we subscribed to back then.

[@misterspikex]

It's funny, his comment about getting beer for his dad made him think, as a kid, that he would have to drink it when he was an adult. "Adult soda." I remember thinking/feeling exactly the same way when I was a kid and my dad sent me to the kitchen for a can of Schlitz.

[@johnnyscifi]

Same...

[@JimmyJaxJellyStax]

Same here, so deeply ingrained in society

[@MicahScottPnD]

That adult soda story is hilarious! I felt the same way about shaving, people trying to grow facial hair in high school. I thought "im going to have to shave for the rest of my life, so no rush"

[@douglemmikey1082]

Why do the straight edge kids forget the lyrics to Out of Step, which essentially deals with the same subject: they killed it when they made into a scene instead of just being it: "Listen, this is no set of rules / I'm not tellin' you what to do / All i'm saying is i'm bringing up / Three things that, are like, so important to the world / I don't find much ... these things / whether they're fuckin' etc.

[@DemonDog444]

I LOVE Minor Threat. I also love cannabis. Every straight edge kid/adult I've encountered since the late 80's has been a sanctimonious maroon. Ian may be the exception.

[@tsdmft6638]

The ones that are loud about it is the ones that are insecure. Seen it both in punks who drink and try to convince me that I am no better than them which is true. Not drinking doesn't make me better but when you start getting in my face I will tell you that I am better because im not insecure about not drinking like he is about drinking. Same thing with SE kids who try to convince people they shouldn't drink or get aggressive you are not better you just made a choice. We are all punks and should act together against something not again each other

[@DemonDog444]

@@tsdmft6638 Agreed

[@WVMothman]

That ideology carried me through high school until I was old enough to drink, that fateful day at age 22 I had my first beer after my shift at a restaurant.

[@rosema7909]

Sellout

[@bloodaonadeline8346]

that’s what happens to most straight edge kids.

[@tsdmft6638]

@@bloodaonadeline8346 They were never straight edge they just thought it was cool and then they could get their hands on it easy

[@rjlegarte509]

Today's straight edge is close minded. It's all about not fucking up yourself. Caffeine is okay in moderation. You don't hear people get wasted on coffee.

[@mattcalza4199]

Actually, I've seen it before and it was heartbreaking. My girlfriend was bipolar and the psychosis... After she stabilizes on the meds (months!) they "let" her into a halfway house & coerce "med watch". Adding caffeinated beverages Fucks Her Up: incoherent stupor

[@bloodaonadeline8346]

To me the most fascinating thing about “straight edge” Is that the “messiah” figure responsible for its doctrine and rules is still very much alive and yet there is still lot a consensus on what it is and how to adhere to it 100%. It’s why we will never have consensus on any religions, governments, or economic systems. If Jesus returned tomorrow there are christian’s that would not believe him or what he equals about how to be a a christian

[@chrisfrancz]

But in his lyrics he was just talking about himself and how he wanted to live his own life. Other people made hard doctrines out of his lyrics.

[@ryanjacobson2508]

It seems like Ian isn't so much anti-drugs/alcohol as he is anti-addiction. He's right; addicts spend most of their life dwelling on when (and how) they can get their hands on more of what they are addicted to. It's not fun, it's not cool, it's not smart. It's just depressing after a certain point. And eventually addicts burn bridges, alienating everyone, and end up either broke, in jail, in the gutter, or dead.

[@Strapcheck]

Oh no! He took an advil! He isnt "Straight Edge" anymore!. We are all forgetting the actual meaning behind "Straight Edge".

[@113KILL5]

Why is it, when you’re around people or at work, no one is coughing or sniffling, but the moment a lecture happens, everyone is suddenly distractingly coughing every 30 seconds?

[@RyanHeinz]

Best movement ever it saved my youth

[@thejusticeization]

what does he sayafter the bad brains comment at the beginning ,something coke?

[@RyanHeinz]

@@thejusticeization I can’t exactly tell but I think he’s saying “Well I was changing the song I wrote”, the audio fades in so it’s hard to decipher

[@maxsmart9116]

​@@thejusticeization spliff doesn't rhyme with coke

[@blissfulchild101]

Always love me some Ian. :)

[@SuperDiddzz]

this man is AWESOME, thank you for extending my education Dave Ghrol.

[@loudandlive]

ROCK N ROLL !!!!

[@brucewilliams2106]

A lot of the DC punks were kids from broken families and serious alcohol abusers. I saw the whole scene develop from the first Teen Idle shows at DC space, 930 and the wilson center. At the time, we made fun of the straight edge punks, but as an adult I realize how much more mature they were than the rest of us. Lots of the punks never made it to 30.

[@natemarchesi3472]

I'm not straight edge but I fucking love minor threat

[@thejusticeization]

what does he say after the bad brains thing?

[@nerevarindoril3773]

Since English is not my first language, I find it impossible to understand what he's saying here, considering the awful video quality... Anyone so kind to be willing to summarize this speech for those like me?

[@AnonymousAccount514]

no microphones?

[@isadoralima2980]

sound quality is really bad here

[@kenmasters831]

im drinking a negra modelo and chopping a line while watching this but i still love minor threat :) yeeeeeee

[@routinelyrandom9409]

Drugs and/or sugar can quickly lead to binge use, cravings, withdrawals, and addiction. The biological, psychological, and behavioral outcomes of drugs and/or sugar can lower your quality of life drastically

[@willdakill71]

Do you have a room for rank?

[@moomoochacoo]

my friend told me i was straight edge and i didn't know what the fuck he was talking about when he said it. I just though...err knew that i was odd. I dont drink, smoke, or have sex but that doesn't make me straight edge right? I hate how some one can put me in some fucking category like that. Now everyone says im straight edge, maybe i should give in. I just thought my horn toots at a different frequency...if that makes any sense. what ever.

[@asiankaos88]

Don't claim edge if you don't want to. That simple. people who claim edge do so because they can relate to it. If you just don't like being drunk or high that's great but you don't have to x up or anything like that. SxE is not for everybody which is fine. Live your life how you want fuck everybody else.

[@johnnyscifi]

Another term for someone that doesnt drink is teetotal...:) Its much older

[@lindsyhautekeete1410]

+BallzBallz just be who you are dude don't become something because people tell you you are. it's not because you want to live your life without drinking, smoking or sex that this means you have to become straight edge. your just you.

[@danielc9320]

BallzBallz if you listen to hardcore, then yeah ur XSTRAIGHT EDGEX

[@RobinQ17]

Be smart people. Straight Edge is living drug-free, alcohol-free, tobacco-free and not having random "hook-up" sex with strangers. I love it xXx

[@johnnyscifi]

Yea, sex with strangers is overrated...

[@MonstaMash]

Let me just say that in our Straight Edge movement, we only believe in not pressuring someone into sex or being a ruthless home wrecker but we are not priests or nuns. Have sex with whoever you want, just don't be a dick. Shit, life is too short. If you don't drink, or do drugs or smoke cigarettes you gotta do something for fun xXx I also eat meat and pussy

[@hahasimp]

So basically Rebels hiding under the shadows of Conformity. Okay.

[@Astromyxin]

That sounds gay as shit.

[@muzmurder3]

also. you don't need to vegan to be straight edge.

[@jallen3404]

Buy "Throwaway Kids". It's a fiction book about Edge, awesome

[@white6delta]

couldnt spring a few bucks for a proper mic?

[@dr.awkward9075]

The lesson is America devolved to the point where you had to join a quasi gang if you were a teenager who DIDN'T want to get high.

[@niteshades_promise]

i cover it, "im not straight edge!" 🍻

[@TheAspectZ]

straight edge has nothing to do with drinking tea.... lmfao

[@MrRobinJerome]

English is not my native language, so this sound qualitiy prevent my grasp

[@QuilavaKing]

Very first sentence from wikipedia page about caffeine: "Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid and a stimulant drug."

[@PtyYouTube]

The sound could be better. Taking into consideration that Ian Makaye s voice is not the clearest sounding.

[@WolfeVon]

You must not be a Descendents fan. ;)

[@xavierwashington5408]

I wanna claim to be straight edge, but before I do, i need to know, is vaping with 0% nicotine, still straight edge? Its not a drug, so does it count

[@Stuntman87]

You dont need labels dude do you, enjoy life have fun dont need to label to fit in.

[@getyoucrayon13]

I know I'm late but no, vaping isn't straight edge.

[@stayfreshvandalz]

To be fair he never was straight edge. Like he just accidentally coined a term as you heard.

[@Johnponchak]

thats not even true. he doesnt associate with the sxe scene but he is still edge

[@awrogers3013]

Made a big deal out of nothing really

[@BadBoyClub]

I can't decide if he's Beavis or Butthead, like.

[@redshaftedflicker]

Ted Nugent is straight edge!!!!!!! Fuck yeah!!!!!!

[@commbir5148]

Fuck Ted Nugent and his ethnofascist ass.

[@JacketsOnFire]

@@commbir5148 if it wasn’t for him you wouldn’t have the straight edge movement, period. Rollins and Mackaye stated that he was the inspiration behind straight edge because he was the only musician at the time that was a vocal advocate against drugs and alcohol. You can have a difference of opinion but people today have such little gratitude I swear.

[@commbir5148]

​@@JacketsOnFire Gratitude? That's a hoot. You think Ted Nugent came up with the idea of abstaining from mind altering substances? Is that really the hill you're dying on here? How absolutely up your own ass do you have to be to believe such a thing. Even if that raging pimple on the ass cheek of humanity did come up with the idea of not doing drugs--which again, he absolutely didn't--that wouldn't buy one iota of fucking respect from me given all the other things he advocates.

[@Inconsiderales]

This guy needs to smoke a joint

[@petersenoah]

He was never Straight Edge. He just used it. Whoever the first person was that was like "Yeah! I'm Straight Edge too!" was actually the first one. Ian MacKaye drinks tea (containing caffeine) because with his older age, and still playing shows, he needs the extra kick. As for everything else, he still is completely "Straight Edge".

[@maiamaiapapaya]

How about sugar? That's a drug that basically everyone is addicted to

[@linkessa4667]

a fucking punk talking about tea breaking the edge lmfao

[@bloodaonadeline8346]

@@maiamaiapapaya so is food. The point was not being an addict that can’t function. Sugar doesn’t make you unable to function and you need a certain amount to live.

[@GardenerEarthGuy]

Most straight edge types went bald young- 😂🎉❤🎉😂

[@manlypedro75]

Inspired by JIMI HENDRIX ! of ALL people, the guy who wrote " xcuse me, while I kiss the sky..." you can't make this stuff up...

[@nittygritty7503]

i like everything thats the opposite of straight edge Reg Inald down there loves it like McDonalds

[@timothydunn8971]

IAN WAS TO YOUNG TO DRINK SO THE PERSON WROTE AN ON HIS HAND AND GAVE THE LEGAL PEOPLE WRIST BANDS TO DRINK

[@LilBitDistributist]

Says the juggalo lol.

[@nulledsession]

He isn't straight edge anymore,lol.

[@Insanenacho]

CAFFEINE ISN'T A DRUG

[@straightedgenationalist381]

Yes, it is a drug. Even if not technically, in reality works like a drug. I was addicted for a long time. It is actually strongly psycho-active. Find out when you drink many liters of coffee every single day for a month. Then stop drinking it you will know what I mean. Sugar is a drug too man. It is killing your body and brain. There is a lot of shit that people even inside SxE consider to be ok

[@levimcdaniel]

Caffeine is a bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid and a stimulant drug