The Making of OUT OF STEP by Minor Threat - featuring Ian MacKaye

In celebration of the recently unearthed OUT OF STEP Outtakes, we take a detailed look at the making of the original record. After Minor Threat formed in Washington D.C. in 1980, they began to find an audience in the American punk scene. Their first two seven-inch records contained songs written by Ian MacKaye, such as “Straight Edge” and “Out of Step,” which kickstarted the straight edge movement within punk. By 1982, guitarist Lyle Preslar had left for college and Minor Threat temporarily broke up. After speaking with H.R. of the Bad Brains, MacKaye was convinced of the impact the band was having and considered reforming. At that point, Preslar agreed to quit college and rejoin the band. Despite accusations of the band selling out by reforming, Minor Threat began playing shows in their hometown and embarked on a cross-country tour. Brian Baker decided to switch from bass to second guitar so they asked Steve Hansgen to join as the new bassist. In early 1983, they returned to Don Zientara’s Inner Ear Studio to begin recording as a five piece. OUT OF STEP was eventually released in the spring of 1983.
In this episode, Ian MacKaye describes this pivotal moment in the band’s history when they decided to reunite and change their sound by adding a fifth member. Though they faced backlash about reuniting from their hometown crowd, this fueled the next batch of songs they would write as a band. MacKaye discusses how most of his lyrics on this record reflect the gossip and backstabbing that was prevalent in their scene at the time. In addition, tension within the band was rising over MacKaye’s lyrics and their overall musical direction. The new version of the title track reflected their differences as Jeff Nelson convinced MacKaye to include a spoken word interlude that explained how the straight edge lyrics were personal to MacKaye and didn’t represent the band’s views. From Minor Threat’s first 12-inch to a joke song about selling out to recording vocals live for the first time to the benefits of an expensive strobe tuner to hearing the call of punk to self-define, we’ll hear the stories of how the record came together.
Life of the Record podcast - Minor Threat OUT OF STEP documentary
Interview with Ian MacKaye
Episode 35
lifeoftherecord.com/#/minor-t...
#minorthreat #ianmackaye #outofstep #dischord #washingtondc #hardcore #punk #jeffnelson #dischordrecords #lylepreslar #brianbaker #stevehansgen #interview #musicpodcast #documentary #lifeoftherecord

[@fraji1]

I’m 62. I still listen to Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Black Flag almost every day. My kids don’t get it. They never will. It was raw and it was real and it’s in me until the day that I’m no more. Thanks Ian for breaking all of this down for us.

[@Dr.Meth666]

It warms my heart knowing old heads still listen to shit like this.

[@nigelyazzie3656]

I❤ Minor threat 😅😅😅

[@xentakis]

Kids today with their boring non-rebellious music

[@KingofCrusher]

Bro there are tons of kids who listen to this shit today, those bands are still super respected lol.

[@fraji1]

@@KingofCrusher 👍

[@sebastianruhland5198]

Iam 93 and still listen to Minor Threat every morning after i wake up.

[@paulmckenna9492]

Amazing that music written by teens in 1980-83 , still stands and surpasses most music in 2024 . Thanks for the post !!!

[@JohnSmith-rk6jy]

ALL*

[@Annunaki_0517]

I’m 56, I was there when Minor Threat, MDC and SS Decontrol played Irving Plaza in NYC. Best show ever. Irving Plaza management said that they would never let hardcore punk bands play there again. I still listen to these bands every day and my kids get how great they were. And that their favorite bands, Blink 182, etc, wouldn’t exist without them. I was also there when Lyle played guitar in the first Samhain show at the Rock Hotel in NYC. Good times.

[@duanehurley2105]

This was an important part of my being growing up. It shaped who I am now.

[@billkosses3808]

I could never figure out where a gay pub fitted in. You know, "A gay pub, a gay pub, a gay pub, Out of step with the world"

[@dirtydave2691]

I bought my 18 year old son Out of Step for Christmas last year. I had it on vinyl in the 80s and CD about 20 years ago. We were listening to it and I said "this has to be one of the best punk records ever recorded". My son smiled and nodded his head in agreement.

[@brianhall5377]

That Warms my heart so much. it's one of the best Father and Son bonding that I've heard in years.

[@markgregory7140]

58yrs young and still have all my Minor Threat HC in my record collection

[@Alistair_Spence]

This was very well put together. Thankyou. I bought a copy of Out Of Step from a guy who used to sell records upstairs at the fruit and veg market in the middle of Newport City Centre, in South Wales. Of course, it blew my mind, and I ended up living in Washington D.C. for several years, and learning a lot more about the music scene there. Good times.

[@yantree]

Rockaway records was that market stall, I was there 1991-94 Simon maybe was his name. Beddis of cowboy 🤠 killers worked there too. Simon used to put on punk hXc gigs at TJ's - good times 😂

[@jma6893]

So much of what defines "integrity" in whatever punk-related music scenes has been lost through the years. Sad. Ian MacKaye has all my respect as he is truly a genuine and honest person and he sticks to what he believes. One of my favs!

[@mjalboot]

Love this! Thanks for making this happen.

[@zacharyhobbs1065]

This is so badass. Love not hearing any other voice aside from Ian's.

[@mattfink9317]

I remember first hearing Minor Threat in 87… what a great band! This was awesome!

[@Andrew-kb4px]

Thanks for setting the story straight about an album we have loved a long time.

[@ColeWheeler4Lyfe]

Discord was the first label I would blindly buy albums from, band unknown to me prior. It’s fun to describe for future generations how 70’s 80’s kids found music. we took minor risks going to punk shows, taping and trading comps of songs for friends, reading fliers/zines, and going to small sometimes seedy record stores to have our minds blown.

[@thejasonblackburn]

This is a great interview. Thanks for putting this together.

[@eerievon2946]

This stuff still gets to me. Great hearing Ian

[@stuartfishman1044]

When I first heard Minor Threat, they came off to me as an artless version of Wire (not a compliment). Since then, I've come to appreciate their sincerety, precision and power. I can also appreciate Ian MacKaye's commitment to his principles all these years and to the music he makes and produces. Long may he rave.

[@izzy8823]

He put all these songs into a different perspective than what I originally thought they were about when I was a kid back in the 80s..makes these songs that much better...

[@patrickmcandrew4949]

This is THE punk album for me. It gave me a rush of adrenaline at 13, and it hits the same way now that I'm 43!

[@FrontRowPass]

Awesome interview! Thank you! Minor Threat was the bomb 💣!

[@BreakfastTacos]

I'm almost positive Ian won't read this comment, but I still have to express my eternal gratitude for the way he has always chosen to do things with the utmost integrity and authenticity, regardless of what anybody's opinion may be, at the time. You, sir, are my hero. Thanks and keep rockin'! P.S.- Any plans for Fugazi to reunite for another album and tour?? A man can dream...

[@Annunaki_0517]

Did you know that he used to put, “Do not pay more than $3 for this record” on the first three Minor Threat 7”s? Always had the fans’ backs.

[@kill_screen]

This was awesome. Must've been hell explaining the straight edge thing over and over again tho

[@seanemmett2845]

Awesome. Thanks!

[@copheart]

Love these. Keep em going!

[@tylerdavis6203]

I bought the Out of Step record when it came out. It blew my fucking mind.

[@davidlinehat4657]

I'm from the 1990s DC scene and I'm excited to hear your take. These kids really made a difference and the DIY style of early punk still influences my life immensely. Thanks for the video!

[@user-lo8vu5zq6g]

Just listened to the MT complete discographies, still hits me.

[@SashaPrettyVacantPunkHour]

Same! I know I’m biased but I just find the current popular music landscape lacking in everything punk has in droves: honesty, passion, humor, inspired weirdness. So damn glad I was a teenager in the ‘80s!

[@patrickthompson9022]

super great to hear the thoughts from one member of the band about how the album came together. Thank you Ian.

[@gregc6072]

Thanks for doing this

[@barny15]

Excellent podcast.

[@mawrmcmahan]

I think that I have said; "Someday we'll look back and laugh" at least once every few weeks... for the last 40 years.

[@craigpatrick1]

Love hearing good albums broken down and detailed how the songs were crafted i would like to hear more like this!

[@patcogni7892]

This was fantastic; truly one of the most enjoyable listens I've had in years. Though they'd broken up about a year before I got involved in the scene, Minor Threat's music has meant so much to me over the years & it's great to be taken back in time. It's probably best they stopped playing together when they did, before the music suffered. As is, they are legends.

[@enginesdown]

Excellent.

[@Atraslin]

Cool story! Thanks

[@devinreed2003]

Very very important piece of american music history

[@lewisbaker4421]

this is a very good podcast

[@eancurtis9333]

Amazing

[@samhainkid]

Goddamn, that was a fantastic listen.

[@01234david]

Minor threat was a very positive influence in my life. Thank you for the years of motivation. If you ever plan on doing one more show... Name the time and place.. I will be there.

[@dormonid]

Awesome.

[@vonclohk507]

Ian is so correct when he talks of rumors/etc in various scenes back then. Well, this one I'm going to bring up was actually in the early 90s but crazy non the less: the Annapolis MD scene was small but thriving in the late 80's/early 90's. These hippie punks started this rumor that Ian was doing acid right when Repeater came out. Many people don't know this but Ian grew his hair kinda long around this time. His hair cut combined with the lyrics of (the song) repeater prompted this rumor and it was ridiculously stupid. I never believed it.

[@areyoutriggered_]

Minor Threat is pure Hardcore Punk. put their straight edge element on the side & just listen to the pure sound & msg in their lyrics. truly living the punk/hardcore ethics & lifestyle. the impact from that 2 albums was legendary. i cant keep up, i cant keep up..out of step, with the world

[@willieluncheonette5843]

all time great record. Here, the blazing, burning intensity of the previous quartet is given some space and breathing room and the results are just as stunning..

[@Backlashed]

39:56 This was a surprise for those of us who had the cassette version, the whistling part was not on that release. There were a few other differences in the tape if I remember right, maybe more guitars on the song Out of Step, little changes like that. edit: looks like he covers that later on, explaining that they remixed the record at one point.

[@haizmanbrain]

My Out of Step record was the second pressing - so I was confused when the CD came out many years later and heard the differences (i.e. extended yell at the end of Out of Step, less warbley version of Cashing In, "go!...think you'll be able to hear the two clicks....yes go!", etc). This really adds some great context....still fascinating after 40+ years of being a fan of these songs!

[@TheGorillafoot]

This record changed the way I viewed punk. Hard to believe how long ago that time was. Remember picking up a used copy I saw at a record store and being blown away by the energy of it. This was the early nineties. All you had was the record insert to get any information. This of course led to Fugazi and more abstract music.

[@demiansvideos]

Ian has an incredible memory.

[@careful__Icarus]

Ian Mackaye,Henry Rollins,Jello Biafra,H.R.( if he were still able ) and Keith Morris should all be professors of life in general and music/arts particular,that are mandatory for graduation from college or at least high school. Glenn Danzig could pop in as a guest lecturer. The passion that Ian exudes is contagious. The clarity of his memories is impressive and storytelling impeccable. Lets see a metal singer from the early 80s remember their name let alone daily details from 40 years ago. This is the most enjoyable listen I've had in ages. Thank you

[@JadedOptimist]

I'd add Mike Watt, Bob Mould, Gibby Haynes and David Yow.

[@careful__Icarus]

@@JadedOptimist Shit yes excellent choices. Watt could also do a drivers ed course with that van of his.

[@birdsiview6845]

The rest of the world just doesn’t know how many brilliant teenagers there were in the world , making music that will last for eternity.

[@carmichael3594]

Most of the Punk bands in the 80s I keep forgetting they were just kid's however way ahead of their time.

[@NoCoverCharge]

I’m 56 and going to see circle jerks and descendants next Friday can’t f ing wait

[@Dr.Dark78]

No disrespect to the other DC bands from that era, but Minor Threat were on another level.

[@marshall0814]

Nah, Bad Brains, Void, Scream & GI were easily on that plateau. Minor Threat simply gets more attention.

[@davidgormley7990]

​@marshall0814 Yeah, Government Issue were the kings

[@marshall0814]

@@davidgormley7990 👍🏻❤️

[@SashaPrettyVacantPunkHour]

I’m kinda partial to Teen Idles truth be told, because Sneakers is way up in my punk pantheon. Then there’s Marginal Man. Missing Rungs, anyone??

[@JohnSmith-rk6jy]

​@@marshall0814I think Bad Brains have Easily got to be THE Most Overrated punk band of all time. The vocals are totally unlistenable....actually so is the music.

[@gregensel8616]

❤️

[@MB-vk8cv]

Imagine seeing Minor Threat opening for Bad Brains....

[@chrisgottlieb5403]

I've listened to/ read 1000 Ian interviews, and definitely don't seek them out at this point. They're usually the same q&a ad nauseum. But this was great.

[@owenjnelson-fb9mg]

Absolute joy to listen to this, great to hear Ian reminisce with such enthusiasm, I know he was a little hostile towards people asking about Minor Threat when Fugazi were in full swing, but sounds like he recognises what we all know about Minor Threat....ok there will never be a reunion (and for that I'm grateful) but to share all this with us is a real treat and real eye opener.

[@Annunaki_0517]

Hmmm, no I remember that I bought a Boss Tu-12 guitar tuner in 1983 for about $80. So there were relatively inexpensive tuners available at that time. You didn’t need one of those glorious Stromberg strobe tuners.

[@joshuaplum610]

Very weird to be pissed off because a band you love get back together.

[@jwise209]

Intro song?

[@cdubs9918]

One of the greatest albums ever. Most people dont know who Minor Threat are or why this record was so good. But, if you were in the late 80s /90s punk and hardcore scene this was THE album to own. It opened me up to a whole new world of music and people and live shows. It is the Beatles "Revolver" for Punk kids. Its a masterpiece. End of.

[@TehGav]

I'm here to find out how Don Zientara dialed in Hansgen's bass sound.

[@TehGav]

UPDATE: Welp, that mystery remains.

[@ph03beuwu]

its so weird, this is presented like its meant to be listened to, but its a youtube video

[@Backlashed]

Always thought of this as their only album. But now Ian is calling it an EP. So that means they never did an album....

[@kickstartonly2527]

Ian MacKaye is a Ruler

[@buzzawuzza3743]

Some hardcore bands were not capable of singing about anything other than the tiny box they were in. So it came down to the music they played and if that was any good.

[@JohnSmith-rk6jy]

The Big 4 of Hardcore Punk. Suicidal Tendencies Black Flag Dead Kennedies Minor Threat

[@anthonyperry5811]

Learn to spell

[@anthonyperry5811]

Dead Kennedys. Ugh

[@Jil8840]

Not the Suicidal Tendencies.

[@JohnSmith-rk6jy]

Mike Muir talks an Incredible amount of bollocks. But Love his lyrics and the music on the first few ST albums. Jello Biafra made some of The Best music ever with 2 or 3 of those DK albums. Really Awesome lyrics. But cannot stand his babbling backward warped twisted political rants. Aaaabsolutely Love just about Everything Henry Rollins says and his take on the world and really appreciate his views. But his music and vocals Aaaabsolutely Suck. Like unlistenable. Ian MacKay However IS THE Most down to earth, most intelligent and interesting guy with an Amazing outlook on life and cuts away All the bullshite in this world and tells it like it really is calmly without any ego.....when he probably should have the biggest ego of em all. Because the music that he and Minor Threat created was THE Absolute Epitome of Hardcore Punk. All Minor Threat songs freakin Rule!

[@mattsheezy5469]

They played the songs in the basement, recorded on a crappy 4 track, & later jumped around with a bunch of sweaty dudes in some tin walled warehouse, over by the DC meat packing district (the end).

[@bene1989]

I know this is going to sound messed up of me to say this but... Pretty selfish of them to not reform, so long time fans could see them. Do a few world tours ( maybe like bad religion did). Fan since 82. Never saw em.

[@whitlowjohnonly1_2]

Great e.p. lets just leave it at that.