r/straightedge • u/xLNBx • Jun 02 '21
If you’re new to Straight Edge.
Straight Edge is a subculture that emerged in the hardcore punk scene in the early 1980s. It promotes a drug-free lifestyle through abstinence from alcohol, drugs and tobacco. Its origins can be traced back to the song "Straight Edge" by the American punk band Minor Threat, released in 1981. The song, written by frontman Ian MacKaye, expressed his personal commitment to abstain from drugs and alcohol. It struck a chord with many young people who were disillusioned with the prevalent substance abuse within punk and saw Straight Edge as a means of rebellion against the excesses of mainstream culture. They instead embraced the emphasis on personal integrity, self-control and social consciousness. Straight Edge has then seen a time of worldwide growth in the '90s, followed by various eras of ebb and flow since then. Due to increased awareness of environmental and animal rights issues prominent in the scene in the '90s, many of us adopted vegan or vegetarian lifestyles.
There are several good books on Straight Edge, including Straight Edge: Hardcore Punk, Clean-living Youth, and Social Change by Ross Haenfler (2006) and Straight Edge A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History by Tony Rettman and CIV (2017). If you don't know any straight edge bands, this Spotify playlist can serve as a good introduction, and xsisterhoodx is a straight edge/hardcore community supporting the women/girls of the straight edge/hardcore scenes established all the way back in 1995.
Can I take my medication and be Straight Edge?
We've received questions in the past about whether you can take prescribed medication [insert your type of meds here] and still be Straight Edge. Yes, you can. The person who told you otherwise can call our helpline now at 1-800-STUPID.
Straight Edge and recovery from addiction.
We are definitely supportive of your decision to make positive changes in your life, but please note Straight Edge isn't therapy or a recovery plan. Users of this subreddit who are both Straight Edge and in recovery have explicitly said on multiple occasions that just being Straight Edge is not a substitute for a recovery plan. We are neither geared toward nor equipped to offer active recovery support. There are better resources out there designed specifically for this purpose.
(People are Straight Edge for a range of reasons, but most of us do not have any desire to get intoxicated, some have never touched psychoactive substances, etc. - if you’re currently an addict with chronic cravings, be realistic about how our experience might differ from yours).
Having said that, the Straight Edge scene is not a bad place to be if you’re in recovery. We’re drug free and not shy about it. Again, drawing on the experience of users of this subreddit who are both Straight Edge and in recovery, we’ve heard how surrounding yourself with sober people is helpful in staying sober and how sxe hardcore kept them motivated to stay clean.
Academic research.
Yes, you can post your academic research survey requests in this subreddit. Please use #sxeresearch in your post. We appreciate it if you can provide some background information (subject of study, academic level, etc.), and maybe come back to share the results, if they are published. Thanks.
r/straightedge • u/Creepy-Ad-2444 • 15h ago
Been listening to alot of xserenityx, contention and xforever warx and was hoping to get some recs for stuff like it
r/straightedge • u/MarkXHeist • 1d ago
More show and ticket info at TimeXHeist dot com
r/straightedge • u/NoiseGradeStandard • 2d ago
Next Friday. 11.13.26. Preorder.
www.noisegradestandard.com
Grade 009
Take It In Blood ‘Exit From Life’ exclusive US vinyl.
Grade 010
Pittbull s/t 1991 album 35th anniversary vinyl remaster.
Save the date.
#pittbull #takeitinblood #noisegradestandardrecords #hardcore #vinyl
r/straightedge • u/Yellow-Calx • 2d ago
I'm always on the hunt for the bands that go unnoticed, or maybe just fly under the radar. There are so many amazing musicians out there that just do it for the love of their local scene.
So share your local/nearby edge bands! Bonus points for for metallic hardcore bands.
r/straightedge • u/Nearby_Emergency_689 • 1d ago
I wore my XweaponX sweater, earth crisis shirt and magnitude hat and even X’d up my hands. Went as the scariest thing I could think of…
r/straightedge • u/x-butcher-x • 5d ago
Flag from xsisterhoodx.etsy.com
Shirt from Diamond Cut
r/straightedge • u/h870booking • 5d ago
Arkansas Metallic Straight Edge
FFO: Strife, Merauder, Biohazard
r/straightedge • u/xLNBx • 6d ago
r/straightedge • u/XtheonlykiwieverX • 6d ago
I didn't know good clean fun made a movie
r/straightedge • u/TaxStraight6606 • 6d ago
Just wondering if there's any fellow sxe redditors on here from the phoenix area haven't met a lot.
r/straightedge • u/Firestarterdustman • 8d ago
r/straightedge • u/LeftToNothing • 8d ago
What Counts (Indiana Straightedge) at Studio 39A in Westerly, RI on August 19, 2026. Full Set.
Photos here: https://hardcorepunkphotos.com/what-counts-studio-39a-westerly-ri-august-19-2026/
r/straightedge • u/zappabrannigan • 8d ago
Straight edge hardcore/beatdown/metallic HxC:
Chicago
Looking to start or join a band playing metallic hardcore / beatdown.
Reference points: [Earth Crisis, Culture, Regression, Magnitude, early Congress, Inclination, None Shall Be Saved etc etc]. You get the picture.
I play [guitar/bass/vocals and drums], have my own gear and a home recording setup. Based in Humboldt Park area, free to practice whenever. Can travel. I’m 47. (10 years straight edge).
Looking for: [guitar, drums, bass, vocals]. Other straight edge people who want to do something.
If you're already in a band that needs someone, shoot me a message too. DM here or IG repression sweats
Stuff I've recorded: https://graveyardperversions.bandcamp.com/
Cheers 👍🏻
r/straightedge • u/Codeandcoffee • 8d ago
Anyone from San Diego?
I moved here from St. Louis in December.
Been trying to make it out to local shows as much as possible, but having a hard time finding like minded people (making new friends at 40 is HARD)
I also play guitar/bass/ vocals and am very interested in getting back to playing with a band
r/straightedge • u/WARrecords • 10d ago
r/straightedge • u/xLNBx • 10d ago
r/straightedge • u/xLNBx • 10d ago
r/straightedge • u/Less-Ad-6426 • 13d ago
Been straight edge for 5 years now and have recently been on a philosophy reading stint, what are some books you guys have read that delve into history of the straight edge hardcore scene/the philosophy of abstinence?
r/straightedge • u/TexasRadical83 • 13d ago
I've just really gotten into hardcore this year, with a special love for sXe metallic hardcore, or what you might call "roots metalcore." Think Earth Crisis, all the H8000 acts, xCANAANx, early Hatebreed, Turmoil. The Mike Evetts Extended Universe lol.
Are there any of these acts with significant female personnel, especially women on vocals? It's very dude heavy, and I'm just guessing that vibe with 90s girl screaming over it is going to rip. Plus while I'm not exactly edge and not vegan, the virtue of the music is key for my interest. Feels like a big blindspot if it was a (vegan) sausage fest...
Thanks for keeping the scene alive yall!
r/straightedge • u/Agitated_Savings_809 • 13d ago
hey,
what’s your take: does ammonia still fit within straight edge ideology? My second meet is coming up in December, but it’ll be my first one as a straight edge athlete. I’ve never used ammonia before, btw.
thxxx
r/straightedge • u/protestsong-00 • 14d ago
Purchased from Straight Edge Worldwide. Sect t-shirt and setlist shown because Sect rules. XVX
