You often hear it talked about in forums, mostly complaints towards "straight edge" people at gigs, but what's the story? Who are they and what's the problem?
So what are "straight edge" people exactly?
- Thread starter JayKeeley
- Start date
J.
Old Fart
Straight-edge (sXe) is a creedo type thing that many bands in the 90's adopted, Earth Crisis leading the way. The philosophy was that you shouldn't do anything to harm your body or the earth. For example, no sex, no smoking, no drinking, vegetarianism,etc. Lyrics are very preachy as can the booklet and such.
I've never seen it, but supposedly at shows these people basically kick the crap outta each other.
I could be way off, but that's what I've gathered. It is basically a hardcore thing.
I've never seen it, but supposedly at shows these people basically kick the crap outta each other.
I could be way off, but that's what I've gathered. It is basically a hardcore thing.
OK - weird - but where's the friction? I keep hearing of metal fans getting into fights with 'sXe' fans. In particular, there are already rumours of sXe fans wanting to start trouble with Slayer fans at the upcoming Jaegermeister tour because Hatebreed are supporting, and they always attract that hardcore crowd.
And who in their right mind are willing to take on NY Slayer fans?
And who in their right mind are willing to take on NY Slayer fans?
NAD
What A Horrible Night To Have A Curse
Apparently some groups will go around and beat people up they see smoking, drinking, etc. I have no problem with people not wanting to do drugs, drink, smoke, have sex, etc., but do not force that on someone who doesn't not follow your methods, and certainly do not physically assault someone for doing it!
I can't take the movement seriously though, because the definitions are vague. Some say you can't do anything fun, others say "no sex before you want to" or "only smoke on Tuesdays" or some other bullshit.
I can't take the movement seriously though, because the definitions are vague. Some say you can't do anything fun, others say "no sex before you want to" or "only smoke on Tuesdays" or some other bullshit.
NAD
What A Horrible Night To Have A Curse
bloodfiredeath
kaiju eiga
uh... though I'm reluctant to admit it...
I sported big black X's on my hands for a few years in the early nineties.
I sported big black X's on my hands for a few years in the early nineties.
Do people still wear X's on their hands? You know, I go to gigs all the time, and I have NEVER seen any of this.
If this is a religous thing, then maybe it's more in the mid-west or bible belt....
If this is a religous thing, then maybe it's more in the mid-west or bible belt....
bloodfiredeath
kaiju eiga
Certainly not a religious thing... 
I can't speak for the scene in the past ten years, but I can tell you my dealings with it. During my long hair, metal shirt, tight jeans days in high shool, I didn't drink, smoke, or anything, not because of any philosophy, but because I just had no interest. When some of my musical interest branched out into punk rock, that ended up touching on some early straight edge bands. I started going to alot of hardcore shows. For an isolated kid with low self esteem, a 'scene' where suddenly everyone accepted you, even for shallow reasons, seemed like a great idea.
At the time, there was no set of rules that everyone followed. I was a vegetarian (some others were vegan, some ate meat), but I certainly had nothing to do with a 'no sex' thing, and neither did anyone else I knew. Eventually, after a little while, I got tired of the music and realized that these people weren't my real friends anyways.
Still... I didn't start drinking until I was 25, and I've still never smoked anything. Again, just because I had/have no interest. It's something I can look back on now, shake my head, and wonder what I was thinking. I hear now about 'hardline' taking over (no tolerance stance), and people attacking smokers and such. Now that's funny.
I can't speak for the scene in the past ten years, but I can tell you my dealings with it. During my long hair, metal shirt, tight jeans days in high shool, I didn't drink, smoke, or anything, not because of any philosophy, but because I just had no interest. When some of my musical interest branched out into punk rock, that ended up touching on some early straight edge bands. I started going to alot of hardcore shows. For an isolated kid with low self esteem, a 'scene' where suddenly everyone accepted you, even for shallow reasons, seemed like a great idea.
At the time, there was no set of rules that everyone followed. I was a vegetarian (some others were vegan, some ate meat), but I certainly had nothing to do with a 'no sex' thing, and neither did anyone else I knew. Eventually, after a little while, I got tired of the music and realized that these people weren't my real friends anyways.
Still... I didn't start drinking until I was 25, and I've still never smoked anything. Again, just because I had/have no interest. It's something I can look back on now, shake my head, and wonder what I was thinking. I hear now about 'hardline' taking over (no tolerance stance), and people attacking smokers and such. Now that's funny.
Erik
New Metal Member
They're people who've decided that anything that makes life even remotely worth living shouldn't be touched.JayKeeley said:
@bloodfiredeath - was there any violence attached to the scene? I read about a movement called the "Hate Edge" where they specifically go out looking for fights with "metal heads" at metal concerts.
This is what baffles me about the upcoming Slayer shows with Hatebreed. Slayer gigs are rough enough, without having Hatebreed fans looking for trouble.
This all reminds me very much of soccer hooliganism where you are 'represent' the team you support, or the colors you wear. Instead now, it's divided by music.
It's even more disconcerting to learn that this is from the 90's, and I'm only discovering this now! Surely blown out of proportion therefore, no?
This is what baffles me about the upcoming Slayer shows with Hatebreed. Slayer gigs are rough enough, without having Hatebreed fans looking for trouble.
This all reminds me very much of soccer hooliganism where you are 'represent' the team you support, or the colors you wear. Instead now, it's divided by music.
It's even more disconcerting to learn that this is from the 90's, and I'm only discovering this now! Surely blown out of proportion therefore, no?
Erik - do sXe people exist in Europe? Sweden?Erik said:
bloodfiredeath
kaiju eiga
Actually...JayKeeley said:
As far as I know, the term straight edge was first used in a song by DC's Minor Threat, which was about 1981. The scene as it is today really came out of New York in the 80's, with bands like Youth of Today and Bold.
Erik
New Metal Member
bloodfiredeath
kaiju eiga
Erik
New Metal Member
We have very little, if any, violence at metal shows though. I've never really heard of any incidents.
HarmonyDies....
Semi-True
There was a show here recently where Hatebreed, Madball, Cephalic Carnage and HATE ETERNAL! Were playing on the same bill. BAD MOVE! Because alot of metal people got the shit beat out of them because apparently they dont like us, because they are idiots who do stupid roundhouse kicks.
I guess this falls back into the idea of 'progression' - tours being promoted to attract more fans from across the field, so they tap into the hardcore element.HarmonyDies.... said:
Roundhouse kicks?
oh puh-lease. Most gigs I've been to are so packed, you can barely scratch your arse let alone attempt some of the old Wu Tu Clan kung fu kicks. Even funnier if they have big 'X's on their hands.Hardcore fans...don't they have their own 'dance' style as well?
NAD
What A Horrible Night To Have A Curse
