sXe Straight Edge Bassists Club(unless there is one already?)

[RobertPaulson]

Yeah, the straight edge kids picking fights also struck me as odd, as if having a violent mindset isn't worse for you than having a beer... Not that I don't enjoy putting a little punk in his place every now and again.

Abstaining from those things, sure, no skin of my back. Trying to kick someones ass because they don't, not gonna fly in any of the clubs I hang out at.

[Din Of Win]

Sorry for the double post... but it's slow at work:

Originally Posted by Bryndog

I hate these threads but I always seem to have to post in them, they just wind me up.

Meeee too

Right...you're all f*%kin' nuts.

Black x's are marked on any underage gig goer - its not a punk thing, 'cos before that it was a 'soul thing' and also a 'jazz thing' before that. It's a result of being able to go in to a club at 18 and not being able to drink unitl 21.
So you just go ahead and pick your cool.

Wow with the over-genralizations right off the bat huh? I agree that some are completly bat-caca insane an the levels of crack-heads, but it IS a tad harsh to say "all" no?

The story of the X thing is a long one and YES! thank you for pointing out the fact that it DID start before Minor Threat... oh wait... Teen Idles' album cover. However, just FYI for some of us, it goes beyond being a sepratist form of body markings. I know i hate (being well over 21) when someone offers me a drink and i respectfully decline i then have to give a whole speech about "WHY" i won't take a drink. I think for a lot of us having that sort of marking just lets people know that "oh, word, that dude(ette) doesn't drink". I think it's pretty darn simmilar to the people that are forever carrying around beer-bottles at shows. It's a symbol that in-of-itself is benign, but i do digress that it has come to mean far more dubious intent than it first started out as...

Hard Liners - where I come from these are known as Idiots, drugs or no drugs, if you go out and fight for the sake of fighting, you're a dick...please, lets not give them their own little name...unless its Dick. They're idiots. I'd rather my troublemakers pissed-up or high as a kite, 'coz at least theres a reason for it.

Agreed 100%. Do a little serch of FSU crew, or Courage Crew or Boston Beatdown and you will see exactly what bryndog is talking about. It is people like this that made my stop overtly claiming edge as it its people like this that have ruined something that was once positive.

Straight edgers - These are known as the people most likely to end up disillusioned with the world - wondering why its so ****ed up - you'll soon realise that making your own mistakes is the only way to learn and have fun, and that other peoples experiences cannot lead you in life - its a bit like a religion of Athiests. We'll all follow the word of....hmm...Dave!

I think this is where i disagree... I think there are FAR more people that will end up dissolusioned than a suburban "sXe" kid. Heck... most of them will go on to college with a lacross scholorship and become aces at beerpong by the time they turn 21 and graduate with a buisness degree and be well and dandy! (haha i know, i'm a hypocrite for also genralizing) However, i COMPLETELY disagree with the notion that drugs/alcohol/promiscuity are the only examples of making mistakes. I agree that it is learning from mistakes that toughen us up for life, but man... they come from SO many other things. Abusive parents? Running away? Dating the wrong girl/guy? Stealing? Walking out of jobs you hated on principal and not having an income? These have all happened to me and i have had to deal with them WITHOUT having substances involved. I guess being an athiest straightedge has been the double-negative that has shaped me into a happy optamistic guy i am today!

By coming on here and telling happy, life loving people about the 'bad things' drugs can do to you...mmkay...without having tried and tested them yourself is a bit like copying text out of a book. Well done.

Aren't you doing the same thing? It's kind of played out to play the whole "without having tried it" card. I mean, i know a volcano would be pretty hot without jumping into one... But you do have a point in the whole preaching thing. I tend to just believe that everyone should live-and-let-live.

Also, I don't feel the need to come on here and start threads that ask if there are other bassists like me that like to fire up a reefer here and there, and maybe a have drink after a show. I know there are. And they seem human to me.

What's wrong with that? I'm sure there would be a HELL of a lot more followers to that thread than this one... I don't really remember seeing anyone say "you other bassists are wrong" so i dunno why you're getting all defensive... I think you're making this out to be a "Christian/Athiest" bass club when it's not really...

You just seem to want to tell everybody about your straight-edgedness. Its the same on other forums and you all say the same stuff, but I've never leapt out of a moving car, or thought I could fly or even thought I could play better off my head. I don't drink and drive, I can think straight and work 40 hours a week, and in my 32 years on this planet I have never ever thrown a fist at another human being whilst under the influence of anything. Stoned not stupid.

I'm very happy for your calm headedness. I think though that you are proving yourself as sort of wrong here though... If you say that "everyone" says all this stuff about drinkers/smokers and you are an example of someone who HASN't done these things... how can you then go and turn around and make the exact same statement? Sure there are plenty of a-hole sXe people out there with nothing beter to do than make cause for fighting... just like religion, sports, or eating habits. But hey... here I am telling YOU that i am a straightedge guy that has only spent 26 years on the planet but i have never taken a swing at another human being for reasons of inhebriation.

Whilst claiming your independence and non-comformity from todays 'stuggling youth', you all feel the need to congregate together and be part of teh same group. Hence this thread, i imagine.

And what is wrong with that? It feels good to communicate with other people with similar interests. Shoot... were both part of the "bass players" group that this whole site is about in the first place.

Also I think that I read that there are gangs of 'Straight-edgers and Hardliners' scrapping at gigs.
This is what drunk & high people do, but they have a reason. Not a good one mind, but a reason nontheless.
Do a little reading in to the history of the Bloods and the Crips at gigs in L.A. - you'll see some similarities.

I think SXE gangs have as much of a lame-reason as drug dealers do to enact violence. I have seen edge-breakers get jumped and attacked with steel-wool if they have any edge tattoos by others angry that they broke edge. But if you REALLY read, these gangs, just like the bloods and Crips started as something positive but by one course or another devolved into something negative.




In any case... i'm not mad or trying to start something... but like many dumb butt straightedge kids... you would also benifit from a little more knowledge and acceptance. However, if it is any solace i DO apolagize on behalf of any weiner sXe kids that have caused you to have this outlook... but remember... there are some very good and nobel ones as well... just like their are lame christians or athiests it's equally lame to discredit an entire group of peoplr, and for that matter, just plain ignorant.

[RobertPaulson]

So back to my previous question, why are drugs/sex/alcohol considered bad by straightedge kids, why are these things considered immoral to you guys? Is it just because lots of people do it? I have yet to hear a concrete answer as to why these things are 'bad'.

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by RobertPaulson

So back to my previous question, why are drugs/sex/alcohol considered bad by straightedge kids, why are these things considered immoral to you guys? Is it just because lots of people do it? I have yet to hear a concrete answer as to why these things are 'bad'.

Again, be careful of the over generalizations...

I can give you MY reasons if that helps:

For me threr are 3 reasons that have been prominent at 3 points in my life:

1. When i was in 5th grade i went to a gifted and talented school. The bus picked us up at other schools in the area to be more efficient. My mom, being a highschool teacher just brought me there to be picked up. One of the "bad" kids who was always held after school when i was droped back off at the highschool was a straightedge kid that made me a tape of Minor Threat and Uniform Choice on one side, and SSD and DYS on the other. So... at first i called myself straightedge (lol "X"ed up 5th grade me) because i looked up to that kid and wanted to be cool.

2. I cone from a home where my father was abusive as a direct result of alcohol and heroin abuse. Because of this i had a VERY negative impression of drugs and alcohol that led me away from them.

3. As i got older i became much more invested in politics and radical thinking so these days i just attribute my lack of drug/alcohol consumption to that. I don't support death squads in colombia/venezuela so i don't snort coke. Similarly i don't support death and forced enslavement and racist millitary in mexico and the US boarder so i don't smoke pot. I don't wan't to give money to companies pedaling poison (alcohol) that -->CAN<--- destroy families and lives.


There is no unified answer, so i think you'll have a better shot at asking specific people. There are as many answers as there are people. Each different in their own way and i suppose uppon hearing them you can then make the judgement on weather or not thier choices are noble/lame/or neutral.

[nightcityburn]

Its a movement against the dominant culture. Its people going against the flow by choosing not to do something that can be self destructive, and can be destructive to the people around you.

Ian Macakye answered it in a Q&A at LSU, because in the 80's the punk and hardcore culture chose to be self destructive by getting messed up and having sex with everyone etc. Their idea of rebellion against their parent, or society was to self destruct.

So he and his friends, and in the end us, all have chosen to not follow that path. Instead we chose to rebel against the social norm of what is considered rebellious. Its a counter movement. It shows people there are options out there, especially when the dominant culture shows you this is the way you rebel. Formulaic, if you will. It is choosing not to be self destructive or use drugs because we feel there are better things we could do with the time.

Its about being set apart.

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by nightcityburn

Its a movement against the dominant culture. Its people going against the flow by choosing not to do something that can be self destructive, and can be destructive to the people around you.

Ian Macakye answered it in a Q&A at LSU, because in the 80's the punk and hardcore culture chose to be self destructive by getting messed up and having sex with everyone etc. Their idea of rebellion against their parent, or society was to self destruct.

So he and his friends, and in the end us, all have chosen to not follow that path. Instead we chose to rebel against the social norm of what is considered rebellious. Its a counter movement. It shows people there are options out there, especially when the dominant culture shows you this is the way you rebel. Formulaic, if you will. It is choosing not to be self destructive or use drugs because we feel there are better things we could do with the time.

Its about being set apart.

Well put...

I'll add...

Now how many people do you all know that drink/smoke/use drugs/have promiscuous sex?

Now how many people don't do ANY of those?

Now, how many of THOSE people are not motivated by religious beliefs?

In the end, in the realms of rebelliousness... which of those groups of people TRULLY represent rebellion against societal normalcy?


Haha, as a side-note and to lighten things up a tad...

Being from DC i've had many a run-ins with the likes of Ian and Brian Baker specifically from Minor Threat.

The last time i saw Ian was at a freaking SunnO))) show in Baltimore. How's that for us smashing those straightedge stereotypes??

EDIT: I guess it's not THAT strange considering the bands Greg Anderson played in back in the day...

[LTDVIPER333]

Hey Guys
I'm a Kiwi, unlike the rest of you who are most likely Yanks(sorry if you take offense to this term!). Here in NZ counter-culture generally exists in a far smaller form than that of the States or UK.

However the main, large-scale and highly popular Punk movement ended here back in 1978, due to extreme acts of violence being performed at Punk concerts, by a minority of total F*#%@wits, namely SKin Heads, Boot Boys and extremist Punks.

As far as I'm concerned there could only be as many as 100 Straight-Edgers NAtionwide. You never here of the kind of violence which has hijacked elements of Straight-Edge in the States. Surprising given the huge Pot and binge drinking culture in this country.

In short THIS SITE IS NOT FOR SO-CALLED HARDLINERS.

Lets face the fact, hardliners almost have more in common with Racists Skin-Heads than genuine Straight-Edgers. This is due to their highly intolerant and violent attitudes, to those who chose a different path to theirs. In short lets not let these idiots ruin our version of Straight-Edge based on tolerance and acceptance.

Somebody mentioned they were able to have a great time with mates when they were hammered. I had an awesome time the other day with mates getting high on a crossed joint. Even though I refused point blank to smoke it, I was able to read everybody else s thoughts and break into hysterical fits of laughter, plus engage in philosophical conversations like everybody else.

Cheers 4 giving me so-many in depth replies.
J

[GrindYourMind]

Edge is dumb. If you don't do drugs, that's cool, just don't define yourself with it. Same goes for drugs. Same goes for just about anything.

[GearHeadBassMan]

Originally Posted by CrankenStein

Well personally i dont only associate myself with other edge kids because its my commitment and if its not yours, it doesnt really matter IMO. I hang out with my buddys from my hxc punk band and they drink 24/7, its just not a temptation for me, i just like hanging out and having fun. And to gearheadbassman, i think thats an unfair judgement. Its just kind of stereo-typing IMO.

thats the kind of thinking that I respect. still being able to go out and have fun without relying on drinking/drugs is the good kind of sXe.

and, yeah, it was stereotyping, hence why I said, "more often than not" there are, sadly, few exceptions to the rule, and you're one of them, and thats really awesome for you.


now, who wants 45 beers?

[ErebusBass]

I was gonna say something, but the little voice in my head told me to read the thread first, and I'm glad it did.

All I have to say is that some of you guys have a some very distorted perceptions of the world around you.

[nightcityburn]

Originally Posted by GearHeadBassMan

thats the kind of thinking that I respect. still being able to go out and have fun without relying on drinking/drugs is the good kind of sXe.

and, yeah, it was stereotyping, hence why I said, "more often than not" there are, sadly, few exceptions to the rule, and you're one of them, and thats really awesome for you.


now, who wants 45 beers?

Now I see why you have such a passionate hate for all things edge, you are from Springfield, Mass. You have a lot of experience with FSU and all of the real heavy hard liners up there.

Dude, once you get away from the hard line capital of the world, you will realize its not as bad as you think. Down here in Florida, the fights are few and far between. People are cool, and we all get along.

Now Reno or SLC, completely different. Hardcore shows, as I have heard, people may show up with a hatchet in the pit.

Don't judge everyone based off of your limited experience with the group.

[sonic assassin]

Originally Posted by GrindYourMind

Edge is dumb. If you don't do drugs, that's cool, just don't define yourself with it. Same goes for drugs. Same goes for just about anything.

it makes as much if not more sense for us to claim edge as it does for people to go to church and put a jesus fish on their car.

why not define with it? you would likely define yourself as a bassist. if you were catholic, you would define yourself as a catholic. its what you are.. and if theres a group with the same values, why not participate in the culture.

[heath_r_91]

In order to be straight edge you must also not partake in pre-merital sex.

That is one part of it that is not as well known and that eliminates a bunch of us right there.

[nightcityburn]

Originally Posted by heath_r_91

In order to be straight edge you must also not partake in pre-merital sex.

That is one part of it that is not as well known and that eliminates a bunch of us right there.

False, you are not supposed to engage is casual sex. I guess people see that as no sex before marriage, but this is more specifically referencing having sex with anyone and everyone, not sex in general. Case in point, Ian Mackaye has never been married, but I am 99% sure he has had sex at some point in his life.

Check your facts.

[RedLeg]

"Straight Edge refers to a lifestyle that started within the hardcore punk subculture whose adherents make a lifetime commitment to refrain from drinking alcohol, using tobacco products, and taking recreational drugs. The term was coined by the 1980s hardcore punk band Minor Threat in the song Straight Edge."

I know. When did the "sex clause" thing get introduced? I mean really, "all work and no play makes jack a dull boy". We're straight edge punkers, not monks. To put it more succinctly, I am a priest, not a saint!

[RobertPaulson]

caffeine is a drug, ibuprofen is a drug, where do you draw the line? Is it with drugs that are illegal? That sounds like conforming to societies laws to me.

[CrankenStein]

Originally Posted by RobertPaulson

caffeine is a drug, ibuprofen is a drug, where do you draw the line? Is it with drugs that are illegal? That sounds like conforming to societies laws to me.

Thats a good question. Basically, sxe is a personal decision, so it all comes down to that. Some edge kids dont take medicine, eat meat, or drink caffine, its each individuals own commitments.

[sonic assassin]

Originally Posted by heath_r_91

In order to be straight edge you must also not partake in pre-merital sex.

That is one part of it that is not as well known and that eliminates a bunch of us right there.

thats not the way it goes..

[sonic assassin]

Originally Posted by RobertPaulson

caffeine is a drug, ibuprofen is a drug, where do you draw the line? Is it with drugs that are illegal? That sounds like conforming to societies laws to me.

i wont take tylenol.. or anything stronger. i dont like nyquil either.

but thats just me.

it wasnt a matter of rebelling against the government.. it was rebelling against the general public of heathens.

[akaTRENT]

Originally Posted by LTDVIPER333

Sweet
Great to get so many reply's this quickly.Ok whoeva wanted number X your welcome to be club member: 10 lols Somebody has allready baggsed XXX or 30 which is awesome Sonic Assassin! .Sorry to be really Straight Edge you must reject all narcotics even socially excepted ones such as tobacco and alcohol, all though Ian Mackay of Minor Threat would hate me for saying this.

Actually ian mckay never said anything about having a glass of wine. he was talking about getting trashed for fun being moronic. The lyrics are what you make them and this greater sXe movement is questionable.

I am against drug use but if i have two sips of beer for the taste and not to get drunk. I dont see that as not being sXe