Living on the Edge Living on the Edge Blog about living Straight Edge with reviews on Straight Edge culture, books, clothing, etc... Articles
Straight Edge and Religion
2007-08-31 22:41:00 Straight Edge began secular and eventually became part of many people's religious choices. One of the first connections to Straight Edge and religion came with Hare-Krishna and Krishnacore music. These two choices were brought together by Ray Cappo and Porcel. You can find Christian Straight Edge, such as the band xDEATHSTARx. Utah is home to many Mormon Straight Edge youths. While reading Straightedge Youth: Complexity And Contradictions of a Subculture I was shocked to find the connection between Satanism and Straight Edge, it shouldn't have been to much of a shock really since Satanism and rock have always had connections and SxE and religion are connected as well. Recently I came across a blog started to promote the idea of Muslim Straight Edge which I hope will bring a positive view to a community that already has a law against drinking. Religion , because of it's laws about restriction and morality have found themselves easily identifiable by many who claim edge. Howev... More About: Straight , TRAI
Sometimes I just hate New York!
2007-08-27 00:24:00 Too many people getting in my way, car alarms going off all night long, crazy people shouting crap, screwed up subways. Now I love New York for lots of other reasons too, one of which is also crazy people shouting. But my hate for NYC led me to create this unique design I put on cafepress.com/iskullny as a t-shirt design. It's stupid, but I wanted to make it for myself and figured I'd just let other people share in my hatred and misery. More About: Hate , New-York , Some
Hulk Hogan loves Throwdown!
2007-08-23 16:57:00 He may not, but he was sporting a Throwdown shirt on his show "Hogan Knows Best." As I mentioned before I don't watch wrestling anymore, but I have to admit that the show is kind of funny and it's nostalgic to see the Hulk ster. Actually it's a shirt for a mixed martial arts company called Throwdown Industries; but it was definitely funny to see him wearing a shirt that made me think about whether or not Hulk has been listening to Straight Edge Metalcore. I figured with the advent of Straight Edge athletes in both wrestling and baseball maybe even Hulk Hogan would claim Edge. And speaking of Throwdown, check out this review of the new Throwdown album Venom & Tears.
Beer and Bears, what a combo!
2007-08-20 16:28:00 Apparently no one told people that drinking beer and playing with bears was not smart. But then I guess those that someone that would drink enough beer to go into a cage of bears wouldn't have listened anyway. A 23 year old man was half-eaten by bears at the Belgrade Zoo during the annual beer festival. "Only an idiot would jump into the bear cage," zoo director Vuk Bojovic told Reuters. More About: Beer , Bears , Combo , Ears , Bear
Can You Overdose From Caffeine?
2007-08-17 17:01:00 Yes. As a 17 year old girl from England can attest to, as she drank seven double measures of espresso and began to hyperventilate and have heart palpitations. Certainly it seems that limiting ones intake of caffeine is a wise idea. Despite the fact that my own family owns a small coffee shop chain, I've probably only had a half dozen cups in my life. I still intake caffeine but only in small doses when it's in chocolate or the occasional soda or tea. I've thought of stopping all together but I feel that the effects on my body with respect to the small doses of caffeine are not quite the same as small doses of alcohol or drugs. I'd like to know where other people stand on the issue of caffeine and Straight Edge, so drop a comment with your opinion. More About: Caff , Dose , Overdose
Getting your tat in Rolling Stone isn't as cool as it sounds
2007-08-15 22:52:00 Journalistic Integrity gets thrown aside as Rolling Stone aims at the Tiger Beat scene with their latest issue. I was contacted about two weeks ago about having pictures of myself used in a magazine article. The request came from a guy, (I won't mention his name) that claimed to be Straight Edge, to print photos I had in my flickr.com account. The photos were of me getting tattooed by "Old School" Alex and one of me posing with an X on my hand. This guy claimed that the article was to be about Straight Edge and Hardcore. Well after sending him and his editor (I won't mention her name either) high-res versions of the photos I was pretty excited. This was to be the second time I was to be in Rolling Stone , I was involved with the IVAW as their first web master when they first started as an anti-war group, but that article never got published as Rolling Stone didn't want to deal with the anti-war movement at the time; So I didn't put a blog posting here about it at the time I... More About: Sounds , Cool
Why Are You So Angry?
2007-08-10 00:08:00 Some people ask me sometimes why I get so angry or annoyed so easily. Try as I might I can't seem to be a completely relaxed and calm person. My answer seems to be: "Have you seen the world we live in?"I want to move to a new planet. More About: Angry
All Else Failed, Myself, and YouTube!
2007-07-30 16:46:00 A little while ago a friend and I went to see All Else Failed at ABC No Rio, and he just found this video of them singing their Vision of Disorder cover. I'm partially visible on the left side in a black jacket leaning against the wall (wow I made it onto YouTube; not that I'm actually excited by that, but this was a great show!) More About: Youtube
Break Down The Walls
2007-07-27 15:12:00 I used to think that label were just symbol of prideBut over time I've seen they only serve to divideIt's so easy to judge people by the way they seem to beWe must overcome this problem to live life peacefullyBrea k down the walls!Yes, we'll break down the walls!Look beyond the fashion or the crowd that they are inLook beyond their riches or the color of their skinLook beyond appearance and the truth you will findLook for what's inside before you make up your mindBreak down the walls!We'll break down the walls!Break Down The Walls - Youth of Today More About: The wall
Community
2007-07-27 14:54:00 I have only a few friends that are Straight Edge in real life, but over the Internet I've found so many more SxE friends. The community of Edgers online has given me more since of brotherhood and sisterhood that I didn't know really existed offline since I didn't have that many friends that claimed. There is definitely a community online that are more militant or anti in their goals, but I think that it seems to me that there are a number of great posi groups as well. Unfortunately a few of the good places online have become virtual ghosttowns, but that's life on the net.Some great online communities that I like to visit and wander through:Live Journal SxE Community X Sisterhood XSxE.com Forums More About: Unit
Straight Edge Wrestling
2007-07-24 15:38:00 It's probably been about 18 years since I've watched wrestling longer than 5 minutes. But since I've had this blog I've kept up a bit with the ECW wrestler C.M. Punk who is Straight Edge . Surprisingly it's not a gimmick, he has quite a few SxE tattoos and listens to punk music. Here's a pretty decent interview with him from the Baltimore Sun. More About: Wrestling , TRAI , Straight Edge
Anniversary
2007-07-19 18:21:00 So it's been just over one year since I launched this blog. I wasn't sure how much people would care to comment on my entries or even to read what I have. But I get emails every now and then and a few comments on some posts, not as much as I would like, but then again this isn't gizmodo. Straight Edge is alive and kicking all across the globe so I'm going to continue to post and put out my thoughts. I'd like to add that I'd like everyone that reads this to comment back with any cool Straight Edge sites you like to visit or any thing else about Straight Edge you've come across on the net. xTRUExTILLxDEATHx More About: Anniversary
Alcohol in Mouthwash and Food
2007-07-02 18:28:00 So Crest recently introduced an alcohol free mouthwash. It made me think about how others that are Straight Edge deal with products or food that contain alcohol. I use regular mouthwash with alcohol because it's purpose is for cleaning and it's effective at what it does. I do however avoid foods that contain alcohol when the original purpose of the alcohol was for drinking, such as rum or whiskey. If it's a cooking alcohol, like cooking rice wine (as used in teriyaki sauce), then I am okay with that since the alcohol is burned off and and the reason behind using it is purely for chemistry and not to taste like something like rum. So I'm curious to know what other's out there that are Straight Edge think about this and what are your personal beliefs, will you switch to an alcohol free mouthwash? Do you avoid all foods that contain alcohol? More About: Food , Alcohol
Straight Edge on TV
2007-06-12 21:13:00 HBO has a show about polygamy called 'Big Love', I've never seen it, but I just saw the posters around New York. Turns out as part of the new season one of the characters is considering joining Stra ight Edge (because as you all know it's a cult that you join) after being guilty over having sex (based on what I gathered from the synopsis of the episode Reunion, which stars a "Straight Edge Tattoo Artist." I think having Straight Edge on TV is a good thing, but that is only if it's portrayed properly. I doubt it will as SxE is considered a 'gang' in Utah and is often seen as violent by the media. More About: TRAI
Straight Edge Music on Last.fm
2007-06-08 19:30:00 Straight Edge Music on Last.fm More About: Stra , Straight , TRAI
When in Rome...Make Your Own Choices
2007-05-24 19:56:00 Many people that dislike Straight Edge or SxE people say that we shouldn't push our beliefs on them, that we should not make a statement about what we don't do. I think this is a rather limited and thoughtless way to think. This usually comes about when people talk about music, they feel that SxE bands don't have to talk about not drinking all the time. To me they just don't see their own music for what it is. Just listen to a Dropkick Murphy's album (I love them, so I'm not bashing them, just using them for a demonstration here) or many of today's rap albums and hear the amount of lyrics devoted to drinking and promiscuous sex. But I guess since everyone's doing it then it's okay. When in Rome do as the Romans do, right? Seems to me that when something is right in front of you and it's something you like, you don't notice how often it's slammed down your throat, or how much society tells you that it's okay. It's our choice to be Straight Edge, and when you lis... More About: Make , Choi , Choices
Different Directions
2007-05-23 19:54:00 Let's keep it clear what I need from you is just a little spaceDon't understand the goals I've setOr the choices that I've madeDays fly by in the blink of an eyeAnd I find that years have pastCan't spend my life chasing expectations you've setLet's keep it clear what I need from you is just a little spaceDon't understand the goals I've setOr the choices that I've madeYears fly by in the blink of an eyeAnd I'll find that I've grown oldSo much to do and so little timeAnd I can't live these days for youThat's not the way I want to liveSo I'm always going to push it awayYou need to give me room to breatheI want to live, live the life that I know is right for meI want to live, and I know my mistakesAre just lessons learnedI want to live, live the life that I know is right for me, drug freeI want to live, can't you see what's right?If it's not my choice then it's not my lifeAnd I want to live, live my own lifeDiff erent Dire ctions - Champion ~ Different Directions: The L... More About: Rent , Rect
The Last of Champion
2007-05-22 21:52:00 So Cham pion has finally called it quits and leaves us with a an audio visual sampler of better days.I found a nice review of the disc, on Mammoth Press, by a non-straight edge reviewer that acutally respected the band despite his differences. It's nice to read a review that actually focuses on the music and doesn't say "well i hate straight edge, so i hate this new CD" I only have one or two previous Champ ion CDs, so I'm sure that I'll get this soon. More About: Hampi , The Last
Smoking, the MPAA & the American Lung Association
2007-05-16 16:09:00 The MPAA announced that they will give new movies R ratings for showing images of people smoking (however the rating isn't mandatory.) Granted I agree with the American Lung Association that smoking in movies and TV shows is sometimes portrayed as sexy and cool (almost every episode of America's Next Top Model (my girlfriend watches it) shows the models lounging and smoking), but I'm not sure that it warrants an R rating. Definitely no G or PG movie should portray it in a cool way, but what about Cruella Deville, she's certainly not the image of beauty she thinks she is, and the fact that she smokes is a sure indicator of her unatractiveness (pretty much only adults think she's cool.) I think the context and situation should indicate the rating. I don't think an X-Files movie that features the smoking man should automatically be rated R, but if a new Bogart movie was to be shot today any character he would play shouldn't smoke unless it's an R movie. I know that parent... More About: Smoking , King , The A
No more Xs if you stop vomiting
2007-04-30 17:35:00 I'm sick of all the people that say that they hate Straight Edgers cause they "have to belong to something" and because they put Xs on their bodies. They say that by putting an X on my body I'm pushing my views on them, that I'm making a public statement about my beliefs.Well I'm putting it out here now that I will stop putting Xs on my hands and wearing Straight Edge clothing if everyone that is not Straight Edge will no longer drink in front of anyone that is Straight Edge, that means when I'm out you can't drink, cause that drink is in my face, and that when I'm out on the street you won't stumble out of a bar and vomit on the sidewalk. You won't wear alcohol sponsoring clothing, you won't smoke in public, you won't be hung-over in public.I'll also stop belonging to my beliefs if you stop taking pride in things you can't control. Stop being proud of your genetics or where you were born. How can you be proud of being American, Irish, Native American; how can you b... More About: More , Vomiting , Vomit
Straight Talk on Straight Edge
2007-04-26 16:20:00 Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4videos by c.s. spence More About: Talk , Edge , Stra , Straight , TRAI
SxE Baseball Player
2007-04-23 18:31:00 It's great when a positive role model of Straight Edge can be seen outside the Hardcore scene. Not to say anything bad about hardcore. But when the media general always has something bad to say about SxE such as that Utah SxE kid getting 20 years for a 1998 stabbing (but read the comments, I really need to learn more about this particular incident) it really makes you proud to hear about someone that is truly posi.So hear I want to talk about C.J. Wilson, a pitcher for the Texas Rangers and someone that is truly proud to be Straight Edge. He has a few SxE tattoos and something that I think is definitely awesome is that he has XXX stitched into his glove. C.J. is also a Taoist, and a college film major that will actually be doing new commercials for the team himself. More About: Baseball , Player , Ball , Base , Layer
Following?
2007-04-23 01:58:00 Some people like to say that being Straight Edge is stupid, because you are just following what some guy said in a song. True, it was just lyrics in a song, i guess it's not as good as words in a book (like the bible) or a speech on a podium (like everyman that did something good or bad for America). I guess lyrics aren't important, and music is a pointless wasted en devour of the mindless youth. But those that say these things are wrong. Yes, it is true that Ian MacKaye never meant to start some worldwide following, but his lyrics rang true with disillusioned youth.From the start of his words and the label Straight Edge sprang forth many other like minded youths that believed that being clean of body was more important than being so called "punk." It would seem to me that those that believed in the punk lifestyle were just following the trends of being punk and following into the rebellious lifestyle of their parents and the "man." They drank the beer and smoked the cigaret... More About: Following , Wing
Three New York Teachers Busted for Smoking Pot
2007-04-02 16:40:00 Three public high school teachers were arrested and charged when they were caught by police smoking pot outside an Allman Brothers concert. The school board is just moving them to other schools while they investigate. I just hope that they fire these teachers, as they apparently are not good role models for the students they are supposed to be teaching. You can read about in amNY. More About: New York , York , Smoking , Cher , Bust
Music Sales are down, why?
2007-03-21 18:51:00 Why? Because most music out there just plain sucks. I'm sick of reading articles about music sales being down and the simple answer not even being approached. When you slam everyone out there with the same old thing repackaged and blended and refaced with a crappier knock-off wanna be band you are going to get a decline in sales. People are sick of this kind of crap being shoved down our throats. The simple fact is that with the onslaught of myspace and other resources to listen to music (legally, at least this last article didn't go on about how illegal downloads are the cause, which is clearly a bullshit answer; and onto this continuing tangent I don't download illegal music because I care about the bands I listen to and buy their CDs and go to their shows) whenever we want we only listen to the single and nothing else.This is due to the afore mentioned reason that most music sucks. Typically the single is the only decent (if that) song that is put out and it's so easily... More About: Music , Sales , Sale , Down , Music Sales
Energetic Hardcore at it's Best
2007-03-11 17:31:00 ABC No Rio puts on amazing shows. Despite being sadly disappointed by 11.22, the rest of the lineup was great (Ed Gein wasn't able to make it to the show) I originally went to see 11.22 but they didn't seem to have very much energy and didn't sound all that great either. All Else Failed was beyond unbelievable; they put on a fantastic set that got the crowd energized and emotional. When they covered Suffer by Vision of Disorder everything I'd seen before paled in comparison, everyone piled on top of each other to get a chance to sing. They even did an encore song, something you never really see at a hardcore show all that much (this isn't arena rock.)I was very pleased to see a lot of straight edge guys and girls out at the show. That always makes me happy, especially when I see some that are older than me and have been edge for so long. It's also great to see younger new blood that have claimed edge.One of the other opening bands was a NJ group called In First Person. ... More About: Hard , Best , Core , Hardcore
Anti-Choice?
2007-03-07 17:34:00 While reading some things on the net the other day I came across someone slamming Straight Edge as anti-choice. That to me seems completely absurd. If anything SxE is about choice. It's my choice to be poison free and to choose to not drink. People that say that SxE is anti-choice are just pissed because they can't be strong enough to make a choice other than to be a sheeple and follow the crowd. They are jealous of people that make choices different from theirs.Sure their are some Edgers that try to force their beliefs on others, but there are FAR MORE non-edgers forcing their beliefs on others to drink, smoke, and do drugs. But it's easier to point fingers at the minority and the different than to look inside and realize one's own failures. It takes a strong f*cking person to hold your ground. ~ Gorilla BiscuitsNow this isn't to say that people that choose to drink are failures, it's the people that don't choose and still drink that are failures, the people that drink... More About: Choice , Anti , Choi
Political Straight Edge Hardcore at ABC No Rio this Saturday
More articles from this author:2007-03-05 17:00:00 This saturday at ABC No Rio should be an awesome hardcore show. Ex-The Promise/Turmoil members will be playing in 11.22, a political SxE band along with All Else Failed and Ed Gein. My friend saw both AEF and Ed Gein a few years back at ABC and said that the show was amazing. So I can't wait to go this weekend. I haven't seen an SxE band in a little while so this will be great. I'll be there X'd up, come and check out the show if you're in the area. More About: Political , Politica , Turd , This , Hard 1, 2, 3, 4 |
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