Living on the Edge

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Have Heart Call it Quits
2009-08-24 15:48:00
I'm pretty saddened to hear that Have Heart have decided to call it quits. They are one of today's best Straight Edge bands with profound lyrics and a great hardcore sound. I hope that some of the members decide to form other Straight Edge bands in the future. They plan to have one last show on Edge Day (October 17) in Boston along with Bane and other bands, some edge and non-edge.The song "Something More Than Ink" was always special to me and made me feel a connection to the SxE community. It will continue to be an important song to me. If you don't have the album "The Things We Carry" then I suggest that you get it now, it is amazing and really speaks to what it means to be committed to Straight Edge and to live a posi life.
More About: Call

Back to School
2009-08-10 18:58:00
It's that time again when kids head back to school. It's a time that can be quite stressful for kids whether your in middle school or college. Everyone wants to fit in somewhere, even if you say you don't you probably do. Not that fitting in is the most important thing but having the right group of friends is important. They have more of an effect on what you do than you could ever imagine.It's even more difficult at times if your going away to college. I remember my first semester away and making friends was a little hard for me, I'm not the most outgoing guy. When I was in college I did drink, I hadn't claimed Edge at that point, and I did it to mostly fit in. So what I would like to say here is that if you are Edge or not (but you don't want to get caught up in the whole drinking to fit in thing) then you need to make sure to find friends that either don't drink or respect your choices. Sure that might sound not so easy, but there are definitely enough kids at any...
More About: School , Back , Back to School

Bleeding Through - On Tour
2009-08-03 18:53:00
Bleeding Through are going on tour this year and will play in NY just 3 days before my birthday! I'm very excited about this. I think it should be an awesome show as I'm impressed with how they've grown and the fact they are still all Straight Edge. Over on Straight Edge Lifestyle is a good interview with Brandon, the lead singer.Tour Dates:8.21.09 ? Tucson, AZ ? The Rock8.22.09 ? Farmington, NM ? Gators8.23.09 ? Las Vegas, NV ? Red Electric8.24.09 ? San Luis Obispo, CA ? Downtown Brew8.25.09 ? San Jose, CA ? The Urgency8.26.09 ? Roseburg, OR ? Riversdale Grange8.27.09 ? Sparks, NV ? New Oasis8.28.09 ? Orangevale, CA ? The Boardwalk8.29.09 ? San Diego, CA ? Epicenter8.30.09 ? Anaheim, CA ? Chain Reaction9.25.09 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar9.26.09 - Norfolk, VA- Norva9.28.09 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade9.29.09 - Orlando, FL - The Club10.1.09 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live10.2.09 - Dallas, TX - The Door10.3.09 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit10.5.09 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Thea...
More About: Bleeding Through , On Tour

Edge the Movie
2009-06-30 20:10:00
A new documentary about Straight Edge called "Edge the Movie " is circulating the film festival circuit mailings. So it might appear at a local film festival near you soon. I do want to see this one as it appears that will at least have a more positive look at SxE despite the fact that they mention they will talk about the negative aspects as well. I do feel though that it isn't that necessary to even discuss these aspects at all. Enough has been documented about those that claim Edge and are violent and ruin the scene and name for the rest of us. That would be like doing a movie about Christianity and saying well we have to talk about the Crusades and the Spanish Inquistion, not if you focus on the positive aspects as your documentary. I feel like the iea of doing an unbiased balanced documentary can be lame as a proper focus on the positive aspects can be just as important and fullfilling in a documentary. I'll keep my official judgement quiet until I see the film though.T...
More About: The Movie

Doing Too Much at Once
2009-06-21 15:30:00
I find myself sometimes doing way too much at once and never getting anything done. At work this seems like a boon and since I'm constantly getting tasked by other's to get things done on pretty crazy schedules I find it easy to switch gears from one task to work on another. But at home I see myself skipping around a lot with out schedules and getting very little done.I'll start to fold laundry, then remember I needed to take out the trash so I'll do that, then I'll rearange somethings that were cluttered and then realize I forgot to finish folding the laundry and go back to that, get bored and do something else, etc... It goes on like that a lot.Lately I keep feeling like I may have ADD (Atention Deficit Disorder) but I'm 32 so I'm not sure what can really be done at this stage in my life. I want to be a little more sane when it comes to getting things done instead of switching around all the time and not comleting a lot of tasks that should really have my full attention....
More About: Productivity

The Past The Present 1982-2007: A History of 25 Years of European Straight
2009-06-09 17:51:00
Another cool book is out about Straight Edge over a 25 year period in Europe. I'm actually quite interested in this book as it follows five Dutch bands through the various periods of SxE. I am quite amazed at how worldwide Straight Edge is and that it has become something that can bring people from all over together with a single philosophy. I'm very excited about all the books that are coming out lately that cover Straight Edge.You can check out more info on the book from this blog and you can order the book from Refuse Records. I realize I'm a tad late on this news, but better late than never.
More About: History , European , Past , Present , Years

Burning Fight: The Nineties Hardcore Revolution in Ethics, Politics, Spirit
2009-06-02 16:12:00
I recently found out about a new book about hardcore culture. I haven't picked it up yet, so as soon as I get it I'll post a review. The book is called "Burning Fight : The Nineties Hardcore Revolution in Ethics , Politics , Spirit, and Sound" and it's by Brian Peterson. The book is supposed to cover where 80s hardcore left off and discuss the culture that embraced straight edge, animal rights, D.I.Y., and spirituality into their lives and hardcore.I find the concept of this book rather interesting by the fact that the author was into hardcore in his teens in the 90s and now is a writer and high school English teacher. Just because you're a punk as a kid or even listen to hardcore as an adult does not mean that you can't become whatever you want in life. Hardcore isn't a barrier to life and you can live your life as an adult outside of the scene and still enjoy the music and culture.I think that too many people see subcultures like hardcore as a dead end. It's whatever yo...

HATEBREED: For The Lions
2009-05-05 16:17:00
The new Hatebreed album For the Lions is out in stores now. They have some wicked covers on there. I love the Judge cover! Here's the Track Listing: SLAYER - Ghosts of War CRO-MAGS - It's The Limit SUICIDAL TENDENCIES - Suicidal Maniac SEPULTURA - Refuse/Resist METALLICA - Escape BAD BRAINS - Supertouch/Shitfit MISFITS - Hatebreeders D.R.I. - Evil Minds MADBALL - Set It Off SICK OF IT ALL - Shut Me Out BLACK FLAG - Thirsty NEGATIVE APPROACH - Sick Of Talk CROWBAR - All I Had I Gave MERAUDER - Life Is Pain AGNOSTIC FRONT - Your Mistake JUDGE - Hear Me OBITUARY - I'm In Pain SUBZERO - Boxed In

Question? Have you ever lost friends because you claimed Edge?
2009-05-05 16:09:00
Let us know and tell us why, post your answer.Thanxxx.
More About: Lost , Friends , Question , Edge

Straight Edge and Stress
2009-05-01 16:03:00
I feel like being Straight Edge gives me an advantage when dealing with stress and anger. Often we are faced with problems and people that are very difficult to handle, people that only care about themselves. Having Edge forces me to face those issues head on. Quite often people hit the bottle or pop some pills to forget their troubles, but they don't go away. Before I claimed Edge I drank to ignore the crap in my life, and nothing got better. The only way things got solved is when I talked it out with people, when we figured out the real problem. Stress can tear you apart. But for me having faith in myself to stay Straight Edge is what gets me through the stress. xTRUE TILL DEATHx

Birds X Of A Feather
2009-04-20 20:13:00
Just found out about a great Straight Edge band called Birds X Of A Feather . Here's a nice interview with the band from @xroldx."To me hardcore and the edge are no passing phase. ...I've never been fed up with hardcore and you know why? Because I don't care about what other people do, how other people dress and how other people interpret hardcore. I'm just doing this for myself"You can find Birds on myspace.

Twitter
2009-04-20 15:58:00
So I've had a defunct twitter account for a while and finally got around to using it. I'm going to be posting new and different content all with the same pessimistic angry outlook on the world around us -- along with links back to the blog and some music using blip.fm and pics using twitpic.com and whatever else is worthy of twitter.So please follow me on twitter: @phreekkI also listed myself on wefollow with #straightedge #punk and #hardcoreAnd NO, this is not a result of Ashton Kutcher or Oprah.
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Katamari is Straight Edge
2009-04-01 18:55:00
From joystiq.com:Although it's hard to believe that the ideas for Katamari Damacy and Noby Noby Boy weren't birthed from some serious drug use, Keita Takahashi stated at GDC that he's completely straight-edge when it comes to partaking in the chemical vices of man. In the same session where he revealed Noby Noby Boy for iPhone, he also claimed, "I don't use drugs at all, I don't drink at all. Please don't worry about me."
More About: Edge , Straight , Straight Edge

Hot Straightedge Punks
2009-04-01 05:59:00
I just found these lyrics for a song about Hot Straightedge Punks and thought I'd share cause hey I'm a hot straight edge punk (at least I think so):chourus: you may not be like Kurt Cobain,but with you i cannot complain. I know all you guys are hard to find,Hot straightedge punks you make my love life rock out loud!1rst verse: hey! i'm just a plain punk girl, trapped in a huge messed up world, full of gangstas, preps & wrist cutting emo kids. just unique with my own style & yet it has to make me smile,because i know that i am not alone2nd verse: i see him walking down,turning frowns upside down. my heart beats faster with every step he takes. a punk with no booze or drugs unlike those other thugs. oh why cant there much more guys just like you?(chorus)3rd verse: i just think its so damn brave. another ones life saved. you're not weak just very cautious. i just think it's so fly that ur not drunk or high. Hey straightedge punk, don't ever change that habit please!(chor...

You Can't Be Straight Edge "For Now"
2009-03-25 04:54:00
I love when I search the net for Straight Edge news and come across articles in local newspapers that cover Straight Edge kids in their area.  It's always a nice feeling to see a positive news story that shows how SxE is a lifestyle choice for making one's life better.  I just came across the article I Am ... Straight Edge in the Hartford Courant about a 16 year old boy that found out about Straight Edge from a band he liked.However I would like there to be more positive and uplifting stories about SxE that involve older people that are past the age of 21, people such as myself, that have chosen to be Straight Edge to improve their lives.   Because when you read about a 16 year old kid saying he's Straight Edge people always think that they'll break edge when they are 21.  Sadly this kid even says "I'm not saying I'm never going to drink or to try stuff, but for now, never, I have no desire to." which to me shows that he's not commited to being Straight Edge.  I think that if...

Happy St. Drunky Day!
2009-03-18 04:08:00
Seems like St. Patricks Day is simply another reaosn to get trashed and like an idiot.
More About: Happy

Claiming Straight Edge is an Wise Economic Choice
2009-03-16 18:25:00
In these extremely tough economic times, it's hard to find money, a job or even a little help sometimes. And it seems that with less money to go around people are actually spending more money on the things they don't actually need. Americans are spending more money on cigarettes and alcohol than before and the numbers are rising. As a nation we are driven to vices that we think will make us feel better rather than logically trying to find ways to actually make our lives better. Basic math will tell anyone that giving up smoking and drinking will put so much more money into your savings that you won't need to live paycheck to paycheck, which is all to common these days. Even looking at really old data on spending for cigarettes it's so obvious that you can retire on the money you'd save in 30 years.In the end, not only would you be saving money, but you'd be saving your self from all the harmful effects if you claimed Edge .
More About: Choice , Economic , Wise , Straight

Shai Hulud - Misanthropy Pure
2009-03-10 22:49:00
Understood,This will read as a plea to vindicate intolerance as surely as it is written.Understand,Contempt born of clear perception is a birthright to those who channel it toward progression.Preserve life without loathing.Awaken hope within hatred.Wrest insight from outrage.This is a birthright and obligation.Spiteful and ill-tempered, I know the character well...A maelstrom of weakness, and instability seething with viciousness.I choose not to accept this;Not into my life.There is no hope of reform.When pride is allied with hostility, all reason is denied.I return the denial.A glaring misconception of self-importance, I know the character well...Heedless fool, so arrogant with no understanding of consequence.I see this negligence.I choose not to accept it;Not into my life.Absence of introspection neglects the outer world.Let not the excess of lusts and comfort mislead you.This world is not yours.Feel the quarrel in just his presence, you know the character all too well...A destruc...
More About: Pure

Straight Edge Icons for IM (AIM, Yahoo, whatever)
2009-03-05 02:13:00
I made a few Straight Edge IM icons for apps like AIM, Yahoo , Gmail Chat, MSN and others.  Use them as you'd like with one limitation: these icons can NOT be modified to contain anti Straight Edge messages, violence, or anything that would not be considered posi.
More About: Icons , Yahoo!

Addict
2009-03-04 23:22:00
You know you're an addict when you have a ciggarette in your mouth before you even get out of the subway.You know you're an addict when you have to have a drink before you go out to drink.You know you're an addict when you read this and you hate me for being right.
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Mega List of Straight Edge Bands
2009-02-03 00:56:00
With lots and lots of effort this list of Straight Edge bands past and present is over 300 with album covers, web site links and years of existence (for some). It's an excellent resource for looking at history of Straight Edge through music. I don't know how accurate it is of course, but like wikipedia, it's a great place to start. I certainly wouldn't consider myself an expert on SxE music, so I foudn this list great for finding bands I hadn't discovered yet.
More About: Bands , List , Mega

New York should learn a little something from Tokyo
2009-01-08 09:45:00
I recently got back to NY from Tokyo , Japan. My wife and I went there for our honeymoon. I was amazed at how clean their city was, how respectful people were to others, and people (no matter what job they held) were courteous and helpful to everyone.Tokyo is a very clean city, there are no cigarette butts on the ground, no gum on the sidewalks, and no trash anywhere. Surprisingly they have no trash cans on any street corners, like you find in NY. People just wait till they find a place with a trash can instead of throwing things on the street. Japanese people have respect for their city.Almost no one in Tokyo smokes. And when they do, they follow the laws and smoke in designated areas. They don't throw cigarettes on the sidewalk or out their car windows. Japanese people don't blow smoke in your face, or walk with a lit cigarette (something that the oblivious and disrespectful europeans truly we saw didn't get.) We were eating on a bench along the sidewalk one day and th...
More About: New York , York , Learn , New-York

the edge project
2008-11-21 18:15:00
A new documentary on Straight Edge is coming out, it's titled "the edge project", the website is a little bare, but keep checking back to find out when it will be out.
More About: Project , The Edge

Link on the Straight Edge
2008-11-21 03:31:00
straight-edge.net bands and other SxE stuff including forums, videos, and reviews.
More About: Link , Edge , Straight , Straight Edge

Turncoat
2008-11-10 16:45:00
TURNCOAT! KILLER! LIAR! THIEF!Criminal with protection of the law!Go!States lies dressed up as evening newsWe're tired of lies we want the truthBrodcast by corpses courting youWe're tired of lies we want the truthMost people they will never knowWe're tired of lies we want the truthWith your or against you?Then I am against you because you're a...TURNCOAT! KILLER! LIAR! THIEF!Criminal with protection of the lawTURNCOAT! KILLER! LIAR! THIEF!Criminal with protection of the lawIn your cornerMakes me wannaDouse myself in gasoline!Civil servants fall in line for youToo brainwashed to see the truthYou use anyone you can!TURNCOAT! KILLER! LIAR! THIEF!Criminal with protection of the lawTURNCOAT! KILLER! LIAR! THIEF!Criminal with protection of theKILLER!LIAR!A TURNCOAT! and a THIEF!Criminal with protection of the law! The law!Criminal with protection of the law!Turncoat ~ Anti-Flag

Get Hammered
2008-10-19 05:02:00
I almost never click on ads, yet today while editing this blog I saw an ad for Get Hammered , an organization for college kids that serves as an alternative to drinking.I'm very happy to see these kinds of organizations and hope that they get the recognition they deserve on many campuses. My college didn't have a chapter (since it was started in '02 and I graduated in '99), but I would have liked to have joined and possibly found a quicker route to claiming edge. Many of my friends in college drank, and I even did at that time (I didn't claim edge till a few years after college.)So, if your edge or just edge-minded and in college or heading there soon, check out this org, they don't have many chapters thus far, but I think it would be something I would've like to have started when I was in school.

Happy Edge Day
2008-10-17 06:01:00
Happy Edge Day!
More About: Happy

When the Label Has Gone Mainstream
2008-10-14 02:24:00
Straight Edge is now such a huge term that many people simply use it to refer to anyone quite often that doesn't do drugs, smoke or drink. I've seen it commonly used in articles (such as this one about "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist". The term is becoming universal and synonomous with those that abstain from the drugs, etc. How does the use of the phrase outside of the community and when refering to those that haven't officially "claimed" to be Edge effect others that hear it? I imagine that it is actually a good thing, in the end. Certainly it can be used to make fun of others and mock them as being "straight edge" since they don't follow the crowd. But for me I'd rather be mocked for following my choices than be mocked for following other's choices.To me I see this use as a way to influence other's and show them that there are people that abstain from poisoning one's self. Granted the context will have to be positive in most cases to make it an influencer, but...
More About: Label

H2O - Nothing To Prove
2008-10-08 03:56:00
When it began, for those who don't knowIt didn't matter how you looked or what you wore to a showDress codes, FUCK NO! we didn't careAbout the brand of your jeans and all that shit in your hairBut now the biggest part is all about the image and not the artFashion before passion!And at nights, it makes me mad that I should have to ask:What happened to the passion? (passion!)What the reason for screaming?What happened the music and the message that I love?[newpage]What happened to the hard work? (hard work!)And why does everybody look the same?What happened the music and the message that I love?And I know, that people chanceAnd we go through different stages in lifeAnd I'm not here to criticizeBut the reason I scream, is a feeling insideBut now the biggest part is all about the image and not the artFashion before passion!And at nights, it makes me mad that I should have to ask:What happened to the passion? (passion!)What the reason for screaming?What happened the music and the mes...
More About: Prove

The High-Fructose War
2008-09-21 03:14:00
The Corn Refiners Association is fighting back against people learning about the ill effects of High -Fructose Corn Syrup with commercials like this one:The evidence is piling up, with some of it not so well defined yet, as it relies on animal testing. But the tests are there and the results aren't that great. It may lead to diabetes. The Mayo clinic suggests that it may also lead to high cholesterol.  An article in the San Francisco Chronicle mentions that the USDA suggests Americans reduce their intake of foods with added sugar.Whether it's simply the addition of high fructose corn syrup alone or all the refined and unnatural sugars in the American diets, it is quite clear that a reduction of artificial and refined sugars can improve your diet. I personally have been reducing as much of this as possible, I've moved from fake pancake syrup to the natural kind from New Hampshire, I try to only eat snack foods such as Nature Valley Roasted Nut Crunch bars that only contain cor...