Living on the Edge

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Being Straight Edge is better for the Earth
2008-05-03 01:37:00
For a project at work I needed to research diesel and it's environmental impact compared to regular gasoline. This lead me to wonder how living straight edge impacts global warming versus not being edge.There are definitely high levels of CO2 production from not only the production of brewing beer and other alcohols, but also in the packaging especially if it is packaged in glass. Then since any "quality" beer is imported the environmental impact of shipping adds to that overall effect. Soda has similar impacts from it's own production which is high in sugar processing and water consumption, but it typically is less than beer and is bottled in many local bottling plants all across the U.S. And if you are a SxE person that avoids caffeine then you are improving the earth, I personally only drink a soda about once a month. Source.Some SxE people are Vegetarians and Vegans and it's a fairly effective way to reduce CO2 which comes from methane which is produced in large quantities...
More About: Earth , Edge , Straight , Straight Edge

Straight Edge Merch
2008-04-24 21:12:00
Here's a list of some SxE Merch websites i've found, some I've bought stuff from, some I haven't. If you like stuff from these shops or hate their designs comment here. If you know of other's I've missed as well, let me know and I'll update this list.Straight Edge Merch, Clothing, T-Shirts, Hoodies, Books, Videos, Music:Victory Records : Music & shirts1981 Records : Shirts, hoodies & musicUntil Industries : Until's main site, they have some cool drug free designsUntil on merchnow.com : Until's merchnow sitemerchnow.com : merchnow.com clothingBridge Nine : Great music & shirtsLiving on the Straight Edge ~ Clothing : My own straight edge clothing designs on cafepressGruesome Graphics Straight Edge Store : A nice cafepress shopLiving on the Straight Edge ~ Media : Music, dvds, books about Straight Edge and Hardcore24 Clothing : Nice SxE clothing lineDistrict Lines : Shirts, some are pretty ugly

Straight Edge is NOT a Gang
2008-04-13 01:48:00
Overall the NGC documentary "Inside Straight Edge " tried to show multiple angles of our community, but I felt that despite the varying views the concentration still leaned towards the idea that Straight Edge is a gang. I understand that the documentarians didn't specify that it was specifically, but they gave focus to those that said that it was, or was becoming that.Sure, there are those that are Straight Edge and are violent, but pretty much they only beat up drug dealers, drunks and those that start fights with them. I bet that some start fights, and probably do stupid things, most kids do stupid things (like get drunk and do drugs.) But most Straight Edge people are positive and that is the kind of focus that the documentary should have taken. Interview people that are SxE and do great things for our world. Talk about what it's like to be a part of the SxE world, how do girls feel about the community, talk to SxE kids that start drug-free programs for their schools, or Sx...
More About: Gang

Nat Geo Documentary on Straight Edge
2008-03-31 23:22:00
Late last year I was contacted by a guy working on a documentary for National Geographic on the subject of Straight Edge . At first I hoped that they would take it in a positive direction. After dealing with the lies and subterfuge with Rolling Stone covering SxE I knew it wouldn't be a positive story either.So next Wednesday, April 9th @ 10pm, National Geographic will be airing "Inside Straight Edge " to cover the darker side known as Hate Edge. Sure it exists, sure it is a dark and rough side to the story, but it has been done so many times with never a real mention to the positive and enlightening aspects of a culture that has enriched and empowered so many. I won't make any specific judgments about how biased or open-minded their coverage may be until I actually see this.They will apparently cover Straight Edge from the point of view of an Ex-Edge Cop in Reno on the gang beat, Ronen Morris the director of ?Boston Beatdown" and a soccer-mom that is struggling with the idea o...
More About: Documentary

No Donnie, These Men Are Straight Edge
2008-03-28 16:52:00
Without shame I'll put this blackX on my handWithout shame I'll speak up andMake my standIn the end will use thisUse this for my voiceSpread your rumors about meBecause it's my choiceWhat the fuck do you know?About me?Why the fuck do you care?What I do?Who the fuck are you?You ain't fucking shitYou think I care about you or what you say about me?Keep talking shitYou think i care what you write or what people read on meI am still edgeCarry these words highStraight edgeI am still edgeNo Donnie, These Men Are Straight Edge ~ Casey Jones
More About: Straight Edge

What Straight Edge is NOT!
2008-03-02 15:40:00
It's not for everyone. If you are not Edge , that's fine. I accept and respect that, so respect my choice.It's not about people that are not straight edge. I don't care what you do with your life.It's not a label, it's a lifestyle. It's not a style or clothing, it's not about what you listen to or where you live or work. It's about how you think and act. We might provide a name for it, but the name is not lifestyle, it's merely a way to identify the act of being.It's not from California. It's from D.C., from Minor Threat, from hardcore.It's not about what I don't do, it's about what I DO! I do keep my body clean, I do care about my mind, I do abstain from mind altering drugs. I do listen to hardcore!It's certainly not anything like not raping or not murdering. I recently read this post online and have to say something about it for the sake of people understading not only what SxE is but simple concepts like similarity and difference, that are apparently being ...
More About: Straight , Straight Edge

Earth-Crisis kicked @$$
2008-03-02 15:02:00
The Blender Theater was host to an awesome display of hardcore last night. Earth Crisis , Terror and Sworn Enemy proved their worth on stage and if the size of the pit meant anything the crowd was completely excited.When Earth-Crisis played Gomorrah's Season Ends the crowd was insane."I am straight edge. I am straight edge. I am straight edge."I picked up and awesome Shai Hulud shirt with a sketched worm rider on it and two great worms in the background. Gotta love Dune. My friend's and I arrived late to the show and apparently missed Shai Hulud's set which sucked. I guess I'll have to wait or travel to see them again.The Blender Theater is an nice venue, I really liked the layout of the floor and the downstairs areas had enough room for merch tables and two small bars that were nice to hang out at during band changes.

emo-skinny is the new black
2008-02-23 03:22:00
Oddly enough I just found out that I'm the perfect body type for the fashion runway. Well not exactly, but this is rather funny. It seems that male models that are super skinny are in. So I looked up and found out that one of these so called skinny male models is 6 foot tall and 145 pounds with a 28 inch waist. Damn that's so fat, I'm 5'10.5" and 115 pounds with a 26 inch waist.I guess like most things in fashion or art that imitation of life is the true muse. Emo geeks have been skinny for years, wearing tight body accentuating clothes. Soon enough emo-hair and emo-guys-kissing will be the in thing for the "normals."
More About: Black , Skinny

Straight Edge Softcore
2008-02-18 17:00:00
Is that an oxymoron? With a sound fairly remenisicent of the Postal Service, PlayRadioPlay has a nice mellow electronica sound. The band is just made up of one guy, Dan, who has claimed Edge since 04. Some of his music reflects on his past drug abuse. Apparently he had been sent to rehab and came out Edge. I haven't really checked out all his lyrics yet to see what kind of SxE meanings may exist; but I wonder as more musicians claim edge outside of Hardcore will they feel the need to scribe lyrics of their drug free life? Do they understand what it means to be Edge?
More About: Straight , Softcore , Straight Edge

King Dork
2008-02-16 03:00:00
King Dork has been one of the best books I've read in a while. The ending felt a little vague and without a solution but I feel that this was the effect that Frank Portman was going for. Frank "Dr. Frank" Portman from the band the Mr. T. Experience is certainly an author I want to read more from as well as read some of the other books referenced by Tom, he main character. I'm especially interested in reading Brighton Rock now. King Dork reminded of the experience I felt when I was younger and read Then Again, Maybe I Won't by Judy Blume as it ellicted the emotions of a young boy and all experiences you go through so well. I related a lot to how Tom felt, his alienation from the other kids, his isolation inside his own mind and how things sound much better inside than when spoken. When I was Tom's age I wasn't as in to music as he was, but I was definately into D & D (as most young dorks & geeks were, i prefer the term geek myself,) and never understood how to talk...
More About: King

Intervention
2008-02-12 02:25:00
Recently I started watching Intervention on A&E and tonight I saw an episode where a woman was so addicted to alcohol that she was drinking mouthwash. This woman was like a typical PTA type mid west soccer mom (at least before she went down the drain.) How can people let themselves go that far, especially when they have children. It's sad to think about how many people are like this in America. I seriously hope that this show will open people's eyes and get more people into rehab, whether through interventions or on their own.I think I would like Straight Edge to move beyond the community and beyond the music to give more people the chance to choose a lifestyle that will give them the opportunity to be proud of living a life that is poison free. I know that the special community that exists for us now is awesome and I'm extremely proud to be part of it, and I know that the music is the reason it exists today, but I think that SxE has so much to offer the world around us....

Calorie Counting in New York
2008-02-12 00:43:00
New York restaurant chains (with more than 15 restaurants) will have to post calorie counts for everything on the menu including all drinks. I wonder if all the drunks at TGIF will stop drinking when they realize that their white russians are the reason they can't walk without weezing.
More About: New York , New-York , Calorie , Counting

Jury Duty
2008-02-09 04:28:00
So I got picked today to sit on a Grand Jury for the next two weeks (thankfully 2 of the days are court holidays and you won't be called for jury duty again for eight years if you serve on a grand jury.) They also have free Wi-Fi so I can keep up on my email and work over the hour lunch break we'll get.On an unrelated note I started reading King Dork (which comes out in paper-back next week) by Frank Portman today figuring that I'd have time while sat in the jury assembly room waiting around to be called. I'm really impressed with the book so far and it really reminds me of my own youth in so many ways. I plan to write a more in depth review of the book when I finish, along with some other neglected reviews of the Out of Step book and some new (well new to me) CDs I recently picked up.While sitting there in the jury room I started wondering how I'd be able to handle being unbiased when a case could involve drugs or alchohol. I know I'm smart enough to not judge someone out...
More About: Duty

Life with a non-edge Partner
2008-01-14 02:22:00
This year I will be getting married. My fiancé is not Straight Edge , but she has been extremely acceptive of my choice. She doesn't smoke but occasionally has a drink when out with friends. When I chose to be Straight Edge I found it difficult to date, especially in New York, as many girls here drink and find it odd when a guy doesn't drink.I try to eat very healthy and try to be completely poison free when I eat. I don't eat fried foods, I am lactose intolerant, and I won't eat any food that has been cooked with alchohol (even if it has been cooked off completely.) My fiancé has always been helpful whenever we are out someplace or visiting people to make sure that there is something I can eat and that it doesn't contain alcohol.Being Straight Edge with someone that is not could lead to a difficult relationship with some people; I have read instances online of other Edgers that have had to leave partners because they weren't accepting enough or that they didn't completel...
More About: Life , Partner

Drunk Messaging
2008-01-03 01:06:00
I find it completely hilarious when people feel the need to anonymously attack others for their beliefs. It is even funnier when it's done by proxy; someone who doesn't even know me felt it was necessary to have his "friend" send me a message over MySpace. I thought this message was funny so I posted it here (name withdrawn to protect the ignorant): how can you possibly consider yourself human? when i am absolutely positive you gargle semen....you so called straight edged pussy...i can smell the burnt trojans from here you fucking fudge packing receptacle...i wish you nothing but clamidia for 2008.... go ahead and try to be somthing your not cause you can't fuckin deal. try to be different "straight edge" cause the norm has no problem to deal with life the way they do. Stop living in high school and at your parents ideals cause you can't seem to deal with life on your own "oh life is so hard when ur different" grow a pair of bulls pussy, your just fuckin sad...... tee heee hee...
More About: Drunk , Mess

Earth Crisis Reunion Tour
2008-01-01 02:49:00
Legendary metalcore band Earth Crisis have announced a few 2008 dates for a Reunion Tour . No New York or New Jersey dates are listed thus far, but hopefully they'll add a few more dates.
More About: Reunion Tour

Author delves into Hare Krishna Straight Edge and Activism
2007-12-11 23:30:00
Sarah Pike, a professor at Chico State in California is working on a book titled "Youth Culture and Radical Activism " which will contain a chapter on Hare Krishna Straight Edge . She has interviewed and focused on people that have become quite radical in their beliefs. One person she interviewed was released from prison after freeing minks from six fur farms.Unfortunately she won't be finished for three years and the book will not focus on just Hare Krishna or Straight Edge. But I am pleased to find more authors diving into our world. Typically it seems that professors take a more unbiased position when they document the lives of Straight Edge people as opposed to that of television journalists. So I hope that her book will be an enlightening and educational experience.
More About: Author

Poison Free Blog Reader
2007-11-30 21:10:00
So this isn't exactly SxE, but like the Tesla Roadster I wrote about last year, I'm all about electronic devices that (maybe not 100% of the time) help the environment. The Amazon Kindle is a cool new electronic reader, that's wireless and can download blogs (like this very one) and let you read it on the go with no waste of paper. I like the fact that it has a lot of features and is fairly small. I don't know enough about the battery, but would like to know how environment friendly or unfriendly it is.
More About: Reader , Free , Blog , Poison

Seventh Dagger stays true to roots and drops deal with Warner Brothers
2007-11-20 06:45:00
Straight Edge record label Seventh Dagger was in talks with Warner Bros. for a distribution deal but decided to not go forward. I agree whole heartedly with Danny's decision. The big labels always try to find the next best thing and then over do it, drainthe life from it, and move on. They'd end up oversaturating hardcore and straight-edge with new artists that probably aren't even true to hardcore or SxE like they did with Avril (she was a little Shania Twain wanna-be that they turned into a pop-punk grrl, with no real punk attitude.)It does make me worry though that Warner or another label is possibly looking to turn hardcore and straight-edge into something it's not. Let's hope for the best and if they screw with the genre, we will all be here after all the posers have come and gone.
More About: Brothers , Deal , Roots , True

National Edge Day
2007-10-22 23:08:00
I just found out that October 17th is National Edge Day. I had no idea this existed. I find the idea intriguing as I do feel it is important to promote this belief (so long as it's done apporpriately.) I aptly celebrated the day by not drinking =) Edgefest in Boston was this past weekend in what I assume was to coincide with the closest weekend to the date. Did anyone do anything special on this day or past weekend?So many people seem to think that letting other's know you are edge is a way of bragging or proving we are better than they are. But it's just another way to tell others about your beliefs and to give them the opportunity to discuss it and possible learn something new. I guess wearing a christian cross, a shopping bag that says "I'm not a plastic bag", or some other symbol or belief should be considered wrong and hateful by that standard. I'm only saying this as I came across a post about National Edge Day that was followed by people saying these type of thin...

Straight Edge TV
2007-10-17 04:21:00
A film and television production company called Overboork Entertainment, formed by Will Smith, is working on a TV series for FX that will be a drama focused on a straight edge crew. Jada, Smith's Wife, came up with the idea; I guess her stint in the music biz has given her a lot of insight in what it means to be Straight Edge . The show is untitled and will revolve around Courage Crew an SxE crew from Ohio. I have no idea what to expect, and I don't want to assume the worst, but I doubt that it will be posi considering that most news and info about Courage Crew revolves around them allegedly beating up people that aren't edge.
More About: TRAI , Straight Edge

Are you Edge?
2007-09-16 17:00:00
Some people I meet that don't drink, smoke, or do drugs wonder if they are SxE even though they don't like hardcore. Sure you can be Straight Edge without listening to the music, I do recommend though that you learn the history of Straight Edge and understand that it is not a fad and something to be taken seriously. It should be a lifelong commitment, along with the understanding that it's your own commitment and that you should condemn those that fail to keep their personal claim.You don't have to listen to hardcore or go to shows to be Edge. Edge is about a promise to yourself to be poison free. It is a commitment to keep yourself clean forever. I never eat any foods with alcohol in them, like Jack Daniels steak sauce, but someone that simply doesn't drink most likely will not object to consuming it. Its like someone that doesn't meat but is not a vegetarian/vegan, you may not like the way it tastes, but you may not make an objection to a meat sauce lasagna and you pr...

Straight Edge and the Workplace
2007-09-16 03:55:00
At my current job everyone knows I'm Straight Edge and I know that a few people there don't like it. It's caused a few issues with some. They felt I didn't like being around them when they drank or that I didn't like going out to bars with them. Honestly I don't mind it as long as the place is cool. I've never said a bad word about anyone there that drinks.I'm starting a new job soon and I'm considering not even telling anyone unless it comes up in a very specific situation. It could be like the typical rule that you don't discuss religion and politics at work. My Edge is my own personal decision, but I don't want to feel like I am in any way ashamed of my beliefs because I am not discussing them with others that I will be spending a lot of time with.
More About: Workplace , TRAI , Straight Edge

Throwdown - Forever [Video]
2007-09-14 17:54:00
I usually don't comment on videos or lyrics when I post them. But this is one of my favourite Throwdown songs! I always get pumped up and energized when I hear this song. When people say hardcore is dead or Straight Edge is dead, they need to wake up and realize that it's bigger than it ever was. "You dont know me/So dont judge me." Just because it's not '88 anymore and the bands have changed doesn't mean that it can't go on. There are plenty of great SxE bands and the community is larger now and global.I think that most of the people that say negative things about Straight Edge are jealous that they don't have the same type of convictions, or they are upset that they need to have a crutch to get on with life. It always comes from the guy that smokes way too much and says stuff like "I can quit whenever I want" or "If I didn't smoke weed, I'd be Straight Edge too." I'm not here to judge you, but I am here to stick up for myself and my friends. I don't go around t...
More About: Video , Forever

Don't Lose Sight
2007-09-13 18:03:00
Addiction kills the mindAnd leaves you dependentChemicals of ill intentionMixed to break you,break your visionDon't lose sightWith confidence to fight addictionTake a second stepStand among as we stand as oneLive Straight EdgeUntil the day you die Straight EdgeDon't Lose Sight - Throwdown

Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge
2007-09-07 17:54:00
I've been meaning to blog about this particular book for a while now, and just kept forgetting. It will be coming out next month and looks to be a very positive and cool photography book that documents everyday Straight Edge people. The book is titled Out of Step : Faces of Straight Edge by Raymond McCrea Jones and will contain 66 photos. For more info check out the book blog.They are having a book release party in Atlanta on October 6th.I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
More About: TRAI

Win an autographed Throwdown CD booklet
2007-09-05 23:04:00
Click for contest
More About: Throwdown , Graph , Booklet

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.