r/straightedge • u/xLNBx • Jun 02 '21
If you’re new to Straight Edge.
Straight Edge is a subculture that emerged in the hardcore punk scene in the early 1980s. It promotes a drug-free lifestyle through abstinence from alcohol, drugs and tobacco. Its origins can be traced back to the song "Straight Edge" by the American punk band Minor Threat, released in 1981. The song, written by frontman Ian MacKaye, expressed his personal commitment to abstain from drugs and alcohol. It struck a chord with many young people who were disillusioned with the prevalent substance abuse within punk and saw Straight Edge as a means of rebellion against the excesses of mainstream culture. They instead embraced the emphasis on personal integrity, self-control and social consciousness. Straight Edge has then seen a time of worldwide growth in the '90s, followed by various eras of ebb and flow since then. Due to increased awareness of environmental and animal rights issues prominent in the scene in the '90s, many of us adopted vegan or vegetarian lifestyles.
There are several good books on Straight Edge, including Straight Edge: Hardcore Punk, Clean-living Youth, and Social Change by Ross Haenfler (2006) and Straight Edge A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History by Tony Rettman and CIV (2017). If you don't know any straight edge bands, this Spotify playlist can serve as a good introduction, and xsisterhoodx is a straight edge/hardcore community supporting the women/girls of the straight edge/hardcore scenes established all the way back in 1995.
Can I take my medication and be Straight Edge?
We've received questions in the past about whether you can take prescribed medication [insert your type of meds here] and still be Straight Edge. Yes, you can. The person who told you otherwise can call our helpline now at 1-800-STUPID.
Straight Edge and recovery from addiction.
We are definitely supportive of your decision to make positive changes in your life, but please note Straight Edge isn't therapy or a recovery plan. Users of this subreddit who are both Straight Edge and in recovery have explicitly said on multiple occasions that just being Straight Edge is not a substitute for a recovery plan. We are neither geared toward nor equipped to offer active recovery support. There are better resources out there designed specifically for this purpose.
(People are Straight Edge for a range of reasons, but most of us do not have any desire to get intoxicated, some have never touched psychoactive substances, etc. - if you’re currently an addict with chronic cravings, be realistic about how our experience might differ from yours).
Having said that, the Straight Edge scene is not a bad place to be if you’re in recovery. We’re drug free and not shy about it. Again, drawing on the experience of users of this subreddit who are both Straight Edge and in recovery, we’ve heard how surrounding yourself with sober people is helpful in staying sober and how sxe hardcore kept them motivated to stay clean.
Academic research.
Yes, you can post your academic research survey requests in this subreddit. Please use #sxeresearch in your post. We appreciate it if you can provide some background information (subject of study, academic level, etc.), and maybe come back to share the results, if they are published. Thanks.
r/straightedge • u/veeenergy • 1h ago
Long time listener, first hardcore show attendance in about 20years. I just want to watch the performance and not get kicked and be called soft or something because of it. I don't actually give a fuck i was just curious what people's opinion was about this.
r/straightedge • u/x-butcher-x • 11h ago
r/straightedge • u/spanky6669 • 4h ago
If the statement above is not true, please prove me wrong.
I’ve always been more of a metalhead than a hardcore kid - musically speaking - and after finally going edge I am just so excited there is a fucking heavy edge band. No disrespect to the likes of Have Heart but these guys just crush you in a death metal way that most hardcore just cannot do for me.
Have a fantastic day dudes and dudettes and everything in between! ❤️
r/straightedge • u/Rudytheflower15 • 16h ago
Hi guys, i have a question. I am pretty new to the Streight edge subculture and i was wondering if i can even consider myself a Straight edge if there are rituals in my religion that requires drinking alcoholic bewerages.
Its not like lets get drunk, ussualy is only one glass/cup of weak alcohol like mead, beer or wine.
r/straightedge • u/XKuromiDLX • 3d ago
I am a random transgirl from Costa Rica. Here in my country I have seen many trans girls struggling with substances a lot. I have try my best to help sobering up a few friends that were really going through awful stuff. I have met many people this 2026 and I have try my best to inspire a good example and try to promote the SxE movement. To my surprise I have seen some impact in a few of them. There's currently only one Straight Edge costarican band (there used to be a few but they went hiatus or split) and it's a band name XSigo AquiX I love taking my friends to this concerts and seeing them experience the local scene.
If u meet another sister or bother out there struggling invite them to a concert and have fun. You'll never know what happens maybe they get into it :3
Ps: sorry. I didnt want to upload my sweaty face in the last picture with him.
r/straightedge • u/Available_Chain_8962 • 3d ago
A promise to progress as long as my body travels this earth.
r/straightedge • u/db_blast7 • 3d ago
If you are interested in shopping at Straight Edge Worldwide make sure you’re on the correct site.
Just found this site and was nearly enticed with the deals, but something felt odd. Messaged SEW and they confirmed it’s a scam.
They’re are currently trying to take it down.
r/straightedge • u/Firestarterdustman • 4d ago
Hello, all, hope today is going well for you.
I'm a longtime wrestling fan, which is how I discovered Straight Edge. I noticed that a number of wrestlers have claimed edge, such as (obviously) CM Punk, Darby Allin and Brody King.
Could we say Wrestling and the SXE lifestyle go almost hand in hand with music and the SXE lifestyle, considering that's how straight edge was introduced to some of us when we were younger?
r/straightedge • u/JBL_CENA_FAN_4LIFE • 4d ago
It gets straight to the point!
r/straightedge • u/n0rosesnoskies • 4d ago
Would it always be a no for you or does it depend on the song/band?
r/straightedge • u/DonDanka • 4d ago
r/straightedge • u/Plus-Bat1189 • 5d ago
r/straightedge • u/Far_Book7388 • 4d ago
r/straightedge • u/xRGBKEYBOARDx • 5d ago
i have been edge my whole life. however, when i listen to icp, i get thoughts, nasty thoughts. i want faygo, and sometimes beer. just wondering if this is a problematic phase. my mom said to not care what other think, but i fear i will be crowdkilled at the peirce the veil show next week in arkanasas in my insane clown posse shirt. XXX
r/straightedge • u/ReignInBlood666 • 6d ago
r/straightedge • u/_killingspree • 7d ago
Shifting these edgelord classics. Currently on discogs but let me know if interested.
r/straightedge • u/NotJustMeow • 7d ago
r/straightedge • u/Safe-Selection-1308 • 8d ago
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https://www.youtube.com/live/qaccbUcOCW4?is=52Dtnay-xu4bL2KS
What's your favorite instance of hardcore in non hardcore places?
Bill Muir AKA Sgt Vegan sang on a track on the Final Fantasy X soundtrack-- and inserted a cool message while doing so.
T&F INSTAGRAM
r/straightedge • u/TheRhythmicBiker • 9d ago
To be able to bring together two things that mean a lot to me is very important. Proud biker proudly representing Straight Edge
r/straightedge • u/CreationOfMinerals • 9d ago
Today is demolition day. The last show I went to was that one-off YOT reunion in November 1994. Great times.
r/straightedge • u/Safe-Selection-1308 • 12d ago
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https://www.youtube.com/live/qaccbUcOCW4?is=3NzSdoQppHs8EbG-
Bill Muir, aka Sgt. Vegan, talks about his time as a combat medic in Afghanistan, his transition to nursing, his roots in punk and hardcore, and his commitment to veganism. He also shares the unlikely story of how he ended up recording vocals for the Final Fantasy X soundtrack while living in Japan, along with thoughts on straight edge, music, and film.
T&F INSTAGRAM
r/straightedge • u/Queasy-Adeptness14 • 11d ago
Everybody is always talking about doing drugs so they can be better magicians, but James Randi puts a fucking stop to that RIGHT NOW.
r/straightedge • u/Possible_Message8949 • 12d ago
Looking for the best places to get straight edge t shirts im in Australia Looking to up grade the summer wardrobe