Straight Edge

First of all, what is "straight edge"? It is pretty much simple, it means: no alcohol, no drugs and no tobacco. Do I qualify for a straight edge title? The answer is: yes. I don't need drugs or tobacco to have fun. I have fun with lots of sugar and chocolate! When I go out, I don't need alcohol to have fun, I have fun with my friends. So laughter is way better than alcohol or drugs. I use my drive to work hard and I love the completion.

But where did the term "straight edge" comes from? The term was used in 80s by a hardcore punk band called Minor Threat, you can hear the term in their song "Straight Edge". You can also find straight edge ideas in songs by a 70s band called The Modern Lovers. Especially in their songs: "I'm Straight" and "She Cracked". A really straight edge song is “Keep It Clean" by first wave English punk band The Vibrators. Straight edge can be associated with punk rock, especially the faster subgenre of hardcore punk that developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Most straight edge people feel connected with the punk ideas like individualism, dedication to school/work and live-for-the-moment attitude. The straight edge era started on the east coast of USA in Washington D.C. and in New York. It didn’t took that long to spread through the US and Canada. A lot of 90s bands gained popular due the straight edge era. Some of the “straight edge” bands: Minor Threat. State of Alert, Teen Idles, Reno and Negative FX.

The straight edge symbol is the letter X. Most people are wearing that X as a marking, symbol or tattoo on the back of one or both hands. Some of the followers are known as "hardcore kids", it is connected with the hardcore and punk music scene where straight edge stands as the centre of attention. Also some followers of straight edge have also incorporated the symbol into clothing and pins, or use black duck tapes on their hands. A punk band, The Teen Idles were scheduled to play in San Francisco, but when the band arrived, club management discovered that the entire band was under the legal drinking age and therefore should be denied entry to the club. As a compromise, management marked each of the Idles' hands with a large black "X" as a warning to the club's staff not to serve alcohol to the band. Upon returning to Washington D.C., the band suggested this same system to local clubs as a means to allow teenagers in to see musical performances without being served alcohol.

Being straight edge is not trend. No, it's a way of living. It's accepting life and enjoying every moment in life, you don't need drugs or alcohol. It's is living life at the purest. Like everybody is saying:" you only live once, so enjoy". It's hard to live like this, it is not that easy. Everybody has an off day an then you wonder, “that is all for”. It takes a big step to realize that you want to succeed, that you want to do this thing. I think everybody struggles with this feeling, even the biggest and baldest guys/girls struggle with this. Everybody feels weak at a curtain point. You are strong when you are aware of the feeling that you are willing to change, that you are willing to be stronger mentally and fiscally

CM Punk is a straight edge follower. This guy is a wrestler and he is one of the best around. He dedicates his life to straight edge, he feeds of completion and the drive to wrestle. He doesn't need drugs or cigarettes; he uses his desire to wrestle.

source: wikipedia.com, youtube.com