My Fox Boston looks at Straight Edge

Contributed by DrewXFishy. Posted by aubin on Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 2:00 PM (EST)

The Boston-based Fox affiliate has put together a fairly thoughtful and non-reactionary look at the significant straight edge scene in the city. The articles talks to Bridge Nine Records owner Chris Wrenn, Have Heart vocalist Patrick Flynn and In My Eyes vocalist Pete Maher. The article acknowledges some of the more violent tendencies in the scene, but avoids the kind of fear-mongering that has typified coverage of the scene.

Flynn added:

It's very aggressive, rambunctious style of music. And sometimes, on the surface it looks very chaotic, but underneath, the message is very positive, very forward thinking. A good example to the outside world that straight edge isn't this gang and it's really about just a positive way of living your own life, and giving back to society

Check out the feature here.

Bands in this story

Have Heart

News (46 comments)

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

nonphotoblue (November 19, 2009)

In today's metal scene, most bands don't have the backbone needed to exhibit what real heavy music is all about. Detroit, Michigan's STRAIGHT EDGE isn't most bands. The sheer magnitude of STRAIGHT EDGE'S furious sound is so uncompromising and so monstrous you'll be checking under your bed for circle pits before you go to sleep at night. STRAIGHT EDGE are on a path of devastation that will leave the naysayers wishing they hadn't second guessed just how severe this mid-western five piece truly is. Fronted by Chad Ruhlig (ex-For the Fallen Dreams), STRAIGHT EDGE has no qualms calling themselves just what they are; straightedgendary.

PUNKTED (November 19, 2009)

So like, are you in the band or something?

nonphotoblue (November 19, 2009)

Yeah, we're called .StraightEdge. . I play the guitar. I like to keep it in tune because I'm never high enough to .Hendrix. it. Dude, last year, when we went on .tour., it was so rad, because after the shows and shit, we would totally just go to sleep, and no one was drinking or having fun of any kind, and it was .party.

acris (November 19, 2009)

Lol
straightedgendary

TheViz (November 19, 2009)

Believe it or not, this isn't the absolute dumbest band bio I've ever heard. Seriously, I've seen worse.

Sirens (November 19, 2009)

I feel this out shines TACO BELL and should now be put to rest. Because that shits hilarious.

TheOneTrueBill (November 19, 2009)

It's really nice to actually see a balances look at this from a mainstream media outlet, especially since it originates in Boston.

Cue dumb MattRamone comment.

HumanUnkind (November 19, 2009)

Anyone else find that Cokie the Clown, the new NOFX song is really good apart from the fact that it feels like they wasted a potentially excellent moody-sounding song to sing about a coke-taking clown?

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.indiv idual&videoid=100635914

nonphotoblue (November 19, 2009)

I don't really care what NOFX sings about, it's not like I look to them for personal inspiration or shared emotion or anything. Those verses (melodies) need to go, though.

Fat Mike seems like he would be a cool dude to kick it with. It would at least be entertaining.

kraf999 (November 19, 2009)

Total ripoff of Rockzo the Rock and Roll Clown. Atleast we know NOFX is still remaining completely unoriginal.

MattRamone (November 19, 2009)

Yeah, it's really forward thinking to define yourself by what you don't do.

welcometobangkok (November 19, 2009)

thank you. that line pissed me off.

sugarfull (November 19, 2009)

I'm sure that there are more than a few people who think of something like atheism as being forward thinking. Isn't that the absence of doing something?

AmericanRiot (November 19, 2009)

stop debunking his sarcastic comments by pointing out the flaws

badbrain (November 19, 2009)

No, atheism is an act of believing that there is no god. I understand where you are coming from, but that is a poor analogy

BrixtonGunman (November 19, 2009)

no, that's just positive atheism, atheism can just be the absence of the belief in gods.

MisFit4Me (November 19, 2009)

Just as Straight Edge can be thought of as the belief that alcohol isn't good for you.

party-animal (November 20, 2009)

I think we should start a new movement of bands that don't rape babies. I'll be expecting some good names for my new crew.

MattRamone (November 19, 2009)

Hurrr durrrr I got a Youth of Today tattoo and sing about not having fun. Girls are stupid (they have cooties) and why would people like to party? You're stupid if you party! You may think it's a New Year's Eve toast, but it's poison IN! MY! EYES!

Babrook (November 19, 2009)

http://straightedgeink.com/gallery2/d/1051-5/I+pray+to+God+that+ you+fucking+OD+on+that+shit

SeeAmericaRight (November 19, 2009)

Real posi

AmericanRiot (November 19, 2009)

i think JUDGE said it best with the line "the drugs will kill you if i don't get you first"

ChadReligion (November 19, 2009)

I wouldn't call Straight Edge a style of music, but more so just a lifestyle.

mikexdude (November 19, 2009)

I don't like straight edge, but growing up in a boring suburb where everyone drinks and does drugs for fun, I've come to the conclusion that straight edge kids are more fun to hang out with because they actually have a variety of activities to do on weekends.

nonphotoblue (November 19, 2009)

08:00am: Wake up, brush teeth (no mouthwash, gotta fight the system, and we ALL know the special ingredient).
09:00am: Eat breakfast. Preferably Wheaties. Or some type of bran.
10:00am: Replace bathroom lightbulb. DO NOT SCREW.
11:00am: Pace.
12:00pm: Knife Check.
01:00pm: Recreational Hour.
02:00pm: Knife Check.
03:00pm: Vanilla Ice Cream social.
06:00pm: Sundown. Bedtime.

RavenEffect (November 19, 2009)

I'm not straight edge either and I couldn't agree more with you. I grew up in Nassua County of Long Island where the majority of my peers would get intoxicated pretty much every single weekend,and when the summer hit,it was almost everyday. Most of the straight edge kids I met in my area were much more interesting to talk to/hang out with simply because they were individuals.

I'm not a huge fan of the whole straight edge stuff,but I don't completely hate all of it either.

MaxwellMurder (November 19, 2009)

Believe it or not, some people that drink are interesting individuals too

party-animal (November 20, 2009)

Fuck yes we are. I do lots things on weekends.
I drink with friends,
I get drunk and have band practice,
I get drunk and watch movies,
I get drunk and cook out on the grill

wow, this was a dumb fucking comment.

ChadReligion (November 19, 2009)

On another note, I remember Greg Hetson telling me of Brian Baker at Warped Tour a few years back saying "That guy invented Straight Edge.... he's the only one who can have a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other, and get away with it"

fox82 (November 19, 2009)

I'm looking forward to smoking loads of super-skunk with Ian MacKaye one day.

14theroad (November 19, 2009)

This. When the guy that thought it up doesn't even give a shit, why should you?

Kurasuke (November 19, 2009)

because that's not really how these sorts of things work.

MyStereoHasMono (November 19, 2009)

A FIRESTORM TO PURIFY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

JWard (November 19, 2009)

The thing about doing a "fair" report on straight edge is that it's just like doing a "fair" report on organized religion. By trying to be fair the fact that it's stupid and pointless gets forgotten. Straight edge is meaningless. Most people who claim straight edge these days are under 18, so it's just another was of saying they obey the law. Anyone over 18 who feels the need to claim a label like that is just immature and ignorant.

Kurasuke (November 19, 2009)

I think you're immature and ignorant for blanketing an entire group of people like that. I'm not straight edge or anything, but you really should think things through before talking about it.

JWard (November 23, 2009)

I think about it plenty. Most of my good friends/all of my roommates are straight edge.

LawnDay (November 19, 2009)

All the straight edge hate on this website bums me out. I don't get it.

RynNxn (November 19, 2009)

hahaha Straight Edge how adorable.

LooseKanonYankee (November 20, 2009)

When will the org/the world learn that a dumb asshole is a dumb asshole, regardless of whether or not they are straight edge/religious/fucking whatever else they claim.

Keep fighting the labels, but its people that suck

thepopeofchili-town (November 20, 2009)

A kid from my hometown who I've know since I was 4 years old listens to Ceremony and has a giant XXX tattoo on his chest. 3 years ago he was doing ecstasy, listening to From First To Last and had the swoopy hair and mascara going. I laughed in his face last time I saw him. I don't which scene I hate more.