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Ian Mackaye photographed by Wendy Marijnissen

Ian Mackaye



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Hometown: Washington, DC (USA)

About:

Born Ian Thomas Garner MacKaye (pronounced /məˈkaɪ/) (born April 16, 1962), is an American singer and guitarist. Active since 1979, MacKaye is best known for being the frontman of the influential hardcore punk band Minor Threat, and the alternative rock bands Embrace, Fugazi, and The Evens. He is a co-founder and co-owner of Dischord Records, a Washington, D.C.-based independent record label, along with Jeff Nelson.

A key figure in the development of hardcore punk and an enthusiastic promoter of an independent-minded, do it yourself punk ethic, MacKaye also worked as a recording engineer, and produced releases by 7 Seconds, Nation of Ulysses, Bikini Kill, Rites of Spring, Dag Nasty and Rollins Band. Along with his seminal band Minor Threat, he is credited with coining the term "straight edge", though he has stated many times that he did not intend to turn it into a movement.

Related Bands

Embrace, Fugazi, Minor Threat, Pailhead, Teen Idles, The Evens

Interviews

Picture of Ian Mackaye

Video and audio of Ian Mackaye presentation at Loyala University

Friday, November 24, 2006 at 11:45 AM (EST)

Videos: Dag Nasty: "'Can I Say'/'Under Your Influence'/'I've Heard' (Live)
Video has been posted from the one-off reunion shows of legendary hardcore act, Dag Nasty that happened this past weekend at the Black Cat in Washington, DC. Tickets were part of the reward for supporting the…
December 31, 2012
Videos: Dag Nasty planning one-off reunion
Legendary melodic hardcore pioneers Dag Nasty have announced a one-off reunion show - of their founding lineup - at Washington DC's Black Cat. Tickets are being made available as a reward for supporters of the previously announced Salad Days documentary about…
September 24, 2012
Media: Fugazi + Destiny's Child Record Store Day 7"
Party Ben has announced that his mashup of Fugazi and Destiny's Child will be the latest addition to this year's Record Store Day releases. Ian MacKaye appeared on…
April 01, 2012
Media: 'Salad Days' DC Punk documentary posts second teaser
The documentary about the Washington DC hardcore/punk scene of the early 80s, titled Salad Days: The DC Punk Revolution, has released some more footage from the documentary. As we first noted back in February, the film promises to be "the most comprehensive, honest and insightful look at the DC punk scene from the early 1980s to the decade's end. The film will include exclusive archival photographs, concert footage and interviews…
March 23, 2012
Media: 'Salad Days: The DC Punk Revolution' is in the production stage
AbsolutePunk.net is reporting that Salad Days: The DC Punk Revolution is "mid-way through production." From the facebook page for the documentary: "Salad Days: The HarDCore Punk Revolution" will be the most comprehensive, honest and insightful look at the DC punk scene…
February 01, 2012
Media: Ian MacKaye on the Kojo Nnamdi Show
Right now on WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi Show Ian MacKaye is talking about the Fugazi live archive made…
January 04, 2012
Media: Ian MacKaye performs with Upright Citizens Brigade
Ian Mackaye recently made a guest appearance at the Upright Citizens Brigade's new U.C.B.East space in New York City's East Village, for the theater's grand opening. The format of the show features a monologue based…
November 11, 2011
Media: The Evens to release 2 new songs
The Evens, the project from Ian Mackaye and Amy Farina, will be releasing 2 new songs entitled "Warble Factor" and "Timothy Wright" on November 24th. The 2-song single will follow the October 24th re-release of their self-titled…
October 19, 2011
Videos: Thurston Moore, Ian MacKaye talk skateboarding
Weiden + Kennedy have posted a new installment of an ongoing project they're producing entitled DIY America. The third installment in the 'Skate and Create' portion of the series is online, and…
January 14, 2010
Videos: Ian Mackaye interviewed by Sound of Young America
Legendary musician Ian Mackaye recently granted a rare interview to Sound of Young America. In the interview, Mackaye discusses…
December 04, 2009

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