Straight Edge: A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History

Taking bits from different countercultures (veganism from the hippies, healthy living from the Mormons, punk music from the, um, punks,) Straight Edge emerged in the 1980s like Frankenstein's monster as something completely different than the mere sum of its parts. What was it all about? What did Straight Edge stand for? More than just Nike hightops and Champion Hoodies, Straight Edge was about confronting reality as clear-headed as possible.

In Straight Edge, author Tony Rettman explores the movement from its inception through feuds and dark times like the Salt Lake City gang violence to where it needs to go today.

Straight Edge:A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History is loaded with interviews from seminal straight edge bands like Minor Threat, SS Decontrol, Youth of Today, DYS, Slapshot, Uniform Choice, 7 Seconds, Stalag 13, Justice League, Chain of Strength, No for an Answer, Insted, Gorilla Biscuits, Judge, Bold, Project X, Lärm, Brotherhood, Shelter, H2O, Half Off, Resurrection, Raid, Strife, Earth Crisis, Vegan Reich, Mindset, Stop and Think, Mouthpiece, Floorpunch, Ten Yard Fight, Mental, Fucked Up, Trial, Have Heart, Praise, Clear, the Geeks, and many others.