Sober Living for the Revolution: Hardcore Punk, Straight Edge, and Radical Politics [Paperback]

Gabriel Kuhn (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2010

Examining the multigenerational impact of punk rock music, this international survey of the political-punk straight edge movement—which has persisted as a drug-free, hardcore subculture for more than 25 years—traces its history from 1980s Washington, DC, to today. Asserting that drugs are not necessarily rebellious and that not all rebels do them, the record also defies common conceptions of straight edge's political legacy as being associated with self-righteous, macho posturing and conservative Puritanism. On the contrary, the movement has been linked to radical thought and action by the countless individuals, bands, and entire scenes profiled throughout the discussion. Lively and exhaustive, this dynamic overview includes contributions from famed straight edge punk rockers Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat and Fugazi, Dennis Lyxzén of Refused and the International Noise Conspiracy, and Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy; legendary bands ManLiftingBanner and Point of No Return; radical collectives such as CrimethInc. and Alpine Anarchist Productions; and numerous other artists and activists dedicated as much to sober living as to the fight for a better world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Perhaps the greatest reason I am still committed to [straight edge, also known as sXe] is an unfailing belief that sXe is more than music, that it can be a force of change. I believe in the power of sXe as a bridge to social change, as an opportunity to create a more just and sustainable world."  —Ross Haenfler, professor of sociology, University of Mississippi, and author, Straight Edge: Clean-Living Youth, Hardcore Punk, And Social Change

"An 'ecstatic sobriety' which combats the dreariness of one and the bleariness of the other—false pleasure and false discretion alike—is analogous to the anarchism that confronts both the false freedom offered by capitalism and the false community offered by communism."  —CrimethInc. Ex-Workers' Collective

"Less 'get pissed, destroy', more 'use your brain, change the world'. And it's for all ages, too."  —Classic Rock Magazine

About the Author

Gabriel Kuhn is the author of Life Under the Jolly Roger: Reflections on Golden Age Piracy and Women Pirates and the Politics of the Jolly Roger.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: PM Press (February 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1604860510
• ISBN-13: 978-1604860511
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #516,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Straight Edge Compendium, January 7, 2011

By 

Joe V - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sober Living for the Revolution: Hardcore Punk, Straight Edge, and Radical Politics (Paperback)

When I first bought this book, I expected it to be a history of straight edge written by one author. Instead, I received a collection of interviews and essays from characters within the straight edge scene. I'm not complaining, only describing what you can expect if you purchase this book.

The book is divided into five sections: bands, scenes, manifestos, reflections, and perspectives. The author makes an explicit effort to focus on the international straight edge scenes in places such as Sweden, Israel, and Brazil. The interview with Ian MacKaye was interesting partly because he is such as well spoken and articulate guy. Then, near the end, Kuhn includes a series of essays and interviews covering the feminist and queer straight edge scenes, which I thought was a little bit off the beaten path but interesting nonetheless.

Joe
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars xGOODREADx, July 19, 2010

By 

xBPx - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sober Living for the Revolution: Hardcore Punk, Straight Edge, and Radical Politics (Paperback)

Sober living for the Revolution is an awesome book, more than just the usual war stories and pictures book. The only drawback is when some of the authors/essayists get too out there with the wordplay, meaning yes it's good to have a diverse vocabulary but some of us aren't as familiar with the classics as others, ya know? I'm a pretty well read guy but some of the writings were tough to get through. Over all though a must-read for anyone who thinks Straight Edge should be more than just merch sales and finger pointing.