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Tony Rettman

Straight Edge: A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk History Paperback – November 14, 2017

by Tony Rettman (Author)

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Starting in 1981 via Minor Threat's revolutionary call to arms, the clean and positive straight edge hardcore punk movement took hold and prospered during the 1980s, earning a position as one of the most durable yet chronically misunderstood music subcultures. Straight edge created its own sound and visual style, went on to embrace vegetarianism, and later saw the rise of a militant fringe. As the "don't drink, don't smoke" message spread from Washington, D.C., to Boston, California, New York City, and, eventually, the world, adherents struggled to define the fundamental ideals and limits of what may be the ultimate youth movement.

Tony Rettman traces the story of straight edge from adolescent origins to enduring counterculture via fresh first-hand accounts from the clear and alert members of 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.

Print length

400 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Bazillion Points
Publication date

November 14, 2017
Dimensions

6.7 x 1.1 x 9.4 inches
ISBN-10

193595024X
ISBN-13

978-1935950240
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Editorial Reviews

Review

A great book! Tony Rettman did it once again. --Mike Ferraro, Judge

I'm honored to be a part of a book which accurately recalls a counter culture within a counter culture. Straight edge gave us some stable footing and handrails in a confusing time, and changed the course of so many people's lives including my own. This book will serve as a crucial and authoritative glance into that world, shining light for fans around the globe on a time that we will never forget. --Ray Cappo, Youth of Today

With Straight Edge, not only does Tony Rettman continue to faithfully recount the voluminous history of hardcore punk and DIY culture, but he also shows how it had the potential to be much more than just another night out. From its early days in Dischord D.C., to the revelation that was Youth of Today, to the impact on veganism and animal rights, straight edge was the sound and ideal of music in motion. Through a richly illustrated, fast-moving oral history, Rettman nails the X, and proves that each straight-minded generation is still having its say. --Mike Gitter, xXx

From the Inside Flap

Straight edge isnt something I take lightlythats why Im thirty years into it. I still dont need a drink to get loose or wild. I dont need drugs to feel comfortable, or to fit in. Straight edge gives me strength to deal with things head on, with no buffers, crutches, or masks. I have no clouded judgments or excuses to hide behind; just brutal clear-headed reality. I guess that might be why I come off like an asshole sometimes, with little patience for bullshit...but Im not perfect.Anthony CIV Civorelli

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bazillion Points (November 14, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 193595024X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1935950240
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.4 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.7 x 1.1 x 9.4 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #128,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #28 in Punk Music (Books)
- #85 in Music Reference (Books)
- #342 in Rock Music (Books)

Customer Reviews:
114 ratings

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Tony Rettman

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Tony Rettman is a freelance music journalist whose work has appeared in The Village Voice, Vice, The Wire, The Guardian, Philadelphia Weekly, Cleveland Scene, Arthur, Swindle, Signal to Noise, Mean and Thrasher. He has provided liner notes for such artists as The Circle Jerks, The Crumbsuckers, Beyond and many more. In 2010, Revelation Records Publishing released his first book, 'Why Be Something That You're Not: Detroit Hardcore 1979-1985'. Rettman's most recent book, 'NYHC 1980 - 1990' was released by Bazillion Points Publishing in December of 2014 and has received praise from The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Huffington Post and many other outlets.

Tony has recently come off hosting the podcast "Green Room Radio" for A24 films to promote their movie, "Green Room". On the ten episodes, Rettman spoke with members of such legendary punk bands as Black Flag, Danzig, Gorilla Biscuits and H20 about their worst gig experiences.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5

114 global ratings

5 star		85%
4 star		9%
3 star		2%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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Kindle Customer

For everyone

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 22, 2022

Verified Purchase

If you like the format "Please kill me" used, you'll like this, because it's the same quote-driven storytelling. It works like a charm, and I read this book in one sitting. Note that I don't even like the bands in it for the most part (almost exclusively). All the same a great read for anyone even remotely interested in punk and hardcore.

Fair price for a highly entertaining ride.

Helpful

Pedro Ramos

The definitive book to learn about the origins and evolution of straight edge!

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 29, 2017

Verified Purchase

Holy crap, where do I start? This is the definitive insight we've all been waiting for about the history and growth of Straight Edge. Hats off to Tony for providing this linear approach to honor and document something so close to my (and thousands of others') heart. Could not put this down from the second I opened the amazon box. Refreshing to confirm a lot of facts about the stories and even better, learned a lot of new ones along the way. For someone who has been fanatical about straight edge for so many years, this book is filling an important void in the history of how this phenomenon became as big as it did. Glad that so many are still around to explain how it went from a song in DC to a choice in Boston to a culture now accesible to so many more kids thanks to Ray, John, Youth of Today. If you're like me, you'll never tire of reading anecdotes from Boston 1980-1983 or NYC 1985-1990. This book provides plenty. Additionally, I was not expecting to see as many pictures I hadn't seen before of the bands I love...that was definitely a pleasant surprise. When reading so many of the feuds (Slapshot vs Youth of Today, Youth of Today vs Half Off, etc) I was like...what the hell? Then I quickly realized that scene politics were as much part of the evolution of straight edge as the Nike high tops and Champion Hoodies. Tony, thanks for putting this together....your contribution leaves me eternally grateful. It's obvious you put a great effort and I can't thank you enough!

5 people found this helpful

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kate Reddy

I was sad to see that of the 103 people interviewed only ...

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 11, 2017

Verified Purchase

I anxiously awaited the arrival of this book because I grew up in this scene and was vocally straightedge. I was sad to see that of the 103 people interviewed only two or three were women. Yes straightedge was by in large a boys club. I was there. But it was not all men. It appeared that there was very little attempt to contact the women that were there, many of whom were instrumental in documenting happenings, booking shows, and who were every bit as part of this social movement as their male counterparts in terms of their dedication to the ideals and the music. What worried me most was this thought, will anyone even notice? As a community we should rise above the lowest behaviors of the larger society and that, in my opinion, would require that we at the very least observe the tendency within hardcore to marginalized women and leave them to the side. Tracy X, Moon, Hardline Sarah, Stormy, and Kristin Shaw are the glaring omissions that come to mind. If you're going to include the Umea scene, what about the Donuts? I'm sure there are many more women in straightedge that have really interesting insights, and whose voices should have been heard. I am not trying to bash the book. But hardcore is good at being honest and assessing where we failed to be truly radical and I think this needed to be said. Maybe a second volume? :)

36 people found this helpful

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Matt Lipschutz

Great read

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 9, 2019

Verified Purchase

Easy read, great info.

One person found this helpful

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Jay-Cat

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 5, 2017

Verified Purchase

Great book, fast shipping AAA++

One person found this helpful

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ROA

This is an important book about a great song (or breakfast in bed at a price you can't afford).

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 31, 2020

Mr. Rettman goes by many names (just ask your local authorities) and with this publication he has earned another moniker: "The King of sXe Literature." Rettman tracks own both the obscure and those who are still in the spotlight pitching their version of snake oil. While straight edge may not be a movement, this book has given both credit and blame where it squarely belongs. Hear from the good, the bad, the ugly as well as the fashionable good looking types who held on as long as they could. It does not matter if you are a chaste monk with an X tattooed on your knuckles or now enjoy an adult beverage, this book documents very well how a song turned into a choice for the kids who needed it. Kudos.

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Krudo Integrale

Pessima impaginazione, manca un capitolo intero!!!

Reviewed in Italy 🇮🇹 on November 21, 2021

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Impaginazione pessima, mancano pagine da 90 a 105 e sono ripetute due volte pagine da 81 a 88 e da 107 a 113, quindi di fatto manca il capitolo VIII degli Uniform Choice, mi chiedo come si possa stampare un libro con così poca professionalità,mai successa una cosa del genere, chiesto sostituzione spero che la prossima copia non abbia questo difetto.

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adust

Es hat einen Namen

Reviewed in Germany 🇩🇪 on May 14, 2019

Verified Purchase

Ich habe durch eine Freundin erfahren, dass ich Straight Edge sei. Ich wollte herausfinden, was es damit auf sich hat. Wie es entstand. Was als dahinter steckt. Und ich muss sagen, ich trage das X stolz in meinem Herzen. Da das Buch vollständig aus der Sicht der damals jeweils beteiligten geschrieben ist hat es eine ganz andere realness als es ein Fliestext je haben könnte. Props an alle Beteiligten und danke für all den positiven Input.

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Cris Martínez

X

Reviewed in Spain 🇪🇸 on March 25, 2021

Verified Purchase

La entrega fue el día previsto y en perfectas condiciones. El libro es muy bueno. Straight Edge forever!

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Amazon Customer

Super detailed exhaustive history from Minor Threat to Violent Reaction

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on March 16, 2018

Verified Purchase

Straight Edge in your face. Super detailed exhaustive history from Minor Threat to Violent Reaction. For those who are still in the club and sellouts young and old. Also check out the authors NYHC and Detroit books.

One person found this helpful

Adam Hendershot

SXE

Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on September 11, 2019

Verified Purchase

Great book about straight edge!

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