The Song "Straight Edge": What's True About It

"Straight Edge" is one of the songs on our first EP. It's also the one people ask about most, so here's what's true about it.

Where is "Straight Edge"?

It's on Minor Threat, our first EP, released on Dischord Records in 1981 as Dischord 3. In 1984 our first two EPs came out together as First Two Seven Inches.

What is the song about?

Not drinking and not taking drugs. That's the whole idea: clear-headed, sober, and saying so out loud.

Did the song start a movement?

The song helped inspire what became the straight edge movement, people choosing not to drink or use drugs. We never set out to start a movement. It was a song, and it said what it said.

Why do people still talk about it?

Because it was short, plain and direct, and nobody had to guess what it meant.

What does that have to do with the merch?

Keep it plain: our designs are black, white and red, drawn by hand, nothing extra. The bottle-headed punk, the stacked MINOR THREAT letters and the Beach Rats lettering all come from that same no-frills look.

Wear it your way: what you take from the song is yours. The merch is just a way to carry a piece of the sound with you.

Browse every design on tees, long sleeves, crewnecks and hoodies in the shop.