Straight-Edge: What It Is And What It Isn't

Part I of Essay
The term "straight-edge" means  a great deal to those who follow the straight-edge lifestyle, although there are varying degrees of it.  The basic philosophy behind it is that no alcohol, no illicit drugs, and no use any substance for the specific purpose of altering mood ....

Part II of Essay
.... by the hardcore-punk band called Minor Threat.  The song "Straight-Edge" written by Ian MacKaye, the band's singer, not only coined the phrase, but it encompassed all of the philosophies that a straight-edge person believes in.  There have been theories that an earlier punk band, called the Teen Idols (which included Ian MacKaye and the drummer from Minor Threat*), started the ideology of straight-edge, but the term was not used until MacKaye wrote and published the song.  Minor Threat have since disbanded, but hardcore fans everywhere still ....