Untitled - EDGE perspectives on drug free culture

I'm a person just like you
But I've got better things to do
Than sit around and fuck my head
Hang out with the living dead
Snort white shit up my nose
Pass out at the shows
I don't even think about speed
That's something I just don't need
I've got the straight edge
compassion|media
presents
EDGE
perspectives on
drug free culture
A FILM BY MARC PIERSCHEL / MICHAEL KIRCHNER
a compassion|media Production
PRESS CONTACT
compassion|media
Heisstr. 51 • 48145 Muenster, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)251 13 67 890
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.compassionmedia.org • www.edgethemovie.com
SHORT SYNOPSIS
EDGE – perspectives on drug free culture
28 years after the band Minor Threat released the song
'Straight Edge', the drug free lifestyle has become a
worldwide phenomenon, rejecting a culture of intoxication.
The documentary takes the viewer behind and beyond the
scenes of the Straight Edge subculture: the people living
the idea, how it changed their lives and what it means to
them on a very personal level. The result is a differentiated
and diverse picture through in-depth interviews of 12
individuals who have chosen a clean lifestyle without
consuming drugs.
Press note
With their radical and consistent choice to live a clean life
without consuming drugs, the protagonists earn respect in
search for their very own ways in life. Directors Marc
Pierschel and Michael Kirchner’s feature-length debut is a
stunningly honest insight look at the lives of various people
who embrace the label ‘Straight Edge’. It’s a striking
documentary about different aspects, motivations, and
beliefs with an authentic and very personal touch.
SYNOPSIS
EDGE – perspectives on drug free culture
The most widely associated perception of Straight Edge
involves practicing at least some degree of abstinence from
alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Since it’s origin in the
early 1980s these beliefs have spread all over the US and
became a worldwide phenomenon.
This idea of a drug free lifestyle became the foundation
that unifies a certain group of people. But do they share
more than that? Can there be a differentiation and
evolution to be found? What about politics, activism,
violence, feminism, vegetarianism/veganism, criticism,
human and animal rights?
EDGE investigates those questions by interviewing experts
like Ian MacKaye, Ray Cappo and Karl Buechner.
Furthermore the documentary explores 9 individual
perspectives of people who embrace the Straight Edge
lifestyle and implement its values in their daily lives.
CAST
Ian MacKaye
Ray Cappo
Karl Buechner
Russ Rankin
Kent McClard
Dr. Ross Haenfler
Pat Flynn
Peter Young
Bull Gervasi
Eva ‘Genie’ Hall
Priyesh Patel
Taylor Clements
Ian MacKaye
“They made fun of the straight kids. So when Minor Threat started I decided to up
the ante and I wrote the song ‘Straight Edge’.”
The song 'Straight Edge' was written by Ian MacKaye for his band 'Minor Threat'. It was
a song that described his personal drug free lifestyle and criticism of the selfdestructive idea of “sex as a conquest, which served as part of the Sex, Drugs and
Rock’n’Roll” banner originating as a rebellion in the 1960s. It began to influence
youth culture as 'Minor Threat' gained popularity through numerous live shows and
through sales of the song on their EP. Although to MacKaye the song did not represent
a philosophy or a movement, over time many people adopted the philosophy of the
song and many bands began to label themselves straight edge.
As of 2008, MacKaye currently sings and plays baritone guitar in 'The Evens'. He also
runs 'Dischord Records', an independent record label in Washington, D.C. that he
started in 1980.
Ray Cappo
“I don’t want to be anything like these people! I don’t want to wear their cloths, I
don’t want to look like them, I don’t want to have the small town mentality.”
In 1985 Ray Cappo started the hardcore band 'Youth of Today', that acted as a catalyst
for the thriving Straight Edge scene in and around New York and became one of the
most influential bands. From those beginnings arose a cadre of late 80s NYC Straight
Edge bands, sometimes referred to as 'youth crew' bands. Cappo found himself drawn
to Krishna Consciousness, due in large part to his study of religions that embraced his
vegetarian and Straight Edge ideals. He became a devotee and started a band that
would fulfil his spiritual needs and provide a mouthpiece for his new-found devotion.
This band became known as 'Shelter'. Further, Cappo sang for the band 'Better Than A
Thousand' in the Late 1990s.
Cappo now lives in Los Angeles, C.A. and works as a Yoga teacher. He continues his
association with the Hare Krishna community in the area and is an avid mixed martial
arts practitioner.
Karl Buechner
“In the beginning of the 90s Straight Edge was basically on a flatline: most bands of
the 80s had sold out and broken their Edge... but for us it means something
incredibly important.”
Karl Buechner is the original singer of the band 'Earth Crisis' from Syracuse, NY. 'Earth
Crisis' began combining elements of Hardcore and Metal, paving the way for 'new
school' hardcore. Their Lyrics are replete with strong statements, many concerning
animal abuse and political issues. The title song from their second 7", entitled
'Firestorm', with lyrics depicting a neighbourhood submerged in drug addiction and
crime, became an anthem for followers of the Straight Edge scene. The band was
often criticized because of their radical ideas.
Buechner lives in Syracuse and recently reformed ‘Earth Crisis’.
Dr. Ross Haenfler
“I actually think that Straight Edge is a form of a movement, even if it’s not out to
change government policy or something like that.”
Ross Haenfler is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Mississippi in
Oxford. His main focuses of interest are Political Sociology, Gender, Social Theory,
Youth Subcultures and Social Change. He has taught at the University of Colorado,
University of Denver, and Colorado College. Haenfler is the author of 'Straight Edge:
Clean-Living Youth, Hardcore Punk, And Social Change', a sociological analysis of
Straight Edge.
His current research project is a book about a variety of youth subcultures called
'Deviance and Youth Subcultures', in which he examines groups such as skinheads,
goths, virginity pledgers, hip hoppers, and computer geeks. In April 2009 he has
become the father of a baby girl named River. Since then he is busier than ever!
Russ Rankin
“I don’t have to wreck my family or my relationship... to end up in jail or dead on
the sidewalk somewhere.”
Russ Rankin was lead vocalist for Hardcore-Punk band 'Good Riddance' until their
break-up in 2007.
Today Rankin lives in Santa Cruz, CA and holds the position of California/Western
United States Regional Scout for the 'Kootenay Ice', a hockey team that competes in
the Western Hockey League. He sings for the band 'Only Crime' and works as a
producer.
Kent McClard
“To me just avoiding addiction was important. I am an extremely addicted
personality and honestly if I wasn’t Straight Edge, I think I would be dead.”
Since the year of 1983 Kent McClard was doing a Magazine called No Answers. In early
1990, the former ‘Maximum RocknRoll’ columnist McClard started 'Ebullition Records',
an independent record label. From 1994 to 2006 he published the internationally
distributed punk Magazine 'HeartattaCk', which had a strong bent towards anticonsumerism. His work has been a prominent and influential presence in the DIY
hardcore and punk scenes.
McClard is still running 'Ebullition Records' in Goleta, CA.
Pat Flynn
“As a very insecure, stereotypical 12 or 13 year old kid I wanted to belong
somewhere... but as time went on it became much more than that.”
Pat Flynn is the singer and songwriter of the straight-edge hardcore band 'Have Heart'
that was formed in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 2002. In July 2003 they played
their first show and in November a demo was released. The band was signed by
'Bridge Nine Records' in 2005, and in the following year they released 'The things we
carry', their first full length album. The band toured through the USA, Japan and
Europe several times and released their second full-length album, called 'Songs to
scream at the sun' in July 2008.
Flynn currently lives in Boston and recently finished college to become a teacher...
someday.
Peter Young
“Straight Edge kids had a profound impact on the Animal Liberation Movement in the
90s and out frankly to the current day... so Straight Edge was activism.”
Peter Young is an animal rights activist. In March 2005 he was arrested to serve a
sentence of 2 years in prison. He was indicted by a federal grand jury in 1998 on
charges related to fur farm raids in Iowa, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. He lived
underground for seven years, before being arrested in San Jose.
Since his release in February 2007 Young has been giving speeches on his experiences
with the animal liberation movement across the United States.
Priyesh Patel
“I haven’t felt any physical aggression or discrimination based on my skin color in the
Punk Hardcore scene which I think is great. Feeling secure in the scene is something
that is vital.”
Priyesh Patel is 20 years old and grew up in the city of Gardena, CA. His parents were
originally born in India and migrated to the States. He moved to Santa Cruz to study
Environmental Studies with focus on Natural History / Conservation Biology at the
University of California where he is being active within radical communities and the
local Straight Edge scene.
Eva ‘Genie’ Hall
“There is no doubt that the Straight Edge scene is male dominated. Women are made
to feel uncomfortable a lot of times at shows just from sexist attitude.”
Eva ‘Genie’ Hall grew up in a small town called Exeter in the Central Valley of
California and studied American Studies in Santa Cruz for a short period of time
before she moved to Santa Barbara where she sang for the hardcore metal band
'Gather'. In 2007 the band split up.
She still lives in Santa Barbara and wants to start a Euro-Pop band soon.
Bull Gervasi
“I think in the Hardcore scene in the US there are a lot of problems with the
glorification of violence, and apolitical attitudes, sexism and racism, homophobia
and just the disregard for politics or forward thinking in general.”
Bull Gervasi played bass guitar in a band called 'R.A.M.B.O.', a Straight Edge,
anarchist, vegan crust punk and thrashcore band from Philadelphia, PA. The band was
known for their live shows, which normally included costumes, props, and general
mayhem. 'R.A.M.B.O.' put out two full-lengths; 'Wall of Death the System' and 'Bring
It!'. They toured extensively in the United States, South America, and Southeast Asia.
Currently Gervasi works at 'Mariposa', a local food coop and lives with 8 people in a
housing cooperative in Philadelphia, PA.
Taylor Clements
“My grandpa died from a drug overdose that kind of made me not want to drugs or
drink.”
Taylor Clements was born in 1994 and visits the High School of Santa Barbara. Besides
music, he likes to ride his fixed-gear bike and to hang out with friends.
Right now he is focusing on cycling and trying to make a career out of it: He wants to
be the first vegan straight edge pro cyclist.
Monologues
Ian MacKaye:
“When I got into Punk in 1979, what was
immediately compelling was this idea of
deviancy that punks were different. They
rejected conventional ideas of about any
number of subjects. And as somebody who felt
like a deviant, because I didn’t get high like
almost all of my friends in High school, I felt
like I fit right in. But I was surprised to find
out that so many punks, people who I thought
would be respectful of differences and
different ways on looking at things because I
quite felt respectful of their ideas, that they
were very derisive. They made fun of us too.
They made fun of the straight kids. So when
Minor Threat started I decided to up the ante
and I wrote the song ‘Straight Edge’.”
Dr. Ross Haenfler: “Most of the people who are involved in
Straight Edge don’t consider themselves
necessarily part of a movement. When they
think of a social movement, they think of
groups like Greenpeace or Sierra Club or the
Civil Rights Movement. They don’t think of this
as a subculture and the music scene that they
are involved in. My research, I guess, showed
just a little bit of a different take on that: I
actually think that Straight Edge is a form of a
movement, even if it’s not out to change
government policy or something like that. It’s
more of a movement about challenging culture,
and challenging people’s lifestyles.”
Filmmakers
Marc Pierschel
Michael Kirchner
Kelly Jameson
Directors
Marc Pierschel is 31 years old and Sociologist (M.A.) with
main focus on Communication, Cultural and Latin America
Studies.
Pierschel lives in Muenster, Germany.
Michael Kirchner is 30 years old; a Social Scientist
(Diploma) specialized in Sociology, Media and
Communication Studies.
Currently Kirchner lives in Berlin, Germany.
EDGE is their first full-length documentary. They have
worked together for several years, producing various types
of short films, animations and documentaries.
Line Producer and Location Manager
Kelly Jameson is 27 years old and lives in New York City,
U.S.A. After her A-levels and practical experience as
Assistant Location Manager, she studied at the Film
Academy in Seattle. Meanwhile Jameson has been focusing
on Line Production for documentaries.
CREDITS
GER 2009, Feature Documentary, 82 min, miniDV, Color, 16:9 Widescreen
Language: English
Cast: Ian MacKaye, Ray Cappo, Karl Buechner, Russ Rankin, Kent McClard,
Dr. Ross Haenfler, Pat Flynn, Peter Young, Bull Gervasi, Eva ‘Genie’ Hall,
Priyesh Patel, Taylor Clements
Screenplay and Direction: Marc Pierschel / Michael Kirchner
Line Producer and Location Manager: Kelly Jameson
Production Company: compassion|media
Music: Minor Threat (Dischord Records), Youth of Today (Revelation
Records), Earth Crisis (Victory Records), Have Heart (Bridge Nine Records),
Tristeza (Better Looking Records), Forever Young (xThreatx Records),
Verse (Bridge Nine Records)
PR and Communication: compassion|media
compassion|media
Heisstr. 51 • 48145 Muenster, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)251 13 67 890
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.edgethemovie.com