One of the most iconic images in punk rock is Minor Threat’s ironic use of a beer bottle man carrying a beer. Ian MacKaye, singer for the seminal 80s DC hardcore band, inadvertently jumpstarted a subculture with the song “Straight Edge,” giving a name to his ideologies against drinking, smoking, and doing drugs. He expanded on what it meant to be straight edge in “Out of Step,” growling the memorable lines, “I don’t drink/I don’t smoke/I don’t fuck/At least I can fucking think/I can’t keep up, I can’t keep up, I can’t keep up/Out of step with the world.” Finally, the ostracized had a message and a figure to champion in a subculture that was full of heavy drugs and drinking.
It’s been 30 years since “Straight Edge” came out, yet the movement is still loud and alive. Hardliners will preach MacKaye’s word as law, condemning those that don’t share their views, resulting in the straight edge label being given a negative name. However, not many that live edge are that militant – ShowYouSuck is proof of this. You may know him personally or have seen his interview with Straight Edge Worldwide on what it means to be edge, but his first single off of One Man Pizza Party 4, “Straight Edge XXX,” is Show’s public declaration of being edge after multiple allusions found throughout his One Man Pizza Party series.
Rapping over El-P’s “Overly Dramatic Truth,” the Chicago rapper shares his views on living a clean and sober life. If you’ve ever been to a ShowYouSuck show or seen him at a party, you know he has as much fun, if not more, as everybody else drinking and smoking with the added benefit of a fatter wallet and no risk of a hangover the next morning. Simply put: ShowYouSuck isn’t anti-drinking/smoking, he’s just pro-fun. “Straight Edge XXX” also gives a glimpse at a deeper, more personal style of writing for ShowYouSuck, which perfectly suits the end of his One Man Pizza Party series.
Listen to “Straight Edge XXX” below. If you want to see ShowYouSuck show you how to have some straight edge fun, vote for him to play this summer’s North Coast Music Festival! All of the contest details can be found here.