Positive Bands and Straight Edge at FFF Fest 09

Positive Bands and Straight Edge at FFF Fest 09

By General McPeace, September 2, 2009

7 Seconds, Youth Brigade, and Gorilla Biscuits are set to play this years Fun, Fun, Fun Fest. These bands belong to the straight edge category of punk rock. Straight Edge bands rail against the evils of alcohol, drugs, smoking, and in some cases promiscuity. Straight Edge bands set themselves apart from the stereotypical nihilistic youth associated with punk rock. Straight edge enthusiasts’ were known for drawing great big X’s to their hands. Now X’s are often a used by clubs to distinguish who is allowed to consume alcohol.

These bands represent to distinct flavors of Straight Edge. First, 7 Seconds and Youth Brigade define the West Coast style. They worked to create a positive ethic for their fans. They accomplished this through a very strong Do It Yourself attitude. Youth Brigade’s label, Better Youth Organizations “BYO,” has a great catalog of bands. 7 Seconds is a long survivor of the punk rock road. 7 Seconds was often described as the punk version of U2. At one point in their career, 7 Seconds blended reggae, another musical style that clashed with the Straight Edge message, to give punk a new “World Beat” feel.

Gorilla Biscuits represents New York Straight Edge. This style of Straight Edge is tough, hard, and full of attitude that is only built from surviving in New York City. It is every bit what you would expect from the scene the created Agnostic Front and the Cro-Mags.