i used to be straight edge.

people always ask if i'm going to be straight edge forever. i guess i can't answer that. and i think thats okay. but i do know that i dont care about drinking a glass of wine at my wedding. so stop asking. IUTBSE is here for you to tell your story to anyone who wants to hear it.

if you want your story to be heard, send it , along with a picture of yourself, to iusedtobestraightedge@gmail.com

despite what it may seem, this site is not only for people who USED to be straight edge. its for anyone who has ever had something positive to say about the lifestyle.



-IUTBSE

May 1st, 2009 @ 5:08 pm

Keith Sidorowicz . Energy I don’t know the majority of my extended family due to alcohol addiction. Either they never came around due to drowning in the flood of their addictions, or they would get so smashed at family gatherings that I would never be able to communicate with them on a normal basis. At the time I took it really hard because all my friends had such a tight connection with all their aunts, uncles, and cousins while the only member of my blood I could ever open up to about anything was my mother. I look back at it now and really indulge those moments as very hard learning expieriences that shaped me into the person that I’am today. My first exposure to straight edge was in 1996. I was in 7th grade and really starting to take advantage of my percussion abilities. My friend Mike played bass and wanted to start a band with me since he knew I listened to hip hop, some punk, and could play a decent amount of grooves. We also asked our friend Doug since he played guitar and used a Gibson SG. Finally we made move one day after school and had our first practice. We had one original song, but needed to play a cover to see how we gel’d together. Mike had snagged a handful of cassettes from his brothers collection. The first tape Mike played was a maxell mix which had Minor Threat, Snapcase, Youth Of Today, Silent Majority, and Side By Side. The first song he played was “In My Eyes”! I will never forget hearing those lyrics for the first time, and just feeling so fresh out of the box with excitement! I never thought a band could play music at the speed I was hearing. Not to mention being an aggressive band and singing about a lifestyle that consisted of no drinking, no drugs, and no permiscuous sex. I could not believe my ears as soon as Ian screamed “Did you fucking get it” followed by Jeffs all accented 16th note snare pattern into the fastest beat in existance! We must’ve covered “In My Eyes” 22 times at that practice. I remember being in so much pain since I had never tried to play drums at such bpm’s before. But it did not matter, I was about to start a new chapter in my life that day. So that was just the beginning. Straight edge has played an enormous factor in my life towards shaping me as a person. At the time I was new to straight edge, I was very quiet, unsure of myself, and at times depressed. I had a good support system of friends, but needed the support of myself. Straight edge opened up my personality and confidence by a long shot. Shortly after I was learning the basics of hardcore music through more mix tapes and beginner record purchases, my friends and I were finding our way to attending shows on the weekends. When we could not obtain a ride, we would lie to our parents about sleeping over one anothers houses on friday night, but in reality take the train to Long Island and NYC venues like Deja 1, Coney Island High , and Tramps. The more shows we attended, the more we learned. And one key luxury of the hardcore scene was its sense of community. I would start talking to more and more people each weekend, and started to come out of my shell personality wise! I realized that this was my place and had alot to relate to and share. By age 15, I started to persue vegetarianism fulltime. I was intrested and educated through literature, lyrics, and food that was expressed by people involved with straight edge that were presenting an idea that was peaceful, compassionate, and morally straight. I started picking up many books on my own, and really disciplined myself to maintain a healthy living. I was starting to nurture my flaws physically and mentally. 2 years later, I made the transition of going vegan and only became healthier in every department of my life. Straight edge has also given me a career in music. After high school, I had an awakening that I could use my gift of music to benefit others. I started playing with numerous bands over the years that really said some meaningful words that have been taken to heart by some lovely individuals. Not only in my hometown, but the entire world. Being on tour for 90% of the year is something I never take for granted. Each tour is as exciting as the first time I skipped around the entire country. And being on the road all year definatly introduces you to all types of people. I can easily hang out with somebody that is not straight edge, as long as they are not hurting themselves or anyone else. I hang out with alot of friends that have a social drink or will party on occassion, but respect the backround of the straight edge movement 110%. I think the world would be so boring if everyone was the same, so I would never dictate my beliefs on anybody at anytime. Straight edge is something that will always remain a big part of me, but it will never control me. You will never see me standing outside the Trader Joe’s Wine Store near Union Square super soaking customers with IBC root beer. I will never let straight edge become an addiction, because when that happens, then it is a negative form of abuse. To me it will always be about self improvement, peace, health, and accepting everyone. As Insted would say, “Live and let live!”

Keith Sidorowicz . Energy

I don’t know the majority of my extended family due to alcohol addiction. Either they never came around due to drowning in the flood of their addictions, or they would get so smashed at family gatherings that I would never be able to communicate with them on a normal basis. At the time I took it really hard because all my friends had such a tight connection with all their aunts, uncles, and cousins while the only member of my blood I could ever open up to about anything was my mother. I look back at it now and really indulge those moments as very hard learning expieriences that shaped me into the person that I’am today. My first exposure to straight edge was in 1996. I was in 7th grade and really starting to take advantage of my percussion abilities. My friend Mike played bass and wanted to start a band with me since he knew I listened to hip hop, some punk, and could play a decent amount of grooves. We also asked our friend Doug since he played guitar and used a Gibson SG. Finally we made move one day after school and had our first practice. We had one original song, but needed to play a cover to see how we gel’d together. Mike had snagged a handful of cassettes from his brothers collection. The first tape Mike played was a maxell mix which had Minor Threat, Snapcase, Youth Of Today, Silent Majority, and Side By Side. The first song he played was “In My Eyes”! I will never forget hearing those lyrics for the first time, and just feeling so fresh out of the box with excitement! I never thought a band could play music at the speed I was hearing. Not to mention being an aggressive band and singing about a lifestyle that consisted of no drinking, no drugs, and no permiscuous sex. I could not believe my ears as soon as Ian screamed “Did you fucking get it” followed by Jeffs all accented 16th note snare pattern into the fastest beat in existance! We must’ve covered “In My Eyes” 22 times at that practice. I remember being in so much pain since I had never tried to play drums at such bpm’s before. But it did not matter, I was about to start a new chapter in my life that day.

So that was just the beginning. Straight edge has played an enormous factor in my life towards shaping me as a person. At the time I was new to straight edge, I was very quiet, unsure of myself, and at times depressed. I had a good support system of friends, but needed the support of myself. Straight edge opened up my personality and confidence by a long shot. Shortly after I was learning the basics of hardcore music through more mix tapes and beginner record purchases, my friends and I were finding our way to attending shows on the weekends. When we could not obtain a ride, we would lie to our parents about sleeping over one anothers houses on friday night, but in reality take the train to Long Island and NYC venues like Deja 1, Coney Island High , and Tramps. The more shows we attended, the more we learned. And one key luxury of the hardcore scene was its sense of community. I would start talking to more and more people each weekend, and started to come out of my shell personality wise! I realized that this was my place and had alot to relate to and share. By age 15, I started to persue vegetarianism fulltime. I was intrested and educated through literature, lyrics, and food that was expressed by people involved with straight edge that were presenting an idea that was peaceful, compassionate, and morally straight. I started picking up many books on my own, and really disciplined myself to maintain a healthy living. I was starting to nurture my flaws physically and mentally. 2 years later, I made the transition of going vegan and only became healthier in every department of my life.

Straight edge has also given me a career in music. After high school, I had an awakening that I could use my gift of music to benefit others. I started playing with numerous bands over the years that really said some meaningful words that have been taken to heart by some lovely individuals. Not only in my hometown, but the entire world. Being on tour for 90% of the year is something I never take for granted. Each tour is as exciting as the first time I skipped around the entire country. And being on the road all year definatly introduces you to all types of people. I can easily hang out with somebody that is not straight edge, as long as they are not hurting themselves or anyone else. I hang out with alot of friends that have a social drink or will party on occassion, but respect the backround of the straight edge movement 110%. I think the world would be so boring if everyone was the same, so I would never dictate my beliefs on anybody at anytime. Straight edge is something that will always remain a big part of me, but it will never control me. You will never see me standing outside the Trader Joe’s Wine Store near Union Square super soaking customers with IBC root beer. I will never let straight edge become an addiction, because when that happens, then it is a negative form of abuse. To me it will always be about self improvement, peace, health, and accepting everyone. As Insted would say, “Live and let live!”

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