Tony Rettman Straight Edge

Tony Rettman celebrating new 'Straight Edge' book in NYC; FYA 5 announced

Tony Rettman, author of NYHC: New York Hardcore 1980–1990 and Why Be Something That You’re Not: Detroit Hardcore 1979-1985, is releasing his new book, Straight Edge: A Clear-Headed Hardcore Punk, next week (11/14). Here’s the synopsis on the book, which has a foreword by CIV:

Starting in 1981 via Minor Threat’s revolutionary call to arms, the clean and positive straight edge hardcore punk movement took hold and prospered during the 1980s, earning a position as one of the most durable yet chronically misunderstood music subcultures. Straight edge created its own sound and visual style, went on to embrace vegetarianism, and later saw the rise of a militant fringe. As the “don’t drink, don’t smoke” message spread from Washington, D.C., to Boston, California, New York City, and, eventually, the world, adherents struggled to define the fundamental ideals and limits of what may be the ultimate youth movement.

Tony Rettman traces the story of straight edge from adolescent origins to enduring counterculture via fresh first-hand accounts from the clear and alert members of Minor Threat, SS Decontrol, Youth of Today, DYS, Slapshot, Uniform Choice, 7 Seconds, Stalag 13, Justice League, Chain of Strength, No for an Answer, Insted, Gorilla Biscuits, Judge, Bold, Project X, Lärm, Brotherhood, Shelter, H2O, Half Off, Resurrection, Raid, Strife, Earth Crisis, Vegan Reich, Mindset, Stop and Think, Mouthpiece, Floorpunch, Ten Yard Fight, Mental, Fucked Up, Trial, Have Heart, Praise, Clear, the Geeks, and many others.

Talking about the book, Mike Ferraro of Judge and Youth of Today said, “Fucking loved it!!! A great book. Tony Rettman did it once again.”

You can pre-order the book, get a sneak peek inside, listen to a straight-edge playlist, and more HERE.

Tony Rettman is celebrating the book with a launch party TONIGHT (11/9) at the Sonos Store at 101 Greene St in NYC. It goes from 7-9 PM, and Rettman will be doing a live Q&A with Scott Crawford, who directed the Salad Days: A Decade Of Punk In Washington, DC (1980-90) documentary and started the DC hardcore fanzine Metrozine in the ’80s. RSVP is open. Flyer below.

In related news, the 2018 edition of Tampa’s FYA Fest was announced, featuring Chain of Strength and Earth Crisis (who were both interviewed for Straight Edge), plus Code Orange, Infest, Harms Way, Freedom, Jesus Piece, District 9, Forced Order, Jukai, Red Death and more. It goes down January 6-7. Tickets are on sale. Full lineup below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dctcVopIFjI

Tony Rettman

FYA Fest

FYA Fest 5 Lineup
Saturday January 6th

Chain of Strength
Earth Crisis
District 9
Forced order
Trail of Lies
Ecostrike
Jukai
Red Death
Mindforce
Detain
Substance
Line Of Sight
Wild Side
Nosebleed
Secondsight
Resistance Wire
Cradle To Grave
Candy
Deaf To Reason

Sunday January 7th

Code Orange
Infest
Harms Way
Freedom
Bind
Jesus Piece
Vein
Bracewar
Year Of The Knife
Abuse Of Power
Division Of Mind
Dead Heat
Firm Standing Law
Step 4 Change
Magnitude
The Fight
Sandman
Three Knee Deep