Where's the Line?

[xAdamSx]

OK, so one thing I've been pondering for a while is the view within the sXe community that you can't be truly Edge unless you 'participate' in the hardcore music scene. It's the word 'participate' (or other words akin to it that are bandied about) that is intriguing for me. What, in your opinion, is 'participating in hardcore'? I enjoy hardcore music, and do listen to it a lot, but I wouldn't rank it highest in my musical preferences. I enjoy a variety of music, mainly rock/metal and several variations, but of course also include hardcore within my musical preferences, and certainly know and appreciate how important that aspect is to Straight Edge.

Mainly though, what is participation? Going to shows regularly? Semi-regularly? What? I'v never attended a hardcore show, not least because I don't have a lot of money and don't really know of any bands or anything local to me, but I still consider myself edge. So, going back to my main question, what defines 'participation in the hardcore scene'?

[straightXed]

OK, so one thing I've been pondering for a while is the view within the sXe community that you can't be truly Edge unless you 'participate' in the hardcore music scene. It's the word 'participate' (or other words akin to it that are bandied about) that is intriguing for me. What, in your opinion, is 'participating in hardcore'? I enjoy hardcore music, and do listen to it a lot, but I wouldn't rank it highest in my musical preferences. I enjoy a variety of music, mainly rock/metal and several variations, but of course also include hardcore within my musical preferences, and certainly know and appreciate how important that aspect is to Straight Edge.

Mainly though, what is participation? Going to shows regularly? Semi-regularly? What? I'v never attended a hardcore show, not least because I don't have a lot of money and don't really know of any bands or anything local to me, but I still consider myself edge. So, going back to my main question, what defines 'participation in the hardcore scene'?

Well the point of the participation is really a main part. For you to understand the hardcore scene and its dynamics is useful to understanding the direction people are going with the idea of straightedge. Its good to have an understanding of the hardcore genre and its history. It is hard to build a complete picture of things without experiencing hardcore shows, they are a huge focus of what is going on. The whole idea is towards making a hardcore music scene that suits those involved...so to fully appreciate that you do tend to need some involvement. Now with that said its not a case of fitting a set criteria of how many shows you make it out to, i rarely get to shows nowadays...i think its been about 2 this year. Its not about how many, it is about knowing what you are claiming to be a part of. Its great that you listen to hardcore and i am by no means belittling your participation thus far, buying hardcore records is a great way to support our scene. I just think you would greatly benifit from going to a few shows and i think you would really enjoy them too. I will also say they really aren't expensive affairs so perhaps it would be possible for you to check something out. Whatb kind of bands are you into? I'm sure there will be a worthwhile show to go to at somepoint so stick around.

To answer your question simply i would say participation is defined by being involved enough to experience the full picture.