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INKEDblog takes you beneath the skin of today's tattoo culture. Our mission is to celebrate tattooing as a modern art form which incorporates art, fashion, style, and pop culture. While paying homage and respect to the past, we look to present a contemporary take on the present and future of skin art.
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Friday Feb 17, 2006
sXe Tattoos - An Explanation
The sXe, or straight-edge movement began in the 80’s with the band, Minor Threat. Front man and songwriter, Ian MacKaye outlined the philosophy in one of his songs:
“Don’t smoke, Don’t drink, Don’t f—k”
Unlike other punk bands at the time (notably the Sex Pistols and Sid Viscous) who were celebrating rebellion and anarchy with drugs and drinking, Minor Threat’s philosophy took on the youth establishment creating a counter, counter-culture.
SXe continues to be a popular movement. Though sometimes portrayed as violent in the media, most straight-edgers are also anti-violent.
The straight-edge symbol is a black X across the back of a person’s hands. This is an iconic sXe tattoo. Originally, the X symbol came from the black X drawn on the hands of people under 21 years old in clubs, so that the bartenders knew not to serve them.
Tattoos are very important to sXe culture because it symbolizes a lifetime pledge to the values of sXe.
Tattooed X’s appear commonly on all parts of the body, but generally somewhere visible as a badge of honor and commitment. Other sXe tats include slogans such as “Drug Free” and “Straight Edge” and are often on the wrists and hands.
| Comments
Seven pages of Straight Edge tattoos can be found here:
http://www.xpress.se/~akjo1107/english/tattoo.htm
Posted by: Guav at February 17, 2006 2:10 PM
^^ The Straight Edge Weapon. WORD
Here's my shin.
http://www.howsyouredge.com/bmurphy/brianShin.jpg
I'd like to amend the Minor Threat quote, though. In full, it is,
"Don't drink, don't smoke, don't f__k around"
No one here is claiming abstinence. Peace.
Posted by: b. murphy at February 17, 2006 4:17 PM
uh murphy, check those lyrics again bro...
(I) Don't smoke
Don't drink
Don't fuck
At least I can fucking think
I can't keep up
Can't keep up
Can't keep up
Out of step with the world
i'm no straight-edger, but i've always been a fan of minor threat.
Posted by: hewhocannotbenamed at February 17, 2006 5:48 PM
HAHA. For some reason, must be my mass heritage, I quoted Slapshot instead. Wow, I'm a moron. I'll probably get drummed out of the group now.
Posted by: b. murphy at February 21, 2006 8:26 AM
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