RVA Magazine recently published an article on a group of VCU students active in Richmond’s hardcore scene. Written by Annah Pugh as part of a writing course assignment, the piece centers on bandmates Jack Martin, Blake Bailey, and Matt Butler as they rehearse in a Mechanicsville storage unit and reflect on what straight edge means to them.
Pugh traces straight edge back to its roots in DC and Boston, referencing Minor Threat’s reluctant role in shaping the movement. The article focuses on how Martin, Bailey, and Butler understand straight edge today, describing it as a rejection of intoxication culture and a personal commitment they’ve chosen to stand by.
The students speak candidly about college life without drinking, the misconceptions they encounter, and the experiences that led them to claim straight edge. Family history, mental health struggles, and past drug and alcohol use all factor into their decisions.
Read the full article here: https://rvamag.com/music/metal-punk/the-next-generation-of-richmond-straight-edge.html
