Artist Spotlight - Minor Threat

Minor Threat is the band that changed everything for me.  From the first time I heard the opening strum from “Filler”, I was in DIY straight edge hardcore punk rock heaven.  Now, I’ve defiantly broadened my musical horizons to include so much more than just hardcore since then, (and no longer straight edge) but Minor Threat was the first step for me to finding music that wasn’t mainstream.  So, for this they will be the first band I spotlight, because without Minor Threat I might still be listening to Metallica, or possibly Korn.   Not that there is really anything wrong with either band.  It’s just that I would still be letting MTV show me what to listen to rather than finding it myself.  (I still listen to Master of Puppets from time to time.)

                Dischord records was started by Ian MacKaye and Jeff Nelson in 1980 to release their then broken up band the Teen Idles’ EP Minor Disturbance.  From there these two went on to form another band that would soon release music on Dischord.  They would be joined by Brian Baker, and Lyle Preslar to form Minor Threat.  Later on they would add another member Steve Hansgen to bass, and moving Brian Baker to second guitar.  Minor Threat was a very influential group on many levels.  One of those levels helped form a movement called straight edge and were mentioned in songs like “Straight Edge” and “Out of Step”.  This was a movement based on the idea that a person didn’t need drugs, and alcohol to live your life.  Another level that influenced many bands would have been the way the music was created and distributed.  Hardcore labels including Dischord were popping up all over the United States, and were changing the music industry for many years to come with a new DIY ethic.  Bands no longer needed the help of a major label to be heard.  Hard touring and self promotion was the preferred tool to sell new music for many bands.  After roughly three years, Minor Threat broke up.  Each member went on to form, or play in more bands like; Fugazi, the Meatmen, Dag Nasty, Bad Religion, Samhain, the High Back Chairs, Embrace, and the Evens. 

                Minor Threat really didn’t last too long, but they did leave a lasting imprint on American music. Not only did they influence many bands to come, but the help set the DIY blueprint for many bands to use in the future, and still use today.