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.
Young Americans
