Minor Threat Page

Minor Threat is the band I  grew up listening to. They were my favorite at the time. This was the band I was able to  identify with more than any other when I was younger. I was young, angry and into the straight edge movement. Minor Threat played fast and hard, and I wish I would have had the chance to see them live. Although I no longer consider  myself to be part of the straight edge scene, especially as it is today, I still strongly identify with this band and this music.

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Minor Threat Bio Minor Threat formed in Washington, D.C. in the early '80s. They soon became the definitive band of the straight-edge punk movement.  It was members of  Minor Threat, led by front man Ian MacKaye, who first were seen  with the now straight-edge identifying black X's on the hand. That started when they were under 21 and wanted to be able to get into clubs where alcohol was being served.  It was merely and indication for employees that anyone with the  black X was not to be drinking, but  it soon became sort of the "straight edge logo".   Minor Threat started from an earlier band  featuring Ian MacKaye, the Teen Idles. In 1980, Ian founded his Dischord in order  to  put out a  Teen Idles album. Ian was a big believer in the DYI theory. Shortly afterwards, the Teen Idles broke up, and it was then Ian formed Minor Threat with former Idles drummer Jeff Nelson, former Government Issue bassist Brian Baker, and guitarist Lyle Preslar. Minor Threat released two EPs, one album and several singles over there time together, and played every chance they got. Minor Threat sang songs speaking out against drinking, alcohol, and encouraged youngsters to think for themselves and have a  clean and sober mind.  There songs were fast and furious, but catchy at the same time. The band  struck a cord with the youth  of  the time.  In 1982, bassist Baker had left and was replaced by Steve Hansen. They recorded their first and only full-length album, Out of Step in 1983. It was an immediate success. Their success was part of the reason the group was eventually disbanded. Ian continued to run Dischord with Jeff Nelson, where many new bands were able to break through. Ian played with a few other bands, and eventually formed Fugazi, which has become an extremely successful indie band. Fugazi  is not hardcore like Minor Threat was, but the band still holds to their DYI roots.

Minor Threat Recordings:

Song Listing:

Complete Discography (available on one cd through Dischord) 1. Filler    2.ÊI Don't Wanna Hear It    3. Seeing RedÊÊÊÊÊ 4. Straight Edge    5.ÊÊSmall Man, Big MouthÊÊÊÊÊ 6.ÊScreaming at a Wall    7.ÊÊBottled Violence 8.ÊÊMinor Threat    9.ÊStand Up    10.Ê12XU 11.ÊIn My Eyes    12.ÊOut of Step 13.ÊGuilty of Being White    14.ÊSteppin' Stone 15.ÊBetray    16.ÊIt Follows    17.ÊThink Again 18.ÊLook Back and Laugh    19.ÊSob Story    20.ÊÊNo Reason    21.ÊLittle Friend 22. Out of Step    23.ÊCashing In    24.ÊStumpedÊÊÊÊÊ 25.ÊGood Guys (don't wear white)ÊÊÊÊÊ 26.Ê Salad Days

Pictures