Name: Josh James

Straight Edge for 12 years.

When I was in the 7th grade I saw “sXe” on the back of a punk comp. I

had no clue what that meant. My friend Justin told me he thought it

meant this thing called “Straight Edge.” I tried drinking and smoking

around that time, the typical teenage “rebellion,” but it did nothing

for me. I knew pretty quickly the lifestyle most of my friends were

starting to lead wasn’t for me. I’d rather be skateboarding and

listening to punk bands than getting fucked up and waking up in a

puddle of puke.

I think I was at a Good Riddance show where they refused to start

their set until all the neon beer signs were turned off. It was

intense to realize how strong something meant to someone. To some it

would seem extreme, but it made sense to me. Straight Edge was the

perfect fit for me because it is me. I’ve watched more than enough

friends die at the hands of substance abuse, and I am thankful every

day that this is the life I have chosen. A lot of things have changed

in my life and a lot of things will change before I die, but one thing

that will stay the same is I am Straight Edge.