Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge [Oct. 6] profile picture

Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge [Oct. 6]

the decisive moment

About Me


RELEASE DATE FOR THE BOOK HAS BEEN SET. PICK IT UP BEGINNING OCTOBER 6, 2007. www.facesofstraightedge.com .
BE THE FIRST TO GET YOUR HANDS ON IT AT THE OFFICIAL RELEASE PARTY AN OPENING OF THE OUT OF STEP: FACES OF STRAIGHT EDGE EXHIBITION IN ATLANTA OCTOBER 6.
Taken from the April 2007 issue of Quick Fix zine:
Explain in brief about the book project and how you came about it? Do you have a publisher yet?
"This project is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time now. I just finally got the motivation or time to begin it. The project is basically a personal exploration of the straight edge community in America today. I’m picking up my camera and traveling around the country trying to find a bunch of really different straight edge people. Trying to sort of analyze the diversity. And I’m photographing these people in their environments. The book will be published by Empire Press October 2007."
Are you straight edge yourself? If so, why and what are your principals on it. If not, why a book project like this?
"I’ve been straight edge for just about 9 years now. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that its not always most important why you initially became straight edge, what’s most important is why you are straight edge today. For me living a straight edge lifestyle is many things. Most simply it’s a rebellion. Every day I live without being intoxicated or addicted to some drug is my way of saying Fuck You to the greedy power hungry corporations that profit from addiction and miserable lives. If I smoke then I’m not only a slave to that addiction I’m a slave to that company. I’m financing their huge mansions, yachts, and their exploitation. I’m their slave and I’m not ok with that. Being straight edge is another way for me to be politically active. There’s no way I can stand up for what I believe and fight back if I’m not in my right mind, if I’m in some way being controlled by a foreign substance. That’s what I believe and I totally respect everyone’s opinions for being straight edge. I love hearing people’s stories."
Ok, in closing what is your ultimate goal with the book?
"The ultimate goal of this book is to be able to share my experience with other people. Not just other straight edge people but anyone who likes photography or is interested in alternative lifestyles. Not everyone will have a chance to travel around and meet a bunch of really different people who all share a common belief. So hopefully this book will be interesting to them. And for the young kid in Mississippi who thinks he or she is different than everyone else maybe this book will show that its ok to be different. And it’s okay to go against flow and live your life differently. For the straight edge people out there I hope this collection of pictures is something they can be proud of. Something they can hold on to and show others and say, “This is my extended family.”
The collection will be published as a book on Southern Empire Records in October 2007. Here is what Dave Anthem from SER has to say:
************
May 1, 2006
"So, we're happy to announce that following the release of Giant's Song EP, we're going to be working with straight edge photographer, Raymond McCrea Jones, on a book of photographs tentatively titled, Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge. These photographs, some of which can be viewed on his site, attempt to portray the straight edge movement for what it is: a cross-section of individuals who transcend class, race, religious affiliation, sexual preference, gender, etc. One of the invectives constantly hurled at the straight edge movement is that it is nothing but a gang of white, middle class, male, jocks who gather once a week at hardcore shows to champion sobriety. And although statistically there is some truth to this generalization, Ray's book of beautiful black & white photographs attempts to depart from this assumption by displaying the many faces of those who've adopted the straight edge lifestyle as an alternative to the enslavement and pacification that substance abuse so often engenders. More information coming soon!"
Links:
Out Of Step: Faces of Straight Edge Official Website
Southern Empire Records
Raymond McCrea Jones
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My Interests

Straight Edge is a lifelong commitment to abstinence from tobacco, alcohol, and any drug use. There is no organization in Straight Edge and no hierarchy. It's a personal choice to live one's life free from the slavery of addiction. Straight Edge began in the punk scene of Washington D.C. and today is in its 25th year having spread to youth around the world.

I'd like to meet:

Everyday straight edge people from all walks of life who have been living the lifestyle anywhere from 1985 to 2005. Please message if you would like to be a part of the project or know someone who would be down.

Music:

Minor Threat, Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, Earth Crisis, 7 seconds, Champion, Prayer for Cleansing, 7 Generations, Gather, Requiem, Vitamin X, Judge, Chokehold, Chain of Strength, Brothers Keeper, Another Victim, Trial, Project X, Path of Resistance, 25 Ta Life, Bane, Giant, Kingdom

Movies:

The Edge of Quarrel, XXX

Books:


facesofstraightedge.com

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facesofstraightedge.com
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Trailer on You Tube

Heroes:

Richard Avedon, Robert Frank, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Andre Kertesz, Eugene Richards, Arnold Newman, Sam Abell, Mary Ellen Mark. . .

My Blog

Pre-Order the book now online!!!

Pre-orders for the book have now begun. Check out the Southern Empire Records site for more information."Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge is the first book from photographer, Ray Jones. The book c...
Posted by Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge [Oct. 6] on Sun, 30 Sep 2007 03:02:00 PST

Release Oct. 6, 2007!!!

Hey I just looked at the trailer on Youtube.com and it has over 11,000 views. That's aweomse. Thanks everyone for spreading the word and passing it around. A reminder that the release is Oct. 6, offic...
Posted by Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge [Oct. 6] on Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:02:00 PST

RELEASE UPDATE !!!

Hey everyone just wanted to fill you in on some news. As I hope you already know the book release is October 6 in Atlanta, GA. Everyone is invited. Come show your support, hang out and buy some books ...
Posted by Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge [Oct. 6] on Sun, 29 Jul 2007 11:39:00 PST

UDATES, list of people needed and new web banner!!!

facesofstraightedge.comTo add this banner to your page/site, copy and paste the code below: facesofstraightedge.comHey world. So the release date of the book is set as I...
Posted by Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge [Oct. 6] on Mon, 07 May 2007 02:37:00 PST

IMPORTANT UPDATES!

Hi everyone. I had a whirlwind weekend trip up to Raleigh, NC this weekend then High Point then Charlotte. Now I'm back in the ATL. I just wanted to share the final final official flier for the projec...
Posted by Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge [Oct. 6] on Tue, 17 Apr 2007 05:55:00 PST

NEW FLYER AND OTHER STUFF!!!

Hey everyone check out this amazing new flyer. It was designed by my good friend Tony Price in Atlanta. Please post the flyer on your profile, pass it around or whatever.Again, the release of the book...
Posted by Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge [Oct. 6] on Mon, 09 Apr 2007 08:28:00 PST

New Interviews !!!

There are two new interviews of myself discussing the project, life and a bunch of other stuff. The first is available at The Edge Underground an underground online zine. Check it out.The second inter...
Posted by Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge [Oct. 6] on Sat, 03 Mar 2007 06:27:00 PST

Back from Las Vegas

Hey everyone. I got back from Las Vegas yesterday. As soon as I got home around 3 p.m. I went straight to sleep and didn't wake up until Monday morning. It was great. But now it's back to work. First ...
Posted by Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge [Oct. 6] on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 09:04:00 PST

Coming to Las Vegas and LA soon!!!

I will be in Las Vegas January 24-28. I'm staying in some house somewhere near the city I think. I don't have any money so I won't be doing any gambling. But I am bringing my camera so that means I ha...
Posted by Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge [Oct. 6] on Sat, 20 Jan 2007 10:42:00 PST

Back Online in '07

Hello everyone, sorry for the delayed friend request accepts and replies, I just got internet up and running in my new place today. So I'm back online playing catchup. Hope everyone had good holidays ...
Posted by Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge [Oct. 6] on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 07:48:00 PST