B-Sides: SHAHEEN Modern and contemporary art, Cleveland, OH

B-side

The facing image is from the cover of the American hardcore punk band, Minor Threat’s first 7 inch record. The original photograph (slightly cropped) was taken by Susie J. Horgan. Minor Threat’s song Straight Edge led to the formation of a subculture within a subculture. Straight Edge punks, didn’t use drugs (recreational or prescription), didn’t drink alcohol, avoided casual sex and had vegan or vegetarian diets. At the shows I saw in Cleveland, Ohio in the 1980s you knew the straight edge punks by the X’s they black markered on the backs of their hands. Because of my mother’s history of substance abuse I had a healthy fear of drugs and alcohol. I was already involved with punk culture but everyone I knew was still doing all the usual experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Seeing kids my age define themselves as against these things and in such a recognizable and forceful way was impactful and especially meaningful for me at that time. 

This work was made in Painesville, OH and Brooklyn, NY.