This body of work is the marriage of my lifestyle, interests and skills. On the surface, the images are photographs taken at Hardcore Punk shows. Hardcore music branched off of Punk Rock in the late 1970s. The Straightedge movement also began during the same time period and although they are not mutually exclusive, the music genre and Straightedge lifestyle are closely related and influence each other. Without the influence that Hardcore bands have over youth, the anti-drug, alcohol and promiscuous sex life-style known as Straightedge, may not have lasted or spread the way it has. Both Hard-core music and the Straightedge lifestyle has remained for the most part underground because of the inherent anti-establishment ideals. I practice a drug-free lifestyle and have a business rooted in Hardcore music. My husband and I run a clothing company, StillHere Clothing and screen-printing business that caters primarily to hardcore bands and Straightedge youth. I decided to unite my screen-printing skills with photography to illustrate my experiences with the Straightedge Hardcore scene.
These images are photographs, but screen-printed like most show posters, 7 in records art and band shirts.

Straightedge Hardcore
KC Shortes