Minor Threat

Influential American hardcore punk band from Washington, D.C. formed in 1980 and disbanded in 1983.

Minor Threat was formed when Ian MacKaye (vocals) and Jeff Nelson (drums) - fresh off the breakup of The Teen Idles - met guitarist Lyle Preslar. Preslar soon introduced Brian Baker, who joined them as a bassist, and the band gave its first show in November 1980. The band released two 7" EPs, one including the song "Straight Edge", which gave birth to the straight edge movement (emphasizing a lifestyle without alcohol and drugs).

In the summer of 1981, Preslar had to leave for college, so the band broke up. He dropped out early in the next year, and the band reformed in April 1982, with Baker now on second guitar and new member Steve Hansgen joining as a bassist. They released the Out of Step 12", toured, and by June 1983 Hansgen left the band. The group continued as a 4-piece for a few months, before breaking up for good, due to disagreements about the direction the band was to take.

Mackaye went on to form Fugazi after playing in a number of other bands, while Baker eventually joined Bad Religion, and Preslar played with Samhain. Baker and Preslar also jointly played on the Meatmen album War Of The Superbikes.