There are very few punk rock icons that can command an entire room’s attention like Ian MacKaye. I could rattle off the list of why it would be perfectly ok to shake in your boots when meeting the man but honestly now, he’s just a regular ol’ dude; a normal guy, of course, who has inspired thousands of people with his music in Minor Theat, Fugazi, and the Evens and his label, Dischord Records. 

MacKaye spoke on independent culture at this year’s Indie and Small Press Book Fair in Manhattan, to an absolutely jam-packed room of eager listeners. Of course though, whenever you get the man in front of a bunch of his fans, the incredibly-frustrating and endlessly-repeated questions will arise. “Will Fugazi play again?” or “Are you still straight edge?” People, people. The man answered these questions YEARS ago. The horse is officially decomposed. Give it up! I gotta give him credit though, he handled all the inquiries very articulately, instead of just flipping out.

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Tags: Ian Mackaye, Indie And Small Press Book Fair by Matthew
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Ian MacKaye will be one of the guests at this year’s Indie & Small Press Book Fair in NYC. MacKaye will be holding a Q&A on “Independent Culture,” Saturday, December 1st from 2:00 to 2:50 p.m. The panel will be hosted by a fellow D.C.-er, Ian Svenonius of Nation of Ulysses and The Make Up.Svenonius will also interview famed photographer Glen E. Friedman the same day from 3:00 to 3:50 p.m.

For all guest and panel info, check out the schedule here. Definitely check this out!

Tags: Ian Mackaye, Indie And Small Press Book Fair, News by Matthew
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So apparently there are rumors (i.e. an edited Wikipedia page) that Ian MacKaye died at a Fugazi show in New Jersey, and was then rushed to a hospital in…wait for it…Baltimore. Apparently some people find this to make total sense and started spreading the word all over the internet/media. Either way, Ian MacKaye is happy to report that he is still alive and kicking. Don’t believe everything you still read, kids.

Tags: Ian Mackaye, unsubstantiated rumors by Jason
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On February 6, Jim Graham, D.C. Councilmember, introduced the “Protection and Safety Act of Underage Persons Amendment Act of 2007″ that will restrict all age shows in the D.C. area. An area synonymous with Ian Mackaye, Dischord Records, Straight Edge, Fugazi,and all age punk shows.

Graham was inspired to propose this bill upon the death of a 17 year old at a Go-Go club on January 20. A stray bullet killed the teenager. Read more about the incident here.

On January 25, Graham held a seven hour roundtable discussion so that D.C. citizens and others affected by the proposed legislation could voice their concerns and opinions. One of the people present at the meeting was D.C. punk’s figurehead, Ian Mackaye. Below is a youtube clip of Mackaye insisting on the insanity of the bill and how “this legislation would wipe out something so inspirational for so many people.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TFNXUsr7gM]

In the beginning of the clip Mackaye speaks the numerous passionate people against the legislation that were present at the meeting, however, on Graham’s website the roundtable discussion is perceived in a different light. The discussion was called “sucessful”. Nothing was covered as to the opposition to the bill on his website, only the stubborn ideas he already had before the roundtable discussion was cited. Read more about the “success” here

No news as of when the public will know whether or the bill will be accepted as law. When more information becomes available I’ll make a follow up post.

Jim Graham’s Official Website

Tags: Ian Mackaye, Washington D.C. by Matthew
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I know that recently you have been recording new material for the upcoming Evens release. How is that going?
It’s great, we finished it and the artwork is done. I think it will be out November 6.

What can people expect with the new CD? Do you want to share anything? (laughter)
I mean there is nothing to share. I mean ultimately if I could describe it in words then I wouldn’t have to play it.

(laughter) Ah, well that’s true.
Well, yeah, they can expect the Evens.

(laughter) Ok, so you are known as someone that has always been serious in their beliefs. But is there something you regret doing or representing in your youth?
I gotta say I don’t really regret anything. I don’t really believe in regret. I think I accept things, I know I make mistakes but regrets..its weird. Well, I’ve had one thing I regret, it was one time some years ago where I was just goofing around on a skateboard with my friend’s six year old daughter and we crashed!

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Tags: Ian Mackaye, Interview, The Evens by Elona
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