STRIFE's Rick Rodney Explains Why He "Escaped" From The Straight Edge Way Of Life!

After touring the world recently, STRIFE decided it was time to unleash a NEW batch of songs after 11 years of recording silence. Their newest album, 'Witness A Rebirth', was released on November 6th via 6131 records.

With producer Nick Jett (Terror, Rotting Out, Backtrack) at the helm, STRIFE recruited friend and previous collaborator, Iggor Cavalera (founding member of Sepultura and currently in Cavalera Conspiracy) to perform drums for the album and traveled to Brazil to record with him. Soon after, they returned to California and put the rest of the pieces into place, including guest vocals by Billy Graziadei (Biohazard) and Scott Vogel (Terror), plus a guitar solo by Marc Rizzo (Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy). The rest serves as a testament to their talent, bridging their past (especially the contemporary Hardcore sound. 'Witness A Rebirth' is at once both refreshing and evocative.

On Monday, December 3, with just 24 hours to promote the show, STRIFE took over a packed Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, New York and demonstrated why they are globally known for delivering a furious display of old school Hardcore music. Right after the bands set, we had the chance to chat with the bands frontman Rick Rodney.

During the interview we discussed 'Witness The Rebirth', the bands return to New York City, and why he decided to "escape" from the Straight Edge way of life. Before we share the interview with you, we figured we'd explain to you what being Straight Edge means. Straight Edge is basically living a clean life without drugs, drinking and casual sex. It's living a poison free and keeping yourself safe. It is a choice and it does not make you better or worse than anyone. We all make choices and some choose to be straight edge and some don't. Yes, it's true that some people will stop being sXe when they turn 21 but that is just another choice. Straight Edge is a way of life but has now been formed into a trend. Out there, there are true edgers.

What other factors can influence a persons decision to "escape" the Straight Edge way of life? Watch what Rodney had to say about this:



Related links:
Strife on MySpace