Ian MacKaye

Ian MacKaye
MacKaye in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Ian Thomas Garner MacKaye
Born	(1962-04-16) April 16, 1962 (age 62) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Genres	Hardcore punk punk rock alternative rock post-hardcore experimental rock indie rock emo
Occupations	Singer songwriter musician record producer record label owner archivist
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1979–present
Labels	Dischord
Member of	The Evens Coriky
Formerly of	Fugazi Minor Threat Teen Idles Embrace Egg Hunt Skewbald/Grand Union Pailhead The Nig-Heist

Ian Thomas Garner MacKaye (/məˈkaɪ/;^[1] born April 16, 1962) is an American musician. Active since 1979, he is best known as the co-founder and owner of Dischord Records, a Washington, D.C.–based independent record label, and the frontman of hardcore punk band Minor Threat and post-hardcore band Fugazi. MacKaye was also the bassist for the short-lived band the Teen Idles, and frontman for Embrace, and Pailhead, a collaboration with the band Ministry. MacKaye is a member of The Evens, a two-piece indie rock group he formed with his wife Amy Farina in 2001^[2] and in 2018 formed the band Coriky with Farina and his Fugazi band mate Joe Lally.

Along with his seminal band Minor Threat, he is credited with coining the term "straight edge"^[2] a philosophy that promotes abstinence from alcohol and other drugs, though MacKaye has stated that he did not intend to turn it into a movement.

A key figure in the development of hardcore punk and an independent-minded, do-it-yourself punk ethic, MacKaye has produced releases by Q and Not U, John Frusciante, 7 Seconds, Nation of Ulysses, Bikini Kill, Rites of Spring, Dag Nasty and Rollins Band.