Editing Ian MacKaye (section)

===Minor Threat===
{{main|Minor Threat}}
[[File:Minor-threat-malcolm-riviera.jpg|thumb|MacKaye (bottom right, with microphone) performing with Minor Threat in 1981]]
After feeling creatively limited in the Teen Idles, MacKaye was determined to be the frontman and primary lyricist for his own band. He founded [[Minor Threat]] (1980–1983) with Nelson after the break up of their previous band. MacKaye cited the dynamic performance of singer [[Joe Cocker]] in ''[[Woodstock (film)|Woodstock]]'' as a major influence on his own animated stage persona.<ref name="Azerrad, 2002"/> The Teen Idles and Minor Threat were modestly successful in and around Washington, D.C., but would later be cited as two of the earliest and most influential [[hardcore punk]] groups, and as pioneers of the [[straight edge]] philosophy that rejects use of drugs (including alcohol), tobacco, and sex. In his early teens, MacKaye saw the negative effects of drug abuse on several close friends and one immediate family member, and he vowed to never use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs. During their existence Minor Threat were inactive for several months due to [[Lyle Preslar]] being at college; during this hiatus MacKaye and Nelson briefly formed a new band which dissolved when Minor Threat reunited, [[Skewbald/Grand Union (band)|Skewbald/Grand Union]] (1981–1982).

After Minor Threat broke up, MacKaye was active with several relatively short-lived groups, including [[Embrace (American band)|Embrace]] (1985–1986) and [[Egg Hunt]] (1986). [[Pailhead]] (1987–1988), a collaboration between MacKaye and the [[industrial metal]] band [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]], then consisting of [[Al Jourgensen]], [[Paul Barker]], and [[William Rieflin]], featured MacKaye on lead vocals.