Ian MacKaye American musician, vocalist and producer. Date of Birth: 16.04.1962 Country: USA

Biography of Ian MacKaye

Ian MacKaye is an American musician, vocalist, and producer, known for his contributions to the American hardcore punk scene in the 1980s. He was born on April 16, 1962, in Washington, D.C. His father worked as a journalist for the Washington Post, covering the White House and later becoming a religion columnist. He was also an activist at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

In his youth, MacKaye developed a passion for rock music and discovered punk rock in the late 1970s. His friend at the time, Henry Garfield, who later became known as Henry Rollins, also became a prominent figure in hardcore music. MacKaye's brother, Alec MacKaye, also played in several hardcore bands.

MacKaye formed his first band, The Slinkees, in the summer of 1979 at the age of 17. They only played one show, but it marked the beginning of his musical journey. His next project was The Teen Idles (1979-1980), where he played bass guitar.

In 1980, MacKaye and Jeff Nelson, another former member of The Teen Idles, founded the band Minor Threat. Brian Baker joined as the bassist and Lyle Preslar as the guitarist. Inspired by another Washington, D.C. band called Bad Brains, Minor Threat played fast and aggressive hardcore punk. Their song "Straight Edge" became the anthem of the emerging straight edge movement, advocating for a drug-free and healthy lifestyle.

After Minor Threat disbanded in 1983, MacKaye played in various bands such as Embrace (1985-1986), Egg Hunt (1986), and Pailhead (1988) with Al Jourgensen from Ministry. In 1987, he formed the influential band Fugazi, which blended post-hardcore with elements of funk and reggae. Fugazi went on hiatus in 2002 and has not officially reunited since.

In 2005, MacKaye returned to music and started playing guitar in The Evens, a band he formed with Amy Farina, formerly of The Warmers. The Evens have released two albums, "The Evens" (2005) and "Get Evens" (2006).

In addition to his musical endeavors, MacKaye and Nelson founded the independent record label Dischord Records in 1980 to release The Teen Idles' records. Over the years, Dischord Records has become well-known and respected in the East Coast punk scene, releasing records by bands such as Government Issue, Void, Scream, Fugazi, Rites of Spring, and many others. The label's ethos is rooted in the DIY (do it yourself) ideology, which includes refusing to release music videos, commercial singles, band merchandise, and collaborating with major labels for commercial purposes.