What is Ian MacKaye's Net Worth?
Ian MacKaye is an American singer, musician, and record executive who has a net worth of $5 million. A key figure in the hardcore punk scene of the 1980s, he co-founded the Washington, D.C.-based label Dischord Records and served as the frontman of the seminal D.C. hardcore bands Minor Threat and Fugazi. MacKaye has been in a number of other bands throughout his career, including Embrace, Pailhead, the Evens, and Coriky, and has produced releases by such acts as 7 Seconds, Bikini Kill, Lungfish, and Dag Nasty.
Early Life
Ian MacKaye was born on April 16, 1962 in Washington, D.C. His father was a writer for the Washington Post, originally as a White House reporter. MacKaye has a younger brother named Alec who also became a singer and musician. Growing up, MacKaye listened to various types of music, but was particularly fond of hard rock. In 1979, he became passionate about punk music after seeing the Cramps perform at Georgetown University.
The Teen Idles
MacKaye formed his first punk band, the Slinkees, with his school friends Jeff Nelson, Geordie Grindle, and Mark Sullivan in 1979. The band played one show before Sullivan left for college; he was subsequently replaced by Nathan Strejcek. The Slinkees were soon renamed the Teen Idles. As the Teen Idles, the group recorded two demo sessions and the 1980 EP "Minor Disturbance" before breaking up. Notably, "Minor Disturbance" was the first record on the label Dischord Records, which MacKaye co-founded with Nelson.
Ian MacKaye & Fugazi, performing at the Roseland Ballroom, 1993 (Photo by Steve Eichner/Getty Images)
Minor Threat
Following the breakup of the Teen Idles in late 1980, MacKaye and his bandmate Nelson formed the hardcore punk band Minor Threat. They were joined by bassist Brain Baker and guitarist Lyle Preslar, and in 1982 by bassist Steve Hansgen. MacKaye served as the band's frontman. Although Minor Threat was relatively short-lived, releasing only one studio album during its three-year existence (1983's "Out of Step"), the band was highly influential on the burgeoning hardcore punk scene in the United States. Notably, its 1981 song "Straight Edge" became the basis of the straight edge movement, a subculture and philosophy within the hardcore punk scene that emphasizes a drug-free and overall temperate lifestyle.
Skewbald/Grand Union
While Minor Threat was on hiatus in 1981, MacKaye and Nelson formed the band Skewbald/Grand Union. The lineup was completed by guitarist Edward Janney and bassist John Falls. Skewbald/Grand Union was short-lived; it would later release an eponymous archival EP featuring its only studio recordings.
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Embrace and Pailhead
In 1985, MacKaye formed the hardcore band Embrace with Michael Hampton, Ivor Hanson, and Chris Bald. Along with the groups Rites of Spring and Beefeater, Embrace was one of the mainstay acts of the 1985 Revolution Summer movement in Washington, D.C. The band broke up in 1986, although its only album wasn't released until 1987.
After Embrace disbanded, MacKaye joined the side project Pailhead with Al Jourgensen of the industrial metal band Ministry. The two were joined by bassist Paul Barker and drummers Bill Rieflin and Eric Spicer. Pailhead released one EP, "Trait," before breaking up in 1988.
Fugazi
In 1986, MacKaye formed the post-hardcore band Fugazi with guitarist and vocalist Guy Picciotto, bassist Joe Lally, and drummer Brendan Canty. Fugazi went on to become incredibly popular thanks to its eclectic mix of musical styles, DIY ethical stance, and refusal to sell high-priced tickets. The band released four EPs, six studio albums, a film, and a series of live recordings before going on an indefinite hiatus in 2003. Later, in 2014, Fugazi released the demo album "First Demo."
The Evens and Coriky
With his wife, singer and drummer Amy Farina, MacKaye formed the indie rock duo the Evens in 2001. The duo is known for performing in nontraditional locations, including bookshops and community centers. In 2005, the Evens released their self-titled debut album. That was followed in 2006 by the album "Get Evens." The duo's next album, "The Odds," was released in 2012.
MacKaye and Farina formed another band, Coriky, in 2015. They rounded out the lineup with former Fugazi member Joe Lally. Coriky released its self-titled debut album in 2020; it spawned the singles "Clean Kill" and "Too Many Husbands."
Music Producing
In addition to his work with his own bands, MacKaye has produced releases by a number of other acts through his label Dischord Records. His producing credits include releases by 7 Seconds, Bikini Kill, One Last Wish, Rites of Spring, Dag Nasty, Shudder to Think, Lungfish, and Rollins Band, among others.
Personal Life
With his wife and bandmate Amy Farina, MacKaye has a son named Carmine.
