Karl Buechner, vocalist for New York hardcore band Earth Crisis, has never taken a sip of alcohol in his entire life. He’s never smoked a cigarette, wouldn’t dream of touching recreational drugs, and he’s proud of it.

Musicians have always been notorious for drug addiction, overdoses and promiscuous sex. That is the stereotype — straight edge is the antithesis.

And that is what Earth Crisis is, in the simplest of terms — a straight edge band.

In its mission to educate the masses about what it means to live straight edge, Earth Crisis will make a stop in Des Moines Saturday for an all ages show at the Safari.

Straight edge is a movement that began in the early 1980s initiated by the hardcore punk band Minor Threat. While people’s definitions of the lifestyle may vary, one central principle of straight edge is living drug free.

Taking time out from his busy touring schedule, Buechner called from a pay phone at the side of the highway somewhere in Cleveland, the noise of speeding cars echoing in the background.

“I’ve never experimented with alcohol or drugs, so straight edge is a title for what I’ve always been,” he said. “The basic message is about self respect and reverence for innocent life.”

Buechner said he has been “X-ing up” since the age of 16. The “X” is a symbol for the straight edge movement, traditionally drawn in permanent marker across the front of each hand. This idea originated from Xs put on the hands of underage people when they are admitted to bars.

Hardcore music is a core part of the straight edge music, and Earth Crisis has been a staple in the hardcore scene since 1992.

“At first [the band] was mainly a way for us to vent our aggression and frustration, and it still is,” Buechner said. “But now we try to use the band to educate people about the advantages of living drug free, kindness to animals and environmentalism.

“I accredit [straight edge] with saving my life and setting it in a positive direction, and I want other people to know about it too,” he added.

With Buechner on the mic, the band’s other members include Scott Crouse and Eric Edwards on guitar, Ian Edwards on bass and Dennis Merrick on drums. All members are straight edge.

The band’s sound is as aggressive as it gets, both musically and conceptually.

“We meld our favorite elements of hardcore and metal together,” Buechner explained, adding that the band’s influences include Bad Brains and Agnostic Front.

As a lyricist, Buechner sometimes draws words to his songs just from personal experience, but in most of his lyrics he aims to “create awareness about the issues and hope to motivate people to become a part of environmentalism, kindness to animals and human rights,” he said.

When he realized the interview was not being recorded, Buechner, whose roots are in underground culture and the tendency of zines to transcribe interviews, spoke up.

“We have a lot more to say than ‘Timmy plays guitar and Jo Jo plays drums,'” Buechner said.

But Earth Crisis has always had to deal with being labeled the dreaded “p” word.

“We’re not really a political band,” Buechner said. “We’re about spirituality and morals.”

On top of that, the antagonist angle has been an issue as well. An opposition has arisen denouncing straight edge, saying it is an “elitist and exclusive” group with a “holier than thou” attitude.

“We as a band and as individuals have done everything we can to break down the barriers and erase that myth,” Buechner retaliated.

Hatebreed, Crown of Thorns, Ignite and Proof are just a few of the non-straight edge bands Earth Crisis counts as its pals.

“None of these bands have a single straight edge member, but we cherish them as friends,” Buechner said.

Earth Crisis realizes that actions speak louder than words, and the members have seized every opportunity to work for what they stand for.

Organizing a canned food drive for needy families in their home town of Syracuse, N.Y., the band has also played numerous benefit shows raising money for various organizations and friends in need.

One benefit show Earth Crisis played was for Farm Sanctuary, a place in upstate New York that rescues animals so they can “live natural lives in peace and won’t be tortured or murdered in a slaughterhouse or tortured in a laboratory.”

The group has also done shows to raise money for the Animal Defense League, as well as for “militant activists” such as a friend of the band’s who was arrested for sinking two whaling ships in Iceland.

“We set realistic goals, while at the same time honoring and supporting ultra militants,” Buechner said. “I think the most important thing we can do is to encourage people to go vegetarian, live vegan and to be an activist on whatever level they can operate.”

As for the future, Earth Crisis will embark on a tour with Sepultura in a few months. Buechner is currently working on a book titled “Another Night of Music” that will be a collection of stories related to the band.

Earth Crisis will play at the Safari Club Saturday night in Des Moines.