“If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian” – Paul McCartney.
To avoid all misunderstandings, lets already mention this in the very first line of this special: we are not trying to tell you what to eat or how to live your life. The Industrialized Metal Webzine crew exists strictly out of vegans and vegetarians, and we unanimously agree that animal rights are a very important issue – and with this special, we’d like to make people think about the stuff they eat during breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the animal suffering that may come together with it. Therefore, our only purpose is to be informative – so please, don’t judge right away and be ignorant but read the little stories referring subjects such as meat, eggs, dairy and vivisection and think about it. No crewmember is intolerant against meat-eaters.
Although vegetarianism and veganism don’t seem that much integrated within the industrial metal scene yet, we still found a bunch of cool bands/projects who include vegetarian(s) and/or vegan(s). These bands, from all over the world, agreed on an interview with us about the animal rights issues. Don’t forget to read them too, and to check the bands after.
If you have any questions regarding this issue, as well some comments (both positive and hate mail) – don’t hesitate to contact us!
Gerardo & Industrialized Metal Webzine crew
P.S. we decided not to do a chapter on the ‘fur’ issue, since we feel that everybody is already completely aware of this.
Meat
Many people really love animals, some of you probably even more than I do. Then whats the major difference? Most humans recognise that animals have the ability to feel, as long as they are ‘cute-looking’. Animals such as dogs and cats are often treaten with a lot of respect, because we recognise that they have feelings just like us. The thing that is left out of this story is that the more ‘ugly’ animals are capable of feeling the same things as well. No matter if it’s a cow, a horse, a trout or a lobster – all the animal species are capable of experiencing things such as sadness, despair, stress and pain. Their lives matter to them as much as our lives do to us, and they will defend themselves if they can. Just because they are not able to do mathematical calculations, to build roadblocks or to pray at church doesn’t mean that in the essence they are exactly like us.
Cows in slaughterhouses, layer hens in battery cages and pigs stuck in transport trucks feel exactly the same emotions that we should have felt while beeing in such situations. It’s not unlogical that the cow gets sad and desperate, that the layer hen loses her mind and that the pig is stressing like hell. These are all natural behaviours, that we recognise in ourselves as well. Any creature that is able to feel these kind of emotions has the right of a life without pain and suffering.
Some facts:
• People who stop eating meat are saving 80-100 animals a year from a cruel death.
• Humans aren’t even meat-eaters by nature.
• Animals in slaughterhouses are routinely beaten, scalded, skinned and dismembered – all while still concious.
Fish
Many people consider themselves vegetarians while they still eat fish and other seafood. This is a big discrepancy. Just like all the other animals, a fish has feelings too. Imagine reaching for an apple on a tree, and having your hand suddenly impaled by a metal hook that drags you. The whole weight of your body pulling on that single hand. Until you're out of the air, and dragged into an atmosphere where you can't breathe anymore. If you're able to imagine this - then you might understand what a fish must be experiencing. As well - various studies have shown lately that eating fish is much less healthier than people thought before.
Some facts:
• Fish are also raised for food, just like other factory-farmed animals: so-called “aquaculture.”
• Fish raised for food live in crowded, unnatural conditions and often suffer from painful infections. Because of the close quarters that they live in, infections spread pretty quickly.
• Fish that are caught in the wild for food are much more unhealthy than people thought before. Their bodies absorb the pollution that lays in the rivers and the oceans, which can cause deadly diseases for us humans.
Dairy
Many people don’t see how the milk production is hurting the cow. It’s a myth that a cow is able to give milk at any time. A cow isn’t able to give milk just by eating grass and drinking water. Cows produce milk for the same reason females do: to feed their babies. Therefore, the cow gets artificially inseminated each year. When the calves are born, they’re generally taken away from their mother within a day, so we can use the milk for ourselves. Because the mother cow is stuffed with powerful hormones, the milk production multiplies by three. When the cow’s body is totally empty and exhausted, she will be sent away to the slaughterhouse. The transport to the slaughterhouses causes a lot of stress among the cows, and when they are brought in the actual room where they still smell the blood of the preverious slaughtered cows, they run out of their minds.
The calves don’t have a much better life without their mothers. Male calves aren’t able to give milk, so they’re stuffed with bad food until they got enough meat to be slaughtered. The female calves are sentenced to the same destiny as their mothers.
Some facts:
• Mother cows on dairy farms can often be seen searching and calling for their calves long after they have been taken away.
• Dairy cows get killed after only five years. The natural lifespan of a cow is twenty years.
• The dairy industry sells the exhausted cows to the meat industry for a very cheap price. Therefore, the meat industry wouldn’t be as huge as it is now if there was no dairy industry.
Eggs
Hens are really intelligent and sensitive animals, and so are the male ones. Therefore, it can be called sick irony that they are probably the specie who suffer the most in the industry. 340 million chickens worldwide (the industry calls them layer hens) are raised just for their eggs. Most layer hens get the most sensitive part of their beaks cut right after they are born, and sometimes as well part of their wings got burned – all without a sedation.
Right after, they’re put in so-called battery cages, which are just a little larger than your computer screen (roughly 18 by 20 inches each cage). Each battery cage includes five to eleven layer hens. Even in the worst case – McDonalds, Burger King and KFC allow a maximum of five hens per cage – the hens are in total lack of space. Beeing not able to practise their natural behaviour leads to stress and mental suffering – and four out of five layer hens will never see daylight in their lives.. The hens are stuffed with hormones so their egg production multiplies by 200. When the hens’ body is totally exhausted and exploited, it’s destined to slaughter.
50% of the chicks that are born are male. Since they cannot lay eggs and only ‘take’ food, the industry can’t make money out of them and thus they’re labelled as worthless. Therefore, they got slaughtered right after their birth. Sometimes they’re gassed and sometimes they’re just thrown in a trash bag to starve, but mostly they’re thrown into macerators. Wikipedia explains: “A macerator, in chicken farming, a high-speed grinder used to slaughter unwanted male chicks in large numbers.” This happens in both the egg industry as the bio industry.
Some facts:
• 340 million layer hens are suffering to be killed after – worldwide; just for their eggs.
• Eggs from hens that were in battery cages are used in many food products such as cake, mayonaise and biscuits.
• The ‘genetically manipulated’ layer hen lays about 300 eggs a year in stead of the natural 15.
• Layer hens get killed only 14-20 months after their birth. The natural lifespan of a hen is 15 years.
Leather
Should vegetarians wear leather? That's a question we hear all the time. Some people think it is OK because leather is just a by-product of the meat industry and the animals weren't killed just for their skins. Others seem to believe that there's a strong chance the animal died naturally. But neither excuse really holds water. Very few farm animals in this country ever reach the natural end of their lifespan, most are killed when they are little more than adolescents. The remaining ones go for slaughter because they are worn out by a lifetime of continuous breeding and/or lactation and artificially heightened fertility. The leather we like best, soft leather, doesn't come from old cows at all, it comes from calves and the softest leather of all comes from unborn calves whose mothers have been slaughtered. And leather might be just a byproduct, but it's a very important one for the meat trade. About 10% of the value of the animal at the abattoir is in its skin, worth about 650 million pounds a year in the UK, so by buying leather, we are helping to support the meat industry.
Some facts:
• Leather isn’t just something ‘extra’ that comes out of the meat industry.
• The cows don’t live a peaceful life at all before they head for the slaughterhouse, and are not slaughtered on a ‘humane’ way.
• The production of leather is in no single way good or less bad for our enviroment, not even when you compare it to the ‘heavier’ production of synthetic clothing.
Wool
Millions of fur-bearing animals are killed each year on furfarms by anal and vaginal electrocution and in the wild by drowning, trapping or beating. Therefore, the fur industry is named as a malignant one, but compared to the wool industry the difference isn’t that huge. Australia is the country who has the biggest export of wool. Australia has many ‘wool-farms’ that can in the essence be compared to a fur farm. Animals (not just sheep) are hold in tiny cages, stuffed with hormones for a higher wool production. Many sheep who are raised for wool undergo a barbaric operation called “mulesing”, in which chunks of flesh and skin are carved from their tale area. All while still concious, and without any painkillers. When the sheep’s body is totally exhausted from this unnatural hormones, it’s destined to slaugter.
Some facts:
• Wool isn’t just delivered by sheep. As well animals such as (angora)goats, (angora)rabbits, lamas a.o. are used for wool production.
• 1.8 million tonne (!) of wool is produced a year worldwide.
• The wool industry sells the exhausted sheep to the meat industry for a very cheap price. Therefore, the meat industry wouldn’t be as huge as it is now if there was no wool industry.
Vivisection
Since most people already know quite a bit about the horrific practisies that are going on in the vivisection labs, I won’t get too deep through that. I think it’s a more interesting idea to discuss the use of these labs.
A wide variety of products are tested in vivisection lab, from toilet cleaner to lipstick and nailpolish to hairspray to medicines. When it comes to medicines – it’s a myth that vivisection works fine for medicines. Monkeys are used because their body is similar to the human one, and cats and rats have brains that are similar to us, but still it results in major differences. Therefore, a medicine that works for a monkey doesn’t necissarely work for us humans. As all of you (probably) know, we already have seven hundred different brands and kinds of any makeup or household cleaner. Do we really need more of these, and then still – why test then on animals? Next to the vivisection labs, millions of other animals suffer daily in rodeos, bullfighting arenas and circusses – just for human entertainment.
Many animals are already replaced by computers – like the horseplough for example. When will the time be there for the vivisection sector?
Some facts:
• Although some species come a bit close, there is no single animal specie who’s body or brain is similar to the human one, and therefore it gives different reactions.
• Several animals are used as a test object to find the medicine for cancer for over fifteen years. From then until now, the result is zero.
• So-called ‘harmless testings’ of stuff like make-up, deodorant, household cleaning and hairspray are covering over 50% of the deaths in the vivisection labs.
Health
Studies have shown that vegetarians (following a well-balanced low-fat high-fibre vegetarian diet) often have lower incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity and some forms of cancer. A vegetarian diet tends to be lower in total fat, and vegetarians tend to eat proportionally more polyunsaturated fat to saturated fat compared with non-vegetarians. By leaving meat out of your diet, there are still many delicious things left to eat. Besides, in these times we got lots of meat substances, such as soy and tofu, which are available at nearly every supermarket. Be sure to do a little research when you decide to give up meat though.
Some facts:
• Several studies have proven that a diet with lots of meat is unhealthy, and increases the chances for cardiovascular disease.
• If you ban meat out of your diet, there will be no loss of vital vitamines.
• Dairy doesn’t help to occur osteoporosis – osteoporosis can be found the most in countries who’s citizens consume a lot of dairy (such as The Netherlands and Sweden).
Enviroment
Although already a few things are mentioned in the “meat” part, not everything had been said yet. People who think that to become vegan or vegetarian only helps out the animals are wrong. Although this world is overpopulated, there’s still more than enough land to use to make sure that not a single person on this world would be starving. The problem is that some of the most fertile parts are used the wrong way. We build slaughterhouses, we use it to create food for the animals in the slaughterhouses... we use it to produce more and more meat in stead of using it the right way. The majority of this problem is, how ironicly, based in third world countries like Brazil and big parts of Africa. While their own population is starving to death, the meat is exported to the States and Europe to make money. Not to mention the percentage of rainforest that we lose every year because they prefer using the land for the bio industry...
Some facts:
• All the slaughterhouses in the world wide world cause 14% of the pollution we are suffering from. All the cars, trucks and other traffic in the whole wide world is ‘just’ reaching 9% of the pollution.
• Factory farm animals eat more food than they give back with their eggs, dairy products and meat.
• The percentage of ground thats used for one cow could be used differently with a higher rendement. When used for human food, about four vegetarians can live of it – and when it comes to vegan people even fourteen!
• If the whole human race would be existing out of vegans and vegetarians, there would be enough food worldwide to end Third World hunger.
First of all, could you introduce yourself to the readers?
Greetings from Chile, I'm Lucia Ponticas and I´m the person behind the project FENIX. My tools of expression at this time are the sequences, samplers, keyboards and my voice. Besides musician, I´m an architect, and especially women and vegetarian, pro animal rights.
How many vegans or vegetarians are there to be found in your band?
As you have come to realize I´m the only member. Therefore FENIX is a 100% vegetarian project, pro animal rights.
For how long have you been a vegan/vegetarian, and what made you decide to become one?
I am a vegetarian for 2 ½ years now. I've always had great affection and respect for animals, so I was always greatly complicated with the idea of eating meat. Then I met a great friend (now my partner) who introduced me to the idea of vegetarianism as an option of life. My main reason to become a vegetarian is out of respect for animal rights. I think that destroying a living being for food is unnecessary and cruel (I have many options to consume protein without having to kill). For me now, to have a meal with some kind of meat, equals eating a corpse.
Is it difficult to find proper food in your native country? And what about when you're on tour?
In my country it is increasingly easy to eat vegetarian products, like soy, gluten, tofu, etc... But it took several years to reach this point, now we can find vegetarian food in common supermarkets (for a long time it was very expensive and sophisticated be a veg(etari)an). On tour the matter is different, and usually I could consume only variants or egg and cheese sandwiches (harder still for vegan people). Rarely can be found more balanced and varied meals. Despite the fact that every time veg(etari)anism is a more common option (also for the people behind the events production), the limited time and resources usually play against.
What are your views on vivisection?
This is an idea that as a citizen of the world, make me ashamed and outraged me too much, I can not believe that people in the 21st century still continue testing and experimentations on living animals, who suffer greatly for the benefit of western medicine (or cosmetics; this is another most absurd topic). Fortunately more and more people are getting aware of the cruelty of these acts. And here are the new generations, who have contributed largely to repudiate vivisection spontaneously, boycotting some laboratories, exposing these acts to the public.
What are your views on animal rights groups such as PETA, ALF and Sea Shepherd?
All my admiration and support will be provided on these groups, both for the great work being done in education on veganism and vegetarianism, and for the complaint and exposure to abuse and animal exploitation. They facilitate the process of reaction, as opposed to facts that would go unpunished if not for the watchful eye of these groups.
Do you think music is a good platform to promote animal rights?
Yes, I really think that every public space that we can take, should be harnessed to raise awareness and lead by example at least. The music - over other arts - can be a very massive media, allowing the minds reach across the resources of the multimedia (music, lyrics, visual, clothing, etc.). I try to take advantage of these resources, that other people do not have, to create awareness on the subject.
How much is World Animals Day (October 4th) celebrated over there, and how do you celebrate it?
In my country to commemorate, the protest marches by the abuses committed by owners unaware of pain and abandonment of their own pets, and with families taking their pets to be blessed in the churches. I particularly welcome what day reminding who was my pet for 18 years, a very special dog that gave much joy and tenderness, who died recently. Then I go to protest!
Do you got any tips for people who are considering giving up meat right now?
For me, beeing aware that meat is nothing more than “food and flavors” make the process more fun. So - learn how to cook new recipes, with many condiments and variety, is the key for your new life. People do not realize that what is really tasty, is not the meat by itself, but the implicit flavor in it´s preparation. Flavors that can be easily emulated with all kind of condiments, and all the variants of plant meat (soy burgers, gluten biff, etc) without having to transform your diet into just vegetables. I personally now eat better food than before!
Do you have any final words for the readers?
Unfortunately modern society is based on the selfish gratification of their needs, and avoids at all costs to look around them and alter their quiet life of consume.. But often, people simply do not have information about what is happening or does not understand what are the direct or indirect implications of their actions. It is heartening to see the dismay and condemnation of people, when they get aware for the first time of how their food, their shoes, their fur, their deodorants or their medicines are really made. The ignorance can often be our worst enemy in the struggle for animal rights (quietly supporting all the injustices being committed in this world, as well). Many abuses against humanity and our planet are continued to be committed through our simple apathy. So if you are a person who questioned the abuses committed in this world, including poverty, war and discrimination (shown either as sexism, classism or racism). Should be only one step to understand or embrace veg(etari)anism in your life. In the end, I also would like to thank the Industralized Metal Webzine, for harness this medium to inform and unite forces, for animal rights and vegetarianism / veganism, and above all, for giving me the opportunity to deliver my view on this important issue in my life.
Interview by: Gerardo
Answered by: Lucia (all instruments)
Listen to Fenix City at www.myspace.com/fenixspace
First of all, could you introduce yourself to the readers?
Hi - I am 'O', the voice of the French band UNDERCOVER SLUT.
How many vegans or vegetarians are there to be found in your band?
Me, myself & only I.
For how long have you been a vegan/vegetarian, and what made you decide to become one?
I've been 100% vegetarian since January 1st, 2005. My conscience made me giving up eating "animals". I wasn't eating alot of "meat" before though.
Is it difficult to find proper food in your native country? And what about when you're on tour?
France is a very "meat" oriented country, with plenty of "anomalies" such as foie gras, frogs' legs, horses' meat, snails, etcetera... which shows you how fuckin' low "humans" are over here. Please, do not forget that today's France isn't that far away from middle age. Vegetarian food is always required on my personal rider.
What are your views on vivisection?
What's happening to "animals" does not apply to "humans". Those fuckers should stop torturing "animals" once and for all, and I wouldn't mind practicing vivisection on those laboratories' motherfuckers, like those fuckin' nazis did on those fuckin' jews during WWII.
What are your views on animal rights groups such as PETA, ALF and Sea Shepherd?
I'm 100% pro-ALF, which is stupidly categorized by most occidental governments as the biggest terrorist organization ever (www.animalliberationfront.com). PETA is OK in my book. I've never heard of Sea Shepherd before.
Do you think music is a good platform to promote animal rights?
I met quite alot of individuals who became vegetarian or vegan because of my UNDERCOVER SLUT manifesto, so definitely yes!
How much is World Animals Day (October 4th) celebrated over there, and how do you celebrate it?
It is unfortunately not celebrated. Didn't I tell you earlier that France is still stocked in middle age?
Do you got any tips for people who are considering giving up meat right now?
Stop eating "animals" now! It will make you feel much better physically and spiritually. You will see life differently and will be rewarded soon or later for considering "animals" as sacred living creatures.
Do you have any final words for the readers?
Thanks to you Gerardo for the freedom of speech, and thank you all for your time reading this interview and understanding my view point on that biggest genocide ever.
Interview by: Gerardo
Answered by: 'O' (vocals)
Listen to Undercover Slut at www.myspace.com/undercoverslut
First of all, could you introduce yourself to the readers?Greetings, my name is Christophe and I am a solo artist from the United States. The name of my project is FluiD. I play bass guitar, drums and do all the programming as well as the song-writing..
How many vegans or vegetarians are there to be found in your band?Just me, haha!
For how long have you been a vegan/vegetarian, and what made you decide to become one?I’ve been a vegetarian for fifteen years and now vegan for the past three years. I became a vegetarian because I was dating a girl who had digestive problems. Any type of meat simply could not be a part of her diet. At first I simply cut down on the amount of meat I would eat and then I cut it out entirely. The real incentive to give up meat was how I felt on days when I had eaten meat and days when I had not. On the days I had ingested meat I felt tired and had this “heavy” feeling with me. On the non-meat days I felt energetic and “lighter” (lol). The switch to a vegan diet was prompted by my growing concern for the treatment of animals used to produce the food I was eating. I feel that we need to be more concerned for the planet and all its’ inhabitants; animal and human.
Is it difficult to find proper food in your native country? And what about when you're on tour?When I first became a vegetarian it was a little hard finding something I could at everyplace we would go to but over time that is no longer a problem. Even while one tour both here and abroad it is not to hard to fulfill my dietary requirements. The hard part comes in trying to have an “organic” diet. There is a lot of confusion as to how food is labeled “organic”. The government requirements for “organic” are nebulas at best and in need of real change at worst.
What are your views on vivisection?I don’t believe in any kind of species dominating another Respect all life Unless those animals volunteered to be tested on, there simply is no way to justify it. There are any number of ways with which to do testing and research without the abuse and ultimately the killing of these animals. The way in which animal life is treated so callously makes a strong statement about humanity and it’s not a positive one. It speaks strongly to the idea that the planet and everything on it is for solely for us. We need not share, only slaughter, abuse , consume and profit.
What are your views on animal rights groups such as PETA, ALF and Sea Shepherd?I think any group that tries to speak for those who cannot speak, needs to be applauded. A lot of people may disagree with the methods of these groups but I don’t think many really disagree with their message. Extreme situations call for extreme responses. Helping people understand the message means talking to them not at them. We need to engage those who may disagree with us not berate and belittle them. We really have to look at how we are treating the planet and its’ inhabitants. Destroying rain forests, harvesting sharks, gas guzzling SUVs, abandoning animals, polluting coast lines, vivisection and dumping raw sewage into our oceans. Is this the best the human race can do?
Do you think music is a good platform to promote animal rights?Music has always been a good platform to promote all types of messages. The history of music is filled with artists/activists who used their music to advance or promote an agenda or cause. Why would you not use your music/art and the platform it affords you. My music has always had an social activist sub-text. I use my music to bring you into my world. A world of activism, non-violence, vegetarianism and human as well as animal rights. For me I can’t just throw music out there without some social conscious behind it.
How much is World Animals Day (October 4th) celebrated over there, and how do you celebrate it?It is celebrated across the country! There are special events taking place everywhere. With the US being such a large country there is no unified celebration of the day. Every city and state has something different planned. Chicago which is the city I live in has several events scheduled that day. I will be attending as many of these as I can. There events at parks, restaurants and clubs.
Do you got any tips for people who are considering giving up meat right now?If you’re truly thinking of giving up meat, do it slowly. I think just cutting yourself completely, will make it harder to give up meat. Slowly reducing the amount you eat will help your digestive and mental systems to acclimate to your new diet. My other advice is find a new source of protein to replace what you’ll lose by giving up meat. Your body needs that protein! Tofu, protein supplements and soy, you need to become familiar with all of them. Changing ones diet is not something you do without thinking it through. Ill-formed decisions about diet and health are dangerous. Think first! Do some research. Talk to your friends who are vegan/vegetarian.
Do you have any final words for the readers?Please take some time to investigate animal rights. Arming yourself with information is empowering yourself to make an informed choice. Understand just how animal’s are treated not only in your country but all countries. We can do better.
http://www.veganthis.org/about.htmlInterview by: Gerardo
Answered by: Christophe (all instruments)
Listen to FluiD at www.myspace.com/fluidemusique
First of all, could you introduce yourself to the readers?Hello everyone! I’m Nux, the vocalist and programmer for the Canadian Industrial Rock band, MDM (Modern Digital Militia).
How many vegans or vegetarians are there to be found in your band?I am actually the only vegan in the band. The others are more than happy to partake in a vegan feast when I prepare one though!!
For how long have you been a vegan/vegetarian, and what made you decide to become one?I started out 7 years ago with just cutting red meat out of my diet mostly because red meat isn’t really all that good for you. After 2 years I became a vegetarian because I just felt it was a healthy choice and I really found that I wasn’t really eating much meat anyways. I have now been a vegan for one and a half years. I made the switch after learning about the horrible things we humans do to animals in the factory farming industry. Also because meat production is harmful to the environment and the massive amounts of grain used to feed production animals could be diverted to feed many more starving people. I feel it’s just doing my best to make the world a better place. Fortunately, I am surrounded by great friends who are vegan as well and they helped me make the transition. It’s a lot to learn and there were tons of food items I had no idea that they contained animal byproducts.
Is it difficult to find proper food in your native country? And what about when you're on tour?I don’t eat a whole lot of processed food so basically it’s just a matter of obtaining fresh ingredients to prepare my meals. I try to buy a majority of my produce and food at the local farmers’ market rather than supermarkets. I’m really fortunate to live in an area where a lot of the produce can be grown locally in the summer… and the rest of the year there is an abundance of imported food so it really isn’t difficult at all. When we’re on the road it’s a bit more difficult obviously because I can’t prepare my own meals. We’ve worked a vegan meal into our contract rider so at least I can get one good meal at day but for the rest of it I pretty much just live off of salads and raw veggies.
What are your views on vivisection?I think it’s disgusting and completely unnecessary. If we need to test a product on an animal before we can use it on ourselves then we shouldn’t be using that product in the first place. There are no good reasons why another being should have to suffer for our vanity.
What are your views on animal rights groups such as PETA, ALF and Sea Shepherd?I support them. They have effectively mobilized as a voice for suffering animals and that is extremely important. Someone needs to speak on their behalf and they have taken up the cause. The only thing I have difficulty with is that when speaking to the general masses they can be quite evangelical and that turns many average people off of their cause. When preaching to the choir such as ourselves it’s fine because we get their message loud and clear but for average folks sometimes a more subtle approach is necessary to at least get them interested in the cause.
Do you think music is a good platform to promote animal rights?It really is, especially in the underground genres primarily because fans of underground music tend to be much more open-minded and receptive. They are also much more dedicated fans in general and will help to spread the message put forth by the music as well.
How much is World Animals Day (October 4th) celebrated over there, and how do you celebrate it?It isn’t celebrated on any large scale in Canada, at least not that I’ve ever heard. This year I will probably attend a small celebration amongst the members of our local animal organization.
Do you got any tips for people who are considering giving up meat right now?Just do it. You will feel better for it, both physically and morally. It’s not a difficult lifestyle to lead, just make sure you eat properly for optimal nutrition. And if you have any doubts or questions be sure to ask someone who can provide you with guidance from a first-hand perspective.
Do you have any final words for the readers?Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on this subject! Cheers.
Interview by: Gerardo
Answered by: Nux (vocals)
Listen to MDM at www.myspace.com/mdmisgovernment
First of all, could you introduce yourself to the readers?
Hello IM readers, My name is Dodd, and I am half of the band HeritecH, I share in the tasks of keys, synth, noise, vocals, programming and also I play bass.
How many vegans or vegetarians are there to be found in your band?
Just me (50% not bad!), and I am at the moment vegetarian.
For how long have you been a vegan/vegetarian, and what made you decide to become one?
Going on six years now, I have always disliked the taste of meat, even as a very young child...
Is it difficult to find proper food in your native country? And what about when you're on tour?
YES VERY, i have to shop at two to three different places to get everything that I need... and eating out? FORGET ABOUT IT! Its hard to come by quality food that hasn't been chemically altered here in the states. We are a studio only band, so the tour part of the question has never come up.
What are your views on vivisection?
I am very strongly opposed to vivisection, and all other forms of torture on all forms of life.
What are your views on animal rights groups such as PETA, ALF and Sea Shepherd?
I do believe that animals should have rights, but not that those rights are equal or greater than those that humans have. I also feel that anyone who harms or ends one life to save another life is seriously hurting the cause. I believe we can achieve the goals of a cruelty free life style without violence.
Do you think music is a good platform to promote animal rights?
It can be, unless it is super preachy, I am a huge fan of both Cattle Decapitation, and Skinny Puppy, and i think their message works and fits well with their music, but its something that we have decided not to do in HeritecH.
How much is World Animals Day (October 4th) celebrated over there, and how do you celebrate it?
Well i will put it this way....I didn't even know that there was a world animal day until this interview....so i will say.... Slim to none.
Do you got any tips for people who are considering giving up meat right now?
It is a very radical change and it will effect all aspects of your life, make sure that it is a lifestyle you can commit to and that its something you believe in whole heartedly. It seems like a lot of work but i assure you, it is well worth it. Thanks for reading my thoughts on the issue, and i hope that many of you decide to choose this lifestyle.
Do you have any final words for the readers?
From myself and Sokaris a huge thank you goes out to Gerardo and all other IM staff for their continued support, their readers, our fans, and anyone that supports "the bizarre".
Interview by: Gerardo
Answered by: Dodd (programming, keyboards, bass, backing vocals)
Listen to HeritecH at www.myspace.com/heritechspace
First of all, could you introduce yourself to the readers?
Hey hey hey! GRG here from Syncron City, I do everything you hear in Syncron City (Vocals and synth in live circumstances). The music would be, well best desicribed as Melodic, Industrial metal, thats neither industrial or metal. Work that out? Hehe!
How many vegans or vegetarians are there to be found in your band?
I am the only vegetarian in the band, the other guys all love meat to much. Much like religion, I don't like to have views pushed upon me, so I don't preach!
For how long have you been a vegan/vegetarian, and what made you decide to become one?
Luckily having a parent who was a "vego" helped greatly to this, but when I was 3 I asked "Where did chicken come from?" when I was told that chicken, was in fact a chicken... it was all over and I havn't looked back since.
Is it difficult to find proper food in your native country? And what about when you're on tour?
Man, the entire selection of vegetarian foods in Australia could fit in the palm of your hand. It's ok if you only eat beans, salad sandwhiches and pasta you can survive ^_^ Luckily these days there is becoming more vegetarian friendly food, but half of it tastes like arse. I miss the Linda Mcartney Selection at Tescos (IN UK).
What are your views on vivisection?
It makes me sick to my bones. How can a human enjoy doing this. I personally think an eye for an eye with the people involved in this. They deserve to have everything they love taken from them in a ruthless manor. I guess you could send a nasty little letter, but does that shit work any more? I doubt it. Make them learn through pain.
What are your views on animal rights groups such as PETA, ALF and Sea Shepherd?
I think the ALF does some great work and I support them 100%. However I think sometimes a few people go to far and give it all a band name, like PETA has such negative press due to the ammount of "Eco-terrorism" it supports. But these people mean well in heart and try to save lives which I have the up most respect for especially when they absorb criminal charges to save the life of one or two animals. I do hope anyone that reads this and wants to set free to some animals from testing labs and universities does so. That is just messed up what they do.
Do you think music is a good platform to promote animal rights?
Most definitely. Or get a big breasted blonde like ol Pammy to do it. She rocks. Everyone suddenly cares when her bazookas come into play!
How much is World Animals Day (October 4th) celebrated over there, and how do you celebrate it?
There is one? The only way Australia celebrates animals is by how many one can eat on the barbecue. Yuk.
Do you got any tips for people who are considering giving up meat right now?
Look all I can say is, give it ago. What have you got to loose? It may be for you, it may not be, at least try and know that you are saving lives, saving the environment and the torture of innocent animals, not to mention how much healthier you feel!! (A salad sanga w/chilli sauce and a large glass of OJ, is there anything better!!??)
Do you have any final words for the readers?
Yeah dudes and dudettes, honestly I've never been happier being vegetarian. It keeps me spinning. If you don't like what people do to animals, do something about it. Rescue them, adopt them, give to charity. You can download a whole bunch of my (Syncron City) songs at www.syncroncity.com all I ask is if you donate like $2 to charity for the downloads. Rub your karma the right way.
Interview by: Gerardo
Answered by: GRG (all instruments)
Listen to Syncron City at www.myspace.com/thoughtsofadream
First of all, could you introduce yourself to the readers?
My name is Griffyn and I play bass and sing backing vocals with Volkmar.
How many vegans or vegetarians are there to be found in your band?
I'm alone... in the darkness...so these are my views and not representitive of the band.
For how long have you been a vegan/vegetarian, and what made you decide to become one?
13 years. I became a vegetarian through being broke and trying to live on hot chips, rice with soya sauce, toast and plain pasta... it wasn't by choice. A few Vitamin B12 injections later, ethics crept in through crust/anarchopunk music and counterculture so my outlook evolved.
Is it difficult to find proper food in your native country? And what about when you're on tour?
Being vegetarian or vegan is easy in Melbourne, Australia. In all the big cities here it's simple, but the further you travel from urban centres, the harder it gets. On tour it's a liquid diet so not an issue. Although there is apparently a great vegetarian resaurant in Santiago, Chile that I will go to this year.... Ivan?? haha.
What are your views on vivisection?
Regarding vivisection for the cosmetic industry, I find it revealing that people are so self obsessed that they can justify unmeasurable agony to retest products that have no purpose other than to reinforce their own insecurities. LD50 them all. As for vivisection in the medical industry, I'm not a subscriber to the idea that there never has been and never will be any human benefit gained through vivisection. However I beleive that anything gained is so heavily outweighed by the suffering inflicted on non-human animals that it cannot be morally justified.
What are your views on animal rights groups such as PETA, ALF and Sea Shepherd?
A.R.M. the Sea Shepherd! I favour the ALF over PETA because of its decentralised, uncontrollable structure. The less aligned with existing state institutions an organisation seeking change to the basic behaviour of a society is, the more likely its ultimate success in fundamentally changing that society. All approaches are required to some extent.
Do you think music is a good platform to promote animal rights?
Any form of communication can be an appropriate way to promote animal rights, so long as it is in the right context and it suits the aesthetic of the medium. Animal rights oriented lyrics to Polka music wouldn't work.
How much is World Animals Day (October 4th) celebrated over there, and how do you celebrate it?
There are often small demonstrations and actions. I feed vivisectors to my dogs, feet first.
Do you got any tips for people who are considering giving up meat right now?
Its easy; just don't eat meat. Then tell your Mum and all your friends that they are bad people and will burn in hell for eternity if they don't change.
Do you have any final words for the readers?
No.
Interview by: Gerardo
Answered by: Griffyn (bass)
Listen to Volkmar at www.myspace.com/volkmarsins
