ANDREW HURLEY

What was the moment or experience that first pushed you toward veganism?
It was just my general introduction to hardcore and the friends I've made through that. Getting into EXC at the perfect time, after I had already been politicized by bands like RATM, Propagandhi, etc... And then meeting the RT guys right after that. Veganism just seemed like such an obvious extension of the fight for a just world, and such an easy personal choice to make.
Did your path into veganism come before or after getting into hardcore / straight edge? / Was there a specific band, record, or scene influence that opened that door for you?
After on both counts.
Was there a specific band, record or scene influence that opened the door for you?
Definitely Earth Crisis, as mentioned above. Destroy the Machines changed my life.
How did your friends, family, or local scene react when you made that shift?
At that time, pretty much all my friends through hardcore were vegan straight edge. My mom was super supportive as well, as she was with my love of music and everything else that I got into.
Was it an immediate commitment, or something you grew into over time?
I grew into it over time, first becoming vegetarian on my own until I met the RT guys and they really showed my how easy it was to make the full move to veganism.

For you, how connected are veganism and straight edge—are they inseparable or distinct choices?
To me they are inexorably linked. But anyone else can make whatever choice they want on the matter. Both things to me have always been a politcal choice, first and foremost.
Do you see veganism as an extension of straight edge ethics, or its own independent stance?
Again, they are both political choices to me, so I think there is overlap with the ethics, the way I perceive both things. But ultimately, they are probably independent things, depending on how someone gets into either one.

How do you respond to people in the scene who embrace one but not the other?
I see both things as ultimately personal choices, so I'm not too concerned with other people choosing to live one but not the other. Of course, I would love everyone to embrace both.

What role did the hardcore/metal scene play in shaping your beliefs?
Hardcore is absolutely crucial to making me the person I am today. It has always been a scene/lifestyle that has meant so much more than music for me. It's led to all the friendships in my life, all the bands I've been in.
Do you feel like the scene today is more or less aligned with vegan values than when you started?
Probably less. But I just think the scene is so much bigger and more diverse than when I got into it...and veganism is so much more mainstream of a thing than it was then.

Do you think music can genuinely shift people’s behavior, or just reinforce existing beliefs?
Music has changed my life and introduced me to all the things I believe in, so I'm sure it can be that for other people as well. But I don't think a band is the driving force behind any kind of real political change. That comes from political/community organizing at a bigger level. But hardcore can definitely be a way into that. All the tables at shows with political literature had a huge effect on me, so hopefully my bands can have an impact in some small way on someone. I've definitely heard from people who have become vegan or straight edge or gotten into politics in some way because of the music I've been a part of.

Do you see veganism as inherently political?
It is for me, but it can be a choice someone makes for a myriad of personal reasons. So my answer is that it can be.
What keeps you committed when it gets difficult or isolating?
It's never really been an issue for me. I've always found a power and inspiration in it.
What would you say to someone on the fence about embracing these ideas?
Just try being vegan for a month. It can be so clarifying in just paying attention to what you eat or what products you use and what's in them. That alone was eye opening when I first went vegan. Also, in a world where we are powerless in a lot of ways to effect change on a grand scale, there is power in the personal choices we make, like being straight edge or vegan.

First band that made you think differently:
Rage Against the Machine.
A lyric you’ve written (or heard) that still hits hardest:
Most of Propagandhi's “Less Talk, More Rock”
One non-negotiable value:
For me, it's the political aspect of it.