BRAD LAMM

***“You can't call yourself a feminist, progressive, abolitionist, etc. if you aren't vegan. If you stand against systems that exploit humans and not animals, you're only halfway there.”***

Hey, my name is Brad and I have a techno project called The New Ethics. I started this project in early 2026. I have another project called Third Black Day, but I wanted to have an outlet that focuses primarily on veganism and like ideologies that I feel need to be talked about more in the world we currently live in.

When does conviction become more than a personal lifestyle choice?
When you stop being vegan for yourself and start being vegan for the animals. If your motives are personal, you're not vegan, you're plant based.

What do you think gets lost when veganism is marketed as a lifestyle rather than a refusal of exploitation?
Framing veganism as a "lifestyle" implies that there are certain things that need to be consumed/purchased in order to fit into the demographic. It's never about that. It's always about minimizing exploitation as much as possible.
Do you think people sometimes use veganism to feel morally superior without actually challenging the systems behind exploitation?
Maybe? It's fine if they do. I think as long as you're vegan and challenging systems of exploitation, you are morally superior to those who don't.

What uncomfortable truth about veganism do you think more people need to hear?
You can't call yourself a feminist, progressive, abolitionist, etc. if you aren't vegan. If you stand against systems that exploit humans and not animals, you're only halfway there.

How do you respond when someone claims to oppose animal suffering but refuses to change their own behavior?
I try to point out the hypocrisy without being a dick about it, but it's a fine line to walk. Words don't mean anything if your actions are in direct contradiction to them.

Is hypocrisy inevitable when trying to live ethically, or should we hold ourselves to a higher standard?
You should always try to hold yourself to a higher standard regardless of the inevitable hypocrisy. It's not about being perfect, it's about doing everything you can.

Do you think calling out hypocrisy is necessary, or does it ultimately push people away?
If someone feels pushed away by having their hypocritical actions challenged, they need to grow up. You'll never learn if you're never shown. That being said, don't be an asshole to people who are genuinely trying.
Can someone genuinely oppose exploitation while still benefiting from systems built on it?
NOPE.
What contradiction within the vegan movement bothers you the most?
Not knowing the difference between vegan and being plant based.
Has hardcore become too comfortable with rebellion as an aesthetic rather than a practice?
I can't speak for hardcore, but in general it's WAY too easy to adopt an "aesthetic" without understanding where it comes from. I want people to explore subcultures they're genuinely interested in, just do it for the right reasons. Don't try to get into a subculture based on rebellion and act like a cop.

What happens when radical ideas become fashion?
I like to think that with wider exposure to radical ideas, people start to think more critically about the topic at hand, which can really help the movement. Unfortunately, as soon as something is trendy, it's cheapened by people who want to cosplay.

Do you believe veganism has diminished its confrontational nature?
Not really. I still see people putting up a fight for what they believe in.

Why do you think some people embrace the imagery and identity of resistance without embracing its ethics?
It's cool. Always has been, always will be. But these people look cool because of what they do, not just because of what they wear.

Is there still room in hardcore for ideas that genuinely make people uncomfortable?
There should be. Just because an idea makes you uncomfortable doesn't mean it shouldn't be discussed. Talking about uncomfortable ideas is also a great way to get to know who people really are.

Can veganism remain radical once corporations realize they can profit from it?
They could, but it would take balls that most corporations don't have. I don't have any expectation of a corporation to do radical good, but as long as they're minimizing animal exploitation, I'm not mad about it.

What are your thoughts on the potential consequences of animal liberation becoming a consumer trend?
I see a lot of trends get a TON of pushback and retraction once they start to become uncool. I would worry that people would swing too hard in the opposite way and negate any good work that was done. But the majority of people are too lazy to even consider being vegetarian, so it's not a real concern of mine.

Is purchasing a vegan product sufficient to challenge the status quo, or can consumerism simply perpetuate the same system in a different guise?
You're going to be perpetuating consumerism no matter what you buy. Purchasing a vegan product isn't a huge act of protest, but it's better than nothing.

How do you distinguish between supporting vegan businesses and engaging in activism that is commodified?
I'll always choose to support real vegan businesses over trend hoppers, but sometimes you don't have much of a choice. And that's fine, as long as you're doing what you can. It ain't about being perfect.

Do you think the movement should be more suspicious of corporations adopting vegan messaging?
Always be weary of corporations. If you have the means to buy from smaller all vegan companies, do that. But I know not everyone lives near a grocery store that has great selections of specialized vegan foods. Just do your best and think about what you're buying.

What does resistance look like when the system can sell you an image of resistance?
Real resistance always finds a way to maintain authenticity, even in a sea of bullshit.

Do you see veganism as the end goal, or as one part of a broader struggle for animal liberation?
The fight isn't over until ALL animals are free from human exploitation. Veganism is a good place to start.

Is “animal welfare” enough, or does meaningful change require abolition of animal exploitation?
Animal "welfare" is bullshit. Subjecting an animal to your will in any way negates their welfare.

Why do you think society accepts violence against animals that would be unacceptable toward humans?
Out of sight, out of mind.

Should animal suffering be made uncomfortable to look at if comfort is part of what allows exploitation to continue?
Absolutely. If it's uncomfortable to see, why support it?

Do you think changing individual behavior is enough without challenging the institutions responsible for exploitation?
I think these things are inseparable.
Is ignorance still an excuse when the information is readily available?
Never an excuse.
What does liberation actually mean to you?
Animals are never "used" in any way. At all. Ever.
Do you believe activism should make people uncomfortable?
Depends on the person. But I think advocating for discussions about uncomfortable topics is always a good thing.

Is there such a thing as being too confrontational when animals are the ones paying the price?
Definitely. You have to know who you're talking to. A lot of people will do the opposite out of spite if you're an asshole.

What do you think people are most defensive about when confronted with veganism?
Their own selfishness.

Have you ever stayed quiet about your beliefs because confrontation felt easier to avoid?
Definitely. There's a time and place for these conversations.

What aspect of heavy music’s hypocrisy frustrates you the most?
Being a part of a subculture that advocates for equal treatment of marginalized groups, while largely ignoring the most marginalized group on the planet.

Why do you think veganism has remained so marginal within parts of the scene?
People are fucking LAZY.

Do you think people care more about the aesthetics of resistance than the consequences of resistance?
A lot of people do, but their "aesthetic" will be completely different in a year from now, so who cares what they think.

If “vegan straight edge” disappeared tomorrow, what ideas would still be worth carrying forward?
All of it. If you're only vegan straight edge for the label, you're in it for all the wrong reasons.

What do you think the movement should be remembered for?
Standing up for the innocent and defenseless.

What would you want someone discovering vegan straight edge twenty years from now to understand?
It's not about us, it's always about helping animals.

What are you willing to sacrifice for your principles?
Comfort, convenience, social gatherings, travel, etc. Everything changes once you're dedicated to veganism.

What would make you walk away from a scene, community, or movement you once believed in?
Cannibalization. Go fight someone who doesn't agree with you.

At the end of the day, what are you actually fighting for?
Animal liberation.

If nobody thanked you, recognized you, or remembered you, would you still do it?
Nobody thanks or recognizes me now, I don't care. It's not about me.

LAST WORDS:

Something you wish someone had told you when you first went vegan:
You aren't special for being vegan. That should be the bare minimum. Start holding other people to that standard too.