DEWEY

What was the moment or experience that first pushed you toward veganism?
Not sure if I could mail it down to a specific moment. I just knew it was the right thing and decided to go vegan one day.

Did your path into veganism come before or after getting into hardcore / straight edge?
After. Funny enough, I was straight edge before even finding “real” hardcore too. I just remember hearing about what straight edge was and thought, “that’s me.”

Was there a specific band, record, or scene influence that opened that door for you?
The first bands that come to mind are Earth Crisis and Trial.

How did your friends, family, or local scene react when you made that shift?
Everyone was super supportive. At the time there were a lot of people who were vegan in the scene and thankfully I’ve always had family that supported me in anyway they could.

Was it an immediate commitment, or something you grew into over time?
Pretty immediate. I just decided I was going to do it a few days before putting an actual date on it - but even that week leading up I wasn’t eating anything that wasn’t vegan.

For you, how connected are veganism and straight edge—are they inseparable or distinct choices?
Very distinct. Both are important to me but straight edge is something I do for myself. Veganism is something I do for myself, animals, the environment, etc.

Do you see veganism as an extension of straight edge ethics, or its own independent stance?
I think they can work well together but aren’t mutually exclusive obviously. I believe both are nothing but positive in different ways.
How do you respond to people in the scene who embrace one but not the other?
When it comes to straight edge I don’t really care. I know I’m going to be straight edge forever and that’s all that matters to me. I genuinely think everyone should be vegan and if you’re aren’t already it feels crazy. My city has a ton of options and it’s never been easier.

What role did the hardcore/metal scene play in shaping your beliefs?
Hardcore specifically had a huge roll. I found it when I was maybe 14 and it shaped a lot of who I am. How I carry myself, how I view community, etc.. Even now I’m not sure of the person I’d be if I didn’t find hardcore.
Do you feel like the scene today is more or less aligned with vegan values than when you started?
Way less. The scene as a whole has just fundamentally changed. I’m only 33 but I started my first hardcore band over half my life ago and I think accessibility has hurt what hardcore is. I don’t really celebrate giant sold out venues and bands playing late night talk shows when it inevitably means tourists coming in that don’t understand the history and traditions of hardcore. A lot of people now a days just come for music and leave. Straight edge and veganism are things you take with you that they may find through the shows and community.

What kind of impact do you hope your band has on listeners?
The best impact the band can have is helping someone realize they should become vegan.

Have you ever heard from someone who changed because of your music?
Actually, yes. On more than one occasion and it makes me extremely proud because with most of the projects I’ve been a part of that’s always been the main goal.

Do you think music can genuinely shift people’s behavior, or just reinforce existing beliefs?
I think it can do both. I’ve seen it first hand and personally have been influenced by music in a way that has changed my life but also strengthened my commitments.

How do you balance music with direct action or activism, if at all?
At my age now it’s hard to really participate in the kind of direct action I wish I was, but I try to just influence people at a smaller level. Talking, questioning, pushing people to really think about their actions, are all ways I try to help people see the answers to a lot of problems day to day. I think music is a huge influence on people as well and think it’s an important part. Not everyone can do everything, but everyone can do something.
What issues within the broader movement do you think aren’t being talked about enough?
Nothing really comes to mind. I think it’s a problem that every issue isn’t talked about enough.

Looking back, would you approach your message differently?
Wouldn’t change a thing honestly.

What keeps you committed when it gets difficult or isolating?
The fact that I know I’m objectively and morally right.

Where do you see the vegan / straight edge movement going in the next decade?
I think it will only grow. I get a disheartened when people my age break but there will always be a crop of new kids in the scene to carry the torch as long as we’re here to show them the way.
What would you say to someone on the fence about embracing these ideas?
Just do it. Commit to a day, a week, a month of it. It’s never been easier and there’s never been more resources to start. The only thing stopping you is you. There’s no time like the present and it’s not going to kill you to give it a shot.

A lyric you’ve written (or heard) that still hits hardest:
“ this planet’s a gift and you spit in the face of it. If it was up to me, you’d be tried an eye for an eye”
One misconception about vegan straight edge:
I think most people just get it. Even if they don’t think it’s for them.
One non-negotiable value:
Nothing really comes to mind other than vegans who are just dietary vegans. Buying or wearing any kind of products that involve harming animals isn’t vegan.

One thing the scene needs to do better:
Thankfully my scene is doing well and people in it are all supportive of each other and watch each others backs. I think that’s the only thing all scenes can do better. You’re a community and should lookout for one another and help when you can when life outside of your community can be extremely bleak.