SEBASTIAN FUENTES

“Veganism is mainly concerned about the consequences of our personal choices towards the suffering and exploitation of other beings, particularly animals. I see, on the other hand, straight edge mostly an act of self-discipline.”

My name is Sebastian; I’ve been living in Vasa Finland for about 20 plus years. Originally from Chile. I’ve been in bands such as Entrefuego (late 90’s until early 2000’s) and Standard Straight Edge nowadays. I’m a bass player (or trying to be one) with a soft spot for Vaishnava philosophy and poetry. I’m also a football (soccer) coach for small kids. Married with 3 children.

What was the moment or experience that first pushed you toward veganism?
I can’t really remember when this happened. Of course, you have friends, literature and music that influences your life. The Chilean scene, in my opinion, has a very strong activist mindset so when you are in it then it turns into a progressive contagious process.
Did your path into veganism come before or after getting into hardcore / straight edge?
It was a simultaneous process. I was already vegetarian when I got into straight edge. Although I don’t necessarily see veganism as a requirement for being edge, it did resonate. Although I would like to point out that perhaps on the occasion of a yearly religious festival, I might get to eat prasadam (sacred food) a plant-based diet under the philosophical principle of non-violence and compassion towards all living beings.
Was there a specific band, record, or scene influence that opened that door for you?
I must give credit for this to Youth of Today. Hands down.
How did your friends, family, or local scene react when you made that shift?
Well... friends are partly guilty of this 😉 As for my family, they took it very well. Even when food was being prepared, my parents were careful enough to not mix ingredients and use clean separated cooking pans and so on.

Was it an immediate commitment, or something you grew into over time?
As mentioned before, it was a process. The more I knew, the more I committed.

For you, how connected are veganism and straight edge—are they inseparable or distinct choices?
Tough question. I don’t necessarily see them as inseparable but as distinct choices in life. There is some sort of link or bridge between them though. There is an historical and cultural compatibility I would say but these are two separated things. Neither standpoint requires the other in my opinion. Now if combining both would bring a deeper ethical consistency, that could open the door for a deeper and separated discussion.

Do you see veganism as an extension of straight edge ethics, or its own independent stance?
From an ethical point of view, in my eyes (no pun intended), they kind of intersect each other when it comes to discipline and way of living. Yet, these are two independent outlooks. You know better than I do, straight edge and veganism share an emphasis on conscious choice, personal responsibility and a consistency between values and behaviour, but they differ in where we put the moral responsibility. Veganism is mainly concerned about the consequences of our personal choices towards the suffering and exploitation of other beings, particularly animals. I see, on the other hand, straight edge mostly an act of self-discipline.
How do you respond to people in the scene who embrace one but not the other?
We all must make choices. However, I have no moral grounds to judge people based on their decisions. I live my life under the ethics I’ve chosen to live with and try to educate my children under the same principles. At the end of the day, we will all have to respond to our actions in life.

What role did the hardcore/metal scene play in shaping your beliefs?
Both from a spiritual point of view as well as for principles, the hardcore scene played a big role. That is the place I’ve found people alike, that’s where all the things that were hanging up in the air fell into place. It is the place my beliefs were challenged.

Do you feel like the scene today is more or less aligned with vegan values than when you started?
I consider myself a hermit... I am not so much involved in the scene besides attending the shows I play in (I live 4h away from everything). But somehow, I see those values a bit more aligned than when I started 20+ years ago. There is more information about it, more resources so it makes it a bit easier in my opinion.

What kind of impact do you hope your band has on listeners?
I just hope the band will make them think and evaluate their choices in life. If the seed is planted in their hearts and only one person changes his moral focus, then it’s a good thing.
Have you ever heard from someone who changed because of your music?
Yes, and it made me feel responsible .. and nervous (he even got a tattoo!!). I’m used to being the one looking up to people, but when you are on the other side the situation takes a different turn. Then you really need to live up to your words consequently.
Do you think music can genuinely shift people’s behavior, or just reinforce existing beliefs?
It can genuinely shift behaviour rather than simply reinforce existing beliefs. Straight edge can turn a preference for sobriety or self-control into a much stronger commitment. In the same way, someone may become vegan after finding information about animal suffering that causes them to reconsider the behaviour they had previously seen as normal. As in my case.
Do you see veganism as inherently political?
I would say it can be political, but it is inherently ethical. I guess the inflection point lies where my personal morals and choices are projected into how I believe society should work.
How do you balance music with direct action or activism, if at all?
Music is a form of activism as it challenges people and the way they think. Music can inspire but activism or direct action as such can turn these ideas into something concrete. The key is when the music you make, the message you send and the way you live are consequent.
What issues within the broader movement do you think aren’t being talked about enough?
Oof... I believe there are several issues we should probably address. Straight edge and veganism might not be accessible for all (back in the days vegan products were very expensive... and still are). We need to think of differences of income, culture, location etc. Sometimes I feel we focus very little on the ethics/morals of it and more into who is more vegan than the other, who has more edge merch/memorabilia than the other. How we communicate. If we judge people or are confrontational (militants) we might discourage them and make them defensive or scare them away. We need to reach out in an amicable manner to people who don’t adhere to this way of life instead of just debating amongst ourselves... We don’t need to preach to the choir, if you know what I mean.

Looking back, would you approach your message differently?
Yes, as you get older you develop more patience. You understand things won't change overnight. I’ve become less confrontational from an argumentative point of view. If I could travel back in time, I would tell my younger self to think twice before acting.

What keeps you committed when it gets difficult or isolating?
Well, I don’t really think about it. I guess with its ups and downs it is part of my DNA. Of course, there is social media and many other ways to keep the association nowadays. It is easier, at least for me.

Where do you see the vegan / straight edge movement going in the next decade?
I think they will remain probably as a movement with a strong foundation, more than just being a subculture or a trend. Connected but not necessarily inseparable, as previously mentioned. I hope its ethics will become broader, and the sense of community remains. I’m worried though that we might get more into identity than questioning our own behaviour, meaning more into showing what I am instead of living according to the real values.
What would you say to someone on the fence about embracing these ideas?
I’d say: you don’t have to dig everything at once. Question everything you’ve been taught; think about how the choices you make every day reflects on your scale of values. If these ideas resonate with you then dive deep and see where this takes you. Stay curious.

Final Thoughts:

First band that made you think differently:
Minor Threat and Vieja Escuela (Argentina).
A lyric you’ve written (or heard) that still hits hardest:
Strife, Force of Change.

One misconception about vegan / vegan straight edge:
The feeling of moral superiority to other people. It is not about being perfect but having a conscious choice.
One non-negotiable value:
Ethical consistency. I want my actions to match my values.. and that’s one hell of a task.