WILL HENDERSON

“Veganism and straight edge are pretty well connected. Obviously they’re distinct choices but when you start to question the way consumption is framed in society then there’s a direct logical line from straight edge to veganism.”

This is Will, vocalist and songwriter for Altar. I've been vegan for a little over 6 years and I also play in invocation with several of the other members of altar. .

What was the moment or experience that first pushed you toward veganism?
I think the first experience I had that pushed me toward vegetarianism was eating lobster when I was a kid it just felt really wrong.
From then I was on and off vegetarian until meeting my ex in 2020 when I fully embraced veganism. I think there’s a lot of people that consciously or unconsciously stick their head in the sand about veganism. They know it’s the right thing to do but find reasons to justify not choosing it. When you finally stop lying to yourself it can be liberating.
Did your path into veganism come before or after getting into hardcore / straight edge?
I was into hardcore for a while and around the time I was getting over being self-destructive and claimed edge, veganism followed pretty closely.
Was there a specific band, record, or scene influence that opened that door for you?
I was in Florida around the time of the late 2010’s when bands like Magnitude and Ecostrike were really reviving the 90’s style vegan edge thing and I thought that was so cool and still do.
“To Whatever Fateful End” by Magnitude is a current record that really sticks with me, as well as “Commitment” by Point of Contact, and the xELEGYx Demo.
Older records would be “Life. Love. Regret” by Unbroken, “Firestorm” / “Destroy the Machines” by Earth Crisis, and “A Light in the Dark” by Outspoken have been records that lit the flame for straight edge and veganism for me.
How did your friends, family, or local scene react when you made that shift?
Was it an immediate commitment, or something you grew into over time?
People were always really supportive except for my older friends from when I grew up but you can never expect everybody to love changes in your life. I think it was something that deep down I always needed to do and diving in head first was really the only thing that worked for me.

For you, how connected are veganism and straight edge—are they inseparable or distinct choices?
Do you see veganism as an extension of straight edge ethics, or its own independent stance?
How do you respond to people in the scene who embrace one but not the other?
Veganism and straight edge are pretty well connected. Obviously they’re distinct choices but when you start to question the way consumption is framed in society then theres’ a direct logical line from straight edge to veganism.
I think veganism and straight edge for me are a little different in terms of ethics. Veganism for me is more along the lines of doing the best I can. I am much more strict about consuming zero substances but with veganism there’s so much more grey area I think, and that varies from person to person. That’s ok and I think that flexibility is important to making veganism more appealing to people and making a positive change in our planet and the industries that are problematic.

What role did the hardcore/metal scene play in shaping your beliefs?
Do you feel like the scene today is more or less aligned with vegan values than when you started?
I think the scene is less aligned toward veganism than when I first claimed, but more aligned with straight edge at least in California. But lots of new kids are giving veganism a try.

What kind of impact do you hope your band has on listeners?
Have you ever heard from someone who changed because of your music?
Do you think music can genuinely shift people’s behavior, or just reinforce existing beliefs?
I hope that people listen to our music and hear the lyrics and resonate with the message of just questioning the way that things are and the whether or not they need to live their life in the way that society deems as acceptable.
I do think music is a powerful art and is capable of leading people to change their behavior.
Do you see veganism as inherently political?
How do you balance music with direct action or activism, if at all?
What issues within the broader movement do you think aren’t being talked about enough?
I think veganism is a personal choice. I think when I find it difficult or isolating it’s good for me to think about the life of an animal on a commercial farm and how bleak and devastating it can be for them to not get to experience any joy. Right now I’m not involved in any direct action or activism. My life is very full of activities as it is. I think people find too many reasons to fight within the broader realm of any movement. I think people have to recognize who their allies are and stop nitpicking everybody.

Looking back, would you approach your message differently?
What keeps you committed when it gets difficult or isolating?
Where do you see the vegan / straight edge movement going in the next decade?
What would you say to someone on the fence about embracing these ideas?
I don’t have any regrets about the way I approached my messaging. Most of it is pretty indirect and up for interpretation. I think what keeps me committed is looking back at how much of a positive influence that this lifestyle has had on me, and looking around at normal people and being so glad I’m not stuck in the same way of thinking as them. I think the movement is strong, but I really wish people would be a little more tolerant. I think any identity-based movement has a tendency to be exclusionary and we should make sure that we are trying to be as inclusive as possible and welcoming people with an open heart and the goal of positive social change. What I have always said to somebody on the fence is if you’re thinking about it hard, then you have already shown that it means something to you and that’s enough to get started.

Final Thoughts:

First band that made you think differently:
Unbroken.
A lyric you’ve written (or heard) that still hits hardest:
The entire song “Purple Heart” by Foundation
One misconception about vegan straight edge:
We’re judgmental.
One non-negotiable value:
Respect.
One thing the scene needs to do better:
If you’re starting a band, try to get more non-male people involved.