1.
Earth Crisis "New Ethic" (Destroy the Machines, 1995)
Earth Crisis are like Gary Francione. They said some dodgy things, but you can't deny they had some hits. Everyone in Earth Crisis was vegan. This is an anthem, if there ever was one. Here's a live version from their home town. This band was widely criticized. Few bands have influences so many. You cannot deny the brilliance of this song.
Lyrics:
Lyrics ("Words of hope"):
"Get ready to the facts!
A whole generation in complete alienation.
Wise enough to change it, but too weak to face the situation.
Possessed with lust, hatred burns within all of us.
Will we let this society turn into dust?
Blinded, we have been given a looking glass so that we could see all the self made mess.
Emancipate from such a suicidal state.
Don´t let insanity seal our fate.
Human liberation through drug abstinence.
Doping brings apathy and fear of confrontation.
Sobriety can grant us enough energy to face social oppression and achieve equality.
Seeds of hope!
Animal liberation for Earth preservation.
Veganism is a powerful tool to stop nature´s exploitation.
Abjuring cruelty. Embracing sympathy.
The basis for a civilized humanity.
Future lays in our hands.
It´s up to us to change it and I´m sure we can.
The hands that have built it all will be the same to make it fall.
Let´s make reality out of these
Words
Of
Hope."
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Lyrics:
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Debate, the method of demise
Debate, your high
I'll lie beside you, walk you down and lay the beat beneath your bed
Beneath, the dead
Debate, the method in your head
Chemical misanthropy saving you from blame
I'll stand below you, lift you up, increase the pain
I'll stand below you, lift you up, increase the pain
I wanna see you, hear your voice regret the choice.
Rejoice in watching you collapse
Destroy the map, falling headlong into the gap
Swallow poison
Swallow the bait
Swallow poison
Swallow every word
Said to free you from blame
I'll stand below you, lift you up, increase the pain
I'll stand below you, lift you up, increase the pain
I wanna see you, hear your voice regret the choice.
Rejoice in watching you collapse
Destroy the map, falling headlong into the gap
The hunter dying in his trap
The hunter dying in his trap
The hunter dying in his trap
The hunter
Dead
Swallow poison
Swallow the bait
Swallow poison
Swallow every word
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Well, Propagandhi don't need an introduction. This song too can be considered an anthem, an anthem of a whole generation maybe.
Lyrics:
"I can't think straight
Take a look, look at me
What you get is what you see
Ride a bike, drive a car
Vegan pie, cut a fart
On the bus, on the train
Tami D, on the brain
Can't explain, like The Who
Now it's time to do the do
I can't think straight
On my couch with a pen
Where's the phone, again, again
Can't control rhythm, rhyme
Naked beats on the mind
I am yes, you are no
I am yes, you are no
You are no, I am yes
I can't think straight
Good Evening, ladies
My name is Roy Cormier
Uh, I like it smooth, generally
I mean, a lot of fellas, they like it raw
Personally, I prefer smooth, um, you know
I like the coconut lotion, I'm talkin’
I run a lot of productions, company productions
Uh, keepin' it on the smooth, generally
And on the regular, and uh
You know, with the coconut lotion and all
Keepin' it lovely, it's uh, you know
Nothing but love, baby, baby"
Lyrics:
"Aww yeah, Yo, yo, this one's for my homies at McDonalds. Yo listen up, check it
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Lyrics:
"Betty's got the back of her dress all ripped out
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie, yeah
All we are saying is give peace a chance
For the anti-melody crowd.
Earth Crisis are like Gary Francione. They said some dodgy things, but you can't deny they had some hits. Everyone in Earth Crisis was vegan. This is an anthem, if there ever was one. Here's a live version from their home town. This band was widely criticized. Few bands have influences so many. You cannot deny the brilliance of this song.
"This is the new ethic.
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Animals' lives are their own
and must be given respect.
Reject the anthropocentric falsehood
Reject the anthropocentric falsehood
that maintains the oppressive hierarchy of mankind
over the animals.
over the animals.
It's time to set them free.
Their lives reduced to biomachines
in the factory, farm and laboratory.
Dairy, eggs and meat, fur, suede, wool, leather are the end products of torture, confinement and murder.
I abjure their use out of reverence for
Dairy, eggs and meat, fur, suede, wool, leather are the end products of torture, confinement and murder.
I abjure their use out of reverence for
all innocent life.
Wildlifes' right to live in peace
in their natural environment
without this civilization's
without this civilization's
interference can no longer be denied.
Must no longer be denied.
To make a civilization worthy of
Must no longer be denied.
To make a civilization worthy of
the word civilized
the cruelty must end,
starting within or own lives.
starting within or own lives.
Reject the anthropocentric falsehood
that maintains the oppressive hierarchy
of mankind
of mankind
over the animals.
It's time
to set them free.
Veganism is the essence of compassion and peaceful living.
The animals are not ours to abuse or dominate.
Veganism is the essence of compassion and peaceful living.
The animals are not ours to abuse or dominate.
I abjure their use out of reverence ...
I abjure their use out of reverence ...
I abjure their use out of reverence for all innocent life."
I abjure their use out of reverence for all innocent life."
Side note: Karl Buechner, the singer for Earth Crisis, became vegetarian when he was 18 (around 1988) and vegan shortly after (so maybe also '88 or '89). His grandfather ran a slaughterhouse in Chicago, which his grandmother visited, prompting her to become vegetarian (in the 1950s [Burgess 1996]). Then Karl's aunt and then his mother also became vegetarians (his sisters too [Hiller (Ox) 2011]), and then Karl did [This Is Hardcore, July 2024 (first published 4 May 2023)]. Karl started writing songs in 1988 and the first Earth Crisis concert was in 1989 [This Is Hardcore, July 2024]. When Youth of Today's came out with their song "No more" (1988), this reinforced his ideas about vegetarianism and his transition to veganism [This Is Hardcore, July 2024].
In an interview from 2013, Karl says: "[...] You’ll hear some people say “I tried to be vegan but I lost too much weight” or their hair was falling out, and it’s like ‘Dude, did you take vitamins or drink water?’ Just simple things. [...]" [Allis, 13. July 2013]
2.
Into Another "Herbivore" (Poison Fingers single, 1995)
This was a PeTA benefit single. Everyone in Into Another was vegetarian, the singer vegan, the drummer a dietary vegan.
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Richie Birkenhead's arm
Lyrics:
"I am herbivorousDon't like to eat what I don't need
And I don't need to eat my fellow animals
Oh, but what do you know?
That's not all right with you?
You don't approve of my lifestyle?
Well, your deathstyle destroys
The world you're standing on
I think you know you're wrong
I don't eat animals
Oh, but what do you know?
That's not all right with you?
You don't approve of my lifestyle?
Well, your deathstyle destroys
The world you're standing on
I think you know you're wrong
I don't eat animals
I love them
Most are oblivious
To all the suffering and waste
A taste for blood and flesh
And skin and bone creates
Oh, but what do you say
You think it's your right
Well, I think that you are a liar
There's no fire in your eyes
I think you know you're wrong
I KNOW you know you're wrong
Lord, rescue me from this hell
I don't feel very well
And you know
You can tell me there's hope
And I will have faith because I must
Please rescue me from this hell
If you won't
Most are oblivious
To all the suffering and waste
A taste for blood and flesh
And skin and bone creates
Oh, but what do you say
You think it's your right
Well, I think that you are a liar
There's no fire in your eyes
I think you know you're wrong
I KNOW you know you're wrong
Lord, rescue me from this hell
I don't feel very well
And you know
You can tell me there's hope
And I will have faith because I must
Please rescue me from this hell
If you won't
Very well
Release me
I don't eat animals
I won't eat animals"
I don't eat animals
I won't eat animals"
3.
Self Conviction "Words of Hope" (A War To Show That Peace Means Justice For Everyone, 1998)
Self Conviction were from Sao Paulo, Brazil. They had songs in Portuguese and English. Everyone in the band was vegan.
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"Get ready to the facts!
A whole generation in complete alienation.
Wise enough to change it, but too weak to face the situation.
Possessed with lust, hatred burns within all of us.
Will we let this society turn into dust?
Blinded, we have been given a looking glass so that we could see all the self made mess.
Emancipate from such a suicidal state.
Don´t let insanity seal our fate.
Human liberation through drug abstinence.
Doping brings apathy and fear of confrontation.
Sobriety can grant us enough energy to face social oppression and achieve equality.
Seeds of hope!
Animal liberation for Earth preservation.
Veganism is a powerful tool to stop nature´s exploitation.
Abjuring cruelty. Embracing sympathy.
The basis for a civilized humanity.
Future lays in our hands.
It´s up to us to change it and I´m sure we can.
The hands that have built it all will be the same to make it fall.
Let´s make reality out of these
Words
Of
Hope."
Also see the song "Where's the justice?" from the same album:
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Lyrics ("Where's the justice?"):
"What else will have to happen to make you open your eyes?
Will you have to feel it yourself to take away this disguise?
You don´t need to go far away to see the bad things you watch on your TV.
And if you take a look around you someday,
you will see they´re very close to you.
The police behind death squads, animals being slaughtered by human hands.
Corruption among politicians while people live in subhuman conditions.
So, now I´m gonna ask you:
What´s the point of so called democracy if it´s just in defense
Of the powerful and to keep this inequality?
Where´s The Justice?
Where´s The Justice?
Where´s
The
Justice?"
Will you have to feel it yourself to take away this disguise?
You don´t need to go far away to see the bad things you watch on your TV.
And if you take a look around you someday,
you will see they´re very close to you.
The police behind death squads, animals being slaughtered by human hands.
Corruption among politicians while people live in subhuman conditions.
So, now I´m gonna ask you:
What´s the point of so called democracy if it´s just in defense
Of the powerful and to keep this inequality?
Where´s The Justice?
Where´s The Justice?
Where´s
The
Justice?"
4.
Refused "Jag Äter Inte Mina Vänner" (Rather Be Dead EP, 1996)
This song was on the "Rather Be Dead EP" and also on the "This Album Contains ..." LP (1997). Everyone in Refused was vegan.
This song was on the "Rather Be Dead EP" and also on the "This Album Contains ..." LP (1997). Everyone in Refused was vegan.
Lyrics:"Djuren, djuren är människor, katter är människor.
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Hundar är människor. Hästar, hästar är människor.
Apor är människor. Kossor är människor.
Och människor ska vara vänner, det finns inga "dom" bara "vi".
Det finns något vackert i allting som föds.
Jag äter inte mina vänner för dom är en del av mig -
som jag kan leva med och växa med i all evighet.
Tanken, tanken är männsikor.
Fåglar är människor.
Elefanter är männsikor.
Råttor, råttor är människor.
Ormar är människor.
Lammet är människa.
Och lammet skall leka med hajar när freden är mer än ett ord.
Det du äter skall döma din själ.
Jag äter inte mina vänner för dom är en del av mig -
som jag kan leva me och växa med i all evighet.
Hur kan vi vara fridfulla när vi skapar sån misär.
Hur kan vi vara kärleksfulla när vi kärleken förtär.
Låt kärleken vara nu.
Låt sanningen vara du...
Jag äter inte mina vänner för dom är den del av mig -
som jag kan leva med och växa med i all evighet."Apor är människor. Kossor är människor.
Och människor ska vara vänner, det finns inga "dom" bara "vi".
Det finns något vackert i allting som föds.
Jag äter inte mina vänner för dom är en del av mig -
som jag kan leva med och växa med i all evighet.
Tanken, tanken är männsikor.
Fåglar är människor.
Elefanter är männsikor.
Råttor, råttor är människor.
Ormar är människor.
Lammet är människa.
Och lammet skall leka med hajar när freden är mer än ett ord.
Det du äter skall döma din själ.
Jag äter inte mina vänner för dom är en del av mig -
som jag kan leva me och växa med i all evighet.
Hur kan vi vara fridfulla när vi skapar sån misär.
Hur kan vi vara kärleksfulla när vi kärleken förtär.
Låt kärleken vara nu.
Låt sanningen vara du...
Jag äter inte mina vänner för dom är den del av mig -
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5.
Snapcase "Guilty By Ignorance" (Progression Through Unlearning, 1997)
Not explicitly about veganism, but I'm sure it's at least about veganism and capitalism. Everyone in Snapcase was vegetarian, the singer and the drummer vegan.
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And you, you support the corrupt industries and companies
Who don't think to care
Guilty, guilty, guilty by ignorance
No feeling, no substance, killing
You're killing through your ignorance
So understand they kill
They kill for the sake of capital gain
And you don't care to know that your life steals life
So take a look at your empty conscience
Because ignorance is not innocence
You have become, you have become the enemy to those
To those victims of greed
To those victims of greed
To those victims"
Not explicitly about veganism, but I'm sure it's at least about veganism and capitalism. Everyone in Snapcase was vegetarian, the singer and the drummer vegan.
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Lyrics:
"The life you live ignoring whoIgnoring who you're giving money toAnd you, you support the corrupt industries and companies
Who don't think to care
Guilty, guilty, guilty by ignorance
No feeling, no substance, killing
You're killing through your ignorance
So understand they kill
They kill for the sake of capital gain
And you don't care to know that your life steals life
So take a look at your empty conscience
Because ignorance is not innocence
You have become, you have become the enemy to those
To those victims of greed
To those victims of greed
To those victims"
6.
Refused "Hook, Line and Sinker" (Songs To Fan The Flames Of Discontent, 1996)
There are surprisingly (or unsurprisingly) quite many vegan revenge type of songs. But who could blame Refused for making one? The unofficial number 1.
There are surprisingly (or unsurprisingly) quite many vegan revenge type of songs. But who could blame Refused for making one? The unofficial number 1.
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Lyrics ("Hook, Line and Sinker"):
"The bait, the prey, the miceDebate, the method of demise
Debate, your high
I'll lie beside you, walk you down and lay the beat beneath your bed
Beneath, the dead
Debate, the method in your head
Chemical misanthropy saving you from blame
I'll stand below you, lift you up, increase the pain
I'll stand below you, lift you up, increase the pain
I wanna see you, hear your voice regret the choice.
Rejoice in watching you collapse
Destroy the map, falling headlong into the gap
Swallow poison
Swallow the bait
Swallow poison
Swallow every word
Said to free you from blame
I'll stand below you, lift you up, increase the pain
I'll stand below you, lift you up, increase the pain
I wanna see you, hear your voice regret the choice.
Rejoice in watching you collapse
Destroy the map, falling headlong into the gap
The hunter dying in his trap
The hunter dying in his trap
The hunter dying in his trap
The hunter
Dead
Swallow poison
Swallow the bait
Swallow poison
Swallow every word
Hook
Line
And
Sinker"
Actually, "The Slayer" from the same album was much more of a vegan song.
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Consumer of selfishness,
Feel it bleed
Death traditions,
Feeds the suffering
Acquire by-products,
Breed the industry
Modern death camps,
Feel their suffering
Soul destroyer
Never question consequence
Pain won't end
So we gag our sense
Kill the conscience,
Lies over lives
Kill the conscious
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We believe we have the right
To enslave, torture and murder
And no ending is in sight
Because we are superior
We slaughter what we eat
Clothed in what once was living
And gorged upon the meat
Because we are superior
We perpetuate disease
Consuming self made cancer
To feed traditions needs
Because we are superior
Are alters flow with blood
Embracing our extinction
We drown within the flood"
Line
And
Sinker"
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Lyrics ("The Slayer"):
"Turn offHail to the deafening
End life for ego reasoning
End life for ego reasoning
Consumer of selfishness,
Feel it bleed
Death traditions,
Feeds the suffering
Acquire by-products,
Breed the industry
Modern death camps,
Feel their suffering
Soul destroyer
Never question consequence
Pain won't end
So we gag our sense
Kill the conscience,
Lies over lives
Kill the conscious
Lies over lives
Consumer of selfishness,
Feel it bleed
Death traditions,
Feeds the suffering
Acquire by-products,
Breed the industry
Modern death camps,
Feel their suffering
Feel it bleed
Death traditions,
Feeds the suffering
Acquire by-products,
Breed the industry
Modern death camps,
Feel their suffering
Their pain won't end
Their pain won't end
With blood in my eyes
I won't see the light shine ...
With blood in my eyesI won't see the light shine ...
I won't see the light shine ...
With blood in your eyesYou won't see the light shine ..."
7.
Dropdead "Superior" (s/t, 1998)
I don't know too much about Dropdead to be honest. I saw them live once though.
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Lyrics ("Superior"):
"Because we are superiorWe believe we have the right
To enslave, torture and murder
And no ending is in sight
Because we are superior
We slaughter what we eat
Clothed in what once was living
And gorged upon the meat
Because we are superior
We perpetuate disease
Consuming self made cancer
To feed traditions needs
Because we are superior
Are alters flow with blood
Embracing our extinction
We drown within the flood"
And from the same record: "What Once Was Life":
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Lyrics ("What Once was Life"):
"My murder has become justified
In your sick-barbaric world
My skin is ripped from the bone
What once was life you ingest
A holocaust unrealized
My lifeblood feeds a selfish world
My suffering-goes unknown
What once was life you ingest"
My skin is ripped from the bone
What once was life you ingest
A holocaust unrealized
My lifeblood feeds a selfish world
My suffering-goes unknown
What once was life you ingest"
See two more animal rights songs by Dropdead (from 1993) below.
8.
Loxiran "Wa(h)re Wesen" (s/t, 1997)
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Lyrics:
"Wa(h)re Wesen verdienen deinen Respekt
A band from northern Germany. As far as I know everyone in the band was a vegetarian, but at least the singer was vegan.
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Sie fühlen, sie leben
Sie verdienen deinen Respekt
Doch wenn der Rubel rollt
Ist dir ihr Leid egal
Und wenn die Kasse stimmt
Scheißt du auf die Moral!
Jedes Leid Unschuldiger ist Leid zu viel
Jede Duldung dieses Unrechts ist mir schon zu viel
Doch irgendwann, irgendwann ist Schluss
Es wird Zeit, sich zu wehren!
Ungerechtigkeit gibt es schon zu viel
Und deine Gerechtigkeit ist mir
viel zu selbst gerecht
Doch irgendwann platzt mir der Kragen
Ich kann Dein Geheuchel nicht länger ertragen!
Ich handel nach Gefühl und nicht nach
irgendwelchen aufgestellten Regeln
Von wem auch immer
Du hältst noch immer viel zu lange Reden
Doch für mich gibt’s kein wenn
Sie verdienen deinen Respekt
Doch wenn der Rubel rollt
Ist dir ihr Leid egal
Und wenn die Kasse stimmt
Scheißt du auf die Moral!
Jedes Leid Unschuldiger ist Leid zu viel
Jede Duldung dieses Unrechts ist mir schon zu viel
Doch irgendwann, irgendwann ist Schluss
Es wird Zeit, sich zu wehren!
Ungerechtigkeit gibt es schon zu viel
Und deine Gerechtigkeit ist mir
viel zu selbst gerecht
Doch irgendwann platzt mir der Kragen
Ich kann Dein Geheuchel nicht länger ertragen!
Ich handel nach Gefühl und nicht nach
irgendwelchen aufgestellten Regeln
Von wem auch immer
Du hältst noch immer viel zu lange Reden
Doch für mich gibt’s kein wenn
Für mich gibt’s kein wenn und aber:
Mord ist Mord und Leben ist Leben!
Mord ist Mord und Leben ist Leben!
Wa(h)re Wesen verdienen deinen Respekt
Sie fühlen, sie leben
Sie verdienen deinen Respekt
Doch wenn der Rubel rollt
Ist dir ihr Leid egal
Und wenn die Kasse stimmt
Sie verdienen deinen Respekt
Doch wenn der Rubel rollt
Ist dir ihr Leid egal
Und wenn die Kasse stimmt
Scheißt du auf die Moral!"
9.
Propagandhi "Nailing Descartes to the Wall / (Liquid) Meat is Still Murder" (Less Talk More Rock, 1996)
Well, Propagandhi don't need an introduction. This song too can be considered an anthem, an anthem of a whole generation maybe.Lyrics:
"Stop consuming animals ...
I speak outside what is recognized as the border between "reason" and "insanity".
But I consider it a measure of my humanity
to be written off by the living graves of a billion murdered lives.
And I'm not ashamed of my recurring dreams about me and a gun and a different species
(hint: starts with "h" and rhymes with "Neuman's")
of carnage strewn about the stockyards, the factories and farms.
Still I know as well as anyone that it does less good than harm
And I'm not ashamed of my recurring dreams about me and a gun and a different species
(hint: starts with "h" and rhymes with "Neuman's")
of carnage strewn about the stockyards, the factories and farms.
Still I know as well as anyone that it does less good than harm
to be this honest with a conscience eased by lies.
But you cannot deny that
But you cannot deny that
meat is still murder.
Dairy is still rape.
And I am still as stupid as anyone, but I know my mistakes.
I have recognized one form of oppression, now I recognize the rest.
And life's too short to make another's shorter - (animal liberation now!)."
Dairy is still rape.
And I am still as stupid as anyone, but I know my mistakes.
I have recognized one form of oppression, now I recognize the rest.
And life's too short to make another's shorter - (animal liberation now!)."
10.
Beastie Boys "I Can't Think Straight" (Aglio E Olio EP, 1995)
Not your typical vegan song. Mike D and Adam Yauch were vegetarians. Mike D was vegan for a few years, probably around that time. I don't think Mike D is still a vegetarian. Adam Yauch, bless his soul. Of course, the song is alluding to the song "Thinking Straight" by Youth of Today.
"I can't think straight
Take a look, look at me
What you get is what you see
Ride a bike, drive a car
Vegan pie, cut a fart
On the bus, on the train
Tami D, on the brain
Can't explain, like The Who
Now it's time to do the do
I can't think straight
On my couch with a pen
Where's the phone, again, again
Can't control rhythm, rhyme
Naked beats on the mind
I am yes, you are no
I am yes, you are no
You are no, I am yes
I can't think straight
Good Evening, ladies
My name is Roy Cormier
Uh, I like it smooth, generally
I mean, a lot of fellas, they like it raw
Personally, I prefer smooth, um, you know
I like the coconut lotion, I'm talkin’
I run a lot of productions, company productions
Uh, keepin' it on the smooth, generally
And on the regular, and uh
You know, with the coconut lotion and all
Keepin' it lovely, it's uh, you know
Nothing but love, baby, baby"
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Lyrics:
"Thrown up for a loop. He's still my friend. 17 scoops. Never again. Vegan for life."12.
Timebomb "One Solution" (The Full Wrath of the Slave, 1997)
Roma Vegan Straight Edge Legion. Everyone in this band was vegan. Soon after this record, they completey changed their music style.
Lyrics:
"One Solution
C[.]austic poisons under the skin
Sadistic pleasure of men!
Forced to smoke your daily sins,
they will never breath[e] again!!!
Degradation and mirder, our brothers are slain.
No regard[.] for others['] lives,
all they care about ... is gain!
Vegan lifestyle, the only choice for those who want to fight:
a sober mind, forged by abstinence, prepare his
vengeance through the night!
Battle starts, you choose your part
Nocturnal raid, for mother earth
Army of justice ready to attack
No compromise for the arkangel in black!!!"
13.
MDC "Real Food, Real People, Real Bullets" (Shades
of Brown, 1993)
You have to listen to this. A rap song. The singer was vegetarian, maybe vegan. MDC even had a song about Tofutti called "Tofutti"!
"Aww yeah, Yo, yo, this one's for my homies at McDonalds. Yo listen up, check it
Well, I'm not here to convince you and I'm not gonna preach
But if you keep eating meat, I'm just gonna reach for the gat
And take you out right now because you're not just killing a pig or a cow
You're fucking me up to, now what am I supposed to do
Stand idly by while you do what you do
You're ruing the world with your addiction
To dead animals, I will bust non-fiction
For example, 25 gallons of H20 makes a pound of wheat, but did you know it takes
100 times that much to make a pound of beef, so from our water shortage we get no relief
When over half of the water goes to produce meat and cattle eat up all the grain that we could eat
But we don't 'cause we won't understand the demand to make better use of our food and our land
90% of our corn and oats feed livestock, that's why I hope that you're listening
Yeah I said I wouldn't preach, well I lied. Alright who cares what you eat
I just want you to know while you're getting fat on your burgers, I'm gonna go get the gat
I'm gonna get the gat because it makes a lot of sense, it's not a personal thing
It's just self defense
You're not taking me out with your destructive diet
I'm gonna draw the gat on you just like Wyatt Earp
Yeah, Earp that's the sound that you make when you burp after you eat up a big, thick steak
You know to think of it I'll be helping you out when I end your life quick cause without a doubt
You'll be dying much slower from colon cancer, but hey that's your decision
I'll wait for your answer
Oops, sorry times up, take that
Between cancer and a gun I'll take the gat
It's not only quicker, it's less expensive
The cost of chemotherapy is most extensive
But who pays for it? Me that's who, when my health insurance costs go through the roof
Cancers not the only choice if you please, you can have liver, kidney, and heart disease
Ulcers, constipation, salmonellosis, hypoglycemia, multiple sclerosis
Yes these diseases are funky and fresh
And all can be yours when you eat dead flesh
Rolling rolling rolling, tumors in your colon, blood pressure is growing, RAW HIDE
And just think of the homies who've died
So as a courtesy to you and for your own protection
And before your body's riddled with mass infection and
Before you die of causes that you think are natural, G
I'm gonna go get the gat
Yeah, I hear you, I've heard it all before
'You can't tell me what to buy in the store
I'm sick of you bitching about what's in my kitchen
I find that liberal bullshit your picking.'
Yo shut up, listen up you fuck up, I'm fed up
Yeah, I used to eat meat, but I beat that deceit
And the the crap of the trap of the wrap of the food that's not food
And I'll be rude and crude cause that's my mood
And my voice and my choice and my rhyme this time
Yeah I mind that you're so damn blind
That your eating from the wrong link of the food chain
And I didn't even mention yet about the pain
That the animals live in before they are given the bullet or the mallet
To satisfy your palate
But before it gets to you, there's some things they do
Like chemicals and dyes and nice happy lies
Like 'meat is part of the four food groups'
If you've study nutrition, you know you've been dooped
You get better protein from soy beans
With a third of fat now what cha think about that
When you look at the vitamins and compare the price
You're much better off eating beans and rice
But let me reiterate my own position
I'm a god damn drunk I don't care about nutrition
So just think about what I have said
Then make up your own mind in your head
And throw away your meat or give it your cat
But if not that's OK
I'm gonna go get the gat"
But if you keep eating meat, I'm just gonna reach for the gat
And take you out right now because you're not just killing a pig or a cow
You're fucking me up to, now what am I supposed to do
Stand idly by while you do what you do
You're ruing the world with your addiction
To dead animals, I will bust non-fiction
For example, 25 gallons of H20 makes a pound of wheat, but did you know it takes
100 times that much to make a pound of beef, so from our water shortage we get no relief
When over half of the water goes to produce meat and cattle eat up all the grain that we could eat
But we don't 'cause we won't understand the demand to make better use of our food and our land
90% of our corn and oats feed livestock, that's why I hope that you're listening
Yeah I said I wouldn't preach, well I lied. Alright who cares what you eat
I just want you to know while you're getting fat on your burgers, I'm gonna go get the gat
I'm gonna get the gat because it makes a lot of sense, it's not a personal thing
It's just self defense
You're not taking me out with your destructive diet
I'm gonna draw the gat on you just like Wyatt Earp
Yeah, Earp that's the sound that you make when you burp after you eat up a big, thick steak
You know to think of it I'll be helping you out when I end your life quick cause without a doubt
You'll be dying much slower from colon cancer, but hey that's your decision
I'll wait for your answer
Oops, sorry times up, take that
Between cancer and a gun I'll take the gat
It's not only quicker, it's less expensive
The cost of chemotherapy is most extensive
But who pays for it? Me that's who, when my health insurance costs go through the roof
Cancers not the only choice if you please, you can have liver, kidney, and heart disease
Ulcers, constipation, salmonellosis, hypoglycemia, multiple sclerosis
Yes these diseases are funky and fresh
And all can be yours when you eat dead flesh
Rolling rolling rolling, tumors in your colon, blood pressure is growing, RAW HIDE
And just think of the homies who've died
So as a courtesy to you and for your own protection
And before your body's riddled with mass infection and
Before you die of causes that you think are natural, G
I'm gonna go get the gat
Yeah, I hear you, I've heard it all before
'You can't tell me what to buy in the store
I'm sick of you bitching about what's in my kitchen
I find that liberal bullshit your picking.'
Yo shut up, listen up you fuck up, I'm fed up
Yeah, I used to eat meat, but I beat that deceit
And the the crap of the trap of the wrap of the food that's not food
And I'll be rude and crude cause that's my mood
And my voice and my choice and my rhyme this time
Yeah I mind that you're so damn blind
That your eating from the wrong link of the food chain
And I didn't even mention yet about the pain
That the animals live in before they are given the bullet or the mallet
To satisfy your palate
But before it gets to you, there's some things they do
Like chemicals and dyes and nice happy lies
Like 'meat is part of the four food groups'
If you've study nutrition, you know you've been dooped
You get better protein from soy beans
With a third of fat now what cha think about that
When you look at the vitamins and compare the price
You're much better off eating beans and rice
But let me reiterate my own position
I'm a god damn drunk I don't care about nutrition
So just think about what I have said
Then make up your own mind in your head
And throw away your meat or give it your cat
But if not that's OK
I'm gonna go get the gat"
14.
Bikini Kill "Liar" (s/t EP, 1992)
I don't think anyone in Bikini Kill was ever vegan, probably vegetarian. They stopped playing this song at some point, because they didn't agree with the lyrics anymore. Just that actually, the lyrics were right. It's all discrimination.
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"Betty's got the back of her dress all ripped out
Mama's got her face muffled
Twist and shout
You're a liar
Liar, liar, you got your pants on fire
Twist and shout
You're a liar
Liar, liar, you got your pants on fire
Liar, liar, hanging by the telephone line
You know, you're a goddamn motherfuckin' liar
You know, you are a lie
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie, yeah
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie, yeah
You profit from the rape lie, baby
Eat meat
Hate blacks
Beat your fuckin wife
It's all the same thing
Deny, you live your life in denial, baby
Stand my whole life on trial baby
Hate blacks
Beat your fuckin wife
It's all the same thing
Deny, you live your life in denial, baby
Stand my whole life on trial baby
You are in denial, baby
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie, yeah
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie
You profit from the lie
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance
Betty's got the back of her dress all ripped out
Mama's got her face muffled
Twist and shout, and twist and shout, and twist and twist and twist and twist and twist and fuckin' shout and ...
You're a liar, baby
Liar, liar, you got your pants on fire
Twist and shout, and twist and shout, and twist and twist and twist and twist and twist and fuckin' shout and ...
You're a liar, baby
Liar, liar, you got your pants on fire
Liar, liar, hanging by the telephone line
You know, you're a goddamn motherfuckin' liar
You know, you are a lie"
15.
Good Clean Fun "In Defense of All Life" (On the Streets Saving the Scene from the Forces of Evil, 1999)
As far as I know, everyone in Good Clean Fun was vegan. I once saw them play live, at the Swan in Seven Sisters (North London, England), and the singer held the microphone towards me, and I didn't know the lyrics. Good Clean Fun were the Jim Carey of vegan straight edge. Good Clean Fun are from Washington DC, and I do remember them saying (in an interview) they would like to get on Dischord. But really, this band does not fit Dischord. They are too fun maybe, and too straight edge.
Lyrics:
"Peaceful protest doesn't get the job doneSo I wake up for the rally grab my soy milk and my gun
Breakfast with the family get the grub on see what's up
Then I saw my sister had milk in her cup
I jumped out of my chair and sprayed her with my mace
I yelled "vegan power, " and I kicked her in the face
Dad was bugging, he started to run
But he's a meat eater so I pulled out my gun
Shot him in the back, then I shot his wife
That's how it's got to be in defense of all life."
Breakfast with the family get the grub on see what's up
Then I saw my sister had milk in her cup
I jumped out of my chair and sprayed her with my mace
I yelled "vegan power, " and I kicked her in the face
Dad was bugging, he started to run
But he's a meat eater so I pulled out my gun
Shot him in the back, then I shot his wife
That's how it's got to be in defense of all life."
16.
Good Riddance "Waste" (Ballads from the Revolution, 1998)
Lyrics:
"Who will be their voiceWho will hear their cries
The ones who cannot speak
As we dehumanize
Incarcerated innocents
Their sentience ignored
Slaughtered by the millions
For the pseudo-carnivores
What a waste of our time
Of our land, of our humanity
Blood-spattered carcass, it wets your appetite
Don't you fucking get it
Eating flesh it isn't right for you,
For me our children, the world
Destroy their machines
Burn their staughterhouses to the ground
Now it's time for us all to defend
The oppressed
Meat is murder
Still we consume the dead and rotting
Products of violence
We've got to make that change
For you, for me, our children, the world"
The ones who cannot speak
As we dehumanize
Incarcerated innocents
Their sentience ignored
Slaughtered by the millions
For the pseudo-carnivores
What a waste of our time
Of our land, of our humanity
Blood-spattered carcass, it wets your appetite
Don't you fucking get it
Eating flesh it isn't right for you,
For me our children, the world
Destroy their machines
Burn their staughterhouses to the ground
Now it's time for us all to defend
The oppressed
Meat is murder
Still we consume the dead and rotting
Products of violence
We've got to make that change
For you, for me, our children, the world"
17.
Extreme Noise Terror "Just Think About It" (Phonophobia, 1992)For the anti-melody crowd.
Lyrics:
"Grain is needed to feed the starving
But used to make meat for those who can afford to pay
The world is running out of land and water
But the production of meat is a more important cause
It is a fact that one calorie of beef demands ten calories of grain
From the one hundred & forty five million tons of grain & soy
Fed to livestock only twenty one million tons of meat & by products are used
The waste is one hundred & twenty four million tons per year
With a value of twenty billion US dollars it has been estimated
That this sum could feed, clothe & house the whole world's population for one year!
Just you think about it now!
All this waste, pain and suffering
For the greedy majority who just don't care"
18.
Shelter "Civilized Man" (Mantra, 1995)Krishna consciousness-inspired melodic core. Ray Cappo (the singer, who was also the singer of Youth of Today) was, of course, critized by many punks for his Hare Krishna views. Still this song could be called an anthem, and the whole album was massively popular. Note: I don't think anyone in the band Shelter was vegan. They were/are lacto-vegetarians, in line with the "Vaishnava" (Hare Krishna, "Hinduism for Westerners") tradition.
"There's a war in the day, no peace at night
There's blood on the hands of man, yet we don't sympathize
The meateaters kill the cows. They just depersonalize to justify
Their own lust as the helpless die
And it's ironic how we cry for world peace
But the violence won't decrease unless our murders cease
So understand in the slaughterhouse who's the beast
And I demand that the innocent be released
And I've tried the best I can
I've tried to understand
Civilized man, so-called civilized man
And I've tried the best I can
But who can understand
Civilized man?
So-called, so-called, so-called
Guilt free so-called morality, fallacy
The four food groups just western medicine quackery
$35 a pound but our taxes subsidize
As 35 million starve as we gormandize
The grains that could feed the world go to their industry
To fatten up the catle for death and I protest
Rain forests once here, kiss goodbye the biosphere, ozone nightmare
Just see the people don't even care
And I've tried the best I can
I've tried to understand
Civilized man, so-called civilized man
And I've tried the best I can
But who can understand
Civilized man?
So-called, so-called, so-called
Guilt-free, we overlooked the blood and brutality
And the TV propaganda covers heinous reality
A plea to the people of this land to do what they can
With hope for a civilized man
And I've tried the best I can
I've tried to understand
Civilized man, so-called civilized man
And I've tried the best I can
But who can understand
Civilized man?
Their own lust as the helpless die
And it's ironic how we cry for world peace
But the violence won't decrease unless our murders cease
So understand in the slaughterhouse who's the beast
And I demand that the innocent be released
And I've tried the best I can
I've tried to understand
Civilized man, so-called civilized man
And I've tried the best I can
But who can understand
Civilized man?
So-called, so-called, so-called
Guilt free so-called morality, fallacy
The four food groups just western medicine quackery
$35 a pound but our taxes subsidize
As 35 million starve as we gormandize
The grains that could feed the world go to their industry
To fatten up the catle for death and I protest
Rain forests once here, kiss goodbye the biosphere, ozone nightmare
Just see the people don't even care
And I've tried the best I can
I've tried to understand
Civilized man, so-called civilized man
And I've tried the best I can
But who can understand
Civilized man?
So-called, so-called, so-called
Guilt-free, we overlooked the blood and brutality
And the TV propaganda covers heinous reality
A plea to the people of this land to do what they can
With hope for a civilized man
And I've tried the best I can
I've tried to understand
Civilized man, so-called civilized man
And I've tried the best I can
But who can understand
Civilized man?
Yeah, try to understand, try to understand, try to understand"
Ray Cappo side note: It was Harley Flanagan (Cro Mags) who first introduced "Krishna consciousness" to Ray Cappo [NYHC Chronicles #300].
19.
Oi Polloi "Anarcho-Pie" (In Defense of Our Earth, 1990)A vegan pie recipe by Oi Polloi from Scotland. A recipe in song form. I saw these friendly chaps play live in around 1999. The kind of people I'd like to have over for tea. I think, they are all vegans.
Lyrics:
"Pastry
"Pastry
Mixed veg
Red beans
Courgettes
Walnuts
Cashews
Almonds
Mushrooms
Let's make a tasty anarcho-pie. Ace vegan food for you and I.
Let's make a tasty anarcho-pie. Ace vegan food for you and I.
Take eight ounces of pastry and, leaving a little bit aside, roll out two equal portions, each a quarter inch thick. Then use one of these to carefully line the bottom of your chosen pie dish.
Cook the ingredients for the pie filling separately and then place these inside the pie dish on top of the pastry base. Wetting the top of the edge of the pastry base, affix the pastry cover to the anarcho-pie.
Now comes the important bit: Using the spare bits of pastry, decorate the top of the pie with a pastry anarchy sign - symbolising our never-ending resistance to the omnicidal system that perverts our lives.
After baking the pie in the oven for between thirty and thirty-five minutes at approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit it should be ready for serving and by this time should have developed a good ... CRUST!
Mmm ... Uurrgh, I don't like mushrooms howay, pass them over ... I'll have them aye, this pie, this pie's barry ... it's almost as good as - as a singing hiney man! Mmm ... Mmmm ... Alright John eh, aye? Aye barry! That's what it is - pure canny! Uurgh, I don't like walnuts ... I'll have them mmmmm...
Aye, ye canny baet this vegan food, ken? Aye, vegan food oh. It's the best, pure dead brilliant man, anarcho-pie rules, ken? Aye how long does this go on for? Who's doing the dishes? The wimmin! Aaaahhh!! Street cred gone! Knife hi!! Knife the anarcho-pie anyway aye man aye kin raj! Aye ... etc."
Courgettes
Walnuts
Cashews
Almonds
Mushrooms
Let's make a tasty anarcho-pie. Ace vegan food for you and I.
Let's make a tasty anarcho-pie. Ace vegan food for you and I.
Take eight ounces of pastry and, leaving a little bit aside, roll out two equal portions, each a quarter inch thick. Then use one of these to carefully line the bottom of your chosen pie dish.
Cook the ingredients for the pie filling separately and then place these inside the pie dish on top of the pastry base. Wetting the top of the edge of the pastry base, affix the pastry cover to the anarcho-pie.
Now comes the important bit: Using the spare bits of pastry, decorate the top of the pie with a pastry anarchy sign - symbolising our never-ending resistance to the omnicidal system that perverts our lives.
After baking the pie in the oven for between thirty and thirty-five minutes at approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit it should be ready for serving and by this time should have developed a good ... CRUST!
Mmm ... Uurrgh, I don't like mushrooms howay, pass them over ... I'll have them aye, this pie, this pie's barry ... it's almost as good as - as a singing hiney man! Mmm ... Mmmm ... Alright John eh, aye? Aye barry! That's what it is - pure canny! Uurgh, I don't like walnuts ... I'll have them mmmmm...
Aye, ye canny baet this vegan food, ken? Aye, vegan food oh. It's the best, pure dead brilliant man, anarcho-pie rules, ken? Aye how long does this go on for? Who's doing the dishes? The wimmin! Aaaahhh!! Street cred gone! Knife hi!! Knife the anarcho-pie anyway aye man aye kin raj! Aye ... etc."
20.
Chokehold "Burning Bridges" (Instilled [EP], 1994)Chokehold were (and are) a vegan straight edge band from Canada. I think, their fans included Earth Crisis. Their slogan "Animal liberation, earth liberation, human liberation, will only come through education" was quite well known in the hardcore scene at the end of the 90s (I think). Well known, and widely discussed - as, obviously, not everyone agreed with the "only" and it sort of contradicts what the lyrics say just before that.
Lyrics:
"I reach out my hands
"I reach out my hands
try to educate you on your crimes
I'm not a fucking preacher
but you have to know your destruction
for the depletion and the rape of this earth
You're just unaware
I can't blame you
Just this system for teaching us desolation
Just this system for teaching us desolation
Desolation
The corporations are aware
The corporations are aware
while the average person's not
Violence against one meat eater
is not going to liberate one million animals
We must take action against
We must take action against
those who run the industry
not the ones lied to
And to take them down
And to take them down
we must use
as much violence as they do
To take them down we must use as much fuckin' violence as they do
Animal liberationearth liberation
human liberation
will only come through education"
21.
Manliftingbanner "Consume & Kill" (We Will Not Rest, 1995)Manliftingbanner were a communist, straight edge band from the Netherlands. As far as I know they were all vegetarians, not vegans, and they had one (as far as I know) pro-vegetarian song (Consume & Kill).
Lyrics:
"Consuming and killingwithout even a care
continuing a pain
continuing a pain
that no one can bear
When is it gonna stop?
Taking and lying
Blood drips on our plates
We get our stomaches stuffed with hate
Who's gonna make us stop?
We look for someone to guide us
but we've got to guide ourselves
We won't settle down
for that cheap thrill
I won't, you won't, no we ever will
You say you care so much
but love of ease is reigning still
Tell me, man, how can you ... consume and kill?
Man, how can you ... consume and kill?
When is it gonna stop?
Taking and lying
Blood drips on our plates
We get our stomaches stuffed with hate
Who's gonna make us stop?
We look for someone to guide us
but we've got to guide ourselves
We won't settle down
for that cheap thrill
I won't, you won't, no we ever will
You say you care so much
but love of ease is reigning still
Tell me, man, how can you ... consume and kill?
Man, how can you ... consume and kill?
It won't make you a better man
but quit the habit if you can
... if you can!"
Congress were a "vegetarian straight edge" band from the Flanders region of Belgium. As far as I know all the band members were vegetarians but not vegan. This was a well-known band in the hardcore scene, and they were part of the infamous (not in a good way) "H8000" Belgian hardcore "crew". Note that the "Persistance" is misspelled (with an "a" instead of an "e"; intentionally or unintentionally, I don't know).
I hear they rip their flesh apart - to fulfill your needs.
Beautiful creations of godhead - killed by human beasts.
And I won't take this any longer - no more bloody feasts.
They pray on Sundays, so they may see the light.
To guide their footsteps on the path they tread.
They're sick of war, don't wanna fight, and yet they gorge themselves upon the dead.
I try to make this clear to you, but you just can't see.
All these crimes seem so normal. To me they cannot be. [I does not sound like "To me they cannot be".]
Your prayers aren't just to lighten your path.
They justify the greed you fulfill.
Instead of praying before you get your meal.
Better think about the way you kill.
They pray on Sundays, so they may see the light.
To guide their footsteps on the path they tread.
They're sick of war, don't wanna fight, and yet they gorge themselves upon the dead."
suave brutality,
your empty religion,
your proud, hollow philosophy,
consumerism,
Both the partaker and the partaken
An ignorant sacrifice that's
Leading to the death of life
A savage slaughter, a needless bloodbath
Why do we not see through our greed?
This will lead to the destruction
Of our Earth
Life as we know it will soon cease
And now, we face our guilt
Will this cure our savagery
Or is it too late?
Have we molded our fate?
We are guilty, killing to feed our appetite
Does power mean control?
We must eliminate our consumption
We all are not guilty
And do not claim exemption from blame
But still speak out against this wrong
We have killed and shall be judged
We have killed and shall be judged
We have killed"
Lyrics:
"Poisoned tears fall from a corroding sky
22.
Congress "Prayers" (Blackened Persistance, 1995)Congress were a "vegetarian straight edge" band from the Flanders region of Belgium. As far as I know all the band members were vegetarians but not vegan. This was a well-known band in the hardcore scene, and they were part of the infamous (not in a good way) "H8000" Belgian hardcore "crew". Note that the "Persistance" is misspelled (with an "a" instead of an "e"; intentionally or unintentionally, I don't know).
Lyrics:
"I see they bring [them] to the slaughterhouse - my heart bleeds.I hear they rip their flesh apart - to fulfill your needs.
Beautiful creations of godhead - killed by human beasts.
And I won't take this any longer - no more bloody feasts.
They pray on Sundays, so they may see the light.
To guide their footsteps on the path they tread.
They're sick of war, don't wanna fight, and yet they gorge themselves upon the dead.
I try to make this clear to you, but you just can't see.
All these crimes seem so normal. To me they cannot be. [I does not sound like "To me they cannot be".]
Your prayers aren't just to lighten your path.
They justify the greed you fulfill.
Instead of praying before you get your meal.
Better think about the way you kill.
They pray on Sundays, so they may see the light.
To guide their footsteps on the path they tread.
They're sick of war, don't wanna fight, and yet they gorge themselves upon the dead."
The song is followed by a sample in a radio advertising voice, the man saying: "When was the last time you had a tender, juicy steak? Well, right now you can buy 300 pounds of USDA choice beefside for a 1.35 per pound, for 26 weeks, at only 50.57 per week. At no extra charge you receive a 60 pound free bonus. 10 pounds of pork chops, 10 pounds of lean bacon, 10 pounds of pork steak, 10 pounds ... [voice fades out]."
Again, 108 was a vegetarian and most definitely not a vegan band. The guitarist and singer (Vic DiCara, who basically made this album by himself and also sang on the recording, I think - not Rob Fish, the actual live singer) had made a booklet called "Vegan and the Vedas" in which he explained why it was justified (or actually better) to drink milk - because the Vedic scriptures said so (!). 108's lyrics were religiously fanatic or fanatically religious rather, and years later, the singer said so himself. However, "Songs Of Separation" is a really awesome album. Imagine Ray Cappo saying "awesome". This album was released on Ray Cappo's Equal Vision Records. Here's a live version of "Opposition".
Lyrics:
"Your hypocrisy,suave brutality,
your empty religion,
your proud, hollow philosophy,
consumerism,
thrice daily cannibalism,
your TV,
your constant sexuality
I oppose
vehemently, I vow"
your TV,
your constant sexuality
I oppose
vehemently, I vow"
This song is the first song of their 4-song 7" debut, which was released on Revelation. Apparently, the first pressing of this record (4000 copies made) had the song title misspelled as "Shall Be Jugded" (see photo). The singer, Chaka Malik is an ex-vegan who's now a pescetarian. I'm not sure if he or Gavin van Vlack (the guitarist) wrote the lyrics. It seems, that Chaka Malik was raised as pescetarian (which he calls "vegetarian") and that he was vegan around 1987. In a 2015 interview (conducted by vegetarian, it seems, author Freddy Alva), to the question "Are you still a vegetarian?" he responded "I eat seafood. I love seafood. It's like the illest thing to me in terms of food." In another 2015 interview, Chaka Malik says: "I mean, if you’re into something dark, shouting “shall be judged” is great. And if you’re a vegetarian, you get it and think ‘this is great.’ When it was written, it was very much about being a vegetarian, and now it’s GMO that everyone needs to be thinking about." And the rest of what he says certainly isn't any less idiotic. The song is quite good, however. (Chaka Malik also appears in Moby's 2023 documentary "Vegan Punk Rock Movie", commenting on this song, but what he says is very vague.)
Lyrics:
"A mouth to feed at the expense ofBoth the partaker and the partaken
An ignorant sacrifice that's
Leading to the death of life
A savage slaughter, a needless bloodbath
Why do we not see through our greed?
This will lead to the destruction
Of our Earth
Life as we know it will soon cease
And now, we face our guilt
Will this cure our savagery
Or is it too late?
Have we molded our fate?
We are guilty, killing to feed our appetite
Does power mean control?
We must eliminate our consumption
We all are not guilty
And do not claim exemption from blame
But still speak out against this wrong
We have killed and shall be judged
We have killed and shall be judged
We have killed"
This is the first song of their debut EP, which is also titled "All Out War". The sounds is still quite different from their later relases, including the "Firestorm" EP which was their second release. It's a shame that Earth Crisis, despite their huge influence on many people, did not get much bigger at the time, especially in Europe.
Lyrics (All Out War):
"This time I'm not going to walk away.This time I'm not going to let you slide.
I have to give you what you thirst is for.
It's not for your good, it's not for my pride.
Evil lies beyond ignorance.
Evil lies beyond ignorance.
Aware of the truth, aware of the facts.
The strength to take the stand to stop the slaughter is what you lack.
The weakness that you can't control brings animals death and pain.
The strength to take the stand to stop the slaughter is what you lack.
The weakness that you can't control brings animals death and pain.
The struggle I fought to overcome is the dark pit where you choose to remain.
This time I'm not going to walk away.
This time I'm not going to let you slide.
I have to give you what your thirst is for.
I have to give you what your thirst is for.
It's not for your good, it's not for my pride.
Keep on with your killing, your threats and your jokes,
just brace yourself for what's in store.
Continue to flow with the close-minded evil, prepare for all out war.
A dose of the hate your kind fills me with everyday.
Your entitled to your own freedom, not to take others away. All out war!"
Continue to flow with the close-minded evil, prepare for all out war.
A dose of the hate your kind fills me with everyday.
Your entitled to your own freedom, not to take others away. All out war!"
Also check out the song "Ecocide" on the same EP:
Lyrics (Ecocide):
"Silenced in the roar of the flames.After the screams and the dying, nothing remains.
Desecrated, slashed, burned to the ground.
Desecrated, slashed, burned to the ground.
In the frenzy of greed, cries of protest are drowned.
The ... earth ... dies - ecocide!
The ... earth ... dies - ecocide!
The earth's forests laid forever to waste.
Thoughts of the future trampled in their haste.
Corporations with their dollar sign focus ravage the Amazon like a plague of locusts.
Corporations with their dollar sign focus ravage the Amazon like a plague of locusts.
Plumes of black smoke ascend into the sky.
A forest of beautiful creatures senselessly dies.
Smoking fields of devastation left in mankind's wake.
With populations left to grow and greed they justify this rape.
The power of the dollar can't take precedence over the inevitable, detrimental consequence.
A forest of beautiful creatures senselessly dies.
Smoking fields of devastation left in mankind's wake.
With populations left to grow and greed they justify this rape.
The power of the dollar can't take precedence over the inevitable, detrimental consequence.
The time to react is long overdue, from protest to confrontation by me and by you."
Earth Crisis side note 1: Ross Haenfler, in his book "Straight edge: clean-living youth, hardcore punk, and social change" (Rutgers University Press, 2006), wrote: "Veganism had been part of the punk and hardcore scenes previous to Earth Crisis. However, their efforts helped veganism grow exponentially."
Earth Crisis side note 2: In a 2020 interview, Porcell (John Porcelli, Youth of Today/Shelter) said: "Those guys really did a lot of ground work. They paved the way for veganism in America, pretty much single-handedly."
Earth Crisis side note 3: The name "Earth Crisis" is inspired by the 1984 reggae album "Earth Crisis" by the band Steel Pulse [NYHC Chronicles #271].
What is weird is that this song was not originally included on the vinyl (7") version of the "Firestorm" EP.
7" back cover
7" lyric sheet
other side of the lyric sheet
"Poisoned tears fall from a corroding sky
Down to a tortured earth that's been left to die.
The oceans diseased, the stricken lands decay.
Mankind's supremist mentality has set this world ablaze.
Nature's plan forever altered, animals lost to extinction.
This society based on greed fuels the onslaught of destruction.
The circle of death ends with the instigators victimized.
The means to quench a selfish lust brings Eden's demise.
Mass-murder, demonic cruelty. Absolute fascism.
To end the enslavement and slaughter, the antidote is veganism.
Don't let your outrage for injustice end where your selfishness begins.
Don't let your outrage for injustice end where your selfishness begins.
I have conquered through self control. Together we can win.
Respect for nature and innocent life.
The end of human over human oppression.
A peaceful world can evolve after animal liberation.
To persist with what is immoral is illogical.
There's no excuse for violence against nature or for the innocent to be killed.
A peaceful world can evolve after animal liberation.
To persist with what is immoral is illogical.
There's no excuse for violence against nature or for the innocent to be killed.
I see so much sickness. The enemy surrounds.
I see so much sickness. I fear what the future holds.
I have hope that the point of no return has not yet been passed.
These are the final moments. Sand pours from a broken hourglass."
Even though I had heard of Citizen Fish, I came across this song for the first time only recently. The song is about animal rights and vegetarianism - and it kind of reflects the negligent attitude regarding vitamin B12 (and the need for vegans to get enough of it from either supplements or regularly eating larger amounts of B12-fortified foods) that was very common in the 1990s. And in my limited experience, I still often see this same attitude ("I don't take any supplements") in US-American vegans (and some Brits) who have been vegan since the early 90s. They can get away with it if they consume (maybe unknowlingy) quite a lot of B12-fortified foods (and in the US and the UK more foods are B12-fortified compared to most of the rest of the world) but they might still end up with (more or less mild) nerve damage (bad memory, ...) and damage to the arteries (somewhat higher risk of stroke and maybe heart attack) and maybe other problems too ... even though they might not have any recognizable symptoms. The lyrics say: "A now a lot of people think (wrongly) vegetation lacks [i]n vitamin B12" - but this is a correct assumption. See B12 recommendations here.
27.
Citizen Fish "Flesh and Blood" (Free Souls in a Trapped Environment, 1990)Even though I had heard of Citizen Fish, I came across this song for the first time only recently. The song is about animal rights and vegetarianism - and it kind of reflects the negligent attitude regarding vitamin B12 (and the need for vegans to get enough of it from either supplements or regularly eating larger amounts of B12-fortified foods) that was very common in the 1990s. And in my limited experience, I still often see this same attitude ("I don't take any supplements") in US-American vegans (and some Brits) who have been vegan since the early 90s. They can get away with it if they consume (maybe unknowlingy) quite a lot of B12-fortified foods (and in the US and the UK more foods are B12-fortified compared to most of the rest of the world) but they might still end up with (more or less mild) nerve damage (bad memory, ...) and damage to the arteries (somewhat higher risk of stroke and maybe heart attack) and maybe other problems too ... even though they might not have any recognizable symptoms. The lyrics say: "A now a lot of people think (wrongly) vegetation lacks [i]n vitamin B12" - but this is a correct assumption. See B12 recommendations here.
Lyrics:
"If animals are animals
And animals have brains
We are no more than cannibals
Who refuse to feel the pain
The meat you eat is wrapped up neat
You didn't see it bleed
And what you kill does not fulfill
Your dietary needs
Take a look from this direction
And save yourself the indigestion
Our guts are geared to vegetation
And it's healthier as well
Open your eyes and face the facts
Meat costs a lot, it gives you heart attacks
A now a lot of people think (wrongly) vegetation lacks
In vitamin B12, vitamin B12,
If you really think that's gonna make you ill
Then buy a bottle of vitamin pills!
You could be more healthy
Maybe it doesn't really bother you
But can your conscience bear the strain
Of all the pain that makes your food?
You could feed a lot of needy people
With the grain they feed to cows
But can you comprehend these end results
Or can you not allow
Yourself to break the old tradition?
False conception of nutrition
Well they all eat meat on the television
Except those little starving children
Would you ever eat the meat
From another human being?
Flesh and blood
Is animal
Is you and me
Animal is suffering"
28.
X-Acto "Compassion" (Ressurection A.C., cassette tape, 1997)Legendary vegan straight edge punk band from Lisbon, Portugal, which started in 1991 (as a vegetarian straight edge band), with various band member changes following, they were a vegan straight edge band from 1996 and existed until 1997. Like the hardcore band by the name of "Ressurection", the word resurrection is misspelt for some reason. The song "Compassion" is also found on the 1997 (or 1996?) Ignite/X-Acto split "Benefit" album. The booklet accompanying the "Benefit" record says: "X-Acto supports a vegan and poison free lifestyle."
"Can you see the blood?
Still you turn your head away
And you pretend all is O.K.
You're soaked red wet and you forget
Without compassion and respect
Your life will lead you, will lead you nowhere
Can you live simple so others may simple live?
Will you make that effort? Will you ... start to care?
Can you hear the cries?
Can you look me straight in the eyes?
And say you didn't lost [lose] your mind?
Because you leave a trail of death
Of agonizing pain and theft
So many slaughtered, so many forgotten
Can you live simple so others may simple live?
Will you make that effort? Will you ... start to care?
There's no peace in the slaughterhouse
There's no peace in the slaughterhouse
There's no peace in the sea
There's no peace in the laboratory [i.e., vivisection laboratory]
Stand up for respect, compassion and love
Ve-ga-ni-sm
There's no peace in the sea
There's no peace in the laboratory [i.e., vivisection laboratory]
Stand up for respect, compassion and love
Ve-ga-ni-sm
Can you live simple so others may simple live?
Will you make that effort? Will you ... start to care ... start to fuckin' care?"
Will you make that effort? Will you ... start to care ... start to fuckin' care?"
29.
X-Acto "Carne É Crime" (Inkisição/X-Acto split, 1993)This song is also found on the 1995 "Harmony as one" album.
Lyrics ("Carne é crime"):
"Não tens nada a ganhar com esse bife
Em sangue to teu prato para comer,
No sangue deles vais-te afundar,
Por seguir a tradição
Tu também irás morrer!
Eles choram, eles sangram,
E nada podem dizer.
Eles sofrem, eles morrem,
E tu ficas a perder ...
Muito podes tu fazer contra a maquina
Assassina que massacra sem parar:
Deixa de participar!!
Ou levantas-te em defesa do (sistema)
Que dizer odiar?
Eles choram, eles sangram,
E nada podem fazer.
Eles sofrem, eles morrem,
E tu ficas a perder.
Eles correm, eles voam,
E tu ficas a ganhar!
Eles nadam, eles vivem,
E melhor vais viver!
E eles podem viver em paz!"
Em sangue to teu prato para comer,
No sangue deles vais-te afundar,
Por seguir a tradição
Tu também irás morrer!
Eles choram, eles sangram,
E nada podem dizer.
Eles sofrem, eles morrem,
E tu ficas a perder ...
Muito podes tu fazer contra a maquina
Assassina que massacra sem parar:
Deixa de participar!!
Ou levantas-te em defesa do (sistema)
Que dizer odiar?
Eles choram, eles sangram,
E nada podem fazer.
Eles sofrem, eles morrem,
E tu ficas a perder.
Eles correm, eles voam,
E tu ficas a ganhar!
Eles nadam, eles vivem,
E melhor vais viver!
E eles podem viver em paz!"
The same "Inkisição/X-Acto split" record from 1993 also contains a song called "Um Caçador, Um Assassino" (i.e., "a hunter, a murderer") as well as a song called "Tourada É Tortura" (i.e., "bullfighting is torture").
Lyrics ("Um Caçador,Um Assassino"):
"Um caçador é um assassino,Um carniceiro que mata por prazer,
Que vê no assassino apenas diversão,
Morte, genocídio, morte e competição.
Um caçador, um assassino! [...]
Porque não viver com os bichos todos em paz,
Porque matá-los, matá-los por prazer?
Eu talvez gostasse de te dar um tiro,
Mas isso não hei-de fazer.
Um caçador, um assassino! [...]
Não consigo compreender como se mata por prazer.
Ver em bichos mortos taças e trofeus,
Isso nunca hei-de compreender."
Que vê no assassino apenas diversão,
Morte, genocídio, morte e competição.
Um caçador, um assassino! [...]
Porque não viver com os bichos todos em paz,
Porque matá-los, matá-los por prazer?
Eu talvez gostasse de te dar um tiro,
Mas isso não hei-de fazer.
Um caçador, um assassino! [...]
Não consigo compreender como se mata por prazer.
Ver em bichos mortos taças e trofeus,
Isso nunca hei-de compreender."
Lyrics ("Tourada é tortura"):
"Contra a ganância, contra a estupidezNinguém me vai calar.
É uma tradição? Tortura!
A tourada tem de acabar!
Um animal pode não saber pensar.
Mas é certo que sente a dor.
Ninguém tem o direito de o torturar,
Contra a tourada vamos lutar!
O dinheiro como tradição,
A tourada serve o poder.
Publicidade feita a crueldade,
Boicota e vamos vencer.
Um animal pode não saber pensar.
Mas é certo que sente a dor.
Ninguém tem o direito de o torturar,Um animal pode não saber pensar.
Mas é certo que sente a dor.
Ninguém tem o direito de o torturar,
Contra a tourada vamos lutar!
O dinheiro como tradição,
A tourada serve o poder.
Publicidade feita a crueldade,
Boicota e vamos vencer.
Um animal pode não saber pensar.
Mas é certo que sente a dor.
Contra a tourada vamos lutar!"
30.
X-Acto "Inferno" (X-Acto/No Violence split, 1996)"Inferno" (i.e., "hell") is a song about vivisection. This same record also contains the song "Animal Farm".
Lyrics ("Inferno"):
"Animais sacrificados,Carrascos impiedosos.
Matam, esfolam animais, torturam-nos todo o dia,
Querem fama e dinheiro não interessa por que vias.
Sangue nas batas, sangue nas mãos.
Outro animal morto mandado para o chão.
Tudo feito em nome da humanidade.
Tortura não!
Inferno!
Tanto tempo já perdido.
Tantos mortos sem razão.
Centenas de animais mortos,
Outro remédio lançado.
Resultados que enganam - outro bebe deformado.
Sangue na bata, sangue no coração,
Outro animal morto mandado para o chão.
Tudo feito em nome do progresso
Vivissecção não! Inferno!"
Um vitelo como os outros que nunca teve ninguém.
Nunca tive amor, nunca conheci carinho,
Apenas este inferno onde eu vivo sozinho.
Linda primavera que nunca cheguei a ver,
Fechados entre quatro paredes sem nunca poder mexer.
Enquanto corres livre e passeias na cidade,
Para teres carne, coiro e leite roubaste me a liberdade.
Liberdade, respeito e igualdade,
Como não sou um ser humano tudo isso me passa ao lado.
Enquanto assim for tu para mim não vales nada,
Pois falas muito, dizes tudo, mas no fim não fazes nada!
A hora de ponta de que foges não é nada comparada
Aos três dias de transporte sem comida, ar nem água.
E tal como um símbolos de inocente para Dachau.
Eu vou para o matadouro, eu vivo a solução final.
Eu tenho muito medo e sinto que vou morrer,
Eu oiço gritos à minha volta e vejo sangue a escorrer.
Tento esquecer tudo mas chegou a minha vez
Roubaste me a vida para matar e comer.
No fundo tu tens medo, tu tens medo de mudar.
Habituado e conformado a matar e a explorar.
Defendes um sistema, morte e a poluição
Rio-me na tua cara sempre que falas de revolução."
Lyrics ("At the cost of an animal"):
Lyrics ("Meat"):
"That piece of meat, on your plate
Matam, esfolam animais, torturam-nos todo o dia,
Querem fama e dinheiro não interessa por que vias.
Sangue nas batas, sangue nas mãos.
Outro animal morto mandado para o chão.
Tudo feito em nome da humanidade.
Tortura não!
Inferno!
Tanto tempo já perdido.
Tantos mortos sem razão.
Centenas de animais mortos,
Outro remédio lançado.
Resultados que enganam - outro bebe deformado.
Sangue na bata, sangue no coração,
Outro animal morto mandado para o chão.
Tudo feito em nome do progresso
Vivissecção não! Inferno!"
Lyrics ("Animal Farm"):
"Com três dias apenas fui roubado à minha mãe.Um vitelo como os outros que nunca teve ninguém.
Nunca tive amor, nunca conheci carinho,
Apenas este inferno onde eu vivo sozinho.
Linda primavera que nunca cheguei a ver,
Fechados entre quatro paredes sem nunca poder mexer.
Enquanto corres livre e passeias na cidade,
Para teres carne, coiro e leite roubaste me a liberdade.
Liberdade, respeito e igualdade,
Como não sou um ser humano tudo isso me passa ao lado.
Enquanto assim for tu para mim não vales nada,
Pois falas muito, dizes tudo, mas no fim não fazes nada!
A hora de ponta de que foges não é nada comparada
Aos três dias de transporte sem comida, ar nem água.
E tal como um símbolos de inocente para Dachau.
Eu vou para o matadouro, eu vivo a solução final.
Eu tenho muito medo e sinto que vou morrer,
Eu oiço gritos à minha volta e vejo sangue a escorrer.
Tento esquecer tudo mas chegou a minha vez
Roubaste me a vida para matar e comer.
No fundo tu tens medo, tu tens medo de mudar.
Habituado e conformado a matar e a explorar.
Defendes um sistema, morte e a poluição
Rio-me na tua cara sempre que falas de revolução."
31.
Dropdead "At the cost of an animal" and "Unjustified murder" (Dropdead [落とす死], 1993)
Lyrics ("At the cost of an animal"):
"I see it in your eyes, the fight that I believe in
is something you despise, your fucking greed the reason
Conscience of a cannibal
At the cost of an animal
Murderer!
Sadist!
Carnivore!
Conscience of a cannibal
At the cost of an animal
Don't you realize? You're eating death!
And the taste in your mouth, is the corpse on your breath"
Dropdead "At the cost of an animal" (Dropdead [落とす死], 1993)
Lyrics ("Unjustified murder"):
is something you despise, your fucking greed the reason
Conscience of a cannibal
At the cost of an animal
Murderer!
Sadist!
Carnivore!
Conscience of a cannibal
At the cost of an animal
Don't you realize? You're eating death!
And the taste in your mouth, is the corpse on your breath"
Dropdead "At the cost of an animal" (Dropdead [落とす死], 1993)
Lyrics ("Unjustified murder"):
"In the United States alone
an animal is killed
every six seconds
In the name of scientific experimentation
a holocaust the likes of man has never known before
is taking place right before our very eyes
It's up to you and I to put a stop to it
It's up to you and I to make a change
It's up to you and I to ... liberate!
Vivisection - it's scientific fraud
Exploitation - gone on too long
Unjustified murder - it's systematic slaughter
Liberation - a means to an end"
an animal is killed
every six seconds
In the name of scientific experimentation
a holocaust the likes of man has never known before
is taking place right before our very eyes
It's up to you and I to put a stop to it
It's up to you and I to make a change
It's up to you and I to ... liberate!
Vivisection - it's scientific fraud
Exploitation - gone on too long
Unjustified murder - it's systematic slaughter
Liberation - a means to an end"
32.
Noise Addict "Meat" (Young & Jaded, 1994)While clearly not a hardcore song, but more of a post-post-punk pop ballad, this is totally underrated. In the US, this was a 10" released on the Beastie Boys' Grand Royal label (Grand Royal release number 5, no less). In the UK, it was on a 10" released on Wiiija. Ben Lee on vocals. The best thing to ever come out of Australia?
Noise Addict "Young & Jaded" (1994, Wiiija Records)
Noise Addict "Young & Jaded" (1994, Grand Royal)
Lyrics ("Meat"):
"That piece of meat, on your plate
Buyin' was murder, eatin' is rape
Think about your act makes me feel [undue due all the veg?]
You wouldn't care if it came out in feathers
I bet you wouldn't care if it came out in feathers
You're such a psycho
You're [attacked?] as you please
I want you on my plate, covered in cheese
Like a piece of meat
Like a piece of meat
A piece of meat
Six billion a year
Doesn't bother you
For all the boys and girls
You stereotype me as a greenie
All I'm trying to do is save your goddamn world
At least I'm trying to save your goddamn world
You're such a psycho
You [attacked?] as you please
I want you on my plate, covered in cheese
Like a piece of meat
Like a piece of meat
Like a piece of meat
You're such a psycho
You [attacked?] as you please
I want you on my plate, covered in grease
Like a piece of meat
Like a piece of meat
Like a piece of meat
Like a piece of meat
Like a piece of meat
Like a piece of meat
Like a piece of meat
Like a piece of meat
Like a piece of meat
Like a piece of meatLike a piece of meat
"
Holy shit. I don't know anything about metal, and in 1990, metal was clearly supposed to be different from metal musically. But in 2000, this could have been a hardcore song. A ... really good ... song against vivisection. Atrophy were a Thrash metal band from Tucson, Arizona (USA). Apparently they toured as a support band for Slayer. Apparently, Violent by nature was their third album and released on Roadrunner (like their second album "Socialized hate"). The 12" promo single "Puppies and friends" also included a 60-second "Animal Rights Public Service Announcement" before the song "Puppies and friends". I could not find a recording online of this online - someone in the US, buy it on Discogs! (It's cheap!) The vocals are by Brian Zimmerman - but the guitarist, Chris Lykins, wrote the lyrics (as he explains in a 1990 video interview by "Nuisance Television"). I did not see any information on whether any one the band members also promoted vegetarianism.
From the 12" promo single:
Lyrics:
"
Locked away, I'm hidden from your sight
Forced to live in artificial light
Made to suffer because of what I'm not
A casualty in a war that must be fought
So here I wait like the ones that came before
And when I'm gone they'll need a thousand more
You've decided that my life is yours to take
So now I'm trapped in a world I did not make
Let me go
Leave me be
Stop your tests
Set me free
In my cell, I'm waiting for your test
What hidden law makes you better than the rest
You feed me drugs and see how I behave
You test for drugs [?] to see what you have made
Day by day situation growing worse
You weren't content to let nature take its course
Now you suffer by the toxins that you use
Terrified by the fate that you helped choose
Let me go
Leave me be
Stop your tests
Set me free
Locked away, I'm hidden from your sight
Forced to live in artificial light
Made to suffer because of what I'm not
A casualty in a war that must be fought
So here I wait like the ones that came before
And when I'm gone they'll need a thousand more
You've decided that my life is yours to take
So now I'm trapped in a world I did not make
Let me go
Leave me be
Stop your tests
Set me free
"
Locked away, I'm hidden from your sight
Forced to live in artificial light
Made to suffer because of what I'm not
A casualty in a war that must be fought
So here I wait like the ones that came before
And when I'm gone they'll need a thousand more
You've decided that my life is yours to take
So now I'm trapped in a world I did not make
Let me go
Leave me be
Stop your tests
Set me free
In my cell, I'm waiting for your test
What hidden law makes you better than the rest
You feed me drugs and see how I behave
You test for drugs [?] to see what you have made
Day by day situation growing worse
You weren't content to let nature take its course
Now you suffer by the toxins that you use
Terrified by the fate that you helped choose
Let me go
Leave me be
Stop your tests
Set me free
Locked away, I'm hidden from your sight
Forced to live in artificial light
Made to suffer because of what I'm not
A casualty in a war that must be fought
So here I wait like the ones that came before
And when I'm gone they'll need a thousand more
You've decided that my life is yours to take
So now I'm trapped in a world I did not make
Let me go
Leave me be
Stop your tests
Set me free
"