An interview with the coming Crisis

Arizona Daily Wildcat Photo by Andrew Berenson/Arizona Daily Wildcat Karl Buechner of Earth Crisis

Karl Buechner: Recently we have been doing a lot of touring. In September we went to Japan. In November and December we did an exclusive U.S. tour all the way out to California and back. At the end of September we were Madball's support band in Eur ope. That was an awesome experience. We played in Germany, France and Belgium. After that on New Year's Day we played our first Path of Resistance show ever (Resistance is Karl's side band). That went over really well. There were 800 kids from all over th e world there. People as far away as Florida, Nevada, California, Germany, Holland came and there were some people there from Brazil as well. We did a month-long East Coast tour with Vision of Disorder in January and February, and now we are on the road w ith Downset and Crown of Thornz.

WC: For those people in Tucson who don't know what straightedge and veganism is, could you please explain to them what they are and why you choose to have these beliefs?

KB: I was brought up to be respectful of the lives of innocent animals and human beings and to think about the outcomes of my actions. I want to make the world a more just and peaceful place and that is what I am trying to accomplish on a personal level. I don't smoke, drink, take drugs for escapism or engage in promiscuous sexual behavior. And that is what straightedge is all about. It is a commitment to abstain from distractions and destructive poisons and behaviors, and to use the clarity of min d that I have by doing that to use it for a positive change in the world.

Veganism is the pure vegetarian diet. I do not eat any dairy, eggs or the flesh of murdered animals of any kind. Also, I don't wear any fur, suede, wool or leather because those are the end result of the torture, confinement and needless taking of life. S o Straightedge is about self-respect and veganism is about respect for the lives of innocent creatures.

WC: When I talk to students here at the university about straightedge and vegan bands, they tend to give me a weird look and ask things like "What is wrong with them?" or "Are they gay or something?" What do you have to say to these people?

KB: They need to educate themselves about animal liberation and understand that the suffering the animals go through in places like fur farms, laboratories and slaughterhouses is real. Just as real as the pain would be if you were to punch them in the face but far more severe. Suffering is suffering and it needs to be recognized as such. All that is completely needless. There are completely cruelty-free alternatives to everything that a person thinks they would be giving up when they become vegetar ian or progress onward to veganism.

WC: Do you ever get sick from your diet?

KB: Absolutely not. I think I heal faster, and when I am sick I think my body can recover quicker. You have to remember that meat is full of growth hormones, bacteria, chemicals and fat.

WC: What do you have to say to people who think that you guys are too extreme when talking about your views on animal liberation and straightedge?

KB: I think it's a tragedy that we may be viewed as extreme. We glorify the actions of people on their own or who came together to form groups such as the Black Panthers, Earth First!, The Liberators and The Justice Department. These groups have li terally saved the lives of innocent beings and [helped to] bring justice. That's what matters most.

WC: What bands are you into right now and what bands have influenced you?

KB: I would say three of the bands that have influenced me the most are some of the groups that I got into when I first started listening to hard-core: Bad Brains, The Cro-Mags and Agnostic Front. What I listen to now is a mix of half-aggressive h ard-core and metal - Blood Runs Black, Unconquered, 25 Ta Life, Madball, Meruader, Converge, Union Suit, Willhaven. Also, Culture, Birthrite, Statement, Lifeless, 18 Visions, Battleground, Fear Factory and Napalm Death.

WC: What do you think America can do to make itself a better country?

KB: Defend the Constitution and put more money into schools and education for the youth. As a country, we also need to get criminals off the street.