10 Plant-Punk Bangers

Everyone loves a playlist, right? I am passionate about promoting bands and musicians who are spreading the vegan message through their music. I have compiled a playlist of 10 activist anthems that are essential listening for all Plant-based warriors.

1.  Earth Crisis “New Ethic”

No vegan playlist would be complete without the introduction of the OG Vegan straight edge rockers. This track begins with Karl Buechner roaring ‘This is the new ethic. Animals’ lives are their own and must be given respect’. The vocals are supported by the brutal signature guitar sound that the band pioneered. Earth Crisis has assumed the role of being a voice for the voiceless. This song will have you up off your ass demanding an end to the torture, confinement and murder of innocent beings. There can be no doubt that Earth Crisis are the most important vegan band period. They have set the bar for all other bands to aspire to. Earth Crisis, we salute you!

2.  Snapcase “Guilty By Ignorance”

This groovy but equally hard-hitting Hardcore stomper is a hard slap in the face to those who blindly consume clothing, shoes, and even animal flesh. The animalistic screams of ‘Guilty By Ignorance’ by vocalist Tiger Balduf make you want to sack off the oppressive corrupt system we all contribute too and go live in the woods. The underlying anti-capitalist and anticarnist message of this track will have you burning your branded possessions and heading out to burn down your local KFC restaurant. Snapcase take no prisoners with this groove-laden, headbanging rager from their second album Progression Through Unlearning.

3. Prince “Animal Kingdom”

In 1998 Prince released a truly unique thought-provoking, and creative sound odyssey championing the rights of Animals, and the madness in eating your friends.

‘Who told us we should eat the swine?
U can bet your final money it damn sure wasn't no friend of mine
What about the clams on the shore?
Souls in progress, here come the fisherman - soul no more’

Mainstream musicians speaking out in defence of our Animal brothers and sisters is nothing new. But with dolphin sounds accompanying Prince's dreamy guitar solo, who else is doing that? The weird and wonderful flavour of Prince is a firm favourite among many Plant-Punks.

4. Tears Of Gaia “Movement in the dead of night”

As far as I’m concerned this is the best vegan hardcore song I’ve ever heard. From the eerie and apprehensive guitar intro to the full-on sonic assault that follows. The rabid vicious sound grabs you by the throat, whilst the frantic vocals are spat in your face with a ferocity and passion that leaves you with no doubt that these guys are angry about something.

‘Bred, caged and murdered, animals die behind these walls, hearts broken and hope abandoned, all dreams disparaged beyond recall.’

These lyrics both inspire and enrage me. To me, this song has everything you could hope for in a Hardcore tune, heavy guitars, a smashing drum sound and nasty vocals. Lyrically and musically this track can’t be touched. Tears Of Gaia will change your life.

5. Dead Prez “Be Healthy”

No vegan playlist would be complete without New York’s radical hip-hop duo. Be Healthy is about loving yourself and feeding your body the food that it craves to thrive. The string led, boom-bap beat will have your head bopping to the Dead Prez flavour. The duo come at you with real hard-hitting facts….

‘Lentil soup is mental fruit
and ginger root is good for the yout'
Fresh veg-e-table with the mayatl stew
sweet yam fries with the green calalloo’

Tune in, turn it up, and give thanks for rappers spitting real knowledge and truth. True wealth comes from good health and wise ways.

6. The Black Eyed Peas “Vibrations pt.1 pt.2”

The Black-Eyed Peas are back. They’ve been away for a while, Masters Of The Sun is their first release for 8 years. Vibrations pt.1 pt.2 is a wavy positive vibe throughout, the funky beat and airy synth sounds radiate a super relaxed and positive vibe throughout this track. Will.I.am takes the opportunity to spit some vegan truth.

‘You eat the yellowtail, I'ma eat the plant-based
I ain't chewing on no food, with two eyes and a face
Got a new attitude, gotta stay elevated
If somebody hate, let them hate and kinda motivate, yeah’

7. Youth Of Today “No More”

Coming in at just over 2 minutes long, this song became an anthem for vegetarian and straight edge kids way back in 1988. Over 30 years later this song still stands the test of time. Ray of Today repeating the words no moreover a classic Youth Of Today intro before the song explodes into Anti-carnist madness. The message and delivery of this song is just as important today in 2020 as it was in 1988.

The impact of this song cannot be overstated, it’s a gateway into the vegan lifestyle for kids, even today.

‘Meat-eating flesh-eating think about it
So callous to this crime we commit
Always stuffing our face with no sympathy
What a selfish, hardened society so
No More’

8. Ecostrike “Time Is Now”

The Time Is Now is a call to arms to all Plant-Punks of the world to unite and spread the message. Ecostrike is making waves in the Hardcore world right now, bringing their brand of Vegan straight edge to anyone and everyone who needs to hear it. The band are reminding us, the vegan world to keep on fighting for the justice of animals, stay true to your beliefs, and stand in solidarity with the innocent animals whom we share this world with. You don’t eat your friends! Although this song might not directly mention veganism, Ecostrike are committed to spreading the message. Listen to vegan straight edge!

9. Venom Prison “Uterine Industrialisation”

Uterine Industrialisation is easily the hardest, and most terrifyingly impactful vegan song ever recorded. The evil guitar chugs, super-fast blast beats, and demonic vocal sound of lead singer Larissa Stupar create a cacophony of terror and rage.

Beauty, once wild and free
Now silent and domesticated
Mothers separated
Possessions confiscated
Shackled, marked, and branded
Slave owners need to spot their thrall
Chastised, abused, manipulated
But the blossom will not fall

An equally violent description of the life of a dairy cow. The lyrical content of this song is suitably horrific and compliments the musical mayhem nicely. If you like your Death Metal brutally honest and illustrative than Venom Prison are the band for you.

10. Propagandhi “ Nailing Descartes to the Wall / (Liquid) Meat Is Still Murder”

No vegan playlist would be complete without the ultimate animal rights activists turned punk wizards Propagandhi. This track is one of the many vegan songs they have released over the years. It begins with a simple message to the listener, STOP CONSUMING ANIMALS. The communication could not be clearer. Propagandhi have been tackling injustice in the world since 1986.

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.

And I have recognised one form of oppression; now I recognise the rest.

Life’s too short to make others’ shorter

Listen to Propagandhi, eat plants, and live well.

The link to the Spotify playlist can be found below. What are you waiting for? Go and celebrate, support, and love all the badass vegan musicians of the world. Tell your friends!

https://open.spotify.com/user/94r6pqgg5c1kha6ejobth51by/playlist/6sQDScS9PqcxVXUfRJWBwc?si=ZZNKjQlTQbeKHdtCFo0eNw