Meet The Click Five's Ethan Mentzer

We think The Click Five's bassist is just using us to get one step closer to Paul McCartney. After all, Ethan openly admits on his Web bio that his favorite band and major musical influence is The Beatles. When asked which musical hero he would most like to meet and what he'd want to talk to him or her about, Ethan answered, “Paul McCartney—I wouldn't talk, I'd just stare.” Plus, The Click Five specialize in catchy pop numbers about love and heartbreak, all while wearing matching suits and sloppy mop tops. Sound vaguely familiar? We thought so. But then we came to a two-part understanding. Who hasn't used peta2 to get closer to Paul McCartney? And, finally, who cares? We totally scored an interview with a band that made Teen People's “Summer Hot List” and that Cosmo Girl called “a-d-o-r-a-b-l-e”—both firsts for us! Who pulled a fast one now, huh?

We get calls every day from people who are concerned because their neighbors or their family members keep their dogs chained up in the yard 24 hours a day. What would you say to people who treat their animals that way?

I've seen that, too, and I think that it would be pretty draining to be kept alive just to be chained up. I think that it's too bad, because people have dogs that are maybe too much to handle—whether it's because the dog gets into too much or tears stuff up or is just a mess—and I guess it would be better for people not to have pets if they can't control them. I would encourage people to take their dogs for walks and find open places where they can let loose and run on a daily basis. In certain weather conditions, I also think that it's pretty rough for an animal to be out in the heat or out in the extreme cold. It's a lot more ideal to allow the dog inside.

If your fans wanted to make a difference for animals, what would you suggest they do?

If anybody is thinking about getting pets, it's a really good idea to look into animal shelters. And, you know, just speak up when it's necessary to say something about the way animals are treated. One thing that I have a major problem with is the way that chickens are raised in these big chicken houses in these tiny crates.

It's funny that you mention that, because we currently have a campaign against KFC. We're simply asking the company to introduce really basic animal welfare guidelines, but it refuses. What do you think about that?

I'm definitely all for that. That's what I mean about speaking up. I don't eat at places like that when I know that stuff like that is going on. I think it was McDonald's in the last couple of years that made some ground as far as making sure that chicken farms cleaned up their acts a little bit or else they weren't going to buy chicken from them. I don't know the extent of it, but I think every little bit helps.

Are there any other animal issues that are important to you?

Well, I don't eat veal because I'm opposed to the way that the cows are treated—they can't move because they're tied up so that their muscles are weak and tender. Also, I think it's important for people to know that land, water, and other resources that could be used to grow food for human beings is being used to grow crops for farmed animals instead. Basically, crops that could be used to feed the hungry are instead being used to fatten animals raised for food.

Could you recommend any great vegetarian restaurants for your veggie fans?

I'm originally from Hershey, Pennsylvania, and that area has a couple of these small, privately owned restaurants that are really great. There's a place in Boston that's a really good health-food place to eat. They do serve meat, but they also serve a lot of vegetarian dishes. It's called The Other Side—it's a pretty cool restaurant.

Now, wait a second—before you book a flight to Boston to try to track down The Click Five at The Other Side, you should arm yourself with some über-cute stickers. These A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E stickers are F-R-E-E, and they'll arrive on your doorstep with a copy of peta2's High Fives & Stage Dives DVD, a “What They Never Told You” booklet, and more!