Posted January 31, 2013 by Chelsi Schriver
Sylosis is on tour to support their latest album, Monolith.
Sylosis has been gaining some major traction lately, rocking the U.K. with their metal sounds and touring to promote their latest release, Monolith. Lead vocalist Josh Middleton is vegan and totally supports peta2! Check out our Q&A to learn about Josh’s vegan journey:
How did you become aware of peta2?
To be honest, I can’t quite remember, as I’ve been aware of it for so long. My dad’s always been into animal rights so maybe through him. Or then again maybe through certain bands or shows we’ve played that have had peta2 [tables] set up.
Of all the major animal rights issues (factory farming, dog fighting, animal testing, the fur industry, animals in entertainment, etc.), are there any issues that are particularly close to your heart?
I guess like most people, it was not having any idea of what can take place within the dairy industry. My dad has been vegetarian for over 10 years, and my older sister has pretty much been vegetarian since she was 2 due to meat not agreeing with her liver. Back when I ate meat, I always understood people’s reasons for not wanting to eat meat, but I kind of thought vegans were just being a bit awkward. I switched from eating meat to being completely vegan, and the dairy industry was something that I kept looking into the most. I will say that the fur industry footage in Earthlings is probably the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen.
What are some of your favorite vegan foods?
Seitan is great, but I rarely have it, as I’m no good at making it. Being vegan definitely forces you to cook for yourself more and eat less processed foods—which are both bonuses to me. I like making bean and chickpea chilis and burritos. Weirdly enough, avocados and green olives are ranking pretty high right now. We’ve just done a few months of touring in America, and I got an addiction to Silk chocolate almond milk. That stuff is the best chocolate milk out of any I’ve had in my life—dairy or nondairy.
If a fan were to approach you with questions about how to get involved with animal rights, what advice would you give him or her?
It’s tough to say. The best thing is to do as much research as possible and just make sure you don’t believe everything you read. Be prepared for everyone around you to become an expert on nutrition and to tell you that you’re malnourished. If you’re removing things from your diet, just make sure you add some new things in and just pay a bit more attention to where you get certain vitamins and nutrients during your transitional period. There’s a big misconception that vegans are malnourished or skinny. Like any dietary choice, if you don’t pay attention to what you eat, that can happen, but it’s really not hard to get right. Just “YouTube” Markus Rothkranz or Mimi Kirk if you need proof of it potentially being an age-defying diet, or go on VeganBodybuilding.com if you don’t think you can get enough protein.
What do you guys have coming up that we can be looking forward to?
We’re just about to embark on a U.K. headline tour. Then we’re off to Australia for Soundwave Festival, which will be our first time there. Our most recent album, Monolith, only just came out a few months back, so we intend on touring it for about two years.
That’s so awesome, Josh! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. Hope to see you back Stateside soon!
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
Too long to explain here, it's long enough for a novel.
Father loves to farm, be self sustainable, loves to read, he's a antiques/vintage auctioneer, art student, and looks like mr. Rogers. My mother is a Montessori teacher and is amazing with children, all about local organic foods, loves gardening, cooking etc. my sister who is nine years older than me was into indie music and introduced me to all sorts of things at a young age. This all rubbed of on me and from that base I grew into similar things. I'm an INFJ
I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
I want to get into marketing but not have to rely on people which have different morals and worldviews than I do to hire me. While I'm figuring this out, I want to show everyone what I believe in and spur them into action against injustices.
Life On A Tour Bus
I am Angela. When I am not helping animals I am listening to music, reading, or playing video games. My spirit animal is a fox and I love nature. What else is there to know? Want to know anything about me, need advice or anything message me :)
99 days ago
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Great! I added Josh to the list of vegan rock stars:
http://home.simplyweb.net/thrill/vegrock.html
103 days ago
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Great interview…thanks for speaking up about veganism and living a compassionate lifestyle!
Chickpea burritos rock!