Posted August 9, 2012 by Megan Rondeau
One of my favorite things about peta2′s involvement with the Vans Warped Tour is getting to go out and make new friends every summer. As we cruised the country this year, we caught up with dance rockers the Beautiful Bodies. Read on to find out how a human rights lawyer in Bolivia made his way into punk shows in Kansas City and what that means for animals:
1. Introduce yourself, and tell us about the Beautiful Bodies.
Alicia: I am Alicia, and I sing for the Beautiful Bodies. Thomas, who is next to me, plays guitar in the band.
When we started playing together, we weren’t necessarily planning on doing the band full time. At the time, Thomas was living in Bolivia, where he was working as a human rights lawyer representing victims of a government-led massacre, and I was in Kansas City doing music with our bass player Luis. Thomas and I started sending songs back and forth. We ended up writing and recording a half a dozen songs via e-mail before we decided that it was way too fun and natural not to make the band a full-time thing. Some of the music we had been demoing slipped its way onto some radio stations, and we started getting rad shows with bands like My Chemical Romance, Smashing Pumpkins, and Jane’s Addiction, which Thomas would fly back for. Eventually it became clear that it was going to be too difficult to do the band from two different continents, so Thomas moved back to the U.S., and we’ve been doing it full time ever since.
I’m not sure how you would characterize our music. We get lots of comparisons to The Runaways, Blondie, and even No Doubt. I like to think we are somewhere between Iggy Pop and Michael Jackson, whatever that means.
2. Why did you want to get involved with peta2 to speak up for animals?
Thomas: Alicia and I have been involved in activism, including animal rights activism, for many years. We live in Kansas City—the mecca of BBQ in the country. Being surrounded by so much meat consumption and so many factory farms, we feel a strong obligation to speak out against animal exploitation. We wanted to get involved with peta2 because the organization has been so principled and incredibly effective in advocating for animals.
3. How long have you been vegetarian? What inspired you to make that change?
Thomas: I have been vegetarian (and off and on vegan) for most of my life—over 15 years now. In grade school, I saw a video of a slaughterhouse and was shocked by how the animals were treated. Even at that young age, I was able to comprehend that the way the animals were brutalized was simply wrong. I did not want to be part of something so abhorrent, so I stopped eating meat.
Alicia: I’ve been vegetarian for 10 years. In second grade, I remember eating a Big Mac and biting down on something hard. I pulled it out of my mouth, and it was a bone. Ever since then I haven’t eaten red meat.
4. What are some of your favorite summertime recipes to cook up? Do you have any favorite vegan spots you frequent at home?
Thomas: I really like making gazpacho soup and Thai coconut rice with mango and banana during the summer. Kansas City has an amazing vegan bakery/coffee shop called Mud Pie that I go to almost daily. I think I’m becoming addicted to their vegan cupcakes. It is becoming a problem.
Alicia: I don’t cook much, but I juice like crazy to survive the heat here! My favorite blend: three apples, two oranges, three large carrots, one lemon, one lime, and one banana. I’m also obsessed with Mud Pie!
5. Aside from factory farming, what other animal rights issues are close to your heart?
Alicia: Thomas has been really involved in the struggle to protect the rainforest and its animals against greedy corporations. He lived in South America for many years and saw the devastating effects of resource extraction in the Amazon, including the eradication of species of animals, displacement of entire communities, and obliteration of virgin forests all so a small number of corporations can make a buck.
I am really moved by the struggle to protect our marine life, particularly dolphins and sharks. If any of you have seen The Cove or Sharkwater, you know how these animals are brutally hunted. They are either forced into captivity or violently slaughtered for their meat. The way they are treated is atrocious and devastating for all ocean life.
6. What do you guys have coming up that fans should be on the lookout for?
Alicia: We just got off an amazing summer tour with Goldfinger and Reel Big Fish. This fall, we head to the studio with John Feldmann, who has produced bands such as The Used, Panic! at the Disco, and Escape the Fate. After we finish the record, we plan on touring, touring, and touring!
*****
If you’re looking to stay up to speed with Thomas and Alicia, follow the Beautiful Bodies on Facebook and Twitter, and be sure to show support when they come through your town!
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.
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.
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 love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
Jersey girl now I'm all country.
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 :)
287 days ago
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How do I send a screenshot?
283 days ago
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Hey Erika,
Just click the “Get Points” tab at the top of the Mission and upload it there.
Thanks!
diANA m
peta2
287 days ago
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The fashion industry can’t pull the wool over your eyes—you’ve pledged to go wool-free
287 days ago
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This video is honestly so inspiring.. I decided to turn vegetarian a couple months ago after wanting to forever and now i’m thinking about going vegan.. I’m really getting into all of this, and I hope one day to get a job involved with saving these innocent animals !
287 days ago
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My friend went to sea world and I got mad at her then I explained why it was bad and now she will never go to sea world .
287 days ago
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:,(
287 days ago
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poor dogs!!
288 days ago
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HEY! i just joined the Peta2 Street Team, and am proud to help out animal family
I’m hoping to make this world a place, one veggie burger at a time ^^ The wellfare of the planet is in our hands, let’s change the world!!!!!!!!
<3 Chrissy @ Peta2
288 days ago
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Earning points by watching movies, combining two things I love <3
288 days ago
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oh dear…hahaha
288 days ago
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That’s great!
288 days ago
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you can use the word billy
288 days ago
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Such a beautiful and touching video.
288 days ago
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WHAT is with using a chain that is so heavy it could hold down a damn house?!!
288 days ago
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So awful!
288 days ago
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WOW. This is really messed up.
288 days ago
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Wow, this is so messed up, all to test TEA? Frickin’ TEA. WTF?