Posted March 7, 2011 by Megan Rondeau
A few years ago peta2 caught up with Shawn Harris, vocalist of Epitaph vets The Matches, and now he’s back with a new project for us to become obsessed with. Maniac, comprised of Harris and Jake Grigg (of Australian band Something with Numbers), is a freshly original, and also charmingly retro, pop rock band whose debut album has already impressed critics and fans across the board.
Check out our interview with Harris and enter the contest below for your chance to win an autographed copy of Mania on vinyl!
1. How long have you been vegan and what prompted you to make that decision?
Shawn Harris: I’ve been vegan for about eight years. I can attribute it all to a head chef where I was working on the line at the time, before I was touring full-time. He was vegan, and I didn’t understand how he could cook dishes that he hadn’t ever tried, and gave him ample shit about it, actually. His response was something like, “I don’t care what the rest of you clogged-arteried fat fucks eat.” But he did care, I found out. He scheduled me to come in early and unthaw the steaks and other cuts after the kitchen had been on a two week holiday. It turned out, he had pulled the plug on it, and everything in there had been thawed and turning all sorts of living over the break. I haven’t much thought about eating flesh since, myself …
2. What are some of your favorite vegan foods? Are there any restaurants you love to hit up on tour?
I’m very psyched about the first vegan cheese that fools my non-vegan friends—Daiya. So I’ve been making all kinds of simple quesadillas and grilled cheese sams. My favorite restaurants on tour are the Soul Vegetarian spots in D.C. and Atlanta—and I think there’s a truck in Florida run by the same people—bangin’ greens, wings, and mac ‘n cheese.
3. Of all of the major animal rights issues are there any issues that are particularly close to your heart?
Well, the one that affects the most animals and people is factory farming, and I just feel that when people use the right to eat what they want, they also have the responsibility to know exactly how that food came to them. There is a sorrow and a thankfulness that one must feel to continue their existence at the expense of another being’s, and our farming process has distanced us to the point of cruel detachment.
4. 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?
The only thing you really, really have the power to change is yourself, and your own actions. It sounds like a small step, or a cop-out, but I believe it is the biggest, most honest thing you can do for the whole. If people like you, and the way they see you living, there’s a good chance they will come to similar realizations you’ve come to, on their own, and that is the only way they can change themselves. I never set out to make any vegans other than myself, and eight years later, without my ever saying a word about it, I’ve noticed my friends, parents, and even my grandma go fully vegan. I don’t take credit for this, but maybe I put it in their field of vision, and it appealed to them. It’s appealing—it doesn’t need to be sold!
5. What’s coming up this summer for Maniac that we can be looking forward to?
Our first full-length, Mania, is out March 15th, sold here on vinyl/CD, and on iTunes. We’re celebrating by trippin’ on down to Austin, TX to play SXSW.
Me and Jake are funding the project by screen printing our own shirts and limited edition releases, which can be found here.
Then we’re shredding our credit cards and heading out to film a show pilot/U.S. tour! Details and all other info on live shows and releases here: http://maniacmania.com and http://www.facebook.com/ManiacMania
For your chance to win a free download of Mania and an autographed vinyl, comment below with your favorite album that’s come out so far this year. Entries must be received by March 14, 2011. One winner will be chosen at random and notified on March 15, 2011. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.
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Good luck!
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.)
Jersey girl now I'm all country.
I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
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 :)
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.
xo
787 days ago
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If by this year you mean 2011, then Mania if on the other hand you mean this past year then Hurley by Weezer
789 days ago
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my favorite so far would have to be either shwayze’s the w’s or theophilus london’s lovers holiday. but i have a feeling the new strokes album is gonna be awesome.
789 days ago
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Bayside – Killing Time. This band never let’s me down and this time they exceeded my hopes… Great gym record!
790 days ago
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LASERS by lupe fiasco!!
790 days ago
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King of Limbs – Radiohead. HAS to be
790 days ago
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The Strokes-Angles, fo shoooo.
790 days ago
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Favorite album by far is Radiohead’s King Of Limbs.
790 days ago
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Does It Offend You, Yeah? – “Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You”
790 days ago
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Hmm. Maybe Matt Skiba’s solo album.
Then again, once I finally listen to Radiohead’s new record, it’ll probably switch to that.
791 days ago
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This album!!!!!!!! (and Demonstrations from Maniac, even though it’s not an official album.) Maniac just has this crazy weir awesome sound that Ive never heard before. To me, the music off of Mania is freaking amazing.
797 days ago
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I don’t have a favorite album this year, but the most recent albums that have come out in 2010 that I love are “Nightmare” by Avenged Sevenfold, and “Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys” by My Chemical Romance
798 days ago
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i love diz music!
800 days ago
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my favorite album so far this year is tupac thug revolution
800 days ago
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Ahhh, I don’t have any for this year. >_< But A Day to Remember's What Seperates Me from You is amazing.
800 days ago
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Adele’s “21″!
800 days ago
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oh man, I love the Matches and Maniac! hmmm…my favorite album so far of 2011?? I would say that would be “Kiss Each Other Clean” by Iron and Wine
800 days ago
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bruno mars- doo woops and holligans..
he is so talented and knows how to treat a lady
800 days ago
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Mine would definitely have to be Jessie J’s Who You Are.
Love all the songs on it and she has such a beautiful voice
801 days ago
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WOUNDED RHYMES by Li
801 days ago
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Happy Birthday by Cage the Elephant
801 days ago
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My favourite album of 2011 so far would be Avril Lavigne’s ,,Goodbye Lullaby”. It’s still pretty new, but I really like it.
802 days ago
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‘Harmony’ by NSN!
802 days ago
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swee prize good luck to us all
802 days ago
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My favorite cd thats come out this year is by far Hellogoodbyes Would it kill you?
803 days ago
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Who Can Know It? – Showbread
804 days ago
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Stand up and scream – Asking Alexandria [:
804 days ago
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My favorite album that came out this year probably has to be Identity On Fire by A Skylit Drive. They have some great tracks.
804 days ago
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Bruno Mars – Doo-Wops & Hooligans
God I love him:]
805 days ago
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Harmony- NeverShoutNever <3
805 days ago
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I Admire Shawn Harris So Much. Hes A Very Talented Writer And His Music With The Matches And Maniac Come Out Super Amazing. He Wrote A Song “Build A Mountain” With The Matches Id Say Rough About Some Realities Of The World And Animals Taking The Brunt Of It..
BUT ANYWAYS!!To keep It Short..
Favorite Album Of The Year Thus Far With Three Months In Would Be Patrick Stumps EP “Truant Wave”..He Wrote and Was A One Man Band To Make This And His New Album Coming Out Soon
805 days ago
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Happy Birthday by Cage the Elephant
805 days ago
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the luyas Too Beautiful to Work.
805 days ago
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bright eyes peoples keyy
cage the elephant harmony
cage the elephant thank you happy birthday
they’re all soooo gooooood<3
805 days ago
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its so hard to decide but nevershoutnever “harmony”
805 days ago
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So far for 2011, I’d have to say my favorite is a tie between:
Identity On Fire
- A Skylit Drive
or
Downtown Battle Mountain Pt. II
-Dance Gavin Dance
806 days ago
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For me, my favorite album that has come out so far this year would have to be “Kiss Each Other Clean” by Iron & Wine.
806 days ago
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nevershoutnever’s ‘Harmony’
or ‘downtownbattlemountain 2′ by dance gavin dance that comes out tomorrow!
806 days ago
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Mt favourite album that has come out this year is: “Wounded Rhymes” by Lykke Li.
I saw her in concert 2 years ago and she’s even better live!! She’s very entertaining and fun, and puts on quite a stellar show
806 days ago
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Thank You, Happy Birthday by Cage the Elephant
806 days ago
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So far it’s: Stand up and fight by Turisas
There are some great tracks on that album!