BLACK SABBATH's GEEZER BUTLER: 'I've Grown Up With Animals In The House'

April 1, 2016

BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler, a longtime animal activist and vegan, spoke to Devils Gate Media about his involvement with peta2 — the world's largest youth animal rights organization — to inspire kids to challenge outdated and cruel attitudes about animals.

Butler said: "I've grown up with animals in the house, I have three brothers and three sisters, and all of us had cats, dogs, mice, chickens, frogs, tortoises, so they've always been a big part of my life. My dog, Scamp, was my best friend when I was growing up, and he was just as much a brother to me as my human brothers. Someone threw acid on him, and he almost died, but my parents spent their life savings having him treated. It appalled me that people could be so cruel, and ever since I have stuck up for animals. It is something I can be active in, unlike trying to figure out the appalling things humans do to each other."

A few years ago, Butler teamed up with peta2 to shoot a pro-vegetarian ad featuring him as he picks at his bass next to the tagline "I'm Geezer Butler, and I'm a vegan."

"I used to eat meat when I was a little kid, but I didn't know where it came from," said Butler, who was born in Birmingham, England. "And one day, I cut this piece of meat open, and blood came out of it, and I asked me mother, 'Where did this come from?' and she said, 'From animals,' and that was it."

In an interview with peta2, Butler talked about how he enjoys having friends over for dinner, serving them faux meat, and waiting for the compliments to start rolling in before telling his guests that they just ate a delicious vegan meal. And his compassion for animals goes beyond the dinner table. Butler and his wife are very involved in the battle against puppy mills and the cat and dog overpopulation crisis. "There are so many dogs and cats and all kinds of animals [who] need homes," he said. "You know, there's no reason to go out and buy them from a pet shop when you can just get them from your local shelter."

BLACK SABBATH's "The End" world tour kicked off in Nebraska in January.

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