Paws, Pets & Metal is Metal Insider’s ongoing column on bands with pets, discovering who watches them on the road, and more. Get to know more about these metal furbabies. Hailing from Kelowna, We caught up with Sweetbeast as they revealed their pets were born into music.
Tell us more about your pet(s) and their names?
I’ve got a Boston Terrier named Gibson (aka Gibby or The Giblet). Back when I was living in Edmonton, my buddy Brad had a dog named Fender, so I always told him that when I got my own dog, he’d be called Gibson. Gotta keep the guitar name game strong. Next one might just be an Ibanez. As for my cat, Ellie, I wavered a bit from the guitar theme. But she’s named after Elle Driver, a badass villain from Kill Bill. Can’t get more metal than that.
Have you ever taken your pet on tour?
I’ve definitely thought about bringing Gibby on the road. How sick would that be? But reality has a way of slapping you in the face. Ear protection for a small-headed Boston Terrier is apparently a nightmare—tried looking into it and none of the reviews were promising – they always fall off so easy or don’t get an airtight sound block.. And then there’s the whole companion animal registration for venues… So it’s been a pipe dream so far. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll get it sorted and and Gibby can hang out in the green room – maybe some other band will bring a “Godin” or “Gretsch” dog for him to hang with 😉
Who looks after your pet while on the road?
Let’s set the record straight: The Giblet is living his best life. This dude has two wives and 17 kids. Yeah, you read that right. The guy’s a legend in his own right. He mostly chills with one of his wives and their son. The human owners are awesome, and Gibby has the time of his life doing whatever it is that goofy Boston Terriers do—running around, getting into trouble, and living like the rock star he is. He’s got it made.
What’s your pet’s favorite song or album?
It’s not so much about specific songs or albums, but there’s definitely something about certain notes that set Gibby off. The second those notes hit, he starts howling like a damn rock star. It’s not some primal wolf howling though—it’s this sweet, soulful, almost melodic howl. You could call it his own version of “Sweet Beast.” Pretty epic to witness, honestly.
How did you introduce your pet to metal?
Gibby was born into music. As soon as I brought him home, I made sure to surround him with a solid mix of everything—metal, desert rock, chill acoustic. He’s basically been listening to riffs and shredding sounds since day one. He knows the deal.
What animal charity means most to you?
No question—it’s the BC SPCA. That’s where I adopted Ellie, and they do incredible work. I’m proud to support them and everything they do for animals in need. They’re real heroes in the world of animal care.
