JRE #387 – Everlast

Joe Rogan Podcast #387 – Everlast

This podcast dives into a wide range of topics with Everlast, exploring his musical journey, personal experiences, and perspectives on various cultural phenomena.

Major Topics:

1. Music and Creativity:

   • Everlast’s musical evolution from House of Pain to his solo career, highlighting his songwriting process and evolution.
   • Discussion on the impact of technology on music, exploring the pros and cons of using computer tools for creation.
   • Everlast’s experiences in the rap and hip hop scene, discussing the energy and dynamics of live performances.
   • Exploring the artistic merit of iconic artists like Paul McCartney and the Beatles, analyzing their songwriting and the impact of their music.

2. Punk Rock and Rebellion:

   • Everlast’s unique perspective on punk rock, rejecting the association with misplaced anger and exploring its roots in DIY ethos and rebellion.
   • Discussing the impact of influential punk bands like Bad Brains and Fugazi, acknowledging their role in shaping the hardcore scene.
   • Debating the evolution of punk rock, exploring whether its original spirit still exists or has become a mere marketing ploy.
   • Exploring the intersection of punk rock and social activism, analyzing the impact of groups like Pussy Riot.

3. Culture and Social Commentary:

   • Everlast’s critical view of organized religion, questioning its authority and highlighting potential for manipulation.
   • Exploring the complexities of globalization and immigration, discussing the potential for economic equalization and social consequences.
   • Discussing the societal changes surrounding marijuana legalization and the growing acceptance of its use.
   • Everlast’s personal experiences with the legal system and his perspective on gun laws and their impact on personal freedoms.

4. Performance and Artistry:

   • Everlast’s experiences performing both acoustic sets and larger concerts, contrasting the different energies and approaches.
   • Discussing the impact of other artists on Everlast’s own musical style, highlighting influential figures like Alice in Chains and Stone Temple Pilots.
   • Everlast’s observations on the power of honest and emotional performance, regardless of genre or style.
   • A humorous anecdote about meeting Gene Simmons of Kiss, highlighting the impact of iconic figures on Everlast’s own musical journey.

5. Society and Personal Growth:

   • Everlast’s perspective on the evolution of technology and its impact on human consciousness, referencing the work of Ray Kurzweil.
   • Everlast’s personal experience with a titanium heart valve, highlighting the potential of biological engineering and its implications for the future.
   • Discussing the controversy surrounding testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in athletics, exploring the ethical considerations and potential for abuse.
   • Everlast’s thoughts on the growing prevalence of artificial enhancements, exploring the potential for creating a “superhuman” and its implications for society.

6. Human Nature and Survival:

   • Everlast’s thoughts on the inherent primal instincts of humans and the thin veneer of civilization that masks them.
   • Discussion on the impact of overpopulation on resources and the potential for conflict and scarcity.
   • Everlast’s personal experience with hunting and his perspective on the necessity of wildlife management.
   • Everlast’s insights into the importance of personal responsibility and self-reliance in the face of potential societal collapse.

7. Sexuality and Identity:

   • Exploring the complexities of sexual orientation and the evolving understanding of gender identity within society.
   • Discussing the controversy surrounding transgender athletes competing in sports categories aligning with their gender identity.
   • Everlast’s humorous take on societal norms and the double standards that often exist around sexual behavior.
   • Everlast’s exploration of the spectrum of human sexuality and the importance of accepting different expressions of desire and identity.

8. Humor and Entertainment:

   • Everlast’s playful and insightful observations about societal quirks and human behavior, often through humor.
   • Anecdotes about memorable encounters with fellow musicians and celebrities, adding a touch of humor and entertainment to the conversation.
   • Discussions on the evolution of comedy and its role in society, highlighting the importance of challenging norms and pushing boundaries.
   • Everlast’s comedic perspective on the absurdity of certain cultural phenomena, exploring the silliness of the world around us.

9. Life, Death, and the Unknown:

   • Everlast’s reflections on the fragility of life and the profound impact of death, drawing upon his personal experiences with loss.
   • Everlast’s exploration of the nature of consciousness and the possibility of life after death, referencing his own near-death experience.
   • Discussions on the perception of time and the nature of reality, challenging conventional notions of linear progression.
   • Everlast’s perspective on the importance of living a meaningful and joyful life, embracing the present moment and finding contentment.

Memorable Quotes:

• “That o j thing is one of the weirdest times in my life because I was a very young man and I was still really illusional about the way the world works.”
• “You can’t fake that lyric… the rain exploded with a mighty crash as we fell into the sun. What the fuck?”
• “I think to be that good, you have to get crazy. And I think they got crazy. They just went everywhere. They just went with it.”
• “It’s almost like with creating cities and and spacing things out, putting doors in front of this, and you can block that and you’re secure in this room. instead of being all out and open, like, we’ve, like, slowly moved away from the the the primal instincts that have driven us to this point.”
• “It’s like, you know, so strange. It’s the argument for that divine spark or that soul. You know what I mean? It’s like because there’s it’s not there. The same thing that the shell’s there. You know what I mean? But it doesn’t even look real.”