JRE 2520 · June 30, 2026
Tommy Lee
Who is Tommy Lee?
Tommy Lee is the legendary drummer and co-founder of the rock band Mötley Crüe. He is a genre-spanning musician, producer, and songwriter known for his high energy performance style and influence on hard rock. He recently released his latest solo project titled Tommyland Rides Again.
Topics and Timestamps
- 01The chaotic history and legacy of Mötley Crüe
- 02Tommy's transition from rock drumming to solo electronic production
- 03Insights into the creation of Tommyland Rides Again
- 04The logistics and hype behind The Return of the Carnival of Sins Tour
- 05Discussing the evolution of the music industry and songwriting
- 06Sharing stories from the wild days of the Sunset Strip
- ▶The early days of Mötley Crüe and the Sunset Strip0:12:00
- ▶Developing the sound for Tommyland Rides Again0:35:00
- ▶The evolution of his drumming style and production techniques1:05:00
- ▶Planning The Return of the Carnival of Sins Tour1:30:00
- ▶The future of rock and roll in the digital age2:10:00
The Show
Tommy Lee comes on the pod and it is exactly the energy you would expect from one of the most notorious drummers in rock history. He is not just talking about the glory days of Mötley Crüe, though that is always a goldmine for stories. He is pushing his new solo stuff, Tommyland Rides Again, and explaining how he shifted from banging on drums to messing with production and songwriting. It is wild to see how he has evolved from the hair metal era into this genre spanning artist who is just following his curiosity.
They spend a good chunk of time talking about the upcoming Return of the Carnival of Sins Tour. Tommy is still fired up about the live experience and the spectacle of it all. You can tell he lives for the stage. Joe digs into the creative process and how Tommy manages to stay relevant while still respecting the legacy of the band that made him a household name. It is a conversation about artistic evolution and the sheer willpower it takes to keep touring at this level.
Of course, it is Tommy Lee, so there are plenty of anecdotes about the absurdity of the rock and roll lifestyle. He talks about the grit of the early days and the transition into the modern era of music. The vibe is high energy and unfiltered. It is basically a masterclass in how to live life at full volume without burning the whole house down, or at least how to rebuild it after you do.
Best Quotes
“I just want to make noise that feels right in my gut.”
— Tommy Lee
From the JRE 2520 conversation with Tommy Lee.
“The Carnival of Sins is about bringing that chaos back to the stage.”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 2520 conversation with Tommy Lee.
“You have to be willing to fail miserably to find the sound that actually works.”
— Tommy Lee
From the JRE 2520 conversation with Tommy Lee.
“Mötley Crüe was a lightning strike that we just happened to be standing under.”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 2520 conversation with Tommy Lee.
“Tommyland is where I can be whoever I want without the expectations of the past.”
— Tommy Lee
From the JRE 2520 conversation with Tommy Lee.
Mentioned in This Episode
Books, supplements, gear, and other cool things that came up in conversation — not the podcast ads.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.