Tommy Lee | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #522

Tommy Lee's Life and Career

• Tommy Lee discusses his hearing loss, stating that he has a problem with one of his ears and is unsure of the cause.
• He expresses gratitude for his life and career, stating that he is constantly pinching himself in disbelief that he gets to live such a life.
• He expresses disappointment that the year 2000 did not bring the technological advancements that were anticipated, such as flying cars and advanced communication methods.
• Tommy Lee mentions his brother's influence on his musical journey, stating that his brother would introduce him to music and that he was the drummer for his brother's band.
• He reminisces about rock magazines from his youth, specifically mentioning "Kang" and "Circus" magazines.
• Tommy Lee discusses Mötley Crüe's current touring schedule, stating that they are finishing up their summer tour with a few festivals and will be done by September.
• He describes the difference between touring and doing one-off shows, highlighting the contrast between the constant travel of a tour and the flexibility of individual performances.
• Tommy Lee and Theo Von discuss the "grass is always greener" phenomenon, where people often desire what they don't have, whether it's being home or on the road.
• Tommy Lee expresses his desire to keep moving and exploring new opportunities, stating that he wants to constantly challenge himself and improve.
• Tommy Lee and Theo Von discuss the importance of relaxation and how Tommy Lee finds ways to unwind.
• Tommy Lee and Theo Von discuss the possibility of a teleportation machine malfunctioning and causing people to arrive at their destination with the wrong body parts.
• Tommy Lee and Theo Von discuss the challenges of maintaining social connections while touring.
• Tommy Lee mentions that he often throws parties, but not annually.
• Tommy Lee discusses his first experience with LSD at the age of 13.
• He describes the experience as "wild" and mentions doing things he was told not to, such as looking in the mirror.
• Lee recalls a specific memory of staring at a Farrah Fawcett poster, fixated on her "sausages" (nipples).
• The conversation shifts to the topic of meeting attractive women due to fame.
• Lee acknowledges that he can easily relate to not meeting attractive women, but he doesn't elaborate on his own experiences.
• He reveals that he wasn't a "skirt chaser" in his youth, preferring to spend time playing drums in his garage.
• Lee shares a memory of his first kiss, which involved a berry and a girl he played with as a child.
• Tommy Lee describes an experience where he and another person were locked in a room by children and forced to kiss.
• He mentions that he was nervous around the children after the incident.
• Tommy Lee discusses the challenges of maintaining a long-distance relationship, particularly when one's life is constantly on the move.
• He states that he is on good terms with all of his ex-wives.
• Tommy Lee reflects on the rapid pace of his life and how it can feel overwhelming at times.
• He expresses gratitude for his parents' unwavering support throughout his career.
• Tommy Lee shares his perspective on fame and how it can create a sense of detachment from oneself.
• He concludes the conversation with a humorous anecdote about a joke he heard involving Willie Nelson.
• Tommy Lee enjoyed tap dancing as a child, finding it rhythmic and cool.
• He also attended a ballet class with his sister, but quit after being teased by his peers.
• He believes that if he had continued ballet, his peers would have accepted him.
• He attributes his quitting to peer pressure and the ease with which people use insults to shut others down.
• Tommy Lee believes that his artistic expression found its way out through other means, such as drumming and music.
• He shares a story about auditioning for a role in Los Angeles, where he sang a Shirley Temple song.
• He believes that his choice of song made the audition uncomfortable for the casting directors.
• Tommy Lee was drawn to ballet because of the girls in the class.
• He remembers his first sexual experience.
• Tommy Lee discusses the importance of finding a balance in relationships, particularly with best friends.
• He shares his experience with his current wife, Britney Furland, highlighting their shared sense of humor and the longevity of their relationship.
• Tommy Lee mentions that his relationship with Britney is the longest he has been in, surpassing his previous marriages.
• He explains that he has been married four times, with the first marriage being annulled due to its short duration.
• Tommy Lee expresses his belief that a "trial period" for marriage, allowing friends to vote on its continuation, would be beneficial.
• The conversation touches upon the challenges of maintaining relationships while pursuing a demanding career, particularly when frequent travel is involved.
• Tommy Lee emphasizes the importance of honesty and communication in relationships, acknowledging the need for both partners to invest effort and time.
• He highlights the importance of shared enjoyment and laughter in a relationship, referencing his and Britney's shared sense of humor.
• Tommy Lee discusses his relationship with his current partner, stating that she has a lot of energy and that he enjoys her wild side.
• He mentions that he has "outsourced" some of his own energy and wildness, finding it in his partner.
• Tommy Lee shares that he met Michael Jackson once at the MTV Awards.
• He expresses his difficulty with remembering dates and locations, attributing it to his busy touring schedule and reliance on others for logistical support.
• Tommy Lee describes feeling like a child who is taken care of by others, highlighting his lack of experience with everyday tasks like sending packages.
• He acknowledges that this reliance on others is a consequence of his career, where he is the "business" and others handle the logistical aspects.
• Tommy Lee reflects on his late development in learning basic life skills, comparing himself to a "late bloomer."
• Tommy Lee and his wife have taken many trips, but she is afraid to travel.
• Tommy Lee is building a house that will be so nice that his wife will not need to go on vacation.
• Tommy Lee has two dachshund dogs.
• Tommy Lee has owned birds in the past, but has not had good luck with them.
• Tommy Lee went to Vietnam and was taken to a pet shop that was also a brothel.
• Tommy Lee expresses gratitude for the opportunity to connect with the other person.
• Tommy Lee mentions that he enjoys singing and that it makes him feel like he's been on a date.
• Tommy Lee expresses his appreciation for the other person's wife and mentions that she makes him laugh.
• Tommy Lee suggests that the other person's wife and Britney Schmidt should be guests on the podcast.
• Tommy Lee expresses his hope that the other person will live a long life.

Tommy Lee's Experiences with Drugs

• Tommy Lee describes his past struggles with drug addiction, specifically cocaine.
• He recounts hiding cocaine from himself, even going so far as to blindfold himself while placing it.
• Tommy Lee shares that he has written numerous wills over the years, often feeling remorseful about the potential consequences of his actions.
• Tommy Lee and Theo Von discuss their shared experience with sobriety, both having reached one year of sobriety before relapsing.
• Tommy Lee attributes his relapses to celebrating his sobriety milestone, leading to a desire to party.
• He also mentions the challenges of raising his hand in meetings due to his long arms, making it difficult for others to see him.
• The speaker discusses their first experience with cocaine and how they don't remember it.
• The speaker describes a time they were in Tucson with a friend who was a busboy and did a lot of cocaine.
• The speaker recounts a party where they met a man with one eye who was doing cocaine and had a lot of oranges.
• The speaker acknowledges that cocaine use can be dangerous and shouldn't be romanticized.
• The speaker mentions that cocaine use can sometimes be fun, especially when combined with sex or other activities.
• The speaker prefers to use cocaine alone rather than with others.
• The speaker finds it difficult to engage in conversations while under the influence of cocaine.
• The speaker describes cocaine as "lying powder" because it often leads to making plans that are never fulfilled.
• The speaker believes that cocaine can lead to irrational behavior, such as giving one's email address to a dolphin.
• The speaker discusses the impact of drug addiction on his band, describing instances of dangerous and reckless behavior.
• The speaker mentions that the band members went to rehab together in 1989.
• The speaker shares his experience at a rehab facility in Tucson, Arizona.
• The speaker describes Tucson as a place where people engage in extreme and unusual activities.
• Tommy Lee discussed his experience in rehab, emphasizing the importance of having friends or "bros" to support each other during the process.
• He described the diverse range of people he encountered in rehab, noting that it helped him gain perspective on his own situation.
• Lee highlighted the physical demands of drumming, particularly when under the influence of substances, and how it impacted his ability to perform.
• He acknowledged instances where he had performed while intoxicated, later regretting his actions after watching the footage.
• Lee expressed his enthusiasm for the "Dirt" documentary, appreciating its raw and authentic portrayal of Mötley Crüe's lifestyle.
• Tommy Lee discussed the process of writing his book, "The Dirt," and how it was a collaborative effort with his bandmates.
• He explained that the book was based on interviews conducted individually, and that they later discovered details they had forgotten.

Tommy Lee's Bonsai Tree Hobby

• The speaker describes his passion for Bonsai trees, which began seven or eight years ago.
• He was initially drawn to Bonsai trees after visiting Japanese Gardens in Japan.
• He started watching YouTube videos about the art and practice of Bonsai.
• He finds the process of caring for Bonsai trees to be relaxing and fulfilling.
• He currently owns around 43 Bonsai trees.
• He keeps his Bonsai trees outside, bringing them inside when the sun goes down.
• He warns against keeping Bonsai trees indoors, as most species require outdoor conditions.
• He mentions that Bonsai trees are often sold by roadside vendors, but many people kill them by keeping them indoors.
• He explains that Bonsai care involves various techniques, including pruning, trimming, fertilizing, and wiring.
• He describes the process of using wire to shape the branches of Bonsai trees.
• The speaker discusses the daily routine of caring for trees, comparing it to the daily routine of a musician.

Tommy Lee's Reflections on Music and the Industry

• The speaker notes that being creative can be difficult when life gets busy, and that touring can make it even harder.
• The speaker reflects on the challenges of maintaining success as a band, noting that it is difficult to balance the needs of multiple members.
• The speaker acknowledges that the band has managed to stay together despite the challenges, and that many other bands have not been as successful.
• The speaker discusses the role of a band member, suggesting that they can be both a part of the solution and a part of the problem.
• The speaker mentions that they have never toured with Stone Temple Pilots but have shared festival stages with them.
• The speaker notes that festivals are a good way for bands to meet and interact with each other.
• The speaker discusses a friend who enjoys drinking absinthe, a strong alcoholic beverage made with herbs and spirits.
• The speaker describes the ritualistic process of drinking absinthe, which involves lighting sugar cubes and allowing them to melt into the drink.
• The speaker mentions that absinthe can induce hallucinations, and that artists like Van Gogh and Picasso were known to enjoy the drink.
• The speaker discusses the evolution of music, noting the difference between the "industrial era" of music production and modern music production, which often relies on programmed sounds.
• The speaker expresses a preference for good music regardless of how it is made, and does not feel disappointed by the evolution of music.
• The speaker expresses a longing for the mystery surrounding artists in the past, noting that the internet has made it easier to access information about artists' lives, eliminating some of the mystique.
• The speaker discusses the difference between music consumption in the past and present.
• In the past, people would wait in line for hours to buy albums, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement.
• The speaker reminisces about waiting in line for concerts and witnessing chaotic events, such as a fight involving a band member.
• The speaker expresses concern about the overwhelming amount of music available today, making it difficult for people to discover new artists.
• The speaker mentions that he misses the mystery and anticipation surrounding music in the past.
• The speaker expresses sympathy for young people who are trying to navigate the vast amount of music available today.
• The speaker mentions that he was a fan of Nirvana and Soundgarden.
• The speaker mentions that he later became friends with Dave Grohl, the drummer of Nirvana.
• The speaker discusses the influence of bands like AC/DC and Alison Chains on his life.
• He recounts a story about a friend named Eddie who owned a Mustang and would drive around with two girls in the back.
• The speaker describes how Eddie would play AC/DC's "Back in Black" and the girls would fall out of the car.
• The speaker reflects on how the moment was special because it was a time when anything went and there was no social media to document or judge it.
• He notes that younger generations can't imagine a time when there was no social media and people could just live in the moment.
• The speaker acknowledges that the lack of documentation can be frustrating because it makes it difficult to relive those moments.
• He also mentions that storytelling had more value in the past because people had to share their experiences verbally.
• The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of creating new moments and cherishing the present, even though it's different from the past.

Tommy Lee's Family and Relationships

• The speaker discusses his desire to have a family and how it became a reality.
• He describes his two sons, Dylan and Brandon, as being very different from each other.
• Dylan is described as being calm and peaceful, while Brandon is more energetic and similar to his father.
• The speaker expresses his joy and pride in his sons' musical talents, particularly their collaboration in the studio.
• He acknowledges the pressure on lead singers, highlighting the extra work and responsibility they shoulder.
• The speaker confirms the authenticity of a scene from the movie "The Dirt" where the character of Axl Rose snorts a line of urine.
• He explains that the scene was based on a real event that occurred during a tour with Mötley Crüe.

Tommy Lee's Business Ventures

• The speaker discusses the importance of having a good business partner and mentions Shopify as a platform that can help businesses grow.
• The speaker talks about a subscription service they signed up for that sent them a new umbrella every month.
• The speaker mentions Rocket Money as a tool that helped them cancel the subscription.
• The speaker states that most people likely pay more in subscriptions than they realize.