Is authenticity dead in a world run by algorithms, branding, and corporate culture?

In this episode of the Common-X Podcast, we sit down with John Becker, aka We Knew Nothing — a veteran of LA’s punk scene who’s spent decades pushing back against fake culture, manufactured rebellion, and art stripped of meaning.

This isn’t a political episode. It’s a culture and music conversation about:

• What happens when art becomes content
• How punk was absorbed, monetized, and diluted
• The difference between rebellion and branding
• Why authenticity still matters — and where it survives
• Power, control, and the illusion of choice in modern culture

If you’ve ever felt like everything around you looks polished but feels hollow, this conversation will hit home.

Punk isn’t dead — it’s just uncomfortable.

The CommonX Podcast features long-form conversations with musicians, cultural voices, veterans, entrepreneurs, and independent thinkers who bring lived experience to the table. Hosted by Jared Mayzak and Ian Primmer, CommonX explores music, culture, work, identity, resilience, and the systems that shape everyday life—without talking points or manufactured outrage.

From iconic artists and creative pioneers to everyday people with extraordinary stories, each episode prioritizes honesty, curiosity, and meaningful dialogue. This is a Gen-X–driven show for listeners who value depth over noise and conversation over clicks.

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