Jason Everman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jason Everman
Everman serving with the U.S. Army Special Forces in Afghanistan (from 2013 NYT article)
Background information
Birth name	Jason Mark Everman
Born	(1967-10-16) October 16, 1967 (age 57) Ouzinkie (then-part of Kodiak), Alaska, U.S.
Origin	Poulsbo, Washington, U.S.
Genres	Alternative metal, grunge, heavy metal, death metal, grindcore, hard rock, hardcore punk
Occupation(s)	Musician, soldier
Instruments	Guitar, bass
Years active	1989–1994, 2017–present
Military career
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1994–2006
Rank	Sergeant First Class
Unit	2nd Ranger Battalion 3rd Special Forces Group
Battles/wars	War in Afghanistan Iraq War

Jason Mark Everman (born October 16, 1967) is an American musician and soldier. He played guitar for famous bands like Nirvana and Mind Funk. He also played bass for Soundgarden and OLD. Later, he joined the U.S. Army. He served as an Army Ranger and a Green Beret. He went on tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2017, Everman has been playing guitar in a band called Silence & Light. This band is made up of military veterans.

Jason Everman's Early Life

In a 2013 interview, Jason Everman talked about where he was born. He said his birth certificate shows Kodiak. But he believed he was born in Ouzinkie. His parents lived there in a small cabin. They even had a pet ocelot named Kia. His parents had moved to Spruce Island to live closer to nature.

When Jason was very young, his mother moved to Washington. She later married a former Navy serviceman. The family eventually settled in Poulsbo. This town is across Puget Sound from Seattle.

Jason started playing guitar during therapy sessions. His therapist had guitars in the office. Jason picked one up, and the therapist played with him. This helped Jason to open up and express himself. He played in several bands during high school. He also worked on a fishing boat in Alaska with his biological father. Before joining Nirvana, he played in a band called Stonecrow. The drummer in Stonecrow was Chad Channing, who later played with Nirvana.

Jason Everman's Music Career

Jason Everman joined Nirvana in February 1989. He was their second guitarist. He is listed on Nirvana's album Bleach. He also appears on the album cover. However, he did not actually play on any of the songs. Nirvana's founder, Kurt Cobain, said the credit was a thank you. Jason had paid $606.17 to help record the album. On the 2009 remastered version of Bleach, Jason is still on the cover. He is also given special thanks in the booklet.

Everman toured with Nirvana in the summer of 1989. This tour supported the Bleach album. He played guitar on a live recording from Boston. Kurt Cobain had broken his guitar the night before. So, Jason played all the guitar parts. Jason can also be seen in a video of Nirvana playing at a record store. This performance was in Los Angeles in June 1989. During his time with Nirvana, he often used Fender guitars. Nirvana later asked Everman to leave the band. This happened after the tour ended.

Two songs featuring Everman on guitar were released later. A Kiss cover song, "Do You Love Me?", was released in 1990. The song "Dive" was released in 2004. Both songs were recorded in June 1989.

Joining Soundgarden and Other Bands

Everman then joined Soundgarden in late 1989. He played bass for them temporarily. In April of that year, he played on their cover of the Beatles' "Come Together". This song was on an EP called Loudest Love. Everman also appeared in Soundgarden's Louder Than Live video. He left Soundgarden in mid-1990. He then joined the band OLD as their bass player. Later, in 1993, he played guitar for the band Mind Funk.

Jason Everman's Military Service

In September 1994, Jason Everman decided to join the United States Army. He was inspired by a famous artist named Benvenuto Cellini. Cellini believed a well-rounded person should be an artist, a warrior, and a thinker. Jason left Mind Funk to enlist. He served with the Army's 2nd Ranger Battalion. Later, he joined the Special Forces. He served in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

After his military service, he took a break. He lived in New York City and worked as a bike messenger. He then traveled to Tibet. He worked and studied in a Buddhist monastery there. Later, he returned to the U.S. and rejoined the Army. He was offered the chance to join the Special Forces again.

Jason received an honorable discharge in 2006. He then went to college. He earned a degree in philosophy from Columbia University School of General Studies in 2013. A high-ranking general, Stanley A. McChrystal, even wrote a letter to help him get into college. In 2013, The New York Times published an article about Jason Everman. The article included interviews with him, his family, and former bandmates. A 2014 interview mentioned that he was invited to Nirvana's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

Everman earned a Master's degree in Military History in 2017.

Back to Music with Silence & Light

In May 2017, Everman met another veteran, Brad Thomas, in New York. They decided to start a band called Silence & Light. By July, the band had a full lineup of military veterans. Jason Everman plays the guitar in the band. They started recording an album in January 2019. The band released their first album in December 2019. The money the band earns helps members of the Special Operations Community, the Military, and First Responders. The band describes their music as modern rock.

In April 2023, Everman was a guest on a popular podcast, the Joe Rogan Experience. He talked about his interesting life and career.

Jason Everman's Discography

With Nirvana

• Bleach (1989) (Credited but does not play)
• Hard to Believe: A Kiss Covers Compilation (1990) (rhythm guitar on track 11)
• With the Lights Out (2004) (2nd guitar on track 17, disc one, and track 10, DVD)

With Soundgarden

• Loudest Love (1990) (track 5)
• Louder Than Live (1990)

With OLD

• Lo Flux Tube (1991)
• Masters of Misery – Black Sabbath: An Earache Tribute (1992)

With Mind Funk

• Dropped (1993)

With Silence & Light

• Volume One (2019)
• Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda… (2023)

Awards and Decorations

Jason Everman has received several military awards for his service. These include:

• The Combat Infantryman Badge
• The Army Good Conduct Medal (four times)
• The National Defense Service Medal
• The Afghanistan Campaign Medal
• The Iraq Campaign Medal
• The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• The Army Service Ribbon
• The Army Overseas Service Ribbon
• The Special Forces Tab
• The Ranger Tab
• The Master Parachutist Badge
• The Expert Marksmanship Badge

See also

In Spanish: Jason Everman para niños

• List of pre-fame band departures