Insane Clown Posse’s Violent J Says Juggalos are Misunderstood

Check those many misconceptions about Insane Clown Posse at the door. They're a lot smarter than metalheads and pop culture critics give them credit for, and they're happily getting ready for the forthcoming Gathering of the Juggalos, which is in its 12th year. Violent J, who deemed himself "happy, friendly Violent J today, since I am normally savage, serial killer J" during our chat, gave Noisecreep the rundown on the Gathering, including Charlie Sheen's role as host; what it means to be a Juggalo; the gang misconception; and how he feels about the hate spewed at ICP. J also said, "Excuse my language" after dropping the "eff" bomb. See what we mean about the group's duality? There's a lot more to ICP than you would ever think.

This year's Gathering of the Juggalo infests Cave-In-Rock, Ill. on August 11th and runs through August 14th. In addition to Sheen-as-host, the ICP seminar, comedians and wrestling, the lines of Lil Jon, Saliva, Bobby Brown, hed PE and Kittie will perform. Screech from 'Saved by the Bell,' AKA Dustin Diamond, will also be on hand.

Check out our exclusive interview with Violent J under the cut.

So Charlie Sheen will be making an appearance at The Gathering of the Juggalos. How are the Juggalos reacting to tiger blood and Adonis DNA impacting their fest?

It's going to go over great. I could be wrong, and we've been wrong in the past, but I think the Juggalos relate most to people who are the underdogs or are unpopular or are pointed at, who are picked on, f---ed with. That's not exactly Charlie Sheen, but people call him a douchebag and point the finger at him, or make fun of his lifestyle, saying something sarcastic. No one will ever say he is an acting genius. Those are not the headlines. But I relate it to the first time Vanilla Ice played. We didn't know how it would go, but he killed it. The rest of America hates him –and the reason they hate him is because they used to love him and are mad at themselves for it so they take it out on him- but the first time he played our fests, Juggalos loved him. He rocks it. MC Hammer is going to go good, too.

The Gathering of the Juggalos is about embracing cast offs in many forms, it appears.

It is a place for freedom. We're clowns, so you can't go wrong with us. We're the ultimate picked on type, the ultimate buffoons. And our fans feel that same way. Some of them feel like they don't fit in, and then when they get together with 10 or 15 thousand people going through the same thing, it creates a euphoria. That's the real magic about The Gathering. It's not the performances, performers or the wrestling; it's about the feeling, with total strangers having admiration and respect for each other. That is the magic.

Being a Juggalo ain't easy.

It's hard to be a Juggalo. It's not cool. We are the most hated band in the world. But when you get together with other people all over America, who do the same s--- you do, it's wonderful. I was even reading what reporters said last year, reading stories that came out after The Gathering, where writer were saying that 'I was so surprised by everyone's warmth and happiness.' That's why there is no reason for cops or tough ass security guards; it's not on that kind of show.

What is Charlie Sheen going to do exactly?

He will host all night, announce every group, do a Q&A session, perform his freshness, his comedy.

More importantly, will he duet with ICP?

Who knows, you know? We will try get him to wrestling that night, show him around.

He is not doing it for money; he does not need the little money we can provide. He is coming since he thinks it's awesome, unique and different.

Watch the Gathering of the Juggalos 2011 infomercial

What is Violent J's favorite thing about The Gathering of the Juggalos?

The legend wrestling show. These people? I grew up watching them wrestle and now I get to come back and see the guys I grew up watching and wondering about. I was spending my days dreaming about these wrestlers and now I got the best seat in the house. I get to watch them and talk to them.

What's the biggest misconception about Juggalos?

Nobody has any idea. They are totally misunderstood. People think Juggalos are a gang and they are on the FBI gang list. That is funny. Gangs do crime, sell dope, take over areas, run neighborhoods. Juggalos don't do any of that s---. ICP is ICP. I like being most hated band of the world and people being scared away by it. It is not for everyone; it is for people to dissect and study it.

ICP and the Juggalo fanbase are an anthropological experiment.

I don't even call them a fanbase; they are a movement. They don't follow everything we say; they embrace other bands we have nothing to do with.

What else on ICP's docket?

There will be a monster tour and a new album coming out early next year. We have a bunch of stuff going on, but I can't talk about it now. We're saving it for The Gathering. We have the ICP seminar, so I am saving it for the seminar or else we will be up there for 45 minutes in front of our fans with nothing to talk about.

Below is the rundown of performers, artists, wrestlers and comedians slated for The Gathering of the Juggalos.

MAIN MUSICIANS:

Busta Rhymes MC Hammer

Ice Cube CKY

Insane Clown Posse Paris

Bobby Brown E-40

Paul Wall Tech N9ne

Lil Jon DJ Quik

Xzibit Mastamind

George Clinton Mystikal

Vanilla Ice Juvenille

Saliva Kottonmouth Kings

Twiztid Blaze

ABK Boondox

Dark Lotus Dayton Family

Hed PE Prozak

Kittie Dope

HOSTS: COMEDIANS:

Charlie Sheen Mick Foley

Flavor Flav Brian Posehn

Dustin Diamond Jimmie "JJ" Walker

Mystery Guest Harland Williams

WRESTLERS:

Chyna Jerry "The King" Lawler

Xpac Rock-n-Roll Express

Zac Gowen Honky Tonk Man

Rob Conway "Cowboy" Bob Orton

Scott Hall Koko B. Ware

Booker T Sunny

Raven Hacksaw Jim Duggan

Vicera Terry Funk

Tank Abbott "Rowdy" Roddy Piper