Posted on 09/29/2004 1:10:43 PM PDT by conservativo
TORONTO -- One of the biggest role models from the "I don't care" era has done a complete 180-degree turn.
Using their famous three-chord melodies, the spiky-haired trio Green Day have been lambasting President George W. Bush.
"It was a little hipper to be apathetic (back then)," says singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong. "Right now, it's more about facing danger. That's what growing up is all about."
However, their new album, "American Idiot," isn't all about politics. It was written with a narrative, making it a "punk opera" of sorts. The central character is a rebellious teen named Jesus of Suburbia.
"It's about a kid that is trying to find his beliefs and his ethics, coming from a broken home, being fed up with his hometown and his local 7-11," said Armstrong, who still circles his eyes with black eyeliner.
All three members of Green Day say writing their new album was the toughest project they've faced in 15 years together.
"We were up to the challenge. We're probably the best Green Day-type band there is out there," said bassist Mike Dirnt, referring to the dozens of neo-punksters who have mimicked the band's signature sound.
Armstrong said the album's cultural criticism was spawned from channel-surfing these last few years.
"Reality television meets news and war ... tanks going into Baghdad with splashes of Viagra commercials in between. I was just so confused about what was going on. It comes from that standpoint," he said.
But why the sudden interest in politics?
"It's unavoidable. Being in the United States right now, what's been going on the past couple of years ..." Armstrong said with a shrug.
Drummer Tre Cool added that it's important for those in the public eye to make their opinions known.
(Excerpt) Read more at heraldtribune.com ...
I'm sure "American Idiot" will make a big splash with idiots everywhere.
Bunch o' maroons. I pray for their souls.
BFD.
Has-beens.
So if it were "hip" to support Bush would he be on that bandwagon too? Deep thinker here.
Add that "American Idiot" by Green Day is on the Madden 2005 game soundtrack. So if you are your kids are playing the game, they're hearing it.
Catchy tune. In the game setup you can take the song off the playlist.
Maybe they should change their band name to "American Idiots" instead...
No, you dumb sh*t. It's important for musicians in the public eye to make a decent album for once. Even Frank Zappa said "shut up and play yer guitar."
And we would care about what they think or say why?
Didn't Pete Townshend pretty much already do this almost 40 years ago?
Anyone completely and totally surprised about this, please run full speed into your nearest cement and/or brick wall...
Green Day has a couple of good songs on previous albums, however, who gives a Sh!t about their politics?
I say it's a good thing, too. When buttwipes like these come out, it just drives more of the mainstream to the conservative side. Bring it on, punk boys.
Odd quote, considering that Green Day is probably the best Buzzcocks-type band there is out there.
I think so, too. They picked the perfect target audience.
My personal tribute to the embicils can be read here.
Paying homage to the posterboy of boorish insult (Elton John), I will answer the sophmoric angst of a naked generation of the absurdly alternative as expressed through a contemporary troop of contrived zeros, by dedicating a previously recorded argument to their green-necked bigotry and feckless stupidity... ( My Sandmen )
... tanks going into Baghdad with splashes of Viagra commercials in between. I was just so confused about what was going on.
Poor baby. Put down the doob and pick up a paper instead.
If you don't care about a post, don't read it, for god's sake.
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