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 ...
Jazz.....more music.....less politics
Well, I guess I could say "I believe".
Are they young enough to be drafted?
Dizzy for President?
By Green Day, this post means the musical group. I think you're referring to the football team.
Yes, "American Idiot" sung by high school drop outs.
"Don't wanna be an American idiot". Umm... too late.
Kurt NoBrain.. OD Drown In Your Own Puke Hero... of the Seriously Unwashed Mushheads
Hypocrites they are.
I'm sure you were.
Look for my generation...(18-24) to eat it up with the typical MTV fervor.
You can remove the song "American Idiot" from the Madden 2005 soundtrack. I did and makes the game easier to play.
"American Idiot" sounds like every single song off of "Dookie." After their previous album, which actually had some interesting stuff on it (I liked "Time Of Your Life," I'm somewhat ashamed to admit), they've gone back to the same old-same old three-chord MTV-friendly bubblegum pop-punk. Rebellious? Hardly. They're the ultimate conformists, musically and politically.
}:-)4
Barf! these guys ain't punk!
Famous? Hell, three-chord punk has been around for 30+ years. Pikers.
"It was a little hipper to be apathetic (back then)," says singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong.
"... and we want people to think we are hip, so we follow the latest fashions. Cuz that's us." he continued.
"Right now, it's more about facing danger. That's what growing up is all about."
So grow up and realize the actual dangers we are facing, ya moron.
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.
Wow. Clever idea for an album. I wonder how come no one ever thought of making a concept album before? What pioneers these guys are!
"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.
But does he play a mean pinball, Armstrong? Or should I call you "Racoon Boy"?
All three members of Green Day say writing their new album was the toughest project they've faced in 15 years together.
It was especially tough because instead of the usual bubble-gum crap we normally do, we had to actually think this time, and that was like, really hard, man. In the end, we just decided to watch the Michael Moore movies instead." Armstrong said.
"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.
Signature sound my butt. The same old three chord stuff that's been around forever.
Armstrong said the album's cultural criticism was spawned from channel-surfing these last few years.
Ah... ok. They watch a lot of TV. Of course they do - they're creative. /sarcasm.
"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.
It's not all THAT confusing, Racoon Boy. All you have to do is have a few basic critical thinking skills and it's easy to figure out. By the way, Racoon Boy, I was watching the Forensic Files show on Court TV the other day, and they had Bissell Steam Cleaner Commercials on during the show. GUess I need to write a concept album, eh?
But why the sudden interest in politics?
"Cuz all our peers, like Bruce and Linda and stuff were all like 'Bush Sucks" so we wanted to be hip.", Racoon Boy Said.
"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.
"Like, The Republicans controlling everything, and how they starve women, and freeze the elderly, and kill trees, and eat whales, and caused Glbal Warming, and made everyone unemployed and homeless and stuff..."
Drummer Tre Cool added that it's important for those in the public eye to make their opinions known.
Like anyone actually cares what someone named "Tre Cool" has to say...
By the way, do you have any whale? I'm all out.
}:-)4
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