Members of Green Day lambast Bush

The Herald Tribune ^ | September 29, 2004 | AP

[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.

[Reactionary]

I'm sure "American Idiot" will make a big splash with idiots everywhere.

[Freakazoid]

Bunch o' maroons. I pray for their souls.

[mountaineer]

BFD.

[Right Wing Professor]

Has-beens.

[Mr. Mojo]

"It was a little hipper to be apathetic (back then)," says singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong

So if it were "hip" to support Bush would he be on that bandwagon too? Deep thinker here.

[ER_in_OC,CA]

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.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Maybe they should change their band name to "American Idiots" instead...

[Terabitten]

Drummer Tre Cool added that it's important for those in the public eye to make their opinions known.

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."

[cjshapi]

And we would care about what they think or say why?

[Pete]

Didn't Pete Townshend pretty much already do this almost 40 years ago?

[MikefromOhio]

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?

[chimera]

Drummer Tre Cool added that it's important for those in the public eye to make their opinions known.

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.

[GSWarrior]

We're probably the best Green Day-type band there is out there,"

Odd quote, considering that Green Day is probably the best Buzzcocks-type band there is out there.

[Texas_Jarhead]

"Drummer Tre Cool added that it's important for those in the public eye to make their opinions known."

Why? and who says?

I think Laura Ingram said it best with "shut-up and sing"...

[conservativo]

I think so, too. They picked the perfect target audience.

[Billthedrill]

Yeah - I take a lot of political advice from apathetic, drugged-out musicians hoping for a little notoriety to sell their latest "work." But jeez, guys, the "rock opera" thing went out with Quadrophenia. Thank God.

[Mr.Atos]

Well, well, well... the American Idiots speak!

My personal tribute to the embicils can be read here.

American Idiot…

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 )

[Low-Carb Bartender]

... 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.

[conservativo]

If you don't care about a post, don't read it, for god's sake.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Green Day is probably the best Buzzcocks-type band there is out there

When Green Day writes a song one tenth as good as "Boredom" or "Ever Fallen In Love", then I might pay attention.

[vollmond]

"I'm an Anarchist, and I vote!"

[hyperpoly8]

Green and Orange make brown. What else is brown? The stuff that comes out, and is a byproduct, of the mouths of the Greens and Oranges.

[BurtS188]

Please tell me he isn't trying to claim "innovativeness" as a Green Day feature. Might cause someone to make a list of all the bands that came WAY before them doing the exact same stuff.

[opus86]

Isn't this the band that released an album entitled Dookie? Yeah, I'm gonna want to hear what they have to say about politics. These guys are obviously friggin geniuses. How could I ever form a reasoned opinion about current events without their input?

[nunya bidness]

Odd quote, considering that Green Day is probably the best Buzzcocks-type band there is out there.

I disagree. Green Day is a carbon copy of The Dickies.

[Right Wing Professor]

Green Day is probably the best Buzzcocks-type band there is out there.

But the Buzzcocks are still the greatest.

[Right Wing Professor]

I can't believe there's a cadre of Buzzcocks fans of FR. Kewl!

[GSWarrior]

Not sure if I've heard any of their music so I'll take your world for it. I'm thinking they did that Killer Clowns from Outer Space song, no?

[exile]

Amazing, just freaking amazing. Aren't these stupid punks supposed to rebel? Instead these losers are drinking the liberal Koolade with the rest of there slacker buddies. What ticks me off is these imbeciles think they are so freaking deep, and so damn original, JUST LIKE ALL THERE F'ING FRIENDS.

[operation clinton cleanup]

or in their case... shut up and jam! They had some catchy tunes back in the day. Now they are trying to cash in on the Mikhail Moore bandwagon.

[babaloo999]

Do you believe in ESP?

[conservativo]

Whoa! I think you spoke for all of us...

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

Don't get me started about old-school punk rock now! Spiral Scratch RULES!!!

[Warlord]

I play EA Sports' "Madden Football '05" frequently. "American Idiot" has prominent position on the soundtrack, and often plays as background during games. Fortunately, the game gives users control over what songs play. Unfortunately, however, anti-Americanism and anti-capitalism are notable themes for the Madden soundtrack this year.

It should be noted that John Madden likely did not have anything to do with soundtrack development. It was all the "creative" folks at EA.

[dead]

Billie Joe Armstrong should write a song about an American idiot who develops a goofy, inexplicable British accent in a pathetic attempt to make himself sound “intellectual”.

Maybe he could get Madonna and Kathleen Turner to sing backup.

[HenryLeeII]

Members of Green Day lambast Bush

Amazing. Even after Kerry mangles the name of their stadium, members of the Packers still won't endorse Bush. I guess losing the '95 NFC championship game 38-27 to a team from Texas, combined with their 31-24 victory over New England in Super Bowl XXXII, predisposes them to supporting the candidate from Massachusetts.

[labowski]

screw these little booger eatin spaz has beens. i never liked em anyway. "tres cool", lol.

[Right Wing Professor]

No, it's just nostaliga for a time yet to come.

[nunya bidness]

I'm thinking they did that Killer Clowns from Outer Space song, no?

That's them.

[NRA1995]

Jazz.....more music.....less politics

[babaloo999]

Well, I guess I could say "I believe".

[pipecorp]

Are they young enough to be drafted?

[nickcarraway]

Dizzy for President?

[conservativo]

By Green Day, this post means the musical group. I think you're referring to the football team.

[StoneFury]

Here's a pic of the borderline-homo freaks:

[KC_Conspirator]

Yes, "American Idiot" sung by high school drop outs.

[Musket]

"Don't wanna be an American idiot". Umm... too late.

[joesnuffy]

Kurt NoBrain.. OD Drown In Your Own Puke Hero... of the Seriously Unwashed Mushheads

[conservativo]

Hypocrites they are.