A band that has always been a favorite of mine is Green Day. Of course, there are many others, but Green Day has had the most impact I would say. I remember singing their songs as early as three years old even, on the way to school listening to KROQ. They've always been just the right parts daring and cool to always interest and entertain me. Everyone has an opinion when it comes to music, and it seems the people I ask either love or hate Green Day funny enough, but, despite criticism I think they are very talented, fun and passionate about what they do.
Originally from Oakland, California, Green Day started back in 1986 with original members Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and John Kiffmeyer under the name Sweet Children. After their first EP 1000 Hours however, they decided to change their name to Green Day (apparently rumored out of their enjoyment of marijuana). Stemming from the East Bay and Berkley punk scene, with other punk legends such as Sublime and Rancid, Green Day is credited for inspiring the popularization for mainstream punk rock. It wasn't until after their first full length LP 39/Smooth that John Kiffmeyer left, and thus, the Lookout's drummer Tré Cool joined the band. After it was understood that Kiffmeyer was no longer going to be in the band (away at college), Tré Cool was to become the permanent drummer seeing as how he fit in better than expected. To date, these three punk rock geniuses have sold more than 65 million records worldwide, and a little over 24 million just in the US.
While at local and club levels across the states Green Day was known, it was their second full length album Dookie, released in 1994, that major success came. Radios constantly played songs such as Longview, Welcome To Paradise, When I Come Around, She and the most often played I would assume Basket Case. All very classic and great songs, that still are very much played and enjoyed by both audience and band to this day. They were the rebels filled with angst that dominated the 1990's musical scene, and equally, admired for.
Their next three albums Insomniac (1995), Nimrod (1997) and Warning (2000) were all successful , well done and gave us more songs to enjoy and love. However, none reached the bar that Dookie had set. Not until 2004's immensely popular American Idiot that is. Right around 14 million copies or so, Green Day's American Idiot not only won prestigious and numerous awards, not only peaked at number one in nineteen countries, but, held high acclaim from critics of all parts far and wide. The politically charged title track American Idiot, the nine minute story of Jesus of Suburbia, the heart breaking Wake Me Up When September Ends all tie together to what was labeled as a rock opera. While different from what is normally done and also unsettling to some, the lyrics and music that this album has and what was created can be seen as nothing shy of amazing and exceptionally done. It is still one of my favorite and most played albums.
Im not a huge green day fan but i do enjoy their music, they have a good look on their music, i personally think dookie was their best album. but i didnt know thats why they changed their them to Green Day thats quite intersting
ReplyDeleteI love that contemporary artists like Green Day and My Chemical Romance are looking to classic rock operas (The Who's "Tommy" and Pink Floyd's "The Wall") for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteWow I don't know Green Day started in the late 80's. I would see the band's name in many girls backpack in middle school in 2000.I didn't know who they were since I only listened to my dad's favorite singers, singers that were around when my late grandfather was younger. I get into English and Japaneses music in High school. American Idiot was the first song I heard from Green Day.
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