As a journalist, how the hell do you completely ignore an entire album? How do you tell the band to their face that there was nothing in 2016/17 when that was the Revolution Radio era? Unbelievable.
I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and assume he meant that there was a need for another "american idiot"-esque album, around those years of 2016, 2017. Yes we did get RevRad, and yes the band did speak out on the then topical political topics, but not to the same impact as AI
@@godaberi AI had two political songs (American Idiot and Holiday, three if you count JoS) while RevRad had four (RevRad, Bang Bang, Say Goodbye, and Troubled Times). Weird how people think of AI as a "political album", but the same doesn't apply to RevRad.
Because bands had to work a bit harder back then to get noticed without help from the internet, bands had to rely on playing shows and people spreading their music by word of mouth.
“I was kinda hoping for some Green Day around 2016/2017” there was a very solid Green Day album released in October 2016 with songs about what was going on at that time🥲
Yeah I heard that and rolled my eyes. The boys must have been holding in the "well actually" so hard right at that point, especially knowing they put so much love and work into it.
Love that quote! With a band name like ours, that's definitely something that we have in our DNA. Most songs that we have ever done that could be classed as love songs come from a place of both frustration and hope, as do the ones that touch on political/social topics.
Green Day isn't just a band; they're my sonic rebellion. From "Basket Case" to "American Idiot," their music is my anthem of individuality and a soundtrack to my highs and lows. Billie Joe's lyrics speak to my soul, and every concert feels like a punk rock pilgrimage. Green Day isn't just music; they're the heartbeat of my journey.
American Idiot wasn't even about Bush, it was a rock opera and a character study. The album tackles the idea of apathy in politics, and activism used as a trendy lifestyle. The "American idiot" in the title is literally the protagonist who falls in love with Whatsername (who is an actual activist who lives and breathes her political ideals) - and it's about him not taking these causes seriously as its more about the girl he's in love with. That is why the climax of the album is Letterbomb where she dumps him and completely lights him up for not taking anything seriously. But for some reason people keep attaching the album as solely being about Bush. While of course the band used the record to be critical of the Bush admin at the time, the LP wasn't written with him in mind. And I would argue the record is much better because it's about its own self-contained story. RARELY do albums work when they are solely about criticizing a current political party or figure. As Billie states in this interview, they didn't just want to be another talking head pundit.
Definitely agree, I dont think theres too many people that really care about the rock opera narrative thats the core of the album so much as there are people who try to dissect every song and line to fit into real world politics. The story is awesome to me
The reason is because you have a lot of people who care deeply about the politics of this country. I am not one of those people. I think the whole thing is a shit show. Anyways, these people, based off of two songs on the record, got the slightest wiff of a political message and ran with it. POLITICS...WHERE!? FUCK BUSH! I dunno, maybe there was a little bit of that in there, but as you already pointed out, the album isn't about those things. It does take a more general look at the wreck of society, but even then only a little. As you said, it's a rock opera about Jesus Of Suburbia, St. Jimmy and Whatsername. A story of these fictional characters and their struggles and choices within a harsh, difficult to navigate world.
Yup. Totally agree. People latched onto the song American Idiot and Holiday and decided it was a fully political album, when it really isn’t. To me, it’s just the story of Billie Joe’s life, it’s not so different from something like “Welcome to Paradise”. It’s about a lost kid from a broken home in a nowhere town, who decides to leave home and move to the city and throw himself into a life of drugs (St Jimmy, Give Me Novacaine) and ends up falling in love with a girl (She’s A Rebel, Extraordinary Girl). He eventually moves back to the suburbs after the world chews him up and spits him back out. Now he’s older and a little wiser, but still kind of a lost adult. It’s not too different from Billie’s life (just without having become a rock star). The backdrop is America in 2004, which was (and still is) a pretty confusing place to live, but the album as a whole doesnt dive into politics in any specific way. It’s vague in its political messaging, other than the very general theme of “growing up in America can be confusing and challenging due to how fucked up our media can be”. Anyway, I agree with you. It’s a brilliant album but it’s much more about the personal journey of a fucked up young person, than it is about politics specifically
American Idiot wasn’t originally about “Whatsername.” Whatsername wasn’t a thing yet. American Idiot was so big they garnered the idea to turn it into a play. That wasn’t the intent when it was original written. They wrote the play, wrote characters for the play such as St. Jimmy and Whatsername, then made the songs fit around that. The same was done with Jagged Little Pill decades after the album. Nimrod could theoretically be a play with Haushinka as a character who hangs scattered pictures on her bedroom wall. The album starts off with mid-life crises and falling off sobriety then lost love then anger, which is perfect play fodder. AI wasn’t originally written to be the rock opera/Broadway play that it spawned. Those ideas came after.
Great interview, just wish it was longer. I really get Tre's perspective on why music from the 90's was, and remains to be so iconic, dig that. It's great seeing that these guys seem to still be really be in touch with what makes great music. Didn't totally dig the last album, but I'm super excited about the new album after hearing Look Ma and seeing interviews like this.
4:09 it’s because we didn’t have access to endless catalogs of songs and bands like we do now. When you spend your hard earned money on an album, you are going to listen to that front and back and around again.
My very first CD I ever had was Dookie, and now in my mid 40s here I am excited to get my hands on anything they put out. Also, I am a professional musician, and Basket Case was the first song I learned on guitar. Still play it and it takes me back to those angry teenage years when I used to play it with my beat up electric and Peavey Bandit.
They make some solid & insightful points. I always felt like the albums 21st Century Breakdown & Revolution Radio were the closest to spiritual successors of American Idiot
I think being referred to as a "heritage act" is a compliment! And a well-deserved one by the band! For me, Green Day is so nostalgic in the best way! Their sound is comforting to me. Even with their two most recent releases, all I needed was to hear them once to get into them! I am really looking forward to their next release in January. And I won't stream it or download it. I will buy the cd or album and play it like I played my new records 35 years ago because thats the way (new) music should be appreciated! ✌🏾
These interviews are always painful to watch. Bless these guys for keeping straight faces and answering all the questions coming their way. No need for a bunch of weird interrogations by DJ's, we all know the formula is simple, maybe not easy, but simple: the band puts out good music and we, their fans, will follow.
There is not one song I hate from green day. I love them all. ❤️. Best band ever!!! Now if I can just meet them all in person, that would make my life complete. I would die happy and complete. ❤
I mean rush did this before them. 40 years, same 3 guys, i think 19 or 20 studio albums, over 50 million albums sold, EXTREMELY rabid cult fanbase all around the world who are absolutely obsessed with them. As far as i know they are the first band to continue on for 4 decades and basically not lose any fans. Seemed to just keep growing over time. They laid down the roadmap for green day.
That’s why let’s say Dookie is one of the best albums of all time. It’s a great and very enjoyable experience in this pop sense but it was punky and the album was like 30-40 minute timespan
i love american idiot and i love the way billy approached the album and this question. if american idiot was written in 2016 it would be about overthrowing the whole system because it has gotten that bad. wish other bands of this caliber (rage…) would have the same approach
Wait Green Day didn't play in Toronto the day after American Idiot came out, they played NYC at Irving Plaza the day it came out and then another show in lower Manhattan the day after, I know because I was there at that other show.
Billie is right. The politics in our country is the worst. We are in huge debt borrowing from china and giving it to foreigners, with a geriatric leader who doesn't know where he is or what he is talking about.
We are trying to be a stadium band lol scene today doesn’t encourage new stadium music, just want consistent songs pumped out-doesnt even matter if they’re good. I want to vomit.
SO excited to see them on tour... as an 80s baby im such a fan.. but THE FASHION is so sexy, Billy Joel is so hot.. ANYONE know where I can find that blazer he's wearing? I've been trying to find one for YEARS
2016/17 = nothing? Revolution Radio halo?? One of the better albums from them, very solid album. MUCH better than Uno/Dos/Tre - trilogy or FOAM. Actually I like Revolution Radio to be 4th best album from them. (top-3: 1. American Idiot, 2. Dookie, 3. 21th Century breakdown).
I don't like how these interviewers literally talk a lotta about Bush in my preference I totally love the song and Green Day but oh man Billie and the Band just wanted to talk about how iconic and good the song is.
I was so mad when i listened to 21 century record, i threw it out my window 30 mins after buying it. American idiot was in that car cd player for years.
“I wanted something from 2016/2017”
Revolution Radio: Am I a joke to you?
As a journalist, how the hell do you completely ignore an entire album? How do you tell the band to their face that there was nothing in 2016/17 when that was the Revolution Radio era? Unbelievable.
I think it's easy when you're a big dork who isn't really a fan of the band and is just like "zomg r u going 2 make fun of trump lol!!11"
I think he is referring to the politics, as in a larger political theme. I might be wrong though.
Rev Rad is top tier IMO
I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt and assume he meant that there was a need for another "american idiot"-esque album, around those years of 2016, 2017. Yes we did get RevRad, and yes the band did speak out on the then topical political topics, but not to the same impact as AI
I think he meant like he was expecting an american idiot 2
@@godaberi AI had two political songs (American Idiot and Holiday, three if you count JoS) while RevRad had four (RevRad, Bang Bang, Say Goodbye, and Troubled Times). Weird how people think of AI as a "political album", but the same doesn't apply to RevRad.
“Why does 90s music still resonate today?” Well because for the most part it was actually good.
Facts
They’re still sonically and lyrically relevant. The themes that were present during that era still apply today.
90s music was made with heart and soul!
90's music seemed to have an honest sound that is rare to come across today.
Because bands had to work a bit harder back then to get noticed without help from the internet, bands had to rely on playing shows and people spreading their music by word of mouth.
“I was kinda hoping for some Green Day around 2016/2017” there was a very solid Green Day album released in October 2016 with songs about what was going on at that time🥲
Revolution Radio!
Personally thought it was one their best. Reason saying they produced the album themselves and gave it to their record as a surprise
Fucking journalists don’t even try anymore these days.
Yeah I heard that and rolled my eyes. The boys must have been holding in the "well actually" so hard right at that point, especially knowing they put so much love and work into it.
@@Reds-Retros if track 3 of 39/smooth, I wouldn't've held it in, I'd just hit him with the "well actually"
Bruh. Dude’s hair survived all that dye, alcohol and bad road food. Mad props.
“A political song has to come from the same place that a love song comes from.” -Billie Joe
Love that quote!
With a band name like ours, that's definitely something that we have in our DNA. Most songs that we have ever done that could be classed as love songs come from a place of both frustration and hope, as do the ones that touch on political/social topics.
That is truly a great thing to say !
What does that mean?
Green Day isn't just a band; they're my sonic rebellion. From "Basket Case" to "American Idiot," their music is my anthem of individuality and a soundtrack to my highs and lows. Billie Joe's lyrics speak to my soul, and every concert feels like a punk rock pilgrimage. Green Day isn't just music; they're the heartbeat of my journey.
American Idiot wasn't even about Bush, it was a rock opera and a character study. The album tackles the idea of apathy in politics, and activism used as a trendy lifestyle. The "American idiot" in the title is literally the protagonist who falls in love with Whatsername (who is an actual activist who lives and breathes her political ideals) - and it's about him not taking these causes seriously as its more about the girl he's in love with. That is why the climax of the album is Letterbomb where she dumps him and completely lights him up for not taking anything seriously.
But for some reason people keep attaching the album as solely being about Bush. While of course the band used the record to be critical of the Bush admin at the time, the LP wasn't written with him in mind. And I would argue the record is much better because it's about its own self-contained story. RARELY do albums work when they are solely about criticizing a current political party or figure. As Billie states in this interview, they didn't just want to be another talking head pundit.
Definitely agree, I dont think theres too many people that really care about the rock opera narrative thats the core of the album so much as there are people who try to dissect every song and line to fit into real world politics. The story is awesome to me
The reason is because you have a lot of people who care deeply about the politics of this country. I am not one of those people. I think the whole thing is a shit show. Anyways, these people, based off of two songs on the record, got the slightest wiff of a political message and ran with it. POLITICS...WHERE!? FUCK BUSH! I dunno, maybe there was a little bit of that in there, but as you already pointed out, the album isn't about those things. It does take a more general look at the wreck of society, but even then only a little. As you said, it's a rock opera about Jesus Of Suburbia, St. Jimmy and Whatsername. A story of these fictional characters and their struggles and choices within a harsh, difficult to navigate world.
Yup. Totally agree. People latched onto the song American Idiot and Holiday and decided it was a fully political album, when it really isn’t. To me, it’s just the story of Billie Joe’s life, it’s not so different from something like “Welcome to Paradise”. It’s about a lost kid from a broken home in a nowhere town, who decides to leave home and move to the city and throw himself into a life of drugs (St Jimmy, Give Me Novacaine) and ends up falling in love with a girl (She’s A Rebel, Extraordinary Girl). He eventually moves back to the suburbs after the world chews him up and spits him back out. Now he’s older and a little wiser, but still kind of a lost adult. It’s not too different from Billie’s life (just without having become a rock star). The backdrop is America in 2004, which was (and still is) a pretty confusing place to live, but the album as a whole doesnt dive into politics in any specific way. It’s vague in its political messaging, other than the very general theme of “growing up in America can be confusing and challenging due to how fucked up our media can be”.
Anyway, I agree with you. It’s a brilliant album but it’s much more about the personal journey of a fucked up young person, than it is about politics specifically
@@kamandresen6879 Very well said
American Idiot wasn’t originally about “Whatsername.” Whatsername wasn’t a thing yet. American Idiot was so big they garnered the idea to turn it into a play. That wasn’t the intent when it was original written. They wrote the play, wrote characters for the play such as St. Jimmy and Whatsername, then made the songs fit around that.
The same was done with Jagged Little Pill decades after the album.
Nimrod could theoretically be a play with Haushinka as a character who hangs scattered pictures on her bedroom wall. The album starts off with mid-life crises and falling off sobriety then lost love then anger, which is perfect play fodder.
AI wasn’t originally written to be the rock opera/Broadway play that it spawned. Those ideas came after.
It’s easily a sequel to American idiot and parts of Dookie. Saviors will be a legendary record.
Great interview, just wish it was longer. I really get Tre's perspective on why music from the 90's was, and remains to be so iconic, dig that. It's great seeing that these guys seem to still be really be in touch with what makes great music. Didn't totally dig the last album, but I'm super excited about the new album after hearing Look Ma and seeing interviews like this.
Yea can’t wait
"Give a shit and do it right." Words to live by.
4:09 it’s because we didn’t have access to endless catalogs of songs and bands like we do now. When you spend your hard earned money on an album, you are going to listen to that front and back and around again.
I am super pumped for the Savours album!!!! Greatest band on the planet!!!!
My very first CD I ever had was Dookie, and now in my mid 40s here I am excited to get my hands on anything they put out. Also, I am a professional musician, and Basket Case was the first song I learned on guitar. Still play it and it takes me back to those angry teenage years when I used to play it with my beat up electric and Peavey Bandit.
I'm definitely an American Idiot/ 21stCB guy but still have respect for these guys. Glad they are still going and have such a tight fan base.
Guy slept on RevRad. That album was a banger!!
2016/2017!? Umm, Revolution Radio
I swear everyone forgets that Bang Bang etc
Green Day has influenced so many bands throughout the years
Green Day always plays great music 🎶
They make some solid & insightful points. I always felt like the albums 21st Century Breakdown & Revolution Radio were the closest to spiritual successors of American Idiot
21st Century Breakdown definitely applies as some songs from that album were used in the musical adaptation of American Idiot
Great interview!
They did it already : American idiot 2 is 21st Century Breakdown
I think being referred to as a "heritage act" is a compliment! And a well-deserved one by the band! For me, Green Day is so nostalgic in the best way! Their sound is comforting to me. Even with their two most recent releases, all I needed was to hear them once to get into them! I am really looking forward to their next release in January. And I won't stream it or download it. I will buy the cd or album and play it like I played my new records 35 years ago because thats the way (new) music should be appreciated! ✌🏾
Well, I could do that at my 41
These interviews are always painful to watch. Bless these guys for keeping straight faces and answering all the questions coming their way. No need for a bunch of weird interrogations by DJ's, we all know the formula is simple, maybe not easy, but simple: the band puts out good music and we, their fans, will follow.
I started getting really into Green Day last year even though I've been listening to them for almost 15 years
There is not one song I hate from green day. I love them all. ❤️. Best band ever!!!
Now if I can just meet them all in person, that would make my life complete. I would die happy and complete. ❤
Great interview. Thanks for sharing Alan!
Blink-182 are following in Green Day’s footsteps.
Both are touring through North America this summer, and I can’t wait to see both of them!
I guess Revolution Radio and “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA” wasn’t enough for this guy in 2016…
Love Green Day, my favourite song of theirs is ‘All the small things’
Is there a longer uncut version of this interview? There is so much more stuff to talk about when it comes to Green Day
I think they should have renamed their Saviors album to American Idiot Part 2.
Green Day should film a video in drag at Disney World while drinking Bud Light. "Tear down that wall." -Pink Floyd
Can’t wait to see you live
I'm 56 l love green day from the first album I play guitar learn a lot of their songs,, gives great joy.
beautiful | such great times. Thank you Green Day
I sense an episode of ongoing history of new music episode of Green Day in their own words.
The revolution radio erasure is fucking mind boggling and unacceptable
Green Day timed it perfectly. Well done !
I wish they called him out for that 16/17 comment
I love Dirnt at the end ❤of the
I mean rush did this before them. 40 years, same 3 guys, i think 19 or 20 studio albums, over 50 million albums sold, EXTREMELY rabid cult fanbase all around the world who are absolutely obsessed with them.
As far as i know they are the first band to continue on for 4 decades and basically not lose any fans. Seemed to just keep growing over time. They laid down the roadmap for green day.
I think you meant "American Idiot Part 3" because 21st Century Breakdown is actually American Idiot Part 2
21st century breakdown is still my favourite but dookie is my soul for guitar
Great interview and good questions!
That’s why let’s say Dookie is one of the best albums of all time. It’s a great and very enjoyable experience in this pop sense but it was punky and the album was like 30-40 minute timespan
Been a fan of these guys since my early teen years! Apparently God has good taste in music!
Tré Cool not talking looks likes he just can't wait to destroy something... god i love em
One of the best bands ever
That's why I love them. They care about what they make and put heart and soul into it
Can’t wait to see them on tour this year ❤
they already did it’s called 21st century breakdown
That's what I was thinking. Weird interviewer.
Thank you glad someone else thought that
Amazing work our boys Green day is amazing ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I LOVE this band!
I remember saying « The upside of when a bad president arrives is that Green Day are going to make some awesome songs ! »
Did this man not listen to RevRad?
Fantastic
That's because Green Day is incredible and frankly literally, life changing
Iconic Band
New Album will be dynamite
like someone already said, great interview, which it was longer!!
REVOLUTION RADIO 2016 WAS ONE OF THE BEST GREEN DAY ALBUMS
Why is music from the 90’s still big 20 30 years later because everyone didn’t suck then
The Internet did destroy the "Record Store experience"
i love american idiot and i love the way billy approached the album and this question. if american idiot was written in 2016 it would be about overthrowing the whole system because it has gotten that bad. wish other bands of this caliber (rage…) would have the same approach
The reason people still like it, is because it's good music, compared to the shite that's churned out in the charts today
I cant believe my favorite band brought me my favorite thing in the world 20 years ago 😭
I can’t wait for the full album!!!
Uno¡ dos! Tre¡ was an amazing era for 14-15 year old me
Father of All Mofo is such an EPIC record!
Where is the first part of this interview?
3:39 we’ll said, Mr. Cool 🫶🏽
💚💚💚
CHEERS :)
Revolution Radio was a thing, not just in my mind right?
Wait Green Day didn't play in Toronto the day after American Idiot came out, they played NYC at Irving Plaza the day it came out and then another show in lower Manhattan the day after, I know because I was there at that other show.
Dilemmmmma🤣🔥🔥🎧😍
Billie is right. The politics in our country is the worst. We are in huge debt borrowing from china and giving it to foreigners, with a geriatric leader who doesn't know where he is or what he is talking about.
Sad thing is, Green day voted for that geriatric pos. They will probably do it again too. They are full on establishment.
I want Kerplunk 2.
Give a sh!t and do it right!!! Amen!
We are trying to be a stadium band lol scene today doesn’t encourage new stadium music, just want consistent songs pumped out-doesnt even matter if they’re good. I want to vomit.
I had no idea vladimir putin was a member of green day
💚
SO excited to see them on tour... as an 80s baby im such a fan.. but THE FASHION is so sexy, Billy Joel is so hot.. ANYONE know where I can find that blazer he's wearing? I've been trying to find one for YEARS
Love how American Dream was released during the Biden era. 😂😂😂
Revolution Radio was incredible
30th anniversary of insomniac while they're on tour next year too. Think they might cover some of those songs too??
Insomniac was ‘95 though. Next year would be Dookie 30th
@@Xanivert ah shit u right. Hope there's something at least for insomniacs 30th
What about green day in 2020
I here , like that all
Whoever the interviewer is sucks at it but Green Day Carrie’s the interview and the interviewer very well!
Hope Nz is included in this tour 🤞
2016/17 = nothing? Revolution Radio halo?? One of the better albums from them, very solid album. MUCH better than Uno/Dos/Tre - trilogy or FOAM. Actually I like Revolution Radio to be 4th best album from them. (top-3: 1. American Idiot, 2. Dookie, 3. 21th Century breakdown).
How about a Pinhead Gunpowder reunion!
21st CB was American Idiot part 2
"was hoping for some Green Day around 2016 or 17"....... do your research maaaan
3 Besties ... 👯🧍 💥 🍀🌍🏋🏋🏋 🗣💚 .. 4 WORLD DOMINATION!
Wdym "2016/2017" 💀 does this man not know of revolution radio?
I don't like how these interviewers literally talk a lotta about Bush in my preference I totally love the song and Green Day but oh man Billie and the Band just wanted to talk about how iconic and good the song is.
After hearing 2 of the singles I can confirm it sounds so reminiscent of AI
I was so mad when i listened to 21 century record, i threw it out my window 30 mins after buying it.
American idiot was in that car cd player for years.
Next time Green Day plans a world tour, could someone please tell them that South Africa exists.