"I don’t ever want being a rock star to be an excuse for being lazy." The famous words of Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead singer of a PUNK band named Green Day! If you don’t know what Green Day is, get out. No, I’m kidding. If you don’t know what Green Day is, I’m here to educate you about the BEST band ever.
History!
Grammy Award for Record of the Year, Grammy Award for Best Rock Album, Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music… the list goes on and on. One of the most historic punk bands of their generation, Green Day was formed in 1987 by Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead vocalist and guitarist in California, along with bassist and backup vocalist Mike Dirnit, with drummer Tre Cool joining in 1990 (They're old, I know.). At the time, they were just 15, and the band wasn’t even called Green Day! It was called Sweet Children, and was changed to Green Day about a couple of years later, which was the beginning of their rise to fame.
Albums!
Green Day made their big break only 8 years later, in 1994 (when Mr. Ng was in middle school as a 7th grader, boy he is old), when they released their debut album “Dookie”.
Over 20 million copies were sold all over the U.S., and it didn’t take long for the whole world to find out about the small band in California. Other albums they make include “American Idiot”, “Nimrod”, “Saviours” (most recent), “21st Century Breakdown”, “Warning”, and “Kerplunk” . Obviously, there are a lot more, but these are just some of the most popular ones.
Misconceptions
Many people may see Green Day as an “emo” band. But Green Day does not count as EMO! They are simply a punk band making punk music. I have been accused of being emo when I wear “weird” black band shirts, and almost everyone who doesn’t listen to Green Day (or any punk/rock band in general) consider it emo. Punk is a style of music that emerged in the late 1970s, and it consists of hard, fast-paced songs with a rough edge to them. (ring a bell?)
(SONGS YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO!)
Anyways, enough of that very educational (yet long drawn) history and description of GREEN DAY! But, before you go, if you ever choose to listen to them, here are some song recommendations based on my listening experience. (includes album name and song name, and if it includes language). It's completely okay if you would prefer some other artist, but I hope this broadened your perspective on punk, rock, and music in general! Please be aware that some language might be strong, so I placed a label on them and you can skip them if you prefer. Enjoy!
American Idiot (American Idiot, Swearing)
Basket Case (Dookie)
Boulevard of Broken Dreams (American Idiot, Minor swearing)
Holiday (American Idiot, Minor swearing)
One Eyed Bastard (Saviours, Swearing)
Bobby Sox (Saviours)
21 Guns (21st Century Breakdown)
Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) (Nimrod)
Minority (Warning, Swearing)
Wake Me Up When September Ends (American Idiot)
Jesus of Suburbia (American Idiot, Minor Swearing)