[RyanBounce04]

Why Idiot Was The Smart Move For Green Day
10.01.2004


"I think the DJs like [the nine-minute] 'Jesus of Suburbia' because they can put it on and they can go have a cigarette and a crap." — Green Day's Tre Cool


HOLLYWOOD — That American Idiot is both Green Day's most ambitious album and the band's first to debut at #1 demonstrates something to Billie Joe Armstrong.

"If there's any advice I've taken or would give, it's if you just do exactly what you want to do and don't look back, then things work out and people genuinely get excited because of that," the singer said.

A less seasoned band might be afraid to attempt a rock opera, not to mention one that attacks their current government. Green Day never thought twice about it.

"I'm surprised that more quote-unquote 'hard rock bands' haven't gotten more outspoken [against Bush]," said Armstrong, who sings "Sieg heil to the president gasman" on "Holiday." "I mean, I learn so much through music, a lot more than I have through school. You know, bands from the '60s, and the punk-rock bands in the '70s and '80s.

"I think the problem with a lot of rock bands or pop groups or whatever is that they're so afraid of damaging their precious careers," he continued. "For me, I think it is something that can enrich mine: 'Yeah, I supported this. This meant a lot to me.' "

As elaborate as American Idiot is, the album is not without singles, as the title track, currently #1 on Billboard's Modern Rock chart, proves. For the follow-up, Green Day are going with the somber "Boulevard of Broken Dreams."

"It comes right after the song 'Holiday' and it sort of deals with more of that alienation and disenfranchised feelings, but sort of singles it out to something more melancholy," Armstrong explained. "I think that's the link between a song like 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams' to even a song like 'American Idiot.' "

Green Day have yet to select a video treatment, but bassist Mike Dirnt joked he wanted "something with bling in it." "Motorcycles and jet skis and stuff," drummer Tre Cool added.

Truthfully, the band would probably rather save their video budget to make a companion film to the nine-minute operetta, "Jesus of Suburbia."

"It's a good roller-coaster ride and it shifts gears with lots of highs and lows, and if we could make something visually as colorful as the song itself — or not necessarily colorful, but that's a good ride — I think it would be really interesting," Dirnt said. "We should just play that song over the 'Thriller' video."

In reviews of American Idiot, "Jesus of Suburbia" is often singled out as the album's musical and emotional highlight. Some DJs are even spinning the epic track.

"I think the DJs like 'Jesus of Suburbia' because they can put it on and go have a cigarette and a crap," Tre Cool deadpanned. "It's really important to have that go-to, like 'In A Gadda Da Vida,' a real long song. It's also good if you're a stripper, 'cause then you can be on the pole for nine minutes and make big bucks."

Along with singing praises for "Jesus of Suburbia," critics are calling the album a turning point for Green Day, who are now considered the forefathers of one of the most popular genres on radio (see "How Green Day's Dookie Fertilized A Punk-Rock Revival").

"We set up shop in a really creative way with this record," Dirnt said. "You know, if people want to call it 'reinvention' or 'redefining' or whatever, I think it worked. I'm happy with it and hopefully all our fans like it. That's the key."

"We just wanted to have fun, [to] push ourselves and be ambitious and make the biggest record that we've ever made as far as satisfying ourselves," Cool added. "And doing it outside of the standard Green Day formula that is so popular these days."

Before a note was even recorded, the band decided to take the no-looking-back approach.

"Billie was definitely at the helm driving things, but it was an open forum, where if any one of us had anything to express we'd put it out there," Dirnt said. "And we really chose from the best of what we had."

For more on American Idiot, check out the feature "Anatomy of a Punk Opera" and the live report "Total Idiot : Green Day Perform Their Punk Opera In Hollywood."


Wow.... This album is going to be huge and it already is.... Green Day is livin it up!

Ryan

[Javier]

i think they definetly deserve it, this album is great and I think it proves that punk is a genre that's made up of much more than 3 chord agressive songs.
I hope it continues to sell good.

[spunkywho]

Originally Posted by Javier

and I think it proves that punk is a genre that's made up of much more than 3 chord agressive songs.

or maybe it proves that green day just ain't punk!!!

[StoneDeaf]

Originally Posted by spunkywho

or maybe it proves that green day just ain't punk!!!

very true!

[RyanBounce04]

Originally Posted by spunkywho

or maybe it proves that green day just ain't punk!!!

How untrue is that??? Green Day is punk. How can you say they are not punk with only a few non agressive songs?!?! Green Day proved they are still punk with a bit of style involved.

Ryan

[StoneDeaf]

For example, Metallica has a truckload of aggressive songs, so are they punk? If u want punk, check out Misfits, or Sex Pistols. Green Day just rides "punk" labelling, being a lot closer to mainstream than actual punk.

Nothing wrong with it, I like 'em. But just wouldn't call them punk.

[spunkywho]

Originally Posted by RyanBounce04

Green Day proved they are still punk with a bit of style involved.

Ryan

there is no style in punk. you put style in punk and you've got avril lavigne.

and then whatever stone said....

[RyanBounce04]

Originally Posted by spunkywho

there is no style in punk. you put style in punk and you've got avril lavigne.

and then whatever stone said....

LOL... Avril isn't punk... She had one or two punk songs LOL

Ryan

[Javier]

Avril isn't punk, she just dresses like it.
There are diferent styles to all sorts of music (Rock pop metal)
The metal metallica made in the 80's is a different style of metal made by Megadeth of Anthrax, but it's still metal.
Have you seen a Green Day show, if that's not punk i don't know what is, And yes before you start I do know and have records by Misfits, Danzig and Black Flag among others, but is this the only thing that's allowed to be called Punk!!
Or are you one of those ppl that simply thinks punk is all in the attitude expressed by Nofx or Rancid.
nuff said.

[spunkywho]

Originally Posted by RyanBounce04

LOL... Avril isn't punk... She had one or two punk songs LOL

Ryan

Ryan, Avril has not had ONE punk song - she is as much punk as Britney is......

you are clearly not getting my sarcasm, but I shall overlook it and I'll try to tone it down for you in the future