Spread the Social Love:
If you were unfortunate enough to be born in the 1990s, then they were your band. You grew up with them. You watched them rise, fall, then rise again so high that no one could bring them back down. No, I am not talking about Take That, I am sorry to say, but I am in fact speaking of the almightily divine Green Day. The American punk-rock stars have been the soundtrack to my upbringing, when I first came into contact at the ripe old age of 8 years old. As I’ve matured through adolescence, Green Day have matured with me, to become one of the biggest bands in the world, ever. Whilst you journey through the immensity of Green Day, here is “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” to listen to:
Ah, California, the land where dreams are made of. Not for everyone, but for some people. In 1987, two of these “some people” formed a band - Billie-Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt, recruiting drummer John Kiffmeyer. They were originally called Sweet Children, but after being snapped up, the record company advised them to change their name to avoid confusion with another local band, and hence changed their name to Green Day, apparently due to their taste for marijuana. But who knows, eh?
Green Day released their first EP, 1,000 Hours, and went on to record their debut album 39/Smooth in 1990. After the release of second album Kerplunk, Green Day became a phenomenon, further catapulted by the award-winning album, Dookie (by now, Tre Cool had permanently replaced Kiffmeyer as drummer). Despite a deviation from their path of success and popularity for several years, 2004’s American Idiot boosted them to the top of the pile. Green Day were the world’s biggest band and they have been ever since.
List of members:
Billie-Joe Armstrong (lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, piano, harmonica, mandolin) - 1987-present
Mike Dirnt (bass, backing vocals) - 1988-present
Tre Cool (drums, percussion, backing vocals) - 1990-present
Who wasn’t influenced by Green Day? Seriously, everyone was influenced by Green Day’s infectious punk rock. Well, not the people who were around before Green Day, but almost certainly everybody after their establishment in 1987. The stunning live performances, the punk-induced rock anthems and the heartfelt ballads. Green Day have it all. They are the ultimate rock band. And for this, they will be forever scribed into the music books. Or probably Apple Macs by the future.
Green Day have sold 65 million albums worldwide in their 24 years of existence. That’s pretty damn good going. An average of 2,708,333 and a third albums per year. We can assume that the average cost of a CD (taking into account inflation since 1987) is approximately $10 - this gives Green Day a total income of $650 million purely from album sales. Divide this by 3 (for each band member) and you have around $218 million each. That’s alright, really. I also did a bit of research into awards that Green Day have won. I was flabbergasted, truly and utterly flabbergasted. Green Day have had 188 award nominations, winning 91 times. 91! That’s incredible. Included in these awards are 2 BRIT Awards, 5 Grammy's, and 4 Kerrang! Awards. There were also 9 nominations for “Basket Case” and 6 awards just for “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. On one night at the Billboard Music Awards in 2005, Green Day received 6 awards out of 9 nominations. As well as the incredulous amount of album sales and awards, Green Day have had a musical about them on Broadway, entitled American Idiot: The Musical. How’s that for successful? In your face, Elton John!
Discography:
1989 - 1,000 Hours (EP)
1990 - 39/Smooth
1990 - Slappy (EP)
1990 - Sweet Children (EP)
1992 - Kerplunk
1994 - Dookie
1995 - Insomniac
1996 - Foot In Mouth (Live)
1996 - Bowling Bowling Bowling Parking Parking (Live)
1997 - Nimrod
2000 - Warning
2004 - American Idiot
2005 - Bullet In A Bible (Live)
2009 - 21st Century Breakdown
2009 - Last Night On Earth: Live In Tokyo
2011 - Awesome As Fuck (Live)
Must have album:
You won’t be surprised by this choice. It’s the obvious choice, obviously. It’s been cited as one of music’s greatest ever albums, so of course it’s going to the must have album. In fact, I’m sure you already have it. But have it again. If I’m going to be all clichéd about it, American Idiot is the soundtrack to a generation. Here’s the immense “Holiday”:
Recommended album:
Personally, this is one my favourite ever albums, not just Green Day albums. It’s utterly superb. This is why Dookie is my recommended Green Day album. Have the delicious “Longview”:
Album to Avoid:
Green Day had a bit of a dip in popularity in the late ‘90s and with the release of Warning at the turn of the millennium, they reached an all time low (debatably). This is definitely my least favourite albums, but ironically has one of my favourite songs, “Macy’s Day Parade”:
Latest Album:
I know loads of people were disappointed in this album, especially after the legendary American Idiot. But, goddamn, if you listen to 21st Century Breakdown again, it’s an awesome album. Truly superb. I’ve got a “21 Gun” salute for ya now:
Another day, another band. Go ahead and pick up a copy of a multitude of Green Day albums. You won’t be disappointed; no one will. That’s why they are 21st Century heroes.
Ah, California, the land where dreams are made of. Not for everyone, but for some people. In 1987, two of these “some people” formed a band - Billie-Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt, recruiting drummer John Kiffmeyer. They were originally called Sweet Children, but after being snapped up, the record company advised them to change their name to avoid confusion with another local band, and hence changed their name to Green Day, apparently due to their taste for marijuana. But who knows, eh?
Green Day released their first EP, 1,000 Hours, and went on to record their debut album 39/Smooth in 1990. After the release of second album Kerplunk, Green Day became a phenomenon, further catapulted by the award-winning album, Dookie (by now, Tre Cool had permanently replaced Kiffmeyer as drummer). Despite a deviation from their path of success and popularity for several years, 2004’s American Idiot boosted them to the top of the pile. Green Day were the world’s biggest band and they have been ever since.
List of members:
Billie-Joe Armstrong (lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, piano, harmonica, mandolin) - 1987-present
Mike Dirnt (bass, backing vocals) - 1988-present
Tre Cool (drums, percussion, backing vocals) - 1990-present
Who wasn’t influenced by Green Day? Seriously, everyone was influenced by Green Day’s infectious punk rock. Well, not the people who were around before Green Day, but almost certainly everybody after their establishment in 1987. The stunning live performances, the punk-induced rock anthems and the heartfelt ballads. Green Day have it all. They are the ultimate rock band. And for this, they will be forever scribed into the music books. Or probably Apple Macs by the future.
Green Day have sold 65 million albums worldwide in their 24 years of existence. That’s pretty damn good going. An average of 2,708,333 and a third albums per year. We can assume that the average cost of a CD (taking into account inflation since 1987) is approximately $10 - this gives Green Day a total income of $650 million purely from album sales. Divide this by 3 (for each band member) and you have around $218 million each. That’s alright, really. I also did a bit of research into awards that Green Day have won. I was flabbergasted, truly and utterly flabbergasted. Green Day have had 188 award nominations, winning 91 times. 91! That’s incredible. Included in these awards are 2 BRIT Awards, 5 Grammy's, and 4 Kerrang! Awards. There were also 9 nominations for “Basket Case” and 6 awards just for “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”. On one night at the Billboard Music Awards in 2005, Green Day received 6 awards out of 9 nominations. As well as the incredulous amount of album sales and awards, Green Day have had a musical about them on Broadway, entitled American Idiot: The Musical. How’s that for successful? In your face, Elton John!
Discography:
1989 - 1,000 Hours (EP)
1990 - 39/Smooth
1990 - Slappy (EP)
1990 - Sweet Children (EP)
1992 - Kerplunk
1994 - Dookie
1995 - Insomniac
1996 - Foot In Mouth (Live)
1996 - Bowling Bowling Bowling Parking Parking (Live)
1997 - Nimrod
2000 - Warning
2004 - American Idiot
2005 - Bullet In A Bible (Live)
2009 - 21st Century Breakdown
2009 - Last Night On Earth: Live In Tokyo
2011 - Awesome As Fuck (Live)
Must have album:
You won’t be surprised by this choice. It’s the obvious choice, obviously. It’s been cited as one of music’s greatest ever albums, so of course it’s going to the must have album. In fact, I’m sure you already have it. But have it again. If I’m going to be all clichéd about it, American Idiot is the soundtrack to a generation. Here’s the immense “Holiday”:
Recommended album:
Personally, this is one my favourite ever albums, not just Green Day albums. It’s utterly superb. This is why Dookie is my recommended Green Day album. Have the delicious “Longview”:
Album to Avoid:
Green Day had a bit of a dip in popularity in the late ‘90s and with the release of Warning at the turn of the millennium, they reached an all time low (debatably). This is definitely my least favourite albums, but ironically has one of my favourite songs, “Macy’s Day Parade”:
Latest Album:
I know loads of people were disappointed in this album, especially after the legendary American Idiot. But, goddamn, if you listen to 21st Century Breakdown again, it’s an awesome album. Truly superb. I’ve got a “21 Gun” salute for ya now:
Another day, another band. Go ahead and pick up a copy of a multitude of Green Day albums. You won’t be disappointed; no one will. That’s why they are 21st Century heroes.
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