November 11 - Web chat - Green Day to answer questions

[RedundantIdiot]

What was your experience with self-producing your first album in more than 20 years? Do you think that the next album you make will also be self-produced?

 

B: Our intention was to play music for the rest of our lives. I don't worry about what other people think of me, we just want to make great records and tour the world, and that's how we felt during Kerplunk just as with Revolution Radio.

[solongfromthestars]

3 minutes ago, basketcase4933 said:

I recently watched a documentary about Pansy Division and was really impressed by your support and promotion of a queercore band on that 1994 tour. Twenty two years on, do you think homophobia is still an issue in punk/rock or the music world in general? How do you think LGBT rights [in the US] will fare under the Trump administration?

Guardian contributor

GreenDayWebchat

11 November 2016 5:51pm

Billie: We accept anyone who feels marginalised at any Green Day event. Period. Especially if you're gay or trans, black, white, brown, or of any nationality. Period. Green Day is a safe place for you to be. I think it's a problem that we have to face every day, and we have to do whatever we can to fix it.

Now this is what I'm here for  

[RedundantIdiot]

Being in a band for 30 years is a phenomenal accomplishment, so what is the best thing that being a member of Green Day has taught to each of you?

M: That I'm a very good juggler.

T: That it hurts when I pee.
M: That you should always carry hand sanitiser.

[I don't care]

Woah! Like, everything disappeared..??

[RedundantIdiot]

What’s some advice you can give some new bands who are just starting out?

Billie: Keep it simple, and willing to sound like shit before you sound good.
Tre: Party after the show, not before.

Are there any specific achievements you still hope to reach as a band?

T: I'd like to win an Adult Video Network award.
M: I would like to have a comeback album after we die. Our best album will be released the minute we pass. That would be neat. Not just put it out - record it after we die. That's optimism.

[Little Youngblood]

... And the political questions have risen!

[RedundantIdiot]

Big fan of Green Day, especially the classics from Dookie – that must be the most played album on my iPod.

I have a lot of respect for you guys, but I have to ask, how can you endorse a candidate like Hillary Clinton in the US presidential elections? Given the numerous examples of her corruption and cronyism in the leaked emails from the DNC and John Podesta, her support for US military intervention in foreign conflicts, her being funded by huge corporations, global bankers and her chop-and-change view on gay marriage. She seems like the anti-candidate for Green Day, and I can’t see why you didn’t support a third party or independent candidate that would at least try to do good by the American people.

B: I voted for Bernie first. Hillary Clinton is not the president of the US, she has to own that. The bigger problem is Trump, and how you deal with fascism. Emails are obsolete. I've had a fascist president for three days - I don't know how to deal with it yet.

 

Which songs do you have the most fun playing live?

Billie: Forever Now. Because it's awesome.
M: It's a whole lot of awesome.

What’s the best thing I can do for this country now that we’ve elected someone as terrifying as Trump? I’m so angry and want to find a positive, peaceful outlet for that anger. Rage and Love, always.

B: You can start by giving someone a hug. That's good enough.

 

Where do you find inspiration for some of your non-political albums? What inspired the sound on Warning, or the sound on the trilogy?

B: The trilogy, we just wanted to make a mess.
M: By playing music together, that's our inspiration. And listening to pirate radio.

There’s a confirmed American Idiot the Musical movie in the works. Who would be your ideal cast? Rebecca Naomi Jones from the original Broadway casting has an amazing voice – is there any chance her or any other member of the Broadway cast will be in it?

T: No casting has taken place, yet.
M: But we're pretty sure the lead role will be played by... wait for it...

 

Do you guys have a thing for England? Bullet in the Bible, Milton Keynes Bowl (biggest gig), Dookie in full and the promise to move here if Trump won the election are all instances of your love for this little rock. What’s the deal with that?

B: I love the festivals in the UK. The sing-alongs are so much louder than America. That's what I love about it.

 

Dinner with three guests, dead or alive – who do you choose?

M: John Belushi.
T: Elvis Presley. He looked like he could eat. And Genghis Khan.

T: Socrates. In fact all the people in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. It's fucking brilliant, that movie.

 

[Marki.]

Wasn't this supposed to start in 20 minutes?  At least I caught some of it... 

I'm very happy to hear that they really enjoy playing Forever Now live, gives me hope that we'll get to hear it in January  

[RedundantIdiot]

Sex or music?

T: Sex with music on.
B: Music with sex on.
T: Is there a difference?
B: Listening to sex and playing music.

Do you have any special ritual before a concert?

B: We do a secret handshake. I can't tell you because I'd have to kill you.

[I don't care]

"That's all"??

Well, we did get a lot of answers, though!

[solongfromthestars]

Well that was underwhelming... again  

[Christian's Inferno!]

1 minute ago, Marki. said:

Wasn't this supposed to start in 20 minutes?  At least I caught some of it... 

I'm very happy to hear that they really enjoy playing Forever Now live, gives me hope that we'll get to hear it in January  

That's the Warner interview: 

 

[RedundantIdiot]

That's all, folks

B: We're out of here. But to the person who asked which one of our albums we enjoyed making the most - without a doubt, Revolution Radio is the album we enjoyed making the most. We are back, stronger than ever, and ready to play amazing gigs for all ages to enjoy. Thank you kindly, yours sincerely, Green Day!

 

Thank god they're finished, my hand's are sore

[Rumpelstiltskin2000]

Just now, Maria Gloria said:

Well that was underwhelming... again  

Really underwhelming

[Marki.]

Just now, MysticManiac said:

That's the Warner interview: 

Ooh you're right, thanks, that's why I though that  Too many interviews to keep up.

[Christian's Inferno!]

Just now, Marki. said:

Ooh you're right, thanks, that's why I though that  Too many interviews to keep up.

Yeah they've done so many interviews the last few days. More than they did when RevRad was being released

[MaraGreenDay]

Loved this! It was so much better than the one with Reddit, really love their answers 

[jengd]

Ha, thanks for all the posts.  Think this would have been fun to hear them, I can imagine all the giggling at some of these answers.  Sure the Warner thing is at 7.30, so in about an hour and fifteen mins.

[Little Youngblood]

1 minute ago, MaraGreenDay said:

Loved this! It was so much better than the one with Reddit, really love their answers 

My favourite was Tre's answer about the fans tattoo he signed. 

[DeJennsitized]

2 minutes ago, jengd said:

Ha, thanks for all the posts.  Think this would have been fun to hear them, I can imagine all the giggling at some of these answers.  Sure the Warner thing is at 7.30, so in about an hour and fifteen mins.

It's actually in about 20 minutes!

[RedundantIdiot]

It was nice that people asked different questions. I think we all know by now that Tre doesn't give serious answers during interviews/webchats . I liked Billie's answer about giving someone a hug, though

[MaraGreenDay]

2 hours ago, Whatsername_123 said:

It was nice that people asked different questions. I think we all know by now that Tre doesn't give serious answers during interviews/webchats . I liked Billie's answer about giving someone a hug, though

Thank you so much for posting the Q&As! 

[darrenstreetlight]

Although I asked a fairly straightforward question about their all-time favourite punk albums, I'm nevertheless pleased they answered! The Operation Ivy and NoMeansNo albums they mentioned are indeed classics. 

[RougeRogue]

1 hour ago, Whatsername_123 said:

Hi. Having remained top of your game and outstayed a vast number of bands, if you could make one change within the music industry what would it be and why?

M: Remove the industry.
T: Probably teach music in schools again. Give kids free instruments when they're young, and encourage them to play them. And everyone should be allowed to have their own pirate radio station.

That's actually a really nice answer from Tre

[desertrose]