What if Green Day had never released American Idiot

[JOE THE X-KID]

If you keeping feeding a seagull, it will keep shitting..

The same logic applies to steven

[stories and songs]

They'd still be making amazing music, probably on a quieter level. They'd still be here, but without AI I wouldn't have been introduced to them at the exact moment I was meant to find them. I believe they're meant to be in my life, and I would find them eventually, probably. But I wouldn't be here as I am today without AI. Kinda crazy to think about.

[Fuzz]

10 hours ago, Brooklyn Baby said:

If Green Day hadn't released AI, they would have reached the point of irrelevance that they're at today much, much more quickly. 

Why do I feel like Seagull is starting to rub off on you and you're just actively trying to annoy Green Day fans on a Green Day forum now?

[Brooklyn Baby]

2 hours ago, Andres said:

Why do I feel like Seagull is starting to rub off on you and you're just actively trying to annoy Green Day fans on a Green Day forum now?

Green Day had reached a certain level of irrelevance prior to AI, and I would argue that they have once again reached that level of irrelevance in terms of bringing in massive amounts of new fans and making a splash on the music scene. Revolution Radio is nice for me, as a fan, but I simply don't see any of the songs on it having staying power or reaching the level of popular awareness that songs like BOBD, Holiday, American Idiot, etc. did. 

Green Day will always be a great and influential band. When I reference their irrelevance though, I'm talking about the impact they have on the popular culture at large here in the U.S. - and right now it's not much. Most people don't know they even released a new album, whereas I remember back in 2004 everybody knew about American Idiot. They didn't know about Warning, or Insomniac, or Nimrod, but they goddam well knew about AI. If it weren't for AI, Green Day would have arrived to where they are today, except they'd have gotten there 12 years earlier. 

[RougeRogue]

Well...I'd assume that GA ticket prices wouldn't be 400 dollars, for one.

[WhiteTim]

35 minutes ago, RougeRogue said:

Well...I'd assume that GA ticket prices wouldn't be 400 dollars, for one.

Isn't that the VIP prices? I mean you get a free subway that alone is half the cost of the VIP package 😂😂

[21st century idiot]

If AI didn't happen we might have missed out of Steven seagull turning every thread into a trilogy discussion and trying so hard to troll. 

[RougeRogue]

58 minutes ago, WhiteTim said:

Isn't that the VIP prices? I mean you get a free subway that alone is half the cost of the VIP package 😂😂

Not for the Barclays show Pit was mostly reserved for VIP, the rest were bought by scalper sites and sold at the same price as the VIP.

[WhiteTim]

18 minutes ago, RougeRogue said:

Not for the Barclays show Pit was mostly reserved for VIP, the rest were bought by scalper sites and sold at the same price as the VIP.

Damn

[PursuitOfEpicness]

It makes you wonder, like would I have still discovered their songs on mainstream tv/radio? then maybe. But even so I wouldn't feel as emotionally invested in them, American Idiot just has that raw emotion behind it. They would probably still be my favorite band though. As far as their directions after American Idiot, I don't know if they would be as in love with what they do as they are now. They mentinoed they weren't really having a lot of fun as a band anymore and pushing themselves and American Idiot helped them do that. I would hope they would end up eventually pushing the boundaries and being as happy as they all are now as a band.

[Gazelle]

It would suck so hard. I was in a very big crysis. Lost my love because she loved meth more than everything. I was losing my mind and then I heard Jesus of Suburbia and it was like... I dont know it was a big awakening. I dont care if you dont care you know? American Idiot. I am not that sucker that gives up persons because of money, drugs or success. I love my people. Without Green Day maybe I got okay but not this overwhelming way.  I quit so much wrong ways and started this new true way. I have moved to another city but maybe move back someday...Just living what Billie sings about.

If Green Day would read that I want to say thank you for speaking to my soul. I am not alone anymore because you can feel and see what I feel and see. We are not perfect but I think we are kind of humans. And if there are suckers wich want to fuck my life up then ... I scroll to American Idiot or Dookie, 21th century breakdown and press play! Thank you Green Day it doesnt matter if someone has money or has some else senseless shit. I have my family and my friends. We have so much fun and are understanding each other. Maybe we are not like other people and strange for the most. But we know what is it to be alone, we know what it is to be true loved or even not. I love all my people. I love everyone who is true, awake and cares! I would never cheat a girl or cheat my friends or family anymore! Some people learn and some dont. Fuck this world we are feeling more than everyone of these blind suckers out there! We all are the Jesus of Suburbia - we all are Green Day! 

THANK YOU

Falco G. 

[MikeDirntConfused]

The band would have been forgotten, discarded, and replaced.

[End Of The World]

13 hours ago, Brooklyn Baby said:

I simply don't see any of the songs on it having staying power or reaching the level of popular awareness that songs like BOBD, Holiday, American Idiot, etc. did. 

What about Still Breathing?

[DeJennsitized]

1 hour ago, MikeDirntConfused said:

The band would have been forgotten, discarded, and replaced.

Well you're a bundle of fun

I still think they'd have a place in Kerrang and amongst their pre-AI fans, but it would be a much smaller scale than it is now.

[RougeRogue]

43 minutes ago, End Of The World said:

What about Still Breathing?

Not even remotely possible that would exist without AI.

His self destructive downfall would not have been as quick or as public without the fame AI caused.

[End Of The World]

1 minute ago, RougeRogue said:

Not even remotely possible that would exist without AI.

His self destructive downfall would not have been as quick or as public without the fame AI caused.

Yeah I know. But I was referring to SB just as a potential hit. Maybe it won't be the new BOBD but its meaning IMO is deeper than any song in GD career.

[Chin for a Day]

14 hours ago, Brooklyn Baby said:

Green Day had reached a certain level of irrelevance prior to AI, and I would argue that they have once again reached that level of irrelevance in terms of bringing in massive amounts of new fans and making a splash on the music scene. Revolution Radio is nice for me, as a fan, but I simply don't see any of the songs on it having staying power or reaching the level of popular awareness that songs like BOBD, Holiday, American Idiot, etc. did. 

Green Day will always be a great and influential band. When I reference their irrelevance though, I'm talking about the impact they have on the popular culture at large here in the U.S. - and right now it's not much. Most people don't know they even released a new album, whereas I remember back in 2004 everybody knew about American Idiot. They didn't know about Warning, or Insomniac, or Nimrod, but they goddam well knew about AI. If it weren't for AI, Green Day would have arrived to where they are today, except they'd have gotten there 12 years earlier. 

The problem I see with your logic is you are equating relevance soley to popularity, record sales and an increased fan base.  I don't believe that is true.  All bands and artists, of any genre, go through ups and downs in their career.  Green Day is never going to be as big as they were during AI.  The same could be said of U2, The Rolling Stones, etc.  But just because they are not selling millions of records and have 100 M views on youtube does not mean they are not relevant.  I think relevancy comes from still having the ability to influence people.  I've seen so many people, who have gone through hard times, say that Still Breathing is an anthem to them.  There are so many people that are inspired by the bands political stance.  There are tons of people that are inspired by their ability to perform on stage.  IF any band, any artist, can still find the ability to write music, or paint pictures, or make a movie that inspires people in this fashion, then they are still relevant.     

[End Of The World]

34 minutes ago, Scattered Wreck said:

The problem I see with your logic is you are equating relevance soley to popularity, record sales and an increased fan base.  I don't believe that is true.  All bands and artists, of any genre, go through ups and downs in their career.  Green Day is never going to be as big as they were during AI.  The same could be said of U2, The Rolling Stones, etc.  But just because they are not selling millions of records and have 100 M views on youtube does not mean they are not relevant.  I think relevancy comes from still having the ability to influence people.  I've seen so many people, who have gone through hard times, say that Still Breathing is an anthem to them.  There are so many people that are inspired by the bands political stance.  There are tons of people that are inspired by their ability to perform on stage.  IF any band, any artist, can still find the ability to write music, or paint pictures, or make a movie that inspires people in this fashion, then they are still relevant.     

I love your post. That's what I was trying to say. And yes, I'm one of those people who feel that SB is an anthem. The best anthem.

[Brooklyn Baby]

Different strokes for different folks  

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

5 hours ago, RougeRogue said:

Not even remotely possible that would exist without AI.

His self destructive downfall would not have been as quick or as public without the fame AI caused.

Or maybe it would. Less work = more time to party. 

[WhiteTim]

Green Day isn't as relevant as they used to be they're nowhere near the level they were during the AI days yes some shows are sold out however ALOT of shows aren't sold out and concerts are a different ballgame it's not that hard to get seats filled hell even Vanilla Ice can sell out shows still and you're not about to tell me Vanilla fucking Ice is relevant still... have a band or artist with a successful song they will always have concerts with seats filled 

[WhiteTim]

1 minute ago, crock6000 said:

Speaking out of school.

During the TCB tour, their most successful tour since the AI tour, they were not selling out venues until the last minute.

The Forum 2009 show sold out the day of the show and that is LA at The Forum with about 18,000.

They have two shows in Illinois that is 18,000 person venue (that is stadium level amounts of tickets) which the last time they could have done two times in a row was the AI tour.

The tickets are selling faster than any tour since AI and I am looking directly at the actuals not just Pollstar Pro which I am also looking at.  Just trust me on this one, they are quite relevant and are not slowing down this tour. 

they're not AS keyword AS relevant as they used again keyword USED to be... 

again concerts are always prone to sell Vanilla Ice Tone Loc (who hasn't had a hit since the 80's) sell out venues still even Hanson can get tickets sold...

as far as concerts go they still have relevancy but they're are a greatest hits touring band now they're in the Rolling Stones/U2/Bon Jovi stage of their careers 

[End Of The World]

It's sure that GD are rock stars that sell out every concert. That's their greatest quality and it's always been since 1988. IMO that's the first thing a fan should care about. Then come charts, views on YT and so on. I'm really interested in those figures, but the main thing I want is fun. And GD is.

 

[End Of The World]

3 minutes ago, crock6000 said:

Their tour is about to shake the world.

[DeJennsitized]

The thing is, what makes an artist relevant is totally different from what it was in 2004. Nobody sells the amount AI did, with a few exceptions maybe. People consume and are exposed to music in different ways. I just don't understand the argument that Green Day aren't relevant when there's not really a marker for relevance now, because people now can stake out corners of the internet and only expose themselves to new music via their circles. You can say people aren't talking about Green Day maybe in everyday life, but they trended on Twitter and Facebook after the AMAs and are this week apparently the second most talked about musical act on tumblr. They've been invited on every radio and late late show under the sun. They're charting, they're bringing in new fans.

Obviously this wouldn't be happening if AI hadn't happened (would anyone be paying attention to, or giving them a platform such as the AMAs for their political opinions otherwise?) so I could see the relevance argument there, but as it is Green Day are definitely still relevant - it's just in a different sense than 12 years ago.