NME: Green Day: “We live our lives as if we have nothing”

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

It is scary.

I don't understand why anyone thought it would work to use it as a part of the promo... it didn't work for the trilogy and now it's just awkward and concerning.

[21st_century_gloria]

7 minutes ago, Beerjeezus said:

I don't understand why anyone thought it would work to use it as a part of the promo... 

It's the projected "rock'n'roll" partying lifestyle, the culture, and it's overromanticized tbh. Yell "straight-edge asshole" at me if you'd like but look what happens, and not just to these guys, there are issues and overdoses, etc all over the place...

I don't want to sound like someone who's speaking for them or prying into their social lives, I'm just a lil worried haha *nervous laughter*

12 minutes ago, The_real_st_jimmy said:

he has done more rock n roll moments before which wasn't his breaking point/ smashing his guitar.

Exactly! Like smashing the car during that one RevRad show. Ok, there was guitar smashing involved hahaha but there was a fun and whimsical in a sense vibe to that moment, yknow what I'm saying?

[solongfromthestars]

For me it's not what he's saying, it's just worrying it's denial because that's not a good place for any addict to be in. If I hadn't seen anything concerning in person, or if I'd only seen that and not what he's said, I wouldn't be that bothered. The two together are a potentially concerning picture though and I just hope, as I would for any addict, that he's alright. If I'm wrong, which I hope I am, that's great.

I really would understand if (in general terms, not pretending to know Billie feels this way) any famous, struggling addict didn't want to publicly say "yeah, I'm still meant to be sober," especially if they're not in a place where they feel they can stop any time soon. Otherwise there'd be sympathy and speculation every time they're seen with a drink and Billie himself was clear in 2013 he wanted no sympathy. If I were in that position, I'd probably brush it off with "I'm past that now" too. Not to mention it appears to actually be part of the promo right now, which is... questionable, but I don't blame the band for that.

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

5 minutes ago, 21st_century_gloria said:

It's the projected "rock'n'roll" partying lifestyle, the culture, and it's overromanticized tbh. Yell "straight-edge asshole" at me if you'd like but look what happens, and not just to these guys, there are issues and overdoses, etc all over the place...

I don't want to sound like someone who's speaking for them or prying into their social lives, I'm just a lil worried haha *nervous laughter*

Yeah it's a trope and not a good one. I'm the last person to advocate against mind-altering substances, but usung them safely and harm reduction is important to me. It's no fun when it's dangerous. Self-destruction shouldn't be romanticized. Last night I saw a documentary on Kurt Cobain that featured his home videos and I don't know what else to say, at times it was just miserable to watch.

I can't fathom how "the next one could be me" can be used as a promotional catchprase. For fuck's sake, since when is it cool to die in a more or less gory fashion.

4 minutes ago, solongfromthestars said:

For me it's not what he's saying, it's just worrying it's denial because that's not a good place for any addict to be in. If I hadn't seen anything concerning in person, or if I'd only seen that and not what he's said, I wouldn't be that bothered. The two together are a potentially concerning picture though and I just hope, as I would for any addict, that he's alright. If I'm wrong, which I hope I am, that's great.

I really would understand if (in general terms, not pretending to know Billie feels this way) any famous, struggling addict didn't want to publicly say "yeah, I'm still meant to be sober," especially if they're not in a place where they feel they can stop any time soon. Otherwise there'd be sympathy and speculation every time they're seen with a drink and Billie himself was clear in 2013 he wanted no sympathy. If I were in that position, I'd probably brush it off with "I'm past that now" too. Not to mention it appears to actually be part of the promo right now, which is... questionable, but I don't blame the band for that.

Good point.

[stories and songs]

4 minutes ago, Beerjeezus said:

I can't fathom how "the next one could be me" can be used as a promotional catchprase. For fuck's sake, since when is it cool to die in a more or less gory fashion.

For reals, what the fuck. When I heard Billie reflect on that line with “yeah it scared me a little and it scared people around me too” I was like “WELLL THEN WHY R U ACTING LIKE THIS.”

In all seriousness, after Chris Cornell’s death – much too late, unfortunately – I fell completely in love with his incredibly diverse catalog of music, and what a lovely man he seemed to be. I think he had the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about him and feel that loss deeply. So to be singling our that particular line bothers me for a whole lot of reasons.

[21st_century_gloria]

Just now, stories and songs said:

For reals, what the fuck. When I heard Billie reflect on that line with “yeah it scared me a little and it scared people around me too” I was like “WELLL THEN WHY R U ACTING LIKE THIS.”

Honestly I have a lot of personal baggage attached to this and therefore don't want to say too much concerning this so I'm just gonna say that tbh I do understand why in a manner of sorts from one perspective (my own, I'm definitely not trying to say I know what BJA is going through) ... I'll say it like this: sometimes people try to put up a brash cold front and be like "I'm fine, Lol, let's go crazy!" but they are dying inside and as much as they are trying to ignore it or make sure that people aren't worried about them, they really want to get out how they are feeling in some way. Someone saying "I just want to be numb and walk off a cliff" may shock themselves because of the general red-flag nature of the statement being spoken aloud and reacted to if you know what I mean is jarring for anyone, even the speaker, because it becomes more than just a thought.

It'll be against my better judgement to post this. I don't know why I am or if this contributes to anything in any way. 

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

5 minutes ago, stories and songs said:

For reals, what the fuck. When I heard Billie reflect on that line with “yeah it scared me a little and it scared people around me too” I was like “WELLL THEN WHY R U ACTING LIKE THIS.”

It's not something you can hold against him... I mean, if he's acting in a dangerous way, it's not something he chooses to do for fun. It's a mental illness.

Hopefully the fact that it "scared" someone means that someone is looking out for him and will try to help if needed.

[Thelongshot]

I think in many ways the alcohol and/or substance abuse is a coping mechanism. He really is a bag of nerves in interviews on this promo when sober - fiddling his fingers,  scratching his face etc. That's what worries me. 

[stories and songs]

1 minute ago, Beerjeezus said:

It's not something you can hold against him... I mean, if he's acting in a dangerous way, it's not something he chooses to do for fun. It's a mental illness.

Hopefully the fact that it "scared" someone means that someone is looking out for him and will try to help if needed.

Oh I know, I didn’t mean for it to come across that way. It’s a disease and he can’t help it. I just would hope if he was writing things that scare him, it would cause him or those around him to take a step back and reflect on if there’s more behind the lyrics that needs addressing. Back when he did his post-rehab interview, he talked about how he was writing warnings for himself for years that he refused to listen to. Given that, it’s sad that it is still happening and possibly still being ignored.

[pacejunkie punk]

2 minutes ago, Thelongshot said:

I think in many ways the alcohol and/or substance abuse is a coping mechanism. He really is a bag of nerves in interviews on this promo when sober - fiddling his fingers,  scratching his face etc. That's what worries me. 

Back in 2016 he said one of the reasons for his drinking was social anxiety so he definitely uses substances to self medicate.  He has also admitted using alcohol to treat stage anxiety too which is common for artists.  

[pacejunkie punk]

1 minute ago, stories and songs said:

Oh I know, I didn’t mean for it to come across that way. It’s a disease and he can’t help it. I just would hope if he was writing things that scare him, it would cause him or those around him to take a step back and reflect on if there’s more behind the lyrics that needs addressing. Back when he did his post-rehab interview, he talked about how he was writing warnings for himself for years that he refused to listen to. Given that, it’s sad that it is still happening and possibly still being ignored.

Yeah you would think the people close to him would now be better at reading the signs. Maybe they are and are responding for all we know, but if he brushes it off and says I’m fine back off there’s nothing they can do. 

[Thelongshot]

 

5 minutes ago, pacejunkie punk said:

Back in 2016 he said one of the reasons for his drinking was social anxiety so he definitely uses substances to self medicate.  He has also admitted using alcohol to treat stage anxiety too which is common for artists.  

I feel sad for him. I'd rather him give it all up  (ie the music industry and all the that comes with it) if he's risking his health 😔

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

2 minutes ago, stories and songs said:

Oh I know, I didn’t mean for it to come across that way. It’s a disease and he can’t help it. I just would hope if he was writing things that scare him, it would cause him or those around him to take a step back and reflect on if there’s more behind the lyrics that needs addressing. Back when he did his post-rehab interview, he talked about how he was writing warnings for himself for years that he refused to listen to. Given that, it’s sad that it is still happening and possibly still being ignored.

Oh yeah, absolutely. In my experience people tend to "drop clues" even when they don't consciously realize the problem. So yeah, you're right about this.

[stories and songs]

3 minutes ago, pacejunkie punk said:

Back in 2016 he said one of the reasons for his drinking was social anxiety so he definitely uses substances to self medicate.  He has also admitted using alcohol to treat stage anxiety too which is common for artists.  

I definitely sympathize with his reasoning. I have anxiety and I write professionally. Writer’s block is real and is a bitch, and it would be so easy to have a drink to take the edge off. There’s a reason why journalists in movies drink so much. Luckily I’m super controlling (lol) and hate hate hate getting drunk or even a little tipsy. But I’m definitely sympathetic and aware that being an artist of any kind can put a certain kind of pressure on one’s mind that drives some to flirt with dangerous habits.

[Little Boy Named Booze]

What's the big deal? Yeah he's drinking. So what? I don't get all the stress about him. Let him live his life for godsake.

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

6 minutes ago, pacejunkie punk said:

Yeah you would think the people close to him would now be better at reading the signs. Maybe they are and are responding for all we know, but if he brushes it off and says I’m fine back off there’s nothing they can do. 

Honestly - this is still hypothetical and hopefully it'll never come to it - I wouldn't be okay with it if everyone kept acting like everything's ok even though it clearly wasn't. I mean, of course it's up to him, but he's not the only one making the decisions for the band. I thought it was a questionable decision to play some of the 2012 shows. Maybe it'd be good if someone else said no before he has to do so himself.

In hindsight, seeing the rest of the band all like

makes me think "but you didn't have to". (And I know there's a lot at stake financially and otherwise, but you know, priorities).

[Lenny]

Can someone catch me up did he publicly say he’s drinking or something? I went on a bender this week and did myself in. Been in bed for a day recovering been hard to keep up on a little phone

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

2 minutes ago, Little Boy Named Airplane said:

What's the big deal? Yeah he's drinking. So what? I don't get all the stress about him. Let him live his life for godsake.

You don't get it because you drink too

[21st_century_gloria]

excuse me while I go on a comment deleting spree

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

1 minute ago, Sheenius said:

Can someone catch me up did he publicly say he’s drinking or something? I went on a bender this week and did myself in. Been in bed for a day recovering been hard to keep up on a little phone

Yeah he did several times, I assume we're talking about it here because it was mentioned in the article in this thread

[Lenny]

1 minute ago, Beerjeezus said:

Yeah he did several times, I assume we're talking about it here because it was mentioned in the article in this thread

Probably got a little excited about the release

i dont think it will be an issue during hella mega

4 minutes ago, Beerjeezus said:

You don't get it because you drink too

I get it after today

[Little Boy Named Booze]

6 minutes ago, Beerjeezus said:

You don't get it because you drink too

Yeah so? I'm pretty sure Mick Jagger had a way more party life than Billie. He's still alive. He don't look well, but he's alive.

It's getting very annoying when everyone start panicking at each picture of Billie with a beer in his hand.

[21st_century_gloria]

Just now, Little Boy Named Airplane said:

Yeah so? I'm pretty sure Mick Jagger had a way more party life than Billie. He's still alive. He don't look well, but he's alive.

It's getting very annoying when everyone start panicking at each picture of Billie with a beer in his hand.

I mean, I would say if it doesn't concern you that's fine, your opinion, but you're also not obligated to let other people's concern bother you I guess. Rip lmao I sound pretty butthurt. Might delete this one too.

[Lenny]

1 minute ago, 21st_century_gloria said:

I mean, I would say if it doesn't concern you that's fine, your opinion, but you're also not obligated to let other people's concern bother you I guess. Rip lmao I sound pretty butthurt. Might delete this one too.

Imagine waking up after a bender lol

[stories and songs]

 

13 minutes ago, Beerjeezus said:

Honestly - this is still hypothetical and hopefully it'll never come to it - I wouldn't be okay with it if everyone kept acting like everything's ok even though it clearly wasn't. I mean, of course it's up to him, but he's not the only one making the decisions for the band. I thought it was a questionable decision to play some of the 2012 shows. Maybe it'd be good if someone else said no before he has to do so himself.

In hindsight, seeing the rest of the band all like

makes me think "but you didn't have to". (And I know there's a lot at stake financially and otherwise, but you know, priorities).

I get what you’re saying. As a friend, I sympathize with the bad position they’re in – addressing the issue with the addict means you risk them alienating you and further isolating themselves. I’ve recently been through it with a friend who I’ve sadly had to take a step back from because she wouldn’t listen to me, and there wasn’t much more I could do than express my concerns and back off so she’d stop hurting me with her behavior.

That said, as business partners, they DO have a say. They can say “we think the marketing of this album sends the wrong message and we don’t want to glorify drinking and drugs.” They can say “we’re not going to perform with Billie if he gets shitfaced, because he’s no longer in control at that point and we don’t want him to go down a dark path again.” Etc. 

I suppose I can’t help but be a little bummed that Mike is allowing this. I’ve always looked at him as such a solid dude who is definitely the most together and mature of the three of them. I hoped if this happened he wouldn’t just sit there and let Billie say this stuff. But ya know, it’s ultimately not his decision what Billie does.