Green Day interview from 96

[justcause]

I like how you chose your name. I wish I could say something like that about my name, but mine is just a mix of old stuff from my past. I never noticed that line in Holiday too much before, but now that you've said that, that whole section of the song seems more important. I never knew Billie Joe spent two months writing Holiday either. I love Holiday. Every time you hear it, you can see new things in it and it keeps bringing you back.

When I think of beautiful songs When I Come Around comes to mind. It is one of the few songs that I don't really look to for lyrics. I was attracted to the sound. The song itself is just tantalizing. The melody is so calming. I can't really explain it. When I hear it I just seem to relax more.

Lyrics are something important to me. I take so many things to heart. I go day to day at school with a line of some song driving me all day long. I post a new line in my locker every day. Right now, my favorite line is from J.A.R.: "If you could see inside my head, then you'd start to understand, the things I value in my heart." No one around me seems to understand why I do things I do or act the way I act. This line is a perfect example of that.

By the way, FOD is a great song. I love how it starts off really quiet and then gets to the point you mentioned and just bursts out really loud. I like the transition in Christie Road for a similar reason. I like how it changes in the middle. It makes the song more interesting in a way. It kind of makes you pay attention to it.

I love "When I Come Around" and I know what you mean about the melody, it's something in the way it progresses and loops back on itself, and the little hook where he goes 'I'm a user and a loser..' is just such a hit each time it turns up. Of course, the lyrics are strong stuff, and allied to that sweet, graceful melody, it's just the Green Day contradiction formula, isn't it?

I love the idea of having a song line each day - do you just pick them as they attract you at the time?

I don't know why people wouldn't understand you - you have a beautiful mind. On the other hand, people are pretty conservative in their ways, and they tend to suspect anyone who's remotely unconventional.

I've always had that crap, and sometimes it can make for loneliness. Don't let them make you conform - remember 'Minority', and remember 'becoming who we are'. I looked for other people who didn't fit, for my own kind as such, and I wound up with artists and actors and musicians - we're all different together!

Hey, I'm listening to 'Bab's Uvula' on my mp3 - like that ?

[Blu]

I love "When I Come Around" and I know what you mean about the melody, it's something in the way it progresses and loops back on itself, and the little hook where he goes 'I'm a user and a loser..' is just such a hit each time it turns up. Of course, the lyrics are strong stuff, and allied to that sweet, graceful melody, it's just the Green Day contradiction formula, isn't it?

I love the idea of having a song line each day - do you just pick them as they attract you at the time?

I don't know why people wouldn't understand you - you have a beautiful mind. On the other hand, people are pretty conservative in their ways, and they tend to suspect anyone who's remotely unconventional.

I've always had that crap, and sometimes it can make for loneliness. Don't let them make you conform - remember 'Minority', and remember 'becoming who we are'. I looked for other people who didn't fit, for my own kind as such, and I wound up with artists and actors and musicians - we're all different together!

Hey, I'm listening to 'Bab's Uvula' on my mp3 - like that ?

For the song lines... I have a box of about 200 or so index cards in my locker and I just pick the one in front. Sometimes I change it if I don't like that one for the day, but normally I go with whatever is next. A lot of times they match my mood. It is weird. They are in a very random order, with a couple other bands mixed in once and a while.

People don't understand me because I'm a minority. (Minority is my favorite song. Thanks for the complement by the way.) Everyone around is judgmental and conservative and I prefer to be open-minded and accepting of others ways. My 'crowd' is a few other people who are basically crazy. We all get along nicely, but our views on things don't match very well. None of us like all the popular types that everyone else is, so we banded together in an 'outcasts unite!' kind of way.

I like 'Bab's Uvula Who?' It is an interesting song. It's another one of those that I easily relate to. I always feel like I can't do anything right because people are always saying that what I've done isn't right, even when it is. I've been struggling with that and I know the anger you can get with yourself. That's how I see the song. It's like he is beating himself up for feeling like he can't do anything right and saying how angry it makes him to feel that way. And then there's a stress factor involved when you feel that way that makes you easily annoyed and you get "all wound up" over the smallest things. I guess it could be taken in numerous ways, but that's how I see it when I look at the lyrics and listen to the song. It's a good song, as are the others on Insomniac.

[justcause]

For the song lines... I have a box of about 200 or so index cards in my locker and I just pick the one in front. Sometimes I change it if I don't like that one for the day, but normally I go with whatever is next. A lot of times they match my mood. It is weird. They are in a very random order, with a couple other bands mixed in once and a while.

People don't understand me because I'm a minority. (Minority is my favorite song. Thanks for the complement by the way.) Everyone around is judgmental and conservative and I prefer to be open-minded and accepting of others ways. My 'crowd' is a few other people who are basically crazy. We all get along nicely, but our views on things don't match very well. None of us like all the popular types that everyone else is, so we banded together in an 'outcasts unite!' kind of way.

I like 'Bab's Uvula Who?' It is an interesting song. It's another one of those that I easily relate to. I always feel like I can't do anything right because people are always saying that what I've done isn't right, even when it is. I've been struggling with that and I know the anger you can get with yourself. That's how I see the song. It's like he is beating himself up for feeling like he can't do anything right and saying how angry it makes him to feel that way. And then there's a stress factor involved when you feel that way that makes you easily annoyed and you get "all wound up" over the smallest things. I guess it could be taken in numerous ways, but that's how I see it when I look at the lyrics and listen to the song. It's a good song, as are the others on Insomniac.

Hey, coincidence - I've got BIAB on now, and it's Minority! Good live version - do you have BIAB? What do you think of it if you do?

I agree with your take on 'Bab's Uvula' - a big dose of self-hate, anger and stress, set to music that's pure tension itself. I had the opposite experience to you - I was the one who always did everything right, and had the approval of all the authority types. Trouble with that was that I didn't have my 'Minority' thing going on - I didn't know who the fuck I was, just someone who pleased everyone else. Also, it made me afraid to fail. Well, I got that sorted out, and I learned to take chances, but I can tell you it took me a while.

It took even longer for people's perceptions of me to change, and then they didn't always like what they saw, as I told you in my last post.

But here I am now, still in the process of 'becoming who I am', but now it's good, it's a strong feeling. I'm wide awake! I was about to say 'I'm ready for anything', then I realised I was slipping into 'Waiting' - here, have some of it, lovely yearning song -

'Dawning of a new era

calling....don't let it catch you falling

ready or not at all

so close enough to taste it

almost....I can embrace this

feeling....on the tip of my tongue'

[pismodiver]

But here I am now, still in the process of 'becoming who I am', but now it's good, it's a strong feeling. I'm wide awake! I was about to say 'I'm ready for anything', then I realised I was slipping into 'Waiting' - here, have some of it, lovely yearning song -

'Dawning of a new era

calling....don't let it catch you falling

ready or not at all

so close enough to taste it

almost....I can embrace this

feeling....on the tip of my tongue'

That is my favorite Green Day song. It has such a positive, anthemic feel. I'll sing it full blast in my car, and it makes me feel better.

(The video sucked though!)

[justcause]

That is my favorite Green Day song. It has such a positive, anthemic feel. I'll sing it full blast in my car, and it makes me feel better.

(The video sucked though!)

I have to say I like the vid too - Billie was so pissed that it didn't get aired enough on MTV, so maybe most people didn't like it! I liked the stop/start thing - actually, I liked all of it, the set, the dancing and the performance.

Hey - d'you figure he's finally 'like a new diamond'? He certainly has enough lights shining on him!

Yeah, it's a song to jump-start your ambitions, isn't it?

My favourite GD vid is 'Stuck With Me' - the black-and-white and the camera-work, the whole murky claustrophobic feel of it is everything that says 'Insomniac' to me , it just fits the song perfectly. Wonder who directed it? I must check it out.

Here, have this -

'All the time. Everytime I need it.

What's the time? I'd say the time is right.

Here's to me. Let's find another reason.

Down the hatch and a bad attitude, salud.'

Hey, maybe not the best one for driving to!

[Blu]

Hey, coincidence - I've got BIAB on now, and it's Minority! Good live version - do you have BIAB? What do you think of it if you do?

I agree with your take on 'Bab's Uvula' - a big dose of self-hate, anger and stress, set to music that's pure tension itself. I had the opposite experience to you - I was the one who always did everything right, and had the approval of all the authority types. Trouble with that was that I didn't have my 'Minority' thing going on - I didn't know who the fuck I was, just someone who pleased everyone else. Also, it made me afraid to fail. Well, I got that sorted out, and I learned to take chances, but I can tell you it took me a while.

It took even longer for people's perceptions of me to change, and then they didn't always like what they saw, as I told you in my last post.

But here I am now, still in the process of 'becoming who I am', but now it's good, it's a strong feeling. I'm wide awake! I was about to say 'I'm ready for anything', then I realised I was slipping into 'Waiting' - here, have some of it, lovely yearning song -

'Dawning of a new era

calling....don't let it catch you falling

ready or not at all

so close enough to taste it

almost....I can embrace this

feeling....on the tip of my tongue'

I have BIAB and I think it is fantastic. I love how the film switches from color to black and white. It is amazing. I love watching it over and over again.

"I was the one who always did everything right, and had the approval of all the authority types."

I have that too. That's why whenever I feel like I can't do anything right I stress out. I'm a perfectionist. I am loved by most authorities because I'll do whatever they ask and it will be the closest thing to perfect I can do. But then my parents make everything I do feel like I haven't done anything right and I just go crazy. Does that make sense? I'm a perfectionist who feels like they can't do anything right... doesn't seem to make much sense, but there it is. I'm working on it. I'm trying to become my own person too. I'm trying to sort out the mess.

I love that quote from Waiting. Kind of like 'be ready for whatever is next.'

My favourite GD vid is 'Stuck With Me' - the black-and-white and the camera-work, the whole murky claustrophobic feel of it is everything that says 'Insomniac' to me , it just fits the song perfectly. Wonder who directed it? I must check it out.

I love Stuck with Me. The video is awesome. I love how the band shots are in black and white and then there's the art from Insomniac going through the video. I love it. That video is amazing! It was directed by Mark Kohr. The song itself is awesome too! I love it!

[st.billie]

I was the one who always did everything right, and had the approval of all the authority types. Trouble with that was that I didn't have my 'Minority' thing going on - I didn't know who the fuck I was, just someone who pleased everyone else. Also, it made me afraid to fail. Well, I got that sorted out, and I learned to take chances, but I can tell you it took me a while.

It took even longer for people's perceptions of me to change, and then they didn't always like what they saw, as I told you in my last post.

But here I am now, still in the process of 'becoming who I am', but now it's good, it's a strong feeling. I'm wide awake! I was about to say 'I'm ready for anything', then I realised I was slipping into 'Waiting' - here, have some of it, lovely yearning song -

'Dawning of a new era

calling....don't let it catch you falling

ready or not at all

so close enough to taste it

almost....I can embrace this

feeling....on the tip of my tongue'

I know what you're talking about. As child i was always perfect little kid who does what is told, no mater if that's what i wanted and if it was important to me. The problem was, i wasn't even perfectionist, everyone around me was and everyone had some plan for me, someting they didn't accomplish when they could. then i started to change and it seems everyone gave up on me, even my friends, when they saw i don't agree anymore about everything they say or do. But i like be the way i'm now, even if it's so much harder to have your own oppinion and point of view, and find things out on your own

And while i was reading your post Waiting came to my mind

[nooneanymore]

thanks for sharing! I think it's a good interview. no shit talking just honesty.

[justcause]

I have BIAB and I think it is fantastic. I love how the film switches from color to black and white. It is amazing. I love watching it over and over again.

"I was the one who always did everything right, and had the approval of all the authority types."

I have that too. That's why whenever I feel like I can't do anything right I stress out. I'm a perfectionist. I am loved by most authorities because I'll do whatever they ask and it will be the closest thing to perfect I can do. But then my parents make everything I do feel like I haven't done anything right and I just go crazy. Does that make sense? I'm a perfectionist who feels like they can't do anything right... doesn't seem to make much sense, but there it is. I'm working on it. I'm trying to become my own person too. I'm trying to sort out the mess.

I love that quote from Waiting. Kind of like 'be ready for whatever is next.'

I love Stuck with Me. The video is awesome. I love how the band shots are in black and white and then there's the art from Insomniac going through the video. I love it. That video is amazing! It was directed by Mark Kohr. The song itself is awesome too! I love it!

So I meet a fellow perfectionist?! You just have to learn to deal with it, or you end up not being productive - and I say this as someone who has to kick her own ass about it still! It's a tough one, because you see the perfection in your head, then it's the standard you set for yourself -others can't understand why you won't settle for less.

And you love Stuck With Me - cool! I've requested screencaps on the picture thread, bit unlikely they'll turn up, but I'd love them.

Here, have this classic -

Are you locked up in a world

That's been planned out for you?

Are you feeling like a

social tool without a use?

Scream at me until my ears bleed

I'm taking heed just for you

I know what you're talking about. As child i was always perfect little kid who does what is told, no mater if that's what i wanted and if it was important to me. The problem was, i wasn't even perfectionist, everyone around me was and everyone had some plan for me, someting they didn't accomplish when they could. then i started to change and it seems everyone gave up on me, even my friends, when they saw i don't agree anymore about everything they say or do. But i like be the way i'm now, even if it's so much harder to have your own oppinion and point of view, and find things out on your own

And while i was reading your post Waiting came to my mind

Love your screen name, St. Billie!

What a cool person you are, to have the wisdom to know what was right for you at such a young age, and the bravery to stick with it. I've just quoted 'She' - it seems to fit all of us! Do you like it ?

[Blu]

So I meet a fellow perfectionist?! You just have to learn to deal with it, or you end up not being productive - and I say this as someone who has to kick her own ass about it still! It's a tough one, because you see the perfection in your head, then it's the standard you set for yourself -others can't understand why you won't settle for less.

And you love Stuck With Me - cool! I've requested screencaps on the picture thread, bit unlikely they'll turn up, but I'd love them.

Here, have this classic -

Are you locked up in a world

That's been planned out for you?

Are you feeling like a

social tool without a use?

Scream at me until my ears bleed

I'm taking heed just for you

Yeah, I'm trying to deal with the perfectionist thing. It actually made me sick a few months ago and I'm trying to deal with it now. You know you have a problem when it causes stress attacks over little things. And then you turn to music... That's what has kept me going for the last few months.

And the lyrics^ She. Awesome lines. Those are the ones that hit home a few months ago. My parents seem to have planned out my life for me. I didn't even notice until school started again back in September. They started freaking out at me over stuff and I broke down. They can't even seem to figure out I've broken down. I turned to 'Burnout' when everything turned sour.

'Apathy has rained on me

Now I'm feeling like a soggy dream

So close to drowning but I don't mind

I've lived in this mental cave

Throw emotions in the grave

Hell, who needs them anyway. '

Except that doesn't work either. I either care too much and stress out or I don't care at all and everyone around me becomes angry with me. It is a lose-lose situation most of the time. I'm struggling so much over it and the only thing that has kept me going are Green Day lyrics. I pick a song and it is applicable to what I am feeling. Burnout is awesome. I also love Boulevard of Broken Dreams. That song is like my life. Alone and lost. "I wish someone out there will find me, until then I walk alone." No one ever really seems to find me. I just keep going on with life feeling alone. I started to come here to cure my eternal boredom and most of the time it works. You get to talk to people, like you, and know that there are people who can understand a little.

And it is good to remember this:

'When you lost all hope and excuses

And the cheapskates and the losers

Nothing's left to cling onto

Gotta to hold on

You got to Hold on to yourself '

It kind of reminds me not to give up.

[justcause]

Yeah, I'm trying to deal with the perfectionist thing. It actually made me sick a few months ago and I'm trying to deal with it now. You know you have a problem when it causes stress attacks over little things. And then you turn to music... That's what has kept me going for the last few months.

And the lyrics^ She. Awesome lines. Those are the ones that hit home a few months ago. My parents seem to have planned out my life for me. I didn't even notice until school started again back in September. They started freaking out at me over stuff and I broke down. They can't even seem to figure out I've broken down. I turned to 'Burnout' when everything turned sour.

'Apathy has rained on me

Now I'm feeling like a soggy dream

So close to drowning but I don't mind

I've lived in this mental cave

Throw emotions in the grave

Hell, who needs them anyway. '

Except that doesn't work either. I either care too much and stress out or I don't care at all and everyone around me becomes angry with me. It is a lose-lose situation most of the time. I'm struggling so much over it and the only thing that has kept me going are Green Day lyrics. I pick a song and it is applicable to what I am feeling. Burnout is awesome. I also love Boulevard of Broken Dreams. That song is like my life. Alone and lost. "I wish someone out there will find me, until then I walk alone." No one ever really seems to find me. I just keep going on with life feeling alone. I started to come here to cure my eternal boredom and most of the time it works. You get to talk to people, like you, and know that there are people who can understand a little.

And it is good to remember this:

'When you lost all hope and excuses

And the cheapskates and the losers

Nothing's left to cling onto

Gotta to hold on

You got to Hold on to yourself '

It kind of reminds me not to give up.

That last line is a truth I've come to the hard way. D'you know what, Blu - I came to Green DAy when I had a meltdown of my own, and those songs fucking saved me. You just can't tell people that - I stressed out to the level of panic attacks too - and if I told people that 'Good Riddance' was like someone reaching out a hand to me when I was drowning, I know they just wouldn't believe it, in fact they'd laugh.

I don't know what form your attacks take - there are different kinds - but when I got my first one, I couldn't breathe - I truly believed I was about to die. 'Panic Song' - it's all there, down to the rapid-heartbeat guitar.

After that, I felt like I couldn't trust the next moment - my life just fell apart. I had to force myself through every minute of the day. Then one day, having hardly even heard of GD, I heard Basketcase, and i knew I was hearing the truth, and I knew that the person who who wrote it had been where I'd been. Blu, it was only later that i learned that when Billie had his attacks, he didn't even know what was wrong with him - it mus t have been pure fucking terror. And this fear, this thing that frightened me so much that I could only get by by blocking it out - he had the balls to it down and write a song about it, a song that made me feel someone felt the same, at the loneliest time of my life. Not that I didn't have friends and family, not that they didn't care - they just couldn't possibly understand - 'stranded, lost inside myself the worst lonely. And the person who saved me, the person who shared his shit experiences so honestly that I could connect more to him than to my own family, was this little fucked-up guy from a band I never heard of - I fucking owe him more than I could ever pay, and no-one can understand that - except, probably you. I'm Angeline, by the way. I'll write you more later - I didn't even talk about you, and I want to.

[PunkRocks and Coke]

wow I didnt know about the thing that was happening w/ Mike. Im glad he doesnt have those anymore

and hte thing Billie said " I'm gonna take my fuckin' clothes off and wiggle my little dick at everybody."

haha the interview sounded so serious in my head then he said that and i bursted out laughing

[Metanoia]

lol at the part about billie naked onstage,and talking about butch vig back then

but at mike.....im so worrying about his heart sometimes....