1live Interview with Billie Joe

[chatnoir]

Here is the translation of the 1live interview with Billie Joe. Nick (The Disappearing Boy) did the intro and gave some wording advice. It is still not perfect, but I think, it captures the meaning.

This was the original text:

1live Interview

Translation:

"For 21st CB, their first album in almost 5 years, Green Day present themselves again as new, raging rock rebels, who strive for a better world; with responsible citizens, honest politicians (!) and humanitarian ideals and to accomplish their own contribution by the way of of ambitious songs. 1Live met Billie Joe Armstrong (37) in Oakland, California.

1Live: Billie Joe, why another concept-album in the style of American Idiot, if it is a concept-album?

Billie Joe: It is rather the concept of a loose concept (laughs). Well, there are indeed characters, who are followed through with throughout the whole album. Gloria is the main-character, she passes along her beliefs and ideals like a chalice/goblet. Whereas Christian, the other character, is more of a self-destructive type of person, who prefers to set stuff on fire.

1Live: Is this like a metaphor for you and your wife, the environmental activist Adrienne?

Billie Joe: (Laughs): Somehow, yeah. But I would never make an album about the two of us, I prefer to express myself through other characters. This way it allows me to be much more open, as if I were talking about the actual me. And I always draw the character in a way, that the audience can fill it with their own imaginations as well, depended on what they see in it or would like to see.

From a political point of view it is more sort of a snapshot of what I have seen on tv over the last 4/5 years, or found on the internet or read in the paper. So, every week a new crisis, a natural desaster or a country heading into bankrupcy. And we are trying to summon this all up to find a deeper meaning, a deeper truth in it.

1Live: Like a catalyst for a better understanding?

Billie Joe: Exactly, and therefore I often draw a pretty nasty picture of reality. But the optimism is still shining through, when people are not trying to hide behind something but continue searching for the truth. Hiding for instance in some sort of fairy-tale world or behind a melancholy, which is weighing tons. That would be too easy and not honest. This is why there is a song like “See the light” on the record. Because we are in this period of transition, which is leading us into a new era. And this is frightening for a lot of people. Simply because they don’t know, how it will all work out and if their hopes will be fulfilled. They have this feeling of limbo, this feeling of disorientation.

1LIVE: Where "See The Light" certainly was not put without a reason at the end of the album. The light at the end of the tunnel?

Billie Joe Armstrong: I think so. Whereas many metaphors on the album are associated with fire or light. And "See The Light" is the grand finale, in which everything becomes connected, and everything is illuminated brightly. When all darkness is gone

1LIVE: A prophecy of the future?

Billie Joe Armstrong: Exactly. I mean, Obama has just begun - and he has already initiated many important matters. But it will just take some time until the results, ie the real changes will occur. And we want to remind people of that. To just have a little bit patience. That they should not feel lost and forgotten in this phase of transition. But to be a bit like Christian and Gloria, who continue their way of searching for change. Only this way change can really happen.

1LIVE: What has actually changed in the recent months? Was there a decline of religious fanaticism and the constant usage of biblical metaphors?

Billie Joe Armstrong: It at least presents itself differently. I mean, during the last election, when suddenly Sarah Palin appeared and wanted to be Vice President, it was definitely a terrifying time. Because someone like that in this office would have meant a huge step backwards. As the song "East Jesus Nowhere" from the last album describes it: No matter what religion you belong to and what your beliefs are, there are no questions and no doubts. It is either black or white. And it is either understood right or wrong, accepted or rejected. But there is no middle ground and no dialogue. But it should be a bit different in this apocalyptic time, we are just living in in America. But many people do not only have strict beliefs, but are almost/literally (?) fanatical and see themselves on some mission from God. They look at themselves and say: "This is my path - the path of God." And for me that is the most frightening thing, I have ever heard. Just that they do not even bother to make compromises, to take the decisive step forward in this crisis, which we are going through

1LIVE: Because they think to follow a predetermined path?

Billie Joe Armstrong: Right. And what is the difference between an ignorant person like that and a suicide bomber? There is none, they both are obeying blindly and completely to authority. This is why I find it unbelievable that some people criticize the countries of the Middle East, but are loosing the view on their own culture at the same time. That people blow up abortion clinics, or do not dare to vote for a candidate, from whom they have been told, he would not have a strong Christian belief. Or people who believe Barack Obama to be the Anti-Christ. That is incredibly frightening.

1LIVE: Is that why the first single "Know Your Enemy" is a clear challenge/declaration of war?

Billie Joe Armstrong: Yes, it is sort of a call to arms. But also just a big "Hello, we are back." After all, we have not released an album in a long time. And so it was important to make a big, belligerent and perhaps even provocative statement. Just a clear challenge - something that sounds urgent and important.

1LIVE : How anarchist is Green Day?

Billie Joe Armstrong: We are not calling for a bloody revolution, but rather for a rebellion of/in the mind. So basically a mental thing. And this is supposed to be a bit fun as well. We are punk-rockers, man (laughs).

1LIVE: And what if McCain had won?

Billie Joe Armstrong: Then we would still have to deal with this pessimistic, conservative Christian point of view. Because let's be honest: This tour, which Obama is on, he would not have been able to absolve simply due to his physical state. Whereas it is tremendously important. Obama is showing to the world an intelligent, sensitive and committed America that attempts to work with the other countries rather than to isolate itself more and more. And I do not think McCain would have achieved that. We would have the same atmosphere as under Bush.

1LIVE: Would you have returned your American passport?

Billie Joe Armstrong: (Laughs) That would have been a bit extreme. After all, I write songs about the ugly side of the American life - I am sort of depended on the things, that go wrong around me. And I wouldn’t know what to do else, if that changes some day. Then I could probably retire.

1LIVE: When do you start touring with the new album?

Billie Joe Armstrong: We will start in June in the U.S., and come to Europe in October. So also to Germany. Then we go to Australia, Japan and South America. Whereas I would really like to travel to countries in which we never have been before. Like China for instance. Just to see something different and try something new.

1LIVE: What awaits us at the concerts?

Billie Joe Armstrong: The whole new album - and lots of old songs. So, we are probably gonna play around 2 and a half/3 hours.

1LIVE: Green Day in the footsteps of Bruce Springsteen?

Billie Joe Armstrong: (Laughs) Why not? I admire this man and I love to play live. I guess this is one of our greatest strengths. To be a really good live band - to simply walk on stage and have a great time.

[Katarina.]

Thanks.

[Elis_x]

thanks for posting!

[Renjini]

thats interesting, but i don't get the passport thing...

[Pati.]

Thanks,it was long but I still read it.

[chatnoir]

thats interesting, but i don't get the passport thing...

Argh, conditional clauses are evil. They wanted to know, if he, in case Mc Cain had won, would give his passport back/give up his citizenship. I don't know, how to word it. :/

Would you have given it back? Would you have had it returned, have returned it? Help!

[Minority_GD]

they just wanted to know, in that case,if he wouldn't want to be american anymore..

[Daughter.of.Rage.and.Love]

Thanks very much for translating it!

I still had the window with the German version open and I still haven't read it, really happy I can read it in English now