Do you think that Green Day's image matters?

[Homicidal_llama]

This is sort of a question that I have been thinking about asking for a long time now and I think will raise some interesting discussion. Do you think that Green Day's image matters? Interpret that how you will.

I get the impression that some fans have kind of put them onto a sort of boy band style pedestal talking about how attractive they find them and discussing what they are wearing and talking less and less about the music. So, do you think they would be as popular if they were a bunch of hairy bikers but who produced the exact same music?

Also, do you think they'd have the same level of popularity if they hadn't of had a sudden image change before American Idiot? The videos and outfits defined that era but how much do you think that they mattered? Hell, some older fans saw their clothes around then as a change from the slacker image and into more of a uniform.

What do you think?

[pisquano]

They definitely wouldn't have the same success. I hate that kind of people (especially during the AI era) who say "OMFG, Billie is handsome! I love the eyeliner!" or whatever similar, but I think that without these "details" they would have sold less records, and they wouldn't have risen again in the international music scene.

[UnderClassHero]

yeah i do think it matters, but not nearly as much as their actual music of course. To be honest I am the sort of person who loves Green Day's appearance (tre). But I think I would still be totally in love with Green day's music, because it's what they stand for and how much passion they put in their work that matters for me (even if they were a bunch of hairy bikers)

[Daughter.of.Rage.and.Love]

Yeah, I do think it matters. I think especially their change in image with American Idiot made a big difference. As much as the music on that album is great and it deserves to have that succes etc etc, it would have been much less if it weren't for the tsunami of people (girls, mainly, haha) completely swooning over them, especially Billie Joe. I don't think they'd be as popular if they, like you put it, were a bunch of hairy bikers. I personally would still love them regardless of how they look (and I probably would also be a fan too, since I first got introduced to their music, and only when I was already all over them, I actually started paying attention to how they looked), but they would definitely not have been as popular. I think this is a very much 'what if' discussion though, you simply cannot know and there isn't a definite answer (although I know the purpose of the thread is discussion, not coming to a conclusion). I think they would still be popular, but just not as much.

But even though I am firstly a fan of the music, I do find it a nice addition that none of them look particularly bad, haha.

[UnderClassHero]

Yeah, I do think it matters. I think especially their change in image with American Idiot made a big difference. As much as the music on that album is great and it deserves to have that succes etc etc, it would have been much less if it weren't for the tsunami of people (girls, mainly, haha) completely swooning over them, especially Billie Joe. I don't think they'd be as popular if they, like you put it, were a bunch of hairy bikers. I personally would still love them regardless of how they look (and I probably would also be a fan too, since I first got introduced to their music, and only when I was already all over them, I actually started paying attention to how they looked), but they would definitely not have been as popular. I think this is a very much 'what if' discussion though, you simply cannot know and there isn't a definite answer (although I know the purpose of the thread is discussion, not coming to a conclusion). I think they would still be popular, but just not as much.

But even though I am firstly a fan of the music, I do find it a nice addition that none of them look particularly bad, haha.

whoa that totally summed up what i had in mind, just didn't know how to put it xD

[Eighty.]

Definitely, I'm totally sure that most of the Green Day "fans" follow the band because of their image and style, eyeliner, ties, tattoos, tight pants..

[Daughter.of.Rage.and.Love]

Definitely, I'm totally sure that most of the Green Day "fans" follow the band because of their image and style, eyeliner, ties, tattoos, tight pants..

I think 'most' is an exaggeration...in the American Idiot era a lot of people probably did (although also a lot of people did it for the music....a fair part of the people (on here at least) who are fans now, became fan in the AI era, so definitely not all), but I think by now it has sort of died down. It still occurs, definitely, but most...nahh.

[Eighty.]

I think 'most' is an exaggeration...in the American Idiot era a lot of people probably did (although also a lot of people did it for the music....a fair part of the people (on here at least) who are fans now, became fan in the AI era, so definitely not all), but I think by now it has sort of died down. It still occurs, definitely, but most...nahh.

Yeah, I mean "fans" because of their style not all the fans, I'm sorry sometimes is hard to explain myself in english lol

[Daughter.of.Rage.and.Love]

Yeah, I mean "fans" because of their style not all the fans, I'm sorry sometimes is hard to explain myself in english lol

Oh okay, I see what you mean. But that's kind of saying the same twice, because then "fans" (including the quotation marks) equals those people. That still doesn't really say anything about how big Green Day's success would be, only that there is a group of unidentified size that is fan because of their image. But whatever, that's just me being an annoying nag, it doesn't matter Il'l shut up now.

[Micky]

I think it does matter. I agree with everything said in this thread and to prove it you just need to take a look at all the comments made in this 2010 european tour about Billie wearing red pants/shirt, this tie or that one, Mike with white pants etc ... It's something that fans (and not) cannot help but notice and comment about it. But I think it's something that happens with almost every band/singer

[Holly Ann]

People can't seem to not notice how they look. So yeah, I think it matters quite a lot. The music, in my opinion; always comes first though.

[Isabel]

I didn't think Billie Joe was attractive until the American Idiot era. perfect example right there

[Eighty.]

Oh okay, I see what you mean. But that's kind of saying the same twice, because then "fans" (including the quotation marks) equals those people. That still doesn't really say anything about how big Green Day's success would be, only that there is a group of unidentified size that is fan because of their image. But whatever, that's just me being an annoying nag, it doesn't matter Il'l shut up now.

haha yes I know, I agree when you said they appeared in the American idiot era but with the time we'll see who are the true fans..

Other thing that upset me is that people related Green day with Tokio Hotel, Simple plan, and stuff..

[EffigyQueen]

I am sometimes laughing of their appearence, but in loving way, you know what I mean?

The point is that they can look good on some photos or wear something in which they look handsome, but... man, they are Green Day. I can't think of them that they are sexy or.... God. Because I immediately think of their behaviour, the stupid (<3) things they've done, concerts, great shows they make, and the most important: their music (especially lyrics), And all those things make me love them. That's Green Day to me.

[Nele]

Yes and no. When I got the American Idiot album I still had no clue what Green Day looked like and it didn't really matter, the music was awesome. Even if they'd look like hairy old bikers I'd still enjoy their music, concerts etc.

I think it does matter. I agree with everything said in this thread and to prove it you just need to take a look at all the comments made in this 2010 european tour about Billie wearing red pants/shirt, this tie or that one, Mike with white pants etc ... It's something that fans (and not) cannot help but notice and comment about it. But I think it's something that happens with almost every band/singer

Well but even if I think Mike looks great in these white pants it doesn't make the music better and if BIllie wears an ugly tie I don't think the concert was any less fantastic. I never understodd why some people (well, mostly girls) buy concert tickets just because the band members look good, if they are shit live or their music is not my cup of tea I don't feel the need to see them.

[Vaso.Of.Suburbia]

yeah... some people call green day gay, because of the eyeliner, and some other people (especially girls) like green day because they are handsome.... but i think that's bullshit... a band needs to have talent and creativity, and not nice hair, expensive clothes and instruments full of accessories and things like these...

[rocklover92]

So so. But I'm one of those fans who like Green Day because of their music. Ok, I admit that they have a great personality but that's all.

So so. But I'm one of those fans who like Green Day because of their music. Ok, I admit that they have a great personality but that's all.

[Bubbles.]

In general, I think it does for reasons already mentioned... And I have taken inspiration from them that way, haha.

To me, it's their music that matters more than anything (obviously).

*Gets ready for a bit of a rant*

I see a lot of people are complaining about Billie’s hair cut recently… The same thing happened when he bleached it blonde… People were like “OH I DUN LIEK BILLIE WITH BLONDE HAIR” Now before I start on this rant, everyone is entitled to their opinion, like maybe what they think suits him better… But the people that are complaining about it as if it’s the end of the world just piss me off.

I mean he’s still Billie Joe Armstrong. He’s still my hero… Just because he got a hair cut doesn’t change that. And before I go any further, the same thing goes for Mike and Tré.

I just can’t stand it when some peoples’ main topic of conversation when it comes to Green Day is their appearance, and I don’t mean in general because I and a lot of my friends talk about their appearance too (and make sexual jokes) … But when people fucking COMPLAIN about it, and go as far as saying something like “aw I don’t like Billie any more because he has blonde hair”, or “I don’t like Tré any more because he put on weight” … It’s like, fucking get a grip, it’s the music that matters.

Anyway, I’ll still love Green Day when they’re old and grey…

… And when I’m old and grey.

[November's Storms]

Anyway, I’ll still love Green Day when they’re old and grey…

… And when I’m old and grey.

Haha nice!

I think they did look cool in their AI era, and kinda overdone it now for 21stCB. But anyway...

I actually preferred them when they'd just come out on stage wearing whatever they'd normally wear offstage. I'm not a huge fan of this new "uniform" they have. And I love the fact that Tré always wore one of the band tshirts!

[Micky]

Well but even if I think Mike looks great in these white pants it doesn't make the music better and if BIllie wears an ugly tie I don't think the concert was any less fantastic. I never understodd why some people (well, mostly girls) buy concert tickets just because the band members look good, if they are shit live or their music is not my cup of tea I don't feel the need to see them.

Yeah, exactly, what I meant was that either if a girl/boy likes a band or not, 80% of the possibility she/he will make at least one comment about clothes/band's image.

[Ellenkc]

Image is important as it is for most people your first impression of the band but then again Green Day could play Wembley Stadium in pyjamas with beards and I wouldn't care as long as it was a good show. I think the AI uniforms were there to make a bigger impact and it did, if you see anyone with a red tie, black shirt and pants the person would be associated with Green Day. It also made the band seem more tightly knit, if you get what I'm saying. They were matching and were unified I guess. The AI clothes were grand for me but uniforms on a band can go too far e.g MCR-Black Parade.

So yeah the band can look good and you won't find me complaining but in all honesty I don't have some huge crush on them, theres a 20+ age gap that puts them around the same age as my parents so I personally would find it slightly creepy.

Image is fairly important but music comes first for me, but sadly not for everyone.

[Amanda]

I only love Green Day because they are short.

Damn those tall punx.

[elisa]

Yes and no. When I got the American Idiot album I still had no clue what Green Day looked like and it didn't really matter, the music was awesome. Even if they'd look like hairy old bikers I'd still enjoy their music, concerts etc.

When I got into Green Day, i thought Billie looked like a Panda.

[Trotsky]

Image does matter. For example, I lost a shitload of respect for MCR when they dressed up in those ridiculous outfits for the Black Parade, and then to top that Gerard Way cut his hair and dyed it a pale blonde and admitted in an interview that he did it to look like a cancer patient, because that's a character in his story.

Green Day has yet to do something so retarded but if they ever dress up like Black Parade MCR or wear rainbow swastika bracelets, yeah I'm going to say "All the drugs they did are finally saturated into their brains permanently."

[Eighty.]

When I got into Green Day, i thought Billie looked like a Panda.

LOL! that's a good one