Billie Joe Armstrong thanks alcohol for Green Day success

[AnA_ELM]

I don’t think this is new, I’ve already heard some years ago that they usually have some shots before going on stage, and it’s a well-known fact the close relationship between green day and booze (The Foxboro Hot Tubs,…).

Anyway, billie may be overreacting a bit, and they don’t really need to be drunk to be as good as they are live.

[Angela.]

Hence why Billie is a black pope of the Church Of Lushotology, along with John. The title fits him well. And Mike and Tre? Well, they're honorary Lushies.

Honestly though, no surprise that they would drink before shows, tbh. If it gets them loosened up a bit, it's no big deal.

[jello4president]

As the lushies say: 'Who needs a Liver when you have a Heart!'

[Tiffx]

Nuff' said.

LOL. He looks like he's about to fall over and pass out.

Anyway, it's not a new revelation that Green Day like consuming alcohol, sometimes in large amounts.

But fucking deal.

[Kayleigh.]

As a bunch of other people have been saying, it's not a shocker that the guys consume alcohol.. But they don't look like they're totally smashed when they're on stage.

[SixtiesJunkiie]

we all gotta get our inspiration from something! haha

[mallorymaloney]

Why is everyone so lax about this, yet so uptight about Billie wearing his angry pants in Peru? Seems like it should be the same lax reaction for both, IMO ... That or reversed reactions.

Just my thoughts.

[Velocity]

The thread title is so misleading. ><

Is anyone actually surprised at this? OF COURSE they have a few drinks before they play. Have you seen the difference between what they're like during interviews versus what they're like on stage? They're barely the same people (at least Billie, anyway). I'm sure some of that has to do with adrenaline/just being pumped to be on stage, but really.

At least they're not getting completely wasted. They're sober enough to know what they're doing.

[.:Whatsername:.]

Yeah, I take it as they just have a few drinks to loosen up before shows. Nothing wrong with that. Near the end he says "there was a time when..." so I'm assuming they're not drinking like that before shows anymore. As long as they can play mostly proper (I don't know if that makes sense), I don't really care.

[pasalaska]

Tre has a bottle of sprits behind his drumkit at each show, and the little red cup with the straw and umbrella on the little tray next to his kit isn't water. His water lives in a waterbottle.

so I'm not really surprised by this. It doesnt bother me, you can tell that the band is still in 100% control over the entire show, and if it improves the live show, keep doing it

[jello4president]

is it wrong that reading this thread is making me want a stiff drink?

[Fanny.]

Imo it's pretty clear in the Q article that he was talking about shows during older tours. It’s just the way the article was phrased up that made it looked like they were drinking that much now before every gig. And I have no problem with the fact they drink a bit before shows just to make them feel better and less nervous. (:

isnt like, a tradition for them to have a shot of vodka before each show.. or was that just made up?

I'm pretty sure it's true. I've read about it in some french magazine

Here's the scan in french:

http://i444.photobucket.com/albums/qq167/FannyML/showmz9.jpg

I've translated it and it basically says: "This is a ritual lasting for years. Before each show, right before they go up on stage, the green day guys get together to drink vodka shots. Then they give hugs to each other, wish good luck, empty their glasses which they throw behind them in the purest Russian tradition. Then they walk on stage to begin their show."

[minimouse]

Maybe the guys sre really shy and need some "liquid courage" to help alleviate some of the anxiety they have about performing in front of thousands of people. Besides none of us really knows any of the guys personally - we just know the image they present to us and assume that is how they are in their day-to-day lives but I'm guessing its way off.

[clairemarie]

Maybe the guys sre really shy and need some "liquid courage" to help alleviate some of the anxiety they have about performing in front of thousands of people. Besides none of us really knows any of the guys personally - we just know the image they present to us and assume that is how they are in their day-to-day lives but I'm guessing its way off.

Yes, thank you. We can speculate all we want, but c'mon now...

[dawn71]

Billie Joe Armstrong thanks alcohol for Green Day success

Billie Joe Armstrong says Green Day’s live performances have improved because they are usually drunk on stage.

The 38-year-old is lead singer and guitarist of the punk rock band, formed in 1987, and he feels their stage presence has developed due to their inhibitions being loosened. Billie Joe has been performing for the past 20 years but feels that it’s only within the last few years they have begun giving the audience their money’s worth. He confirmed that he usually has a few alcoholic beverages with drummer Tré Cool and bassist Mike Dirnt before live performances to ensure a good show.

“Around Insomniac we became a sh**ter live band. We began playing arenas; we didn’t really know how to play them that well and at the same time we started becoming a lot more introverted. Then we started drinking a lot more. Being drunk on stage, your inhibitions are gone. Most of the stuff we’ve come up with, like bringing someone up to sing with us or running around in drag, that’s all from being liquored-up,” he told Q magazine.

Recent performances by the band have been notorious for their on-stage antics and a human-sized drunk pink rabbit has even made an appearance. Billie Joe went on to describe what exactly constitutes a suitable pre-performance drink in order to achieve the required mayhem.

“There was a time when I was up to a six-pack of beer and maybe a couple of shots – that’s when you’re really cooking in the middle of the tour. You want enough to just get real loose,” he confirmed.

http://www.musicrooms.net/alternative/19040-billie-joe-armstrong-thanks-alcohol-for-green-day-success.html

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What do you guys think of this??

That's funny to see that. It shows how much Green Day has changed over the years. I have a DVD of Green Day's United Kingdom Tour

and on the DVD it has more than just them playing concerts.It shows them hanging out wit outer bands and getting stoned after their

concerts. But on the DVD a guy from the other band tries to get 19 year old Billie to have a drink and he said, no and that he couldn't

drink before a concert because by the end of the concert it makes him feel like a slug. I guess they used other methods of getting

high back then other than alcohol. It shows how the band has changed over these last 19 years. It was cool to see that he said that

because it brought to mind that DVD in the UK in Dec. 1991 of that tour and how he felt about drinking before concerts then compared to now.

[Doris The Spider]

I don't like the thought of it. I mean I know they drink, but you'd think after performing for so many years they wouldn't need the alcohol after a while. To be honest I really wish they wouldn't do it. I just don't like the idea of them being drunk on stage. But I'll admit I'm really shy until I get a couple of drinks in me. Then I talk a lot.

[Lyz Z]

I will admit, I lost a little respect for them. Just a little. Don't jump on me and rip me apart for saying it.

Foxboro Hot Tubs base the whole live shows on drinking and whatever, which is cool, but IMO Green Day has a different vibe entirely. I know they drink, it's not like it's an "OMG THEY DRINK THEY'RE SO IRRESPONSIBLE" thing I'm trying to say here. I just don't think THAT much is necessary. I mean, I'm not a multi award winning band that performs stadium shows, but it seems like a bit much.

Maybe it's just because I'm not very into drugs or drinking, but I don't like the thought of them playing drunk each night. Or maybe it's because I'm in a shitty mood and not handling this like I normally would. Either way. >.>

[*Green_girl*]

i knew it!

and guys.. influencing kids? come on, its Green day we're talking about, the band who is named after pot smoking, they never were GOOD influence. and well, i'd need a few drinks too thats for sure.

[The Thespian]

He manages to forget some anyway though

True.

[Hermione]

I agree with Hermione, but even if they were drinking 6 packs of beer and a couple of shots before each show, I wouldn't give a shit.

I agree with you too! They're grown men so I don't think they need us to babysit them.

[Bastard of 1967]

I agree with you too! They're grown men so I don't think they need us to babysit them.

Indeed. Billie and Mike have their wives to do that for them. Tre tho? Errmmmmm....

[Axel]

Its a bad image to potray that they are drunk every time they are on stage. As role models to young kids it is a bad reputation to have as it sends out the message that being drunk is ok for kids.

But I can see why they do it. There is no way I would be able to do what they do without a bit of liquid confidence

You're talking about a band that sings about Genocide, drugs, war, etc.

Jesus.

[Bastard of 1967]

You're talking about a band that sings about Genocide, drugs, war, etc.

Jesus.

There's a difference between going *over* the edge vs. just barely getting close enough to it to know what it's like and that it's not how you want to end up. That difference underscores the difference between, say, Kurt Cobain and Nirvana vs. Billie Joe and Green Day.

[iblamealex]

come on lads, get the drinks down you

nothing wrong with a drink here and there, and it's not as if they're sloppy live, is it?

and besides, look at the show they give. would you really trade that in to satisfy some pretty dubious worries about harming impressionable children? every man needs his vice and all the better if it actually helps you in what you do.

[BringMoreKnives]

oh dear....