farley drexel hatcher Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 I was watching some clips from a Pinhead Gunpowder show the other day (i know it's not green day, but whatever) and it made me realise just how into his playing Billie actually gets. They tore through three songs one after the other and he didn't stop for breath once and it was awesome, I got into it just watching it, I can imagine how into it the small crowd must have been. But that simply isn't enough when you're playing a stadium or a massive arena. You need that extra push, and Billie is an excellent front man, and he's happy doing it, and it doesn't take away from what he's doing, so I honestly see no problem with the set up.
Mommy's Little Nightmare Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 I was watching some clips from a Pinhead Gunpowder show the other day (i know it's not green day, but whatever) and it made me realise just how into his playing Billie actually gets. They tore through three songs one after the other and he didn't stop for breath once and it was awesome, I got into it just watching it, I can imagine how into it the small crowd must have been. But that simply isn't enough when you're playing a stadium or a massive arena. You need that extra push, and Billie is an excellent front man, and he's happy doing it, and it doesn't take away from what he's doing, so I honestly see no problem with the set up. That's pretty much exactly how I feel. What Billie does is great, but as you said- I'd really love to just be able to see him focus on playing. Maybe not all the time, but I think it would be something worth watching as well. I'm happy with what he does during Green Day shows, but I guess that if I want to see him focus more on his playing, I'll have to hopefully one day attend a Pinhead Gunpowder show...
farley drexel hatcher Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 That's pretty much exactly how I feel. What Billie does is great, but as you said- I'd really love to just be able to see him focus on playing. Maybe not all the time, but I think it would be something worth watching as well. I'm happy with what he does during Green Day shows, but I guess that if I want to see him focus more on his playing, I'll have to hopefully one day attend a Pinhead Gunpowder show... Yeah, a PHGP show would be the perfect chance to see him play like that, or even a small Green Day show. I wouldn't want to lose Jason, though. XD
Mommy's Little Nightmare Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 Yeah, a PHGP show would be the perfect chance to see him play like that, or even a small Green Day show. I wouldn't want to lose Jason, though. XD Haha. I don't know, like when he is playing at Green Day shows, I'm always like... drawn to watching his hands while he plays. I don't know why, but Billie's playing is something that I'm very interested in.
Hermione Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 Haha. I don't know, like when he is playing at Green Day shows, I'm always like... drawn to watching his hands while he plays. I don't know why, but Billie's playing is something that I'm very interested in. I really enjoy watching him play guitar too. I've never been that into the instrument/equipment side of things so I never really thought much about it until I actually saw them live, I was surprised how intriguing and entertaining it was! I think you do get to see him play a fair amount though, it was enough to satisfy me anyway. Watching Billie play the Minority solo close up.......
Fuzz Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 I really enjoy watching him play guitar too. I've never been that into the instrument/equipment side of things so I never really thought much about it until I actually saw them live, I was surprised how intriguing and entertaining it was! I think you do get to see him play a fair amount though, it was enough to satisfy me anyway. Watching Billie play the Minority solo close up....... I can just imagine how much you guys would like the shot in "Heart Like A Hand Grenade" where it's just a close up of him pounding away at the guitar. It was pretty awesome. I didn't mean to rub it in anyone's face that they haven't seen HLAHG and I have. Oh wait, yes I did. LOSERS! jkiloveyou xoxox
Mommy's Little Nightmare Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 I can just imagine how much you guys would like the shot in "Heart Like A Hand Grenade" where it's just a close up of him pounding away at the guitar. It was pretty awesome. I didn't mean to rub it in anyone's face that they haven't seen HLAHG and I have. Oh wait, yes I did. LOSERS! jkiloveyou xoxox Well that was mean. XD But seriously. That shot does sound like something I would really enjoy. I think there's a beauty in the intricacy of playing the guitar. I'm really fixated by watching people's hands and fingers move while they play. And I think Billie gets a lot of shit for not being able to play the guitar very well, and power chords, and blah blah. But I have this notion in my head, that somebody who has been playing for as long as he has, obviously has to have major skills. Just because they aren't shown off in crazy fast and intricate metal riffs doesn't mean he couldn't play them if he wanted to, and just because he doesn't play as much live... it doesn't mean he can't play everything. Obviously he played it on the albums, so I fail to see where that comes from when people say it. I don't know. I'm fascinated by watching people play the guitar, and as Billie is the guitarist in my favorite band, I can't say I'd mind too much watching him play more live. But as I've also said, I'm very complacent with what he does do for live shows. I just think it would be fun to watch if he did focus more on the playing somewhere down the line. [/ramble]
deadair Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 No, like so many people said before it's a much more exciting show when he gets the crowd engaged. And I'd rather see him do St. Jimmy and Jaded without a guitar any day, he runs around the stage and goes crazy on those live. I think he used to break dance during Jaded while Jason White played the solo. That was possibly during the AI tour? I think I saw it in a video or two.
gehrc Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 Am I the only one that noticed in Bullet in a Bible that it really was just the three of them playing when it got to the older songs? That was a pretty awesome format.
Mommy's Little Nightmare Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 Am I the only one that noticed in Bullet in a Bible that it really was just the three of them playing when it got to the older songs? That was a pretty awesome format. Nah, I've noticed that too. It's not just Bullet in a Bible, it's really any live show they do. When they get to the older stuff, Billie takes on a more lead guitar type role, and Jason is just there to back him up.
deadair Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 I only have the audio of Bullet In A Bible (my friend never burned me the dvd, lol) so I wouldn't know that. But I do have a bootleg video torrent from GDTorrent of their performance on the first date of the Pop Disaster Tour in 2002 and I noticed what you are mentioning and I thought that was cool too. I haven't watched it in a while, but I clearly remember Jason would leave the three of them alone for songs like Longview, Welcome To Paradise, and When I Come Around. But at the same time I don't have any problem with him being on the stage for those songs on the latest tour.
Dylan. Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 I think that a lot of people don't understand the point that...there's two guitars in these songs. It's not a fucking matter of having another guitarist up there to back him up. The song was written for two guitars. Look, Billie's singing is phenomenal. Would you really sacrifice the kind of live singing that he does, in exchange for some more guitar solos?
Fuzz Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 Well that was mean. XD But seriously. That shot does sound like something I would really enjoy. I think there's a beauty in the intricacy of playing the guitar. I'm really fixated by watching people's hands and fingers move while they play. And I think Billie gets a lot of shit for not being able to play the guitar very well, and power chords, and blah blah. But I have this notion in my head, that somebody who has been playing for as long as he has, obviously has to have major skills. Just because they aren't shown off in crazy fast and intricate metal riffs doesn't mean he couldn't play them if he wanted to, and just because he doesn't play that much live... it doesn't mean he can't play everything. I don't know. I'm fascinated by watching people play the guitar, and as Billie is the guitarist in my favorite band, I can't say I'd mind too much watching him play more live. But as I've also said, I'm very complacent with what he does do for live shows. I just think it would be fun to watch if he did focus more on the playing somewhere down the line. [/ramble] Billie is pretty incredible at playing the guitar. I always think back to one his quotes about people not wanting a 15 minute guitar solo or something like that. I thought we had it on GDA, can't find it now. I think it's a pretty obvious choice of theirs not to over complicate their music just for the sake of showing they can play their instruments. They're all incredibly talented musicians and simply because they can play a hell of a 3-chord punk song, people write it off it's implicite simplicity as lack of skill.
nimrod1686 Posted July 27, 2011 Author Posted July 27, 2011 Billie is pretty incredible at playing the guitar. I always think back to one his quotes about people not wanting a 15 minute guitar solo or something like that. I thought we had it on GDA, can't find it now. I think it's a pretty obvious choice of theirs not to over complicate their music just for the sake of showing they can play their instruments. They're all incredibly talented musicians and simply because they can play a hell of a 3-chord punk song, people write it off it's implicite simplicity as lack of skill. This is going further than I expected but anyway... In case anyone mistook what I meant, I'm not complaining about his playing style, music complicated-ness or anything else, I hate songs with really long solos!!! SIMPLICITY FTW!!!
Fuzz Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 This is going further than I expected but anyway... In case anyone mistook what I meant, I'm not complaining about his playing style, music complicated-ness or anything else, I hate songs with really long solos!!! SIMPLICITY FTW!!! I wasn't replying to your opening post. Just kind of adding to the conversation about people who underestimate their ability. My thoughts on your original post are on the first page.
nimrod1686 Posted July 27, 2011 Author Posted July 27, 2011 I wasn't replying to your opening post. Just kind of adding to the conversation about people who underestimate their ability. My thoughts on your original post are on the first page. I know, just using what you had said in that post to comment on after only skimming through the rest!
BrickOfSelfControl1995 Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 I have no problem with Jason doing the solos, because the solos that Jason does do are the simple ones. If they ever start jamming out and doing off the cuff solos (like on awesome as fuck, during american idiot on the cd) that's when Billie definitely takes over. I mean most of Green Day's recent songs (even Nimrod and Warning) require 2 guitarists if they're going to replicate them live. Jason is awesome and I have no problem with his presence, and I remember Billie tweeting a while ago saying how Jason is with them in the studio this time around and that he might (operative word here being MIGHT) become an official 4th member at some point. Billie has asked Jason to be an official 4th member and he kept saying no to that, so if he does finally say yes at some point, THE MORE THE MERRIER!
Pedestrian9394 Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 I think the only time that this bothers me is for songs on American Idiot. Because I remember watching an interview (or reading?) where Billie said that he played "the most guitar he's ever played" on that album, including most of the solos. So sometimes I would like to see him playing the solos instead of Jason, just for the satisfaction of seeing it. He's obviously a great guitarist, as is Jason, so occasionally I think it would be cool to see him show it off a little bit more. Just to add on to what some people have used as a counter argument, I don't think Billie playing more would affect his ability to have crowd interaction. Most of the major things they do with the crowd are done during quieter moments of the songs anyway.
luvgirlcl Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 I think that a lot of people don't understand the point that...there's two guitars in these songs. It's not a fucking matter of having another guitarist up there to back him up. The song was written for two guitars. Exactly! It's not like they've brought Jason just for the kick of it. As albums have gone by, the songs have become more complex and the guitar too, so having Jason plus more people helps to maintain the quality and the richness of the songs when they are played live, and sometimes they even sound better than on the album. They can even have an orchestra on stage for the next tour for all I care (as long as it sounds good)
iHaveRestlessHeartSyndrome Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 Unfortunately, I have never been to any of their shows. I have watched a ton of live videos though. I think it's fine that Jason plays the guitar for most of some songs. If Billie weren't jumping around people wouldn't get pulled up on stage and Green Day wouldn't have the same amazing shows that they have. Maybe for a few songs in the set he should play the whole time, but otherwise the shows are great.
segaloco Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 tl;dr most of the thread but my opinion is that hey, if it's all part of the live show then so be it. If anything I'm glad that Jason White gets such a wonderful opportunity to showcase his sheer talent. He's an amazing guitarist. Think about it this way, when in the studio, they're three piece except for bringing in help for non guitar, bass, or drums parts. As for live, they're they way they are. Billie Joe becomes Mr. Frontman, Jason plays lead, Billie Joe plays rhtyhm when he can, Mike plays bass, Tre plays drums, and whoever else they need plays other instruments. Is there anything wrong with that? There ARE other bands out there that have frontmen remember. Also, remember, the three still WROTE the music, so there is no lack of talent to be spoken off. The guitar parts are still Billie Joe's own work and creativity, he's just passing the chance to show their stuff to Jason while he takes care of turning the show into a real smashing performance.
Billiejae Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 Green Day's music is great, hearing them play it live is amazing. But 50% of the awesome show is that Billie Joe can get as involved as he wants with the crowd and interact. So many bands can't live up to that performance because they just play their music while Green Day puts on an event. Jason, Jason Freese and Jeff are all incredible musicians, and I love that they're part of the live show. Totally agree... Thats what makes them the best live show in the world!!! Arena performances are not meant to be an intimate show, they are meant to be a spectacle which that is green day. I have seen him live in American Idiot on broadway, travelling from Sydney Australia twice it was that good... He is such a great talent!! Only wish I could get to one of those FBHT shows.
DeAmbassador Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 I would hate seeing Jason White as an official member. That would change the way I see GD. To me GD are a trio,a 3-piece band,and I wouldn't like to change it. Oh,and Jason helps them on WTP bridge.
Emilie Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 I like to see Jason try to jump with his guitar like Billie Joe. It's too funny. I love the two Jason and Jeff. I remember one time he tried to jump, and he ended up getting his foot caught in his guitar strap or something Poor Jason.
gerardsangel4977 Posted July 27, 2011 Posted July 27, 2011 Thanks for posting those! Cool to hear the little snippets of the songs and amusing when he messed them up . He seemed to mess up the tune rather than the lyrics of Castaway lol. And also who the fuck was requesting When I Come Around when they play it at every bloody show anyway?! When I Come Around wasn't part of the main setlist for the American Idiot tour. If it was played at all during that time, it was rare. So, between the years they were off between Warning and AI, the two years they were touring on AI, and they years they had off between AI tour and 21CB, they pretty much hadn't played it. So after alllll that time, to finally have them play it on the 21CB tour was like :runaround: Three people band, not six or whatever, no more back-up singers, guitarists, piano, or whatever. No more back-up singers? You do realize that Green Day have had multi-layered vocal harmonies in their songs for their entire existence...provided by Mr. Cool and Mr. Dirnt. Sorry, Mike and Tre, Alan Brunkhorst thinks you suck at singing and need to stfu Perhaps he would be happier if Billie just went solo. Well that was mean. XD But seriously. That shot does sound like something I would really enjoy. I think there's a beauty in the intricacy of playing the guitar. I'm really fixated by watching people's hands and fingers move while they play. And I think Billie gets a lot of shit for not being able to play the guitar very well, and power chords, and blah blah. But I have this notion in my head, that somebody who has been playing for as long as he has, obviously has to have major skills. Just because they aren't shown off in crazy fast and intricate metal riffs doesn't mean he couldn't play them if he wanted to, and just because he doesn't play as much live... it doesn't mean he can't play everything. Obviously he played it on the albums, so I fail to see where that comes from when people say it. I don't know. I'm fascinated by watching people play the guitar, and as Billie is the guitarist in my favorite band, I can't say I'd mind too much watching him play more live. But as I've also said, I'm very complacent with what he does do for live shows. I just think it would be fun to watch if he did focus more on the playing somewhere down the line. [/ramble] Ahh, Heart Like a Hand Grenade *HEAVY SIGH* I would probably drool over that shot too. I understand what you mean, about being fascinated by watching people play. It's part of why I made the decision to learn guitar myself. I take lessons because it turned out i was not cut out for self-teaching And my instructor and I often talk about what an underrated guitarist Billie is. I remember mentioning to him once that people have this perception of Green Day as a band that only plays 3-power-chord songs. He looked at me like I had five heads and then said "Where did they get that idea from?"
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