Unpopular Green Day Opinions

[Eva]

I agree with you, both on the "staging" of Green Day's shows and the bit about Green Day's fans being biased.

I love Green Day and I would buy tickets to see them live in a heartbeat if they came to my state, but parts of the show (East Jesus Nowhere, King For A Day, etc.) seem very staged and mechanical, like they've done it so much that it's just habit and repetition. It's a great gig, but I also feel like it's not necessary to do it at every show because it feels a little too rehearsed. I have mixed feelings about the whole thing, really. Though I do think I would like them a lot more if they would do regular shows, y'know? Play their songs, chill with the crowd, that sort of thing. They don't need to have weird hats and water guns to have great crowd interaction, contrary to popular belief.

Also, I love y'all, but some of you Green Day fans are vicious, biased monsters. (please don't hurt me)

[doworkson123123]

Do you disagree? I was simply stating an opinion.

[Eva]

I don't mind the staging of the shows. Unless you attend several in a row, it really doesn't make a difference. Even if you've seen them before on other tours, there are new songs in the set list, and the old staged parts feel familiar and still feel fun even though you know it's staged as hell. Still one of the greatest shows out there. Also, as a person who was blasted in the face multiple times by Billie I think the water gun adds a real nice personal touch

My reason for disliking it would be called punk elitism so I'm not going to delve into this much further.

But I think it's too fancy, unneeded, and frivolous. It'd be fine every once in a while, for a special occasion or something like that, but not at every show.

[OhNo]

The concert went on with all the "woo's" and "Ooh's" chants and when "King for a day" started it really all just became more of a circus than a concert. Fun, for about 5 minutes but then I thought about how many songs they could've played during the big circus that is "King for a day".

I've tried to discuss this matter before on here with little or no backing. And to be honest I've always thought that Green Day fans are probably the most biased fans in the whole world.

The conclusion is that everyone have their rights to hold their own opinions, thats the beauty of it I'm not trying to tell you what to think and I'm sorry if I'm stepping on anyone's toes here. I just want to know, if there's anyone who have the same opinions as me.

Agreed. I also strongly dislike the new "Joy" speech during Letterbomb. "Joy joy joy.....tonight is a beautiful night! Do you guys want to party or do you want a celebration! Because there's a difference! You only live twice!" recycle and repeat for every 99 revolutions concert. I actually prefer the East Jesus Nowhere ritual because it's fitting with the song and looked great with 21st century's stage effects.

As for Green Day fanbase being biased, hell yeah. There is a lot of elitism and hypocrisy. I noticed that many fanbases pretty much represent the lead singer. Much as I like the man, I consider BJA (gasp) a hypocrite on some issues, to a certain extent.

[Eva]

As for Green Day fanbase being biased, hell yeah. There is a lot of elitism and hypocrisy. I noticed that many fanbases pretty much represent the lead singer. Much as I like the man, I consider BJA (gasp) a hypocrite on some issues, to a certain extent.

I'm really glad you said this before I did because I've thought the same thing for a long time, but I didn't want to say it. I was afraid of being ripped to pieces. I love the guy, but I find him a bit pretentious and hypocritical at times.

[Scott34]

I think Know Your Enemy is one of GD's worst songs ever.

*ducks

[doworkson123123]

I think Know Your Enemy is one of GD's worst songs ever.

*ducks

I think know your enemy was great, but its been way over played.

[fromdecimateddreams]

I actually really like Know Your Enemy. The repetitiveness doesn't bother me, cause I feel like it's actually intentional.

I mean, one of the main ideas of the song is having the urgency to stand up against the "enemy" so to speak, and I think that's why the chorus is the way it is. It's kinda drilling it into your head that you have to know who the enemy is in order to actually do something about it, I guess. Then the verses have pretty great lines to back it up ("Silence is the enemy against your urgency/so rally up the demons of your soul" being one of my faves) and I dunno, I feel like it all works together really well and sends out a pretty strong message.

[belinda jane]

i didn't appreciate KYE until they played it live, then it blew me away.

it has so much more energy live.

[Z J]

Green Day's live performances are staged and rehearsed and the only reason this is a problem to anyone is because they've viewed a number of shows on youtube or you follow the band around. Concerts are not TV shows. They are events on their own, each one is not a part of a series. The same thing happens at every show, because the show is for the people at the event. The majority of people at these shows are seeing their only show of the tour. Green Day makes a conscious effort to make their concerts a spectacle because they have always wanted to follow in the footsteps of other rock legends. Pink Floyd, AC/DC, and Queen (especially Queen) are bands who put on legendary shows, and those shows contained a lot of theatrics. BJA has always made efforts to emulate the late-great Freddie Mercury. His stage presence, crowd interactions, and even his name (Billie not Billy, Freddie not Freddy ) are similar to Freddie. Go read reviews for some of their biggest stadium shows, all of the critics are praising all of the things that make the show more than just a concert. They love the crowd interaction and Billie's antics.

Green Day has an incredibly diverse fan base. Anything from middle-aged men to 12 year old girls to college kids. They craft a show to please all of them.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Green Day is the best live act in the world, they know what they are doing.

[bagelfeet]

Green Day's live performances are staged and rehearsed and the only reason this is a problem to anyone is because they've viewed a number of shows on youtube or you follow the band around. Concerts are not TV shows. They are events on their own, each one is not a part of a series. The same thing happens at every show, because the show is for the people at the event. The majority of people at these shows are seeing their only show of the tour. Green Day makes a conscious effort to make their concerts a spectacle because they have always wanted to follow in the footsteps of other rock legends. Pink Floyd, AC/DC, and Queen (especially Queen) are bands who put on legendary shows, and those shows contained a lot of theatrics. BJA has always made efforts to emulate the late-great Freddie Mercury. His stage presence, crowd interactions, and even his name (Billie not Billy, Freddie not Freddy ) are similar to Freddie. Go read reviews for some of their biggest stadium shows, all of the critics are praising all of the things that make the show more than just a concert. They love the crowd interaction and Billie's antics.

Green Day has an incredibly diverse fan base. Anything from middle-aged men to 12 year old girls to college kids. They craft a show to please all of them.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Green Day is the best live act in the world, they know what they are doing.

Agreed.

[tammy_cool]

Only in America. People keep talking about punk being this underground thing, but truth is first wave homegrown punk bands were hugely popular in the UK in the seventies and eighties. Green Day only 'brought punk into the mainstream' in the States, so, in my understanding, Dookie isn't at all phenomenal in that respect.

I think I'm a bit behind here but oh well lol. Dookie was phenomenal for them on a personal level and I guess thats what makes it so specical.

[naliuj]

I think John's drumming on Who Wrote Holden Caulfield? is a lot better than Tre's

I thought that was Tre.

[tammy_cool]

It is Tre isnt it? I'm pretty sure it is

[Duhhan1023]

To those who are saying that Green day gig is just staged and rehearsed are completely wrong. You have to remember that there are people who have never seen them before, or didn't go to youtube and watch some of their concert videos. Some of my friends are going to see them at BBK festival and they were impressed when they saw the performance of King for a day and Holiday. Obviously us, the die hard fans, are used to this but we have to remember that the majority of the people who go to their concerts are not like us. Every other band do the same thing: Muse, KISS, Queen, Radiohead, Alice Cooper.. just to name a few and they are all amazing live acts.

As for the person who said that green day fans are the most biased in the world, I disagree, go check Radiohead fans.

As for an unpopular opinion I would like to see green day more as a serious band from the next record rather than middle aged men acting as a 20 year old men. ( kind of like the 21st Century Breakdown era)

[Hermione]

The thing is Green Day have played pretty regimented setlists and done the same shtick/theatrical stuff during particular songs at every show of a given tour literally since Dookie times. They've never been a band who just threw away the setlist and were completely unpredictable, I don't know where people get that impression from. It's more theatrical these days but it's always been mostly planned and the same things repeated and lots of shtick between and during songs....go on youtube watch any normal arena show from any tour they've ever done from 1994 onwards and then another from the same tour. You'll see there's very little difference in the variation between shows then and now.

[Todd]

I thought that was Tre.

???

[fromdecimateddreams]

Maybe it's just me, but I couldn't care less that the shows are staged and rehearsed. I've seen them three times and there wasn't a second of any of those shows when I was bored or tired of seeing the same thing again. I don't care if they play rare stuff for the more diehard fans or popular stuff for the people who might not be. I just go to the show, enjoy myself, and have the time of my life no pun intended because that's what I'm there for. Just being there and listening to my favourite band play, no matter what they're playing, is already more than I could ask for.

[Eva]

If Green Day would just fucking do something different for once I wouldn't care. But they do the same thing for all of the same theatrical tricks. And, quite frankly, I really hate it. I don't care that they're theatrical. That's awesome and it makes them a great live band. But I hate the repetition of it. It's the same story over and over, the same speech over and over, the big theatrics of King For A Day over and over, etc.

It's boring. I know they're "one of the greatest live bands of all time" or whatever, but come on. Do they even know the meaning of the word "variety"? Damn.

I'm not saying they should stop. I'm saying they should think of a fucking new story to tell.

/rant

[HolyHandGrenade]

If Green Day would just fucking do something different for once I wouldn't care. But they do the same thing for all of the same theatrical tricks. And, quite frankly, I really hate it. I don't care that they're theatrical. That's awesome and it makes them a great live band. But I hate the repetition of it. It's the same story over and over, the same speech over and over, the big theatrics of King For A Day over and over, etc.

It's boring. I know they're "one of the greatest live bands of all time" or whatever, but come on. Do they even know the meaning of the word "variety"? Damn.

I'm not saying they should stop. I'm saying they should think of a fucking new story to tell.

/rant

That story is new and exciting to the majority a concert attendees. I know it's been said before, but it bears repeating. The band knows that us hardcore fans will be more forgiving of their antics, and there's always an occasional secret show or crazy set list (see: Dookie in full) to spice things up. In fact, FBHT was another good example of that.

One time I was at Guitar Center and I was wearing a shirt that had the 21st Century Breakdown album artwork on it. The cashier looked at me and was like, "Ugh. Green Day, huh? You know they were so much better in the 90s. They were actually kind of punk rock. I bet you wouldn't know about that though, huh kid? You're a bit too young for that scene."

As a response, I glared at him and went on a fucking huge rant about the beginnings of punk rock, and how it all started out with MC5 and Iggy Pop and how Joey Ramone saw Iggy on TV one year and thought, "Hey man, that's pretty cool" and decided to form a band with his brother's friend John. I also decided to educate him on the differences between the early punk scene in NYC and the scene in London and how it influenced and created the scene in California in the 1980s, which really kicked off when the Dead Kennedys come on the scene. And then I told him about the punk scene in California in the 1980s, and how it influenced the grunge scene in the northwest in the late 80s/early 90s, and led to bands like Nirvana. Then, I told him about the new wave of punk bands from California in the mid-90s, like Green Day, The Offspring, etc., and how the death of Cobain and end of Nirvana pretty much gave them their shot at fame.

The guy apologized profusely and gave me a discount.

Bottom line: Don't tell me I don't know my shit. I will kick your ass and make you buy me things.

Fuckers.

you need to put this on your bio page or your sig in a spoiler omg

[Jon Benjamin]

Um, yes, I can say I remember what I heard when I was six years old because I do remember what I heard when I was six years old. My step-brother was 13 years old, he liked punk rock, and he listened to Kerplunk. I followed him around like he was a God because he was my big brother, so I also heard Kerplunk.

I love how you're picking out what parts of my childhood I do and don't remember, by the way. Good on you. Solid argument. (That was sarcasm. Please do not thing I am actually praising you.)

I'm not mad at your for not liking 21st Century Breakdown. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I'm not a tyrant. However, I don't like the condescending attitude you have towards the album and its significance. Why does it matter to you whether someone loves 21 Guns or discovered Green Day through 21st Century Breakdown? It shouldn't, and if it does, I'm sorry, buddy, you're an elitist.

Also, I was not angry. I was making an argument, and just because I didn't use a ton of emoticons at the end and say "no offensive, dude" doesn't mean I'm angry.

*I am not angry right now, either. In case you're wondering.*

i remember listening to Blink daily since I was 5 so yeah it's far from impossible...

[Eva]

That story is new and exciting to the majority a concert attendees. I know it's been said before, but it bears repeating. The band knows that us hardcore fans will be more forgiving of their antics, and there's always an occasional secret show or crazy set list (see: Dookie in full) to spice things up. In fact, FBHT was another good example of that.

you need to put this on your bio page or your sig in a spoiler omg

I guess. I think it all really just depends on the person. I mean, I have the worst attention span ever (hooray for ADHD, am I right) so I get bored easily, which is probably why I despise all the repetition of telling the same story, bringing up someone on stage during the same song, etc. I just wish they'd mix it up a little more. They're still doing stuff they did when I went to see 'em live, and that was four years ago. It feels boring to me.

I put it in my signature just for you.

[HolyHandGrenade]

I guess. I think it all really just depends on the person. I mean, I have the worst attention span ever (hooray for ADHD, am I right) so I get bored easily, which is probably why I despise all the repetition of telling the same story, bringing up someone on stage during the same song, etc. I just wish they'd mix it up a little more. They're still doing stuff they did when I went to see 'em live, and that was four years ago. It feels boring to me.

I put it in my signature just for you.

I personally despise Know Your Enemy's placement and role on the set, as well as the fact that even non-singles have become priorities as staples. KYE certainly gets the crowd pumped, but it represents 21CB horribly compared to better options like the title track or Murder City. Actually, Nuclear Family or Let Yourself Go would do even better in that role with the trilogy tie-in.

If I had the power, I would make the middle section 100% fluid, except for no more than 2 Dookie singles. That section is supposed to be the wild card of the night, and hasn't lived up to that as well as it could. Where are the Warning deep cuts? How about some new trilogy songs? Even Homecoming would be an amazing change of pace.

All said, I stand by my assertion that it's (mostly) better for the majority of fans

Thanks

[Z J]

To those who are saying that Green day gig is just staged and rehearsed are completely wrong. You have to remember that there are people who have never seen them before, or didn't go to youtube and watch some of their concert videos. Some of my friends are going to see them at BBK festival and they were impressed when they saw the performance of King for a day and Holiday. Obviously us, the die hard fans, are used to this but we have to remember that the majority of the people who go to their concerts are not like us. Every other band do the same thing: Muse, KISS, Queen, Radiohead, Alice Cooper.. just to name a few and they are all amazing live acts.

As for the person who said that green day fans are the most biased in the world, I disagree, go check Radiohead fans.

As for an unpopular opinion I would like to see green day more as a serious band from the next record rather than middle aged men acting as a 20 year old men. ( kind of like the 21st Century Breakdown era)

Yep basically what I said, and I agree with the last thing as well

Since it seems everyone here went to the same Rochester show that I did, anyone else think the crowd was pretty bad? Place wasn't really packed and we had to be coaxed in to hey ohs and singing along. At that show is where I really decided I liked 99 Rev/Kye as the 1-2 punch out of the gate. So much energy and they were played very well. Although I agree there a a variety of songs that would've been great openers.

Next time I see them I'd rather see them in a BIG arena. If they come back through the U.S. on their tour (I'd expect they would, given how few shows they played the first time through) I would like to see them in MSG or Barclay's center. Rochester wasn't rowdy enough

[fromdecimateddreams]

Yep basically what I said, and I agree with the last thing as well

Since it seems everyone here went to the same Rochester show that I did, anyone else think the crowd was pretty bad? Place wasn't really packed and we had to be coaxed in to hey ohs and singing along. At that show is where I really decided I liked 99 Rev/Kye as the 1-2 punch out of the gate. So much energy and they were played very well. Although I agree there a a variety of songs that would've been great openers.

Next time I see them I'd rather see them in a BIG arena. If they come back through the U.S. on their tour (I'd expect they would, given how few shows they played the first time through) I would like to see them in MSG or Barclay's center. Rochester wasn't rowdy enough

Oh my god, yes. The crowd at the Rochester show was terrible, despite the show itself being awesome. I was towards the left of GA, and I was pretty much the only person actually doing anything and enjoying myself. A bunch of people I saw around me were texting or on facebook or something and not even paying attention.

I feel like some of the reason for that though, is maybe the Blue Cross Arena is a) a really small venue, and b) a hockey arena, so maybe not a whole lot of people were inclined to go see a concert there, idk.

It was a kickass show, though. My favourite out of the ones I've been to. Though I must say I actually felt bad for the band cause of the shitty attendance.