Unpopular Green Day Opinions

[Z J]

I really don't understand not liking GD's ballads...you hear some of BJA's best vocal/lyrical work. They have some great pieces. Maybe you don't like them because their ballads tend to be the most popular ones (not a good reason) or maybe you just don't like slow songs, either way you're missing out.

There are the obvious popular ones:

21 Guns

BOBD

WMUWSE

Good Riddance

but they have other slow songs that are also very good:

Are We the Waiting

Macy's Day Parade

Christie Road (Sort of)

Amy

Give Me Novocaine (Sort of)

Before the Lobotomy

Last Night on Earth

Whatsername

When It's Time

Brutal Love

Even their "ballads" have up-tempo parts, as almost all of these do ramp up at some point. So idk how these songs can bore anyone, the lyrics of most of these and the live vocal that BJA gives are great. These songs make Green Day truly special.

[IamTheJudge's-Daughter]

I really don't understand not liking GD's ballads...you hear some of BJA's best vocal/lyrical work. They have some great pieces. Maybe you don't like them because their ballads tend to be the most popular ones (not a good reason) or maybe you just don't like slow songs, either way you're missing out.

There are the obvious popular ones:

21 Guns

BOBD

WMUWSE

Good Riddance

but they have other slow songs that are also very good:

Are We the Waiting

Macy's Day Parade

Christie Road (Sort of)

Amy

Give Me Novocaine (Sort of)

Before the Lobotomy

Last Night on Earth

Whatsername

When It's Time

Brutal Love

Even their "ballads" have up-tempo parts, as almost all of these do ramp up at some point. So idk how these songs can bore anyone, the lyrics of most of these and the live vocal that BJA gives are great. These songs make Green Day truly special.

I have to say i really like Last Night on Earth and i think its one of their best ballads!

[IamTheJudge's-Daughter]

Is that really funnier than "Your thoughts are so unholy in the holiest of holes"? I can't get over that fucking line, personally. Though I fucking love KTDJ.

I pretty much hate all their ballads and would prefer they don't waste any time with them during shows. Same with Billie's crowd amping. I get the feeling most people really like that, but I'm really just looking at my watch and wondering what song will be next. It sucks because I get there early so I can be there in the very front row, all centered, so of COURSE I have to go through the motions and EY-OH at his face and clap my hands and sway 'em around just because I don't want Billie looking at me and being like "What the fuck is her problem? Too good for my commands.?" and of course it would look weird to the people around me who have also been outside since 7am.... But I digress...

I don't like the Trilogy artwork. Way too from-when-I-was-13-and-scene-kids-were-cool. With the skulls and shit? Literally looks like I made it in art class in the 7th grade.

I actually kind of like that line and the way he plays with the words hole and holy

some of their ballads are really good and full of emotions and like zack_jones13 said, there are also tempo parts in their ballads for example in give me novacaine or even whatsername i think this is also a brilliant ballad and really good positioned at the end of american idiot

The artworks of the trilogy: it didnt impress me either.. i dont like all this neon colors, i just think its too gaudy.. these are no colors i prefer wearing and i think this is way i would prefer buying a shirt or a top from earlier eras but this has to do with the trend of neon colors right now. during american idiot billie came up with all this eyeliner and really dark clothes and at this time also all of this emo stuff was kind of a trend.

[Hermione]

I think the Uno Dos Tre artwork reflects the content of the albums perfectly. A lot of the music is fun, simple and retro, and at times the lyrics are very in-your-face and gaudy. I can't really think of a better way to reflect that than artwork that's fun and simple (they had a laugh taking the photos themselves), retro looking, with an in-your-face, gaudy colour scheme! Couldn't be more fitting.

[StuckWithInsomnia]

Restless Heart Syndrome isn't a very good name, it should have been called "Medicated", or something like that.

[JOE THE X-KID]

I dont want this to sound terrible and im so glad Billie got help when he did, but i must admit the shows before the rehab stint were better ( except from Billies voice ) they were just so unpredictable and edgy, you never really knew what they were gonna play and they seemed to have a bigger wow factor to them. Thats not to say the shows arent still great and im extremely thankful Billies healthy again ( please dont kill me)

[punk_rockr]

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.

I'm very well aware of that they've more or less always been doing the same songs every tour since dookie. And I'm well aware of that if you want to be an arena rockband 90% of the tour you have to be really prepared and rehearsed for it, otherwise it wont last and you'll be back playing small clubs, not that that is something negative. But what disturbs me is Billie Joes pretentiousness and all the cliché put behind it when most of what he says live is just utter bullshit, although sometimes hilarious bullshit - I'll give him that. But I guess Im just kind of allergic to bullshit in general when it's pretentious and cheap, and I think a lot of his bullshit is - pretentious and cheap, when they're playing live, just as i Think James hetfield is awesome at writing hooks and lyrics but a complete douche onstage. Billie Joe used to be "against" the rockstar style and that was what made him and the band so cool and kind of unique because they were, in fact, rockstars but made total fun of it.

[DookieLukie]

Sshhh ypu'll hurt the fans that are in denial about GD always been a punk band til Good Riddance fans lol

People who want to see Green Day as a punk band do that because it helps them feel connected to the band. Just as you seeing them as a non-punk band helps you connect as well. I'd like to think Green Day has some punk edge though.

[InvaderPhantom]

The shows before Billie went to rehab were also in support of different albums with a completely different tone to them. I don't think we can expect the Trilogy tour to reach the "wow" factor of the AI & 21CBD tours because the content is so very different.

I agree that the content of the albums effects the tour they're supported with, but with Uno Dos Tré shouldn't the shows have a more spontaneous feeling? That is actually what I expected from the tour. 21st Century Breakdown was this really intense and "calculated" album that was in the works for years but the tour was crazy and had the wow factor, with all those random and apparently spontaneous songs they played at every show like Holden Caulfield, Platypus, Fuck Time, Paper Lanterns... At least at the second leg of the tour.

With the Uno Dos Tré era having a big focus on fun and spontaneity I expected the shows to be just that, especially after the Irving Plaza show last year where they played all that random shit like Stuck With Me, At the Library, 409 and Brat. Also the fact that we have 37 new songs now, I thought there will be a lot of variety because there were so many songs to play live now.

I'm actually pretty happy with the setlist right now, it sounds like I'm really disappointed or something I just wanted to say that because the lack of spontaneity of the live shows was mentioned.

[JOE THE X-KID]

The shows before Billie went to rehab were also in support of different albums with a completely different tone to them. I don't think we can expect the Trilogy tour to reach the "wow" factor of the AI & 21CBD tours because the content is so very different.

Also, I personally found the shows he played just prior to rehab to be very disturbing/sad. You could very obviously tell something was very wrong, and it made those shows unenjoyable.

Sorry I meant to the shows promoting uno dos tre not anything before that. But yes it was i suppose kind of painful to watch Billie in such a terrible way, I guess What i really mean is that I wish the sets were like they were then. They also seemed to have more special lighting and stage graphics before ( the iheart radio gig for example )

[Hermione]

I have to say I saw a Green Day show a month before Billie went into rehab and there was nothing remotely disturbing or sad about it, it was a fantastic fun show and all of the band looked like they were having a whale of a time. I think it's easy to imagine signs of things that were wrong with hindsight that weren't really there.

Also Restless Heart Syndrome is a cool name! Great word play on "restless leg syndrome"

I'm very well aware of that they've more or less always been doing the same songs every tour since dookie. And I'm well aware of that if you want to be an arena rockband 90% of the tour you have to be really prepared and rehearsed for it, otherwise it wont last and you'll be back playing small clubs, not that that is something negative. But what disturbs me is Billie Joes pretentiousness and all the cliché put behind it when most of what he says live is just utter bullshit, although sometimes hilarious bullshit - I'll give him that. But I guess Im just kind of allergic to bullshit in general when it's pretentious and cheap, and I think a lot of his bullshit is - pretentious and cheap, when they're playing live, just as i Think James hetfield is awesome at writing hooks and lyrics but a complete douche onstage. Billie Joe used to be "against" the rockstar style and that was what made him and the band so cool and kind of unique because they were, in fact, rockstars but made total fun of it.

Maybe he just doesn't take it so seriously any more and has realized that having fun and entertaining the crowd is more important than worrying about whether he's being too "rockstar" or "not punk enough"? When I see him on stage all I see is someone having a great time. It's not like he actually acts like a serious rockstar lol, he just has fun playing with the idea and does the shtick in a mostly tongue in cheek way.

I think he believes the stuff he says too. When he was younger he was angrier and more cynical so the stuff he said at shows reflected that. Now he's older and is less angry and has a more positive outlook so the stuff he says reflects that. He's not exactly the greatest public speaker of all time so it might come out as cliched or corny at times haha, but I don't think it's just bullshit at all.

[punk_rockr]

I have to say I saw a Green Day show a month before Billie went into rehab and there was nothing remotely disturbing or sad about it, it was a fantastic fun show and all of the band looked like they were having a great time. I think it's easy to imagine "signs" of things that were wrong with hindsight that weren't really there.

Also Restless Heart Syndrome is a cool name! Great word play on "restless leg syndrome".

Maybe he just doesn't take it so seriously any more and has realized that having fun and entertaining the crowd is more important than worrying about whether he's being too "rockstar" or "not punk enough"? When I see him on stage all I see is someone having a great time. It's not like he actually acts like a serious rockstar lol, he just has fun playing with the idea and does the shtick in a mostly tongue in cheek way.

I think he believes the stuff he says too. When he was younger he was angrier and more cynical so the stuff he said at shows reflected that. Now he's older and is less angry and has a more positive outlook so the stuff he says reflects that. He's not exactly the greatest public speaker of all time so it might come out as cliched or corny at times haha, but I don't think it's just bullshit at all.

I agree with you about them having fun before he went to rehab. The gigs were actually awesome, but I guess its easy to have a little to much fun and forget about your body eh? hehe.

And yes you have some strong points. IDK, maybe the younger billie just speaks to me more since I'm pretty frustrated myself and I find it exiting and really honest when those cynical comments just are flying out of his mouth, like they did from time to time during dookie and especially insomniac. I guess you can say I like it a little more dangerous than the "Fun for all, bring the family"-style they're pulling now a days more and more. I'll prolly grow up someday too lol

[fromdecimateddreams]

Maybe he just doesn't take it so seriously any more and has realized that having fun and entertaining the crowd is more important than worrying about whether he's being too "rockstar" or "not punk enough"? When I see him on stage all I see is someone having a great time. It's not like he actually acts like a serious rockstar lol, he just has fun playing with the idea and does the shtick in a mostly tongue in cheek way.

I think he believes the stuff he says too. When he was younger he was angrier and more cynical so the stuff he said at shows reflected that. Now he's older and is less angry and has a more positive outlook so the stuff he says reflects that. He's not exactly the greatest public speaker of all time so it might come out as cliched or corny at times haha, but I don't think it's just bullshit at all.

Agreed. I, for one, actually enjoy the shows now more than I enjoyed the shows before the whole rehab thing. It's not that I thought the shows were disturbing or unenjoyable or anything, they were great, but he seems so much happier and healthier at the shows they play now, and I feel like those feelings are spread throughout the audiences too. The whole concert has a much more positive tone, and while I understand how some people might be a bit wary of that, seeing the band members happy makes me happy.

[GenesisJames]

I think the Uno Dos Tre artwork reflects the content of the albums perfectly. A lot of the music is fun, simple and retro, and at times the lyrics are very in-your-face and gaudy. I can't really think of a better way to reflect that than artwork that's fun and simple (they had a laugh taking the photos themselves), retro looking, with an in-your-face, gaudy colour scheme! Couldn't be more fitting.

I agree. Also, I made a point when the Trilogy first came out about the album artwork being Green Day making fun of selfies typically taken at parties, what witht the X's over their eyes and whatnot.

[Guest]

Wait, a GDC member came up with the title?

Now that is awesome as fuck.

As I recall, a handful of GDC'ers created "Awesome as Fuck" signs and started holding them up at shows they attended on the 2010 North American amphitheater tour. At the Denver show, Billie Joe noticed the signs and acknowledged them by audibling "For what it's worth, you guys are awesome as fuck" into Good Riddance. The signs themselves are on the back cover of the booklet that comes with AAF (I think).

[GenesisJames]

As I recall, a handful of GDC'ers created "Awesome as Fuck" signs and started holding them up at shows they attended on the 2010 North American amphitheater tour. At the Denver show, Billie Joe noticed the signs and acknowledged them by audibling "For what it's worth, you guys are awesome as fuck" into Good Riddance. The signs themselves are on the back cover of the booklet that comes with AAF (I think).

Indeed they are.

[WhiteTim]

People who want to see Green Day as a punk band do that because it helps them feel connected to the band. Just as you seeing them as a non-punk band helps you connect as well. I'd like to think Green Day has some punk edge though.

I was bejng sarcastic....

[Z J]

I'm very well aware of that they've more or less always been doing the same songs every tour since dookie. And I'm well aware of that if you want to be an arena rockband 90% of the tour you have to be really prepared and rehearsed for it, otherwise it wont last and you'll be back playing small clubs, not that that is something negative. But what disturbs me is Billie Joes pretentiousness and all the cliché put behind it when most of what he says live is just utter bullshit, although sometimes hilarious bullshit - I'll give him that. But I guess Im just kind of allergic to bullshit in general when it's pretentious and cheap, and I think a lot of his bullshit is - pretentious and cheap, when they're playing live, just as i Think James hetfield is awesome at writing hooks and lyrics but a complete douche onstage. Billie Joe used to be "against" the rockstar style and that was what made him and the band so cool and kind of unique because they were, in fact, rockstars but made total fun of it.

At no point was he "against the rockstar style"

I agree with you about them having fun before he went to rehab. The gigs were actually awesome, but I guess its easy to have a little to much fun and forget about your body eh? hehe.

And yes you have some strong points. IDK, maybe the younger billie just speaks to me more since I'm pretty frustrated myself and I find it exiting and really honest when those cynical comments just are flying out of his mouth, like they did from time to time during dookie and especially insomniac. I guess you can say I like it a little more dangerous than the "Fun for all, bring the family"-style they're pulling now a days more and more. I'll prolly grow up someday too lol

The shows are still expletive filled and he still humps the floor. Plus the content of the songs on the new album are definitely not family-friendly. Plus, he's 41. He isn't allowed to grow up? Can't sing about masturbation and boredom forever.

[Eva]

I think the Uno Dos Tre artwork reflects the content of the albums perfectly. A lot of the music is fun, simple and retro, and at times the lyrics are very in-your-face and gaudy. I can't really think of a better way to reflect that than artwork that's fun and simple (they had a laugh taking the photos themselves), retro looking, with an in-your-face, gaudy colour scheme! Couldn't be more fitting.

I agree. The Trilogy definitely isn't my favorite of Green Day's work, but I think they did a fantastic job picking the album artwork. It fits the moods and sounds of the albums perfectly.

I'm very well aware of that they've more or less always been doing the same songs every tour since dookie. And I'm well aware of that if you want to be an arena rockband 90% of the tour you have to be really prepared and rehearsed for it, otherwise it wont last and you'll be back playing small clubs, not that that is something negative. But what disturbs me is Billie Joes pretentiousness and all the cliché put behind it when most of what he says live is just utter bullshit, although sometimes hilarious bullshit - I'll give him that. But I guess Im just kind of allergic to bullshit in general when it's pretentious and cheap, and I think a lot of his bullshit is - pretentious and cheap, when they're playing live, just as i Think James hetfield is awesome at writing hooks and lyrics but a complete douche onstage. Billie Joe used to be "against" the rockstar style and that was what made him and the band so cool and kind of unique because they were, in fact, rockstars but made total fun of it.

This captures my thoughts on the band (especially Billie Joe) perfectly.

I like you.

[punk_rockr]

I agree. The Trilogy definitely isn't my favorite of Green Day's work, but I think they did a fantastic job picking the album artwork. It fits the moods and sounds of the albums perfectly.

This captures my thoughts on the band (especially Billie Joe) perfectly.

I like you.

Oh thank you Anyone who likes the descendents is a friend of mine! great taste in music friend.

[musso_kn]

I'm very well aware of that they've more or less always been doing the same songs every tour since dookie. And I'm well aware of that if you want to be an arena rockband 90% of the tour you have to be really prepared and rehearsed for it, otherwise it wont last and you'll be back playing small clubs, not that that is something negative. But what disturbs me is Billie Joes pretentiousness and all the cliché put behind it when most of what he says live is just utter bullshit, although sometimes hilarious bullshit - I'll give him that. But I guess Im just kind of allergic to bullshit in general when it's pretentious and cheap, and I think a lot of his bullshit is - pretentious and cheap, when they're playing live, just as i Think James hetfield is awesome at writing hooks and lyrics but a complete douche onstage. Billie Joe used to be "against" the rockstar style and that was what made him and the band so cool and kind of unique because they were, in fact, rockstars but made total fun of it.

"[in the punk community] "rock star" was a four letter word. It was a tough time. Later, I was a like, "Man, did I enjoy that?""

"Around Insomniac, I was afraid to walk around onstage. If I walk to this part of the audience, that means I'm being an asshole...[during the Nimrod tour] I started raising my hands in the air, getting people to clap. I realised that's what people wanted. They wanted to have a good time, and it's OK to be a ring leader."

These two quotes are taken straight from Billie Joe's recent Rolling Stone interview. If anything, it suggests to me that his irreverent attitude towards fame in the nineties was an act to maintain punk credibility. Now, that's pretentious. Embracing what he really wanted to do later on: put on a good show, make a statement, be a superstar etc. is actually quite sincere.

I think Green Day were an incredible band from the start, but the change that occurred during the early noughties - and manifested itself as two brilliant albums, American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown - helped them blossom into an iconic, serious group. And frankly, that development wouldn't have been successful without some of that 'rock star' confidence and showmanship.

[Eva]

Truth be told, Billie's always seemed like a bit of a pretentious wad to me but I've learned to deal with it. Mostly because I'm afraid the Green Day fanbase will rip me to pieces, but have at me if you'd like, I'm not sure I really care at this point.

Oh thank you Anyone who likes the descendents is a friend of mine! great taste in music friend.

Right back at ya.

[IamTheJudge's-Daughter]

At no point was he "against the rockstar style"

The shows are still expletive filled and he still humps the floor. Plus the content of the songs on the new album are definitely not family-friendly. Plus, he's 41. He isn't allowed to grow up? Can't sing about masturbation and boredom forever.

Very true!

"[in the punk community] "rock star" was a four letter word. It was a tough time. Later, I was a like, "Man, did I enjoy that?""

"Around Insomniac, I was afraid to walk around onstage. If I walk to this part of the audience, that means I'm being an asshole...[during the Nimrod tour] I started raising my hands in the air, getting people to clap. I realised that's what people wanted. They wanted to have a good time, and it's OK to be a ring leader."

These two quotes are taken straight from Billie Joe's recent Rolling Stone interview. If anything, it suggests to me that his irreverent attitude towards fame in the nineties was an act to maintain punk credibility. Now, that's pretentious. Embracing what he really wanted to do later on: put on a good show, make a statement, be a superstar etc. is actually quite sincere.

I think Green Day were an incredible band from the start, but the change that occurred during the early noughties - and manifested itself as two brilliant albums, American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown - helped them blossom into an iconic, serious group. And frankly, that development wouldn't have been successful without some of that 'rock star' confidence and showmanship.

Billie also said in cuatro that it is important to him that his audience grows up with the band... and i think that totally happened! With american idiot and 21st century breakdown they established themselves as a serious group.

[SumDay]

21st Century Breakdown has the best mixing.

They should go back to this style with their next album..but that's not going to happen. Billie said somewhere something of a live sounding rock opera right? Hopefully not Trilogy mixing style..

Well, the biggest thing that bothers me about the Trilogy-Mixing are these shitty vocals effects.

[WhiteTim]

21st Century Breakdown has the best mixing.

They should go back to this style with their next album..but that's not going to happen. Billie said somewhere something of a live sounding rock opera right? Hopefully not Trilogy mixing style..

Well, the biggest thing that bothers me about the Trilogy-Mixing are these shitty vocals effects.

Its the same effects AI and 21st had

But since Trilogy didnt have that much production tricls it stuck out more