Billie Joe on the cover of Rolling Stone "The Road Back From Hell"

[Bastard of 1967]

Another misleading story about the interview, this from NME. They make the headline about turning to prayer, then only mention it at the very start and not again after that. They also say that BJ was a "recovering alcoholic" before he went to rehab. I thought rehab was the first time he got clean for that. What's up?

http://www.nme.com/news/green-day/68969

Heh - NME....never one to pass up a chance to shit-talk about Green Day.

Or spell his name wrong in the headline. Idiots.

[Jax Teller]

I remember back in the 2009 in an interview for NME magazine a phrase of Billie:"My lyrics come from a really dark place".He struggles with his demons many years.
I know what it means to pass such a situation.I wish the best for him cause I really love him.

[Slave To The Network]

Ahhh! The place I went to didn't have the Billie Joe Rolling Stone yet! I asked about it they said it should be in later today. I can't wait!

[HolyHandGrenade]

Heh - NME....never one to pass up a chance to shit-talk about Green Day.

Or spell his name wrong in the headline. Idiots.

Wow, I didn't even notice that. Hooray. [sarcasm]

[porksoda]

I absolutely love the last line, "Probably a root beer. I love root beer." It says so much.

[Stephanie.]

Sorry if this has already been asked before but are the magazines in stores yet?

[Slave To The Network]

Sorry if this has already been asked before but are the magazines in stores yet?

They should be in most places.

[farley drexel hatcher]

Now I feel so shit for having that "One fucking minute?!" sticker... gosh.

That was a dumb idea from the start and I was surprised GDA stooped low enough to even print those stickers.

[Heather.]

I find it interesting that Billie referred to the "New York jitters" to describe his nervousness before Irving Plaza... it's not like that's a particularly unique place in terms of being a huge stadium crowd or a super intimate club gig... he simply has extra nerves in NY because maybe there are more friends/important people/important city vibe? It's weird to me, I would understand the Madison Square Garden jitters, but simply any show in NY? I know it was being broadcast via Nokia so maybe there was slightly more pressure but nothing Green Day hasn't done 10000 times before.

I bring this up because I'm going to see Green Day in NY in April, as many of us are, at the brand new Barclays Center where I would very well imagine he would get said "jitters," and I hope Billie is getting advice on different ways to cope with those.

[AngelBlue_]

Another misleading story about the interview, this from NME. They make the headline about turning to prayer, then only mention it at the very start and not again after that. They also say that BJ was a "recovering alcoholic" before he went to rehab. I thought rehab was the first time he got clean for that. What's up?

http://www.nme.com/news/green-day/68969

yes it says "return to rehab immediately" o.o wtf?

[21stcenturyidiot]

I can't wait to read this properly. I read Mike's interview. My word I LOVE this band. They just seems like such good friends and Mike sounded so sad in that interview that he didn't see Billie in so long

[Westside Highway]

my dad picked me up this magazine because i got a 97% on my science test and i just had a blast with it. its a very good interview and there are some other great things in it as well

[spark in the night]

I FINALLY READ IT

jesus christ what an article. Makes you realize how imperfect and HUMAN Billie is. It's hard to remember that sometimes. I'm so so happy for him that he's doing better everyday. Fuck I wish Green Day was playing a show here I just need to see them. See Billie. See Mike. See Tre. Just fucking UGH

I'm now off to read that Mike post-interview

[Cath]

Reading the interview was amazing. I just realized a lot of things like example when he said that he wanted to see Steve Jobs dying of a fucking cancer, in reality he was already having troubles at that time and now he knows it was dumb to say that. I didn't know that Tre was a little bit scared about the situation and that Mike was pissed off. And I didn't know Adrienne never drank.
After reading that I realized that he was really at a heavy point where he could have lost his family, his friends or the band. And the fact that he's trying to get sober until Nimrod was a complete chock.

Or when he talked about GD fans and he said that he let us down by letting this happen. So great to know he cares that much about us.

Sorry if this has already been asked before but are the magazines in stores yet?

Yes at first I didn't find it anywhere but they are available in Walmart!

[alaniluau]

I find it interesting that Billie referred to the "New York jitters" to describe his nervousness before Irving Plaza... it's not like that's a particularly unique place in terms of being a huge stadium crowd or a super intimate club gig... he simply has extra nerves in NY because maybe there are more friends/important people/important city vibe? It's weird to me, I would understand the Madison Square Garden jitters, but simply any show in NY? I know it was being broadcast via Nokia so maybe there was slightly more pressure but nothing Green Day hasn't done 10000 times before.

I bring this up because I'm going to see Green Day in NY in April, as many of us are, at the brand new Barclays Center where I would very well imagine he would get said "jitters," and I hope Billie is getting advice on different ways to cope with those.

I assumed he was referring to the heightened anxiety, nervousness, and overall discomfort of being a Californian in New York. When you're used to hanging around in SF, Berkeley, or even LA, NYC hits you like a ton of bricks. Everything's so uptight and fast paced.

[tdlyon]

Great interview. So much respect for this guy. Can't wait for the first show to see how his performance is different.

[Mar]

I absolutely love the last line, "Probably a root beer. I love root beer." It says so much.

I will admit to having this image of fans tossing cans of A&W or bottles of Stewart's at him from the stands, a la Harry Styles getting a shoe tossed at his nuts

I find it interesting that Billie referred to the "New York jitters" to describe his nervousness before Irving Plaza... it's not like that's a particularly unique place in terms of being a huge stadium crowd or a super intimate club gig... he simply has extra nerves in NY because maybe there are more friends/important people/important city vibe? It's weird to me, I would understand the Madison Square Garden jitters, but simply any show in NY? I know it was being broadcast via Nokia so maybe there was slightly more pressure but nothing Green Day hasn't done 10000 times before.

I bring this up because I'm going to see Green Day in NY in April, as many of us are, at the brand new Barclays Center where I would very well imagine he would get said "jitters," and I hope Billie is getting advice on different ways to cope with those.

I'm sure someone can help me find this, but I remember reading/seeing an interview somewhere talking about how Billie spent a lot of time in NYC in 2002-03 prior to writing American Idiot, and either him or Adie said he doesn't do well in New York, and I think whomever said that was referring to its nightlife (maybe a pun intended? I imagine all the hedonism in that song and, obviously, Kill the DJ, taking place in NYC) and just how he spends his time in the city. Maybe that's what he was getting at?

[Heather.]

I will admit to having this image of fans tossing cans of A&W or bottles of Stewart's at him from the stands, a la Harry Styles getting a shoe tossed at his nuts

I'm sure someone can help me find this, but I remember reading/seeing an interview somewhere talking about how Billie spent a lot of time in NYC in 2002-03 prior to writing American Idiot, and either him or Adie said he doesn't do well in New York, and I think whomever said that was referring to its nightlife (maybe a pun intended? I imagine all the hedonism in that song and, obviously, Kill the DJ, taking place in NYC) and just how he spends his time in the city. Maybe that's what he was getting at?

That may be the case (don't know how he spent his nights while on Broadway) but pounding beers before a NY show because you have the jitters doesn't sound like it has much to do with the amount of temptation for partying that would happen after, which would be in a more fun spirit. More likely it does have to do with fear of the city/intimidation/ton of bricks as alaniluau said. Both of these things bring me back to the point that I worry about him coming back to NY where he has had maybe too much unhealth.

[TimmyChunks]

I will admit to having this image of fans tossing cans of A&W or bottles of Stewart's at him from the stands, a la Harry Styles getting a shoe tossed at his nuts

I'm sure someone can help me find this, but I remember reading/seeing an interview somewhere talking about how Billie spent a lot of time in NYC in 2002-03 prior to writing American Idiot, and either him or Adie said he doesn't do well in New York, and I think whomever said that was referring to its nightlife (maybe a pun intended? I imagine all the hedonism in that song and, obviously, Kill the DJ, taking place in NYC) and just how he spends his time in the city. Maybe that's what he was getting at?

Yes, Billie was very open about the creative process behind American Idiot and has openly discussed his time in NYC while writing the album. I believe he spent a month or so alone in New York during '02-'03 finding inspiration and writing (this notably is very apparent in "Are We The Waiting", for example). Unfortunately, as some on this forum have mentioned in the past (I believe Bastard of 67, as usual, astutely observed in one long-ago post), his time alone in NYC- away from home and his family- is also the time when when he is most likely alone with his demons. As brilliant of an album as that was, I hope his time alone in NYC is limited going forward.

[HolyHandGrenade]

That may be the case (don't know how he spent his nights while on Broadway) but pounding beers before a NY show because you have the jitters doesn't sound like it has much to do with the amount of temptation for partying that would happen after, which would be in a more fun spirit. More likely it does have to do with fear of the city/intimidation/ton of bricks as alaniluau said. Both of these things bring me back to the point that I worry about him coming back to NY where he has had maybe too much unhealth.

Maybe a New Jersey location would be more manageable for him and his health. Far enough away for Billie, yet close enough for fans to commute to.

[WhiteTim]

Wasn't Billie get that DUI during his stint in NY?

[TimmyChunks]

That may be the case (don't know how he spent his nights while on Broadway) but pounding beers before a NY show because you have the jitters doesn't sound like it has much to do with the amount of temptation for partying that would happen after, which would be in a more fun spirit. More likely it does have to do with fear of the city/intimidation/ton of bricks as alaniluau said. Both of these things bring me back to the point that I worry about him coming back to NY where he has had maybe too much unhealth.

This is a great point, but given recent events I would be shocked if he didn't surround himself with a solid support system during his next trip to New York. Even if the kids are still in school and Adie needs to be back home during the tour...I' be willing to speculate that she'll make the trip east for the NY show.

Maybe a New Jersey location would be more manageable for him and his health. Far enough away for Billie, yet close enough for fans to commute to.

Wasn't Billie get that DUI during his stint in NY?

The DUI was in the Bay area but it was during that pre-AI timeframe. Editorial- you have to be a maniac to get a DUI in NYC. No one drives anyway, and I am always astounded when celebrities (like NY Jets players) drive under the influence in the city. It's borderline absurd.

[Heather.]

This is a great point, but given recent events I would be shocked if he didn't surround himself with a solid support system during his next trip to New York. Even if the kids are still in school and Adie needs to be back home during the tour...I' be willing to speculate that she'll make the trip east for the NY show.

Sure, but it's not like her being around (or any of his best friends, bandmates) made a difference in the past. They couldn't control him. I always assumed Billie would go on his crazy binging on the road away from family, but he said he wound up in the park after Irving Plaza, and 80 was there, as was his big brother. Of course it's different now, maybe people will keep an eye on him and actually intervene if he starts to slip, but maybe not, maybe this is still his burden to bear and you can't tell a grown man what to do, and clearly none of them tried or succeeded in the past, so whatever 'support' might be present is still not 100% foolproof, it really has to come from Billie himself.

Anyway I hope he'll be fine and kicking ass.

[Mar]

That may be the case (don't know how he spent his nights while on Broadway) but pounding beers before a NY show because you have the jitters doesn't sound like it has much to do with the amount of temptation for partying that would happen after, which would be in a more fun spirit. More likely it does have to do with fear of the city/intimidation/ton of bricks as alaniluau said. Both of these things bring me back to the point that I worry about him coming back to NY where he has had maybe too much unhealth.

I had a panic attack after 24 hours in the city so if that's the case, I don't blame him it's definitely not like going to any random city throughout the country, even those that do have a nightlife. Looking at the tour schedule, it is possible for him to have time in the city. It only takes what, 2 1/2 hours to get from Mohegan Sun to NYC, so if they left Connecticut right after the show, they could still get to NYC by like, 3 a.m. on a Saturday night/Sunday morning. And then after the Brooklyn show Sunday night, they have Monday the 8th off before they go to Providence. idk if they'll leave for Providence on Sunday night or wait until Monday night, since it's only 3 hours to Providence. I mean, I don't mean to imply that he won't be able to restrain himself in NYC or that Providence will be temptation-free, but, eh. Of course, the band deserves a day off, but a day off on this tour may mean different things than days off on previous tours, if that makes sense.

Wasn't Billie get that DUI during his stint in NY?

Nope, that was in California. He did community service in Oakland, at the (police) facility on East 12th Street in Oakland.

[Webb_2011]

Great interview. It was interesting to read how bad it actually was. I'm so thankful that he was able to get better and reconnect with the guys. They're lucky to have each other in their lives. Billie seemed to have had an amazing support system with his family and friends. . . Plus his kick-ass fan base