Akshat Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Green Day's facebook page just posted this link about Mike Dirnt talking about Billie Joe: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/blogs/alternate-take/q-a-green-days-mike-dirnt-on-billie-joe-armstrongs-recovery-20130301#ixzz2MJBoTt1s A rolling stone interview. "Cautiously optimistic – anxious as well," Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt responds when asked how he's feeling in the wake of the greatest crisis his band has ever known: the public meltdown of singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong during Green Day's set at the iHeartRadio festival in Las Vegas last September and Armstrong's subsequent trip into rehab for alcoholism and addiction to prescription medications. "I'm excited that everything is going to take off again," Dirnt continues, referring to Green Day's return to touring in a few weeks, officially starting in Chicago on March 28th. "I just want to make sure we get one foot in front of the other and do it right." In the new issue of Rolling Stone, Armstrong breaks his silence in an exclusive interview. He describes in frank detail his collapse in Vegas, the dangerous habits and emotional turmoil leading up to that day, and his ongoing recovery. Armstrong also talks candidly about the state and future of his band, including the impact of his troubles on Green Day's recent triple-album gamble, ¡Uno!, ¡Dos! and ¡Tré! Photos: Green Day Through the Years Dirnt also spoke to Rolling Stone for the piece, revealing his worry for his childhood friend and their first, serious conversation together after Armstrong emerged from rehab. In these additional, exclusive excerpts, the bassist describes his memories of that day in Las Vegas, Green Days's first rehearsal with a new, healthy Armstrong and the manic ambitions and workload that nearly drove the entire band to the brink of sanity. Did you see warning signs, before the Las Vegas incident, that Billie was headed for a meltdown? We all turned a blind eye to it – "Everyone, deal with your own shit." Because we were working so hard, since [2004's] American Idiot. We haven't stopped moving forward: the [2003] Network record, Foxboro Hot Tubs, the [American Idiot] musical, the live records, 21st Century Breakdown. There is so much stuff we have written and done, in between records, that hasn't even come out. I look at it and go, "What kind of pace is that?" Anybody would crack under half of that. Billie is very driven. Billie is music – period. I love him for it. I'm blessed to play with my best friend and do everything I can to support this band. But there are times when we're like, "Do we really need to climb another mountain, right in the middle of climbing this mountain?" What was it like for you that day in Vegas, even before the show? It was very tense back there. They locked us in a room for about six hours. [Pause] I won't say "locked." But I didn't want to hang out in the hallway with everybody's entourage. I felt like a rat in a cage. It was a confined space with a lot of weird people around, people we didn't know wandering in and out [of the dressing room]. When Billie showed up, it was, "You're not right. What's going on?" I kept an eye on things, and it just went progressively downhill. Me and Billie – we don't play like 12-year-olds anymore. But at one point, I was like, "Let's goof around." Somehow, we ended up wrestling backstage. I thought, "If I can just get some of this out of him . . . " But with the mood depressants and alcohol, it doesn't end up in a jovial party. What was going through your mind as you saw Billie lose it on stage? You know, truth be told, I agreed with what he said, outside of mentioning anybody else. I know that's not Billie. But the bigger side of it – I actually agreed with the rant. But I was watching my friend and going, "You're out of your fucking mind." And we were dealing with a shitshow. The world has seen past much larger things. The world has laughed with us enough to know that they can laugh with us now, to somehow understand. We have a sense of humility. Billie told me that right after Vegas, before he went into rehab, you read the riot act to him about his behavior and the effect it was having on others. For me, it started off as concern for my friend. Then it turned to anger. Then it came full circle to "I'm angry for what you're doing to you. Whatever the fuck is going on, that's not you, and it's gone so far down. You're doing it alone, and you're not letting us in." Sometimes you have a friend or loved one that needs you to shake them. They don't see a path out. Ironically, this happened the week you released the first of your three new albums – one of your most ambitious projects as a band. Not one person called me and congratulated me on the day [Uno!] came out. Everybody was afraid to call and say anything to us. I went through a bit of a depression. Thank God, my wife was there for me and able to help me process my emotions. From the Archives: Green Day and the Palace of Wisdom (2005) Billie mentioned that you, he and Tré got together for a rehearsal in November, not long after he finished rehab. What did you play? Did he seem better, stronger? Honestly, the first time we played, it was just six or seven songs, just to get out hands on our instruments in the same room together. It sounded good. It sounded fine. But we weren't really . . . Playing with purpose? Exactly. It's like going out in your yard, firing up your weekend-warrior hot rod: "Well, it fires up." And you put it back in the garage. There was a deeper concern, a deeper emotion. We were unresolved. But we all play a lot. I played my bass for four hours [straight] a week ago. And I play every day, for at least 40 minutes, just on the couch. Can you tell that there is something different about Billie now? The biggest change right now is in our lives, especially for him. We were forced to stop, let the dust settle and reflect on everything in our lives, not just our accomplishments. Listen to the silence. Listen to your life. Be present, not just think about what's going on next week, next month. How do you think that will affect the music you make next, the new songs Billie is sure to write? The one thing you get with this band is reality. The party was there when we were younger. Who knows where it's gonna go from here? But it's always honest. When I listen to songs, I can smell a rat. I like songs that speak to me with some deeper truth. When you go back on tour, how do you expect the backstage action to change, to enable Billie to maintain his sobriety while still having fun? It's obvious. The backstage doesn't need to be a bar. And that's OK with me. That's just time-killing, coping mechanisms. Also, we don't have to say yes to every opportunity in front of us. We did something like 228 shows for American Idiot and 190 for 21st Century Breakdown. And that doesn't include band practice five days a week in between. My thing is, good, bad or ugly, I gotta support my boy. I'm gonna back him up, and then I'm going to take it the next step further with him. And we're gonna do it offstage, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~ Walking Contradiction Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 "Billie is music – period. I love him for it. I'm blessed to play with my best friend and do everything I can to support this band." "My thing is, good, bad or ugly, I gotta support my boy. I'm gonna back him up, and then I'm going to take it the next step further with him. And we're gonna do it offstage, too." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1039SweetChildren Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Mike is such a great, well-spoken guy. He's the best. I love his loyalty and realness with Billie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBlue_ Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 When you go back on tour, how do you expect the backstage action to change, to enable Billie to maintain his sobriety while still having fun? It's obvious. The backstage doesn't need to be a bar. And that's OK with me. I'm so fucking happy right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akshat Posted March 1, 2013 Author Share Posted March 1, 2013 I need a best friend like Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura! Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 "My thing is, good, bad or ugly, I gotta support my boy. I'm gonna back him up, and then I'm going to take it the next step further with him. And we're gonna do it offstage, too." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anja Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Thank you! Fantastic interview! It's great to hear from Mike about the whole situation and see them slowly getting back to where they belong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubbyfox Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 If only we could all have friends like Mike. Feel like I want to thank his manager too; without these two people, who knows what would have happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karol Oliveira Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 People already quoted it but... "My thing is, good, bad or ugly, I gotta support my boy. I'm gonna back him up, and then I'm going to take it the next step further with him. And we're gonna do it offstage, too." It's great to know that Billie has so many people around him that love him and will support him, always! (I wish I had a friend like Mike!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthehallwaynow Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 i love how mike agreed with billies words at iheart thats kinda cool.. im not trying to diminish the out of your fucking mind part haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Benjamin Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 "Because we were working so hard, since [2004's] American Idiot. We haven't stopped moving forward: the [2003] Network record, Foxboro Hot Tubs, the [American Idiot] musical, the live records, 21st Century Breakdown." Did he just finally confirm that? (Even though we knew) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelBlue_ Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 YES! they ARE The Network! we know it for sure now ! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desecrator09 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Great interview and yes, Mike is the ultimate buddy you can have. This makes me want to listen to his side project band but I forgot the name of it. The one that released albums around 2000 or so??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan86 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Mike is such a hero. Great interview and yes, Mike is the ultimate buddy you can have. This makes me want to listen to his side project band but I forgot the name of it. The one that released albums around 2000 or so??? The frustrators? I think they released some more stuff a bout 2 years ago too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleTen95 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Just saw this on FB. So cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Daze Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 It's unbelievable what these guys have been through and the fact, that they are still doing so great together, after all the years, is just.. mind-blowing in some very emotional way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clayish Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Mike Dirnt is the ultimate bro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestboundSign! Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Oh and here we have another article that is charged with emotions.. Wow. "My thing is, good, bad or ugly, I gotta support my boy. I'm gonna back him up, and then I'm going to take it the next step further with him. And we're gonna do it offstage, too." These words are wonderful, really. True friendship is always super moving for me - and there is no doubt their relation belongs in this "category". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
desecrator09 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Mike is such a hero. The frustrators? I think they released some more stuff a bout 2 years ago too. Awesome! I'll check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Holly Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Great interview, nice to get Mike's perspective on things. Sounds like they're going to do their upmost to help Billie through being sober (not that I expected any less). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacknovella Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Mike's such an awesome dude. I really wish I had someone with that level of commitment to a friendship in my life, it's also really good to hear his side of the story and how he felt about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheJedi Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 "good, bad or ugly, I gotta support my boy." I love this band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubbie Head Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Mike is just amazing YES! they ARE The Network! we know it for sure now ! lol Hahah I didn't even notice. Mike admitted it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LazyPhil Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 He's awesome. (We know for sure that they're The Network now ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alf Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 this was the first interview ever that someone of the band openly talked about being the network!! great interview, i'd like to see Tré's side too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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