Green Day on the cover of Rolling Stone

[Heather.]

53 minutes ago, Hero_Of_The_Hour said:

 

I know what you mean and I think that a lot of people felt that he kept things together really well on the surface but I guess that's what both Billie (in Rolling Stone in 2013) and Michael Mayer meant when they say he is the "most functioning" addict he'd ever seen. Sadly it means that Billie was able to hide his addiction and continue to work most of the time perfectly so it would be impossible for simple fans to guess he had a major problem especially when, over the years he even denied doing drugs (I've seen and read several interviews especially around 21st century breakdown era) or drinking. I remember reading a quote back before the trilogy ironically where he said he doesn't drink anymore. I'm not sure about the original source but it's all over the Internet from years ago. 

"I'm a father. It isn't just my life any more. I don't want my kid finding bottles in the house or seeing his father completely smashed."

All in all I don't think fans should feel bad for not guessing that Billie had problems or wanting things to go back to normal, that's natural even if it's not practical 

I remember that quote.  I don't know how old it is, but it's such a weird statement considering he's been a father for 21 years.  Like, ya just noticing now Billie?  And his kids are both adults now (well, Jakob turns 18 in 2 days, I think!)... I understand he had kids really young, wasn't ready for them probably.  Thankfully I guess it turned out all right

[Hermione]

Actually just read the main article, wow that was eye opening. Mike is just awesome and I'm really glad for Billie that he's moving on from that hard time in his life. Sad to read a lot of that but sounds like the future is bright and that's great.

Aside from that this amused me 

Armstrong scoffs at rock bands that seek out cutting-edge producers and pop-star guests. "We were rejecting the thought of having to work with other people to get a hit," he says, with a '94-worthy sneer. "We don't need to do that. And most other bands don't either. They just do it because they're pussies!"

Hehe . Also impressed with his BLM comments.

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

26 minutes ago, Heather. said:

I remember that quote.  I don't know how old it is, but it's such a weird statement considering he's been a father for 21 years.  Like, ya just noticing now Billie?  And his kids are both adults now (well, Jakob turns 18 in 2 days, I think!)... I understand he had kids really young, wasn't ready for them probably.  Thankfully I guess it turned out all right

It has to be quite old, I mean, he says kid in singular. 

[Hermione]

22 minutes ago, Jane Lannister said:

It has to be quite old, I mean, he says kid in singular. 

Yeah it's from early 1998:

http://www.nyrock.com/interviews/greenday.htm

Although maybe he's expressed similar sentiments later on as well. He does give the impression that he felt very young to have a kid and possibly unprepared, I remember him describing becoming parents as something like "pretty much teenage sex". Pretty sure a married couple aged 23 and 25 don't count as teenagers , but I guess it seemed that way to him. But like Heather says seems like things worked out fine.

[Hero_Of_The_Hour]

The only thing that bothers me is knowing that he denied drinking or doing drugs so often in interviews over the years (eg that quote in 1998 and interviews from 2009/2010) especially knowing now that he stated in Rolling Stone that he had an addiction problem since 1997. It makes me question everything he says now to be honest and I hate that. I have to be honest and say I really don't believe what he says anymore which is sad because I want to. 

[Juls]

31 minutes ago, Hero_Of_The_Hour said:

The only thing that bothers me is knowing that he denied drinking or doing drugs so often in interviews over the years (eg that quote in 1998 and interviews from 2009/2010) especially knowing now that he stated in Rolling Stone that he had an addiction problem since 1997. It makes me question everything he says now to be honest and I hate that. I have to be honest and say I really don't believe what he says anymore which is sad because I want to. 

That's pretty typical behaviour for someone who suffers from addiction. There's a lot of stigma attached to it. Many people don't understand how addiction works and see it as a sign of poor personal character on the part of the addict as opposed to a very real and debilitating illness, so many addicts will hide their problem out of fear of being treated badly by other people if they find out. A lot of addicts are also deeply ashamed of it. I'm a nurse and I see people who have addictions all the time who will flat out deny they have a problem even when there is strong objective evidence that they do. They will lie and do almost anything to cover it up due to fear of people finding out, but they might be completely honest and open about all other aspects of their lives. It's just such a painful and lonely illness to suffer from

[Dakke]

Hmm. I thought Troubled Times was only about the Paris terror attacks, at least according to Kerrang. Now it's about more general about the unrest of 2016 it seems. Also, I'm really curious to hear Still Breathing and Youngblood and how the latter compares to Last of the American Girls.

[spark in the night]

Picked up a copy...nice article!  I especially like the part about Mike writing letters to Billie when he was in rehab. Mike is the ultimate best friend  

I also think RS magazine has gone down hill. This physical magazine is shit quality. It's also the smallest magazine content-wise. Kind of sad. I remember when they were printed oversized. Meh. 

[DanPak]

8 hours ago, Hero_Of_The_Hour said:

The lyric is:

because the martyr is a compulsive liar
When he said "it's just a bunch of niggers throwing gas into the ...." 

The entire point of the use of the word in the context in which it is used is calling the person who used it a "compulsive liar". Billie was hardly using the N word in any kind of derogatory way whatsoever. People who argue otherwise have clearly no idea what they're talking about or what Billie has always stood for. As far back as Road to Acceptance Billie has championed equality and used to give little speeches live back in the early 90's gigs during that song that the song was about treating everyone equally regardless of colour, sexuality etc. People who misunderstood the use of the word in American Eulogy are similar to those who failed to understand the use of "faggot" in American Idiot and "Kill all the fags that don't agree" in Holiday. It's like yeah...you people are beyond dumb 

Exactly! People seriously need to do literally 5 minutes of research to find out lyrics like that from Billie are always sarcastic quotes.

[stories and songs]

3 hours ago, Hero_Of_The_Hour said:

The only thing that bothers me is knowing that he denied drinking or doing drugs so often in interviews over the years (eg that quote in 1998 and interviews from 2009/2010) especially knowing now that he stated in Rolling Stone that he had an addiction problem since 1997. It makes me question everything he says now to be honest and I hate that. I have to be honest and say I really don't believe what he says anymore which is sad because I want to. 

But he has been a drinker on and off for years, as the article states. I can remember reading articles from the AI era with him saying he was taking the month off from drinking and stuff. I think he had very serious problems, especially recently, but I have no doubt that he truthfully did have periods where he wasn't drinking in an effort to get sober, only to slip up again. He even said so himself in his initial RS article after rehab that he'd been struggling with sobriety since 1997, and would always try to do it himself because he didn't want to enter a program. He said he thought he could handle it himself, and it never worked long-term.

What's different this time is that he's being held more accountable—his bandmates are more aware of what's going on with him and his fans know about his issues, and will obviously get worried if he starts up with old behaviors. I imagine that's a good thing for him to have out in the open. 

All that said, it is of course difficult to trust an addict, because even if they are completely well-intentioned, they will do whatever it takes to hide it if they slip up. It is definitely an exercise in trust (admittedly I suck a trusting people, so that's particularly tough for me). But when you're an outsider like in this situation, you just have to assume all is well until something indicates otherwise. Questioning everything will just drive you mad.

[Paola17]

Scans of the magazine here -some in 300 DPI and others in 500 DPI.

Hope you can all view them well. 
(Posted under a spoiler so as not to clutter the thread)

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hermione]

3 hours ago, Juls said:

That's pretty typical behaviour for someone who suffers from addiction. There's a lot of stigma attached to it. Many people don't understand how addiction works and see it as a sign of poor personal character on the part of the addict as opposed to a very real and debilitating illness, so many addicts will hide their problem out of fear of being treated badly by other people if they find out. A lot of addicts are also deeply ashamed of it. I'm a nurse and I see people who have addictions all the time who will flat out deny they have a problem even when there is strong objective evidence that they do. They will lie and do almost anything to cover it up due to fear of people finding out, but they might be completely honest and open about all other aspects of their lives. It's just such a painful and lonely illness to suffer from

Also it's not like he's ever said he's teetotal and completely anti all drugs, it was usually more vague comments about not drinking too much or it being a good idea to stay away from hard drugs or taking a break from them etc. He's mentioned going through periods of drinking a lot, drinking moderately or sometimes not drinking. Could easily be that when he was being interviewed he was being truthful about not using or overusing drink or drugs at that particular time, just as he was truthful at other times when he openly said he was drinking/taking too much. Right back to the 90's he's been very open about having on/off drink and drug problems, the on/off part means what he was doing and his answers about it weren't always the same.

And also have to consider it's a very private subject, as well as the more painful reasons that you describe maybe he just didn't always feel like revealing his private issues to some random interviewer when it isn't actually anyone's business but his own (like, I remember him mentioning giving a bullshit answer to an interviewer who asked if Uptight was about suicide because he didn't feel like talking about that). In the past especially none of the band had any qualms about talking shit to interviewers if they didn't happen to respect the question they were asked. 

[stories and songs]

I also think it's worth noting that the fact that he's being so brutally honest about his addiction issues is pretty incredible. That's tough stuff to talk about, and I think it's pretty cool that he's willing to share his issues with fans. He doesn't owe anyone an explanation. His openness about it has been exceptional, and for a disease like this it can't be easy to discuss.

[Hero_Of_The_Hour]

9 minutes ago, dolce_amore93 said:

But he has been a drinker on and off for years, as the article states. I can remember reading articles from the AI era with him saying he was taking the month off from drinking and stuff. I think he had very serious problems, especially recently, but I have no doubt that he truthfully did have periods where he wasn't drinking in an effort to get sober, only to slip up again. He even said so himself in his initial RS article after rehab that he'd been struggling with sobriety since 1997, and would always try to do it himself because he didn't want to enter a program. He said he thought he could handle it himself, and it never worked long-term.

What's different this time is that he's being held more accountable—his bandmates are more aware of what's going on with him and his fans know about his issues, and will obviously get worried if he starts up with old behaviors. I imagine that's a good thing for him to have out in the open. 

All that said, it is of course difficult to trust an addict, because even if they are completely well-intentioned, they will do whatever it takes to hide it if they slip up. It is definitely an exercise in trust (admittedly I suck a trusting people, so that's particularly tough for me). But when you're an outsider like in this situation, you just have to assume all is well until something indicates otherwise. Questioning everything will just drive you mad.

 

I'm not saying I question everything he says, I just don't believe everything  He chooses to say he's four years sober (well Rolling Stone did) and I question in my mind what his definition of "four years sober" is because most of us on here probably remember this photo from New Years Eve for example 

 

I personally don't care what he does in his private life and I do understand that there is attention or focus on his addictions now since iheart and society sort of expect him to act responsibly or whatever to prove he's learned from the experience etc but that's none of our business as I see it. I just don't necessarily believe every single word that comes out of his mouth but it's no big deal. I'm only here for the music 

[Platypus2000]

I know this is kind of stupid to say, but he was pissed out of his mind at Irving Plaza but it looked like it was one of the best shows they've ever done, he can still put one hell of a performance on in that state, it's mental. Normally I live by the "1 drink before a gig" rule but one time I had about 4 or 5, I wasn't pissed obviously but deary me I fumbled my way through that set lmfaooo

 

7 hours ago, Hero_Of_The_Hour said:

 

I'm not saying I question everything he says, I just don't believe everything  He chooses to say he's four years sober (well Rolling Stone did) and I question in my mind what his definition of "four years sober" is because most of us on here probably remember this photo from New Years Eve for example 

 

His face though hahahahahaha

[Hermione]

One lone randomer met him while he was out partying for new years (with his family btw) and thought he was drunk. Doesn't mean he was, plenty of people assume someone who looks happy/is out partying/is with others who are drunk/looks silly in a photo etc is drunk (or says so to exaggerate what a wild night they're having) when they're actually not every day so it's hardly solid evidence. As you mention he didn't even say 4 years sober himself so even if he had drunk something that doesn't mean he was going back on something he'd said, and I don't recall him promising fans anything in relation to what he does or doesn't drink anyway. It doesn't mean he's lying every time he says or does anything that at all contradicts another thing he said over the course of his entire life, what people think and do changes over time and just because he says something one day that doesn't mean he's making an unbreakable lifetime promise.

[stories and songs]

He may very well consider not being on narcotics as being sober. Generally addicts shouldn't consume anything addictive, but some can have the occasional drink. His focus has primarily been on the state taking pills put him in, so that could be what he was talking about. Or RS could've put words in his mouth (although they later mentioned he doesn't mind if people drink in front of him so meh). Or random Insta guy could've been wrong. I'm not trying to be argumentative whatsoever, just think there are a few factors to consider. If he claims he's sober I'm going to believe him over someone he met at a party.

[Hero_Of_The_Hour]

1 minute ago, Hermione said:

One lone randomer met him while he was out partying for new years (with his family btw) and thought he was drunk. Doesn't mean he was, plenty of people assume someone who looks happy/is out partying/is with others who are drunk/looks silly in a photo etc is drunk (or says so to exaggerate what a wild night they're having) when they're actually not every day so it's hardly solid evidence. As you mention he didn't even say 4 years sober himself so even if he had drunk something that doesn't mean he was going back on something he'd said, and I don't recall him promising fans anything in relation to what he does or doesn't drink anyway. It doesn't mean he's lying every time he says or does anything that at all contradicts another thing he said over the course of his entire life, what people think and do changes over time.

There's no need to get so defensive. I stated I don't believe every single word that comes out of his mouth. In my opinion it would be stupid to. As others have pointed out he's an addict and in order to hide his behaviour for years he's had to lie. I don't see what's so offensive about choosing not to believe everything that someone famous says in an interview while promoting an album anyway  Oh and for the record that "randomer" as you described him is a guitarist in a band who Billie borrowed the guitar he used to play that night. Also just because his family is there really doesn't mean he wasn't drinking if that's what you're implying. Adrienne was at Irving Plaza (he ended up hungover in a park afterwards), the Foxboro Hottubs gig where he pissed on the stage and iHeart. Anyway I'm entitled to my opinion which is that I don't believe everything he says in relation to being sober. The end and who cares anyway. 

[Hermione]

15 minutes ago, Hero_Of_The_Hour said:

There's no need to get so defensive. I stated I don't believe every single word that comes out of his mouth. In my opinion it would be stupid to. As others have pointed out he's an addict and in order to hide his behaviour for years he's had to lie. I don't see what's so offensive about choosing not to believe everything that someone famous says in an interview while promoting an album anyway  Oh and for the record that "randomer" as you described him is a guitarist in a band who Billie borrowed the guitar he used to play that night. Also just because his family is there really doesn't mean he wasn't drinking if that's what you're implying. Adrienne was at Irving Plaza (he ended up hungover in a park afterwards), the Foxboro Hottubs gig where he pissed on the stage and iHeart. Anyway I'm entitled to my opinion which is that I don't believe everything he says in relation to being sober. The end and who cares anyway. 

Yeah I wouldn't believe everything he says (or that anyone says) as gospel either. I just don't think he's said/done anything to warrant being particularly suspicious about what he says.

[Heather.]

I don't believe (or understand ) half of what Billie says.  That's why I like him.  *Walking Contradiction*

[Guest]

From Laura Jane Grace's Instagram 

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

12 hours ago, Hero_Of_The_Hour said:

The only thing that bothers me is knowing that he denied drinking or doing drugs so often in interviews over the years (eg that quote in 1998 and interviews from 2009/2010) especially knowing now that he stated in Rolling Stone that he had an addiction problem since 1997. It makes me question everything he says now to be honest and I hate that. I have to be honest and say I really don't believe what he says anymore which is sad because I want to. 

This is something that doesn't really bother me, he might have spoken truth, he might have been in denial, he might have tried but failed and maybe he lied. I probably would lie if I were in his situation. I wouldn't talk about my personal issues with a stranger who'd approach me on the street and I sure as hell wouldn't with an interviewer. He's being very open about it now, that's not what I expected and I think the best would be to accept what he says. he's not obliged to report us on his personal life so I guess doubt is unnecessary. Whatever he says is more than he has to. 

[jengd]

I agree with a lot that's been said, especially around addicts trying to hide their problems which Billie seems to have been very good at and is often described as being high functioning, but if you consider all the different reactions, right from when he first went to rehab and there were articles that it was all a publicity stunt and he never had a drink problem can you blame him for not really wanting to get into discussions about his problems.  I have always been surprised though that supposedly Adrienne was at the Irving Plaza gig and he still ended up passed out in a park, she seems so supportive, but of course she may have been at her wits end by that stage.  Also when he has said he wasn't drinking he maybe wasn't at that time, sounds a bit like he binged and he could have been trying really hard to get sober on his own as he has said he wanted to do.  Can't believe I missed about the FHTB show where he "whipped it out and peed all over the stage ".  Whatever the ins and outs, I'm just glad he's clean and sober now and they are back!

[Hero_Of_The_Hour]

34 minutes ago, jengd said:

I agree with a lot that's been said, especially around addicts trying to hide their problems which Billie seems to have been very good at and is often described as being high functioning, but if you consider all the different reactions, right from when he first went to rehab and there were articles that it was all a publicity stunt and he never had a drink problem can you blame him for not really wanting to get into discussions about his problems.  I have always been surprised though that supposedly Adrienne was at the Irving Plaza gig and he still ended up passed out in a park, she seems so supportive, but of course she may have been at her wits end by that stage.  Also when he has said he wasn't drinking he maybe wasn't at that time, sounds a bit like he binged and he could have been trying really hard to get sober on his own as he has said he wanted to do.  Can't believe I missed about the FHTB show where he "whipped it out and peed all over the stage ".  Whatever the ins and outs, I'm just glad he's clean and sober now and they are back!

As Billie said himself though he's even been singing about his problems for years (Hitchin A Ride etc) and had a previous DUI so it's not out of the blue for people to hear he has a drink or drugs problem in 2012 and ridiculous if there were articles suggesting it was a publicity stunt. Iheart was painful to watch. And yeah Adrienne was at Irving Plaza but she certainly didn't appear to be "at her wits end". 

Posted by Billie the morning of Irving Plaza 

Posted by Billie the night before Irving Plaza 

^ Posted by Billie minutes before taking the stage at Irving Plaza. 

And posted by Adrienne the night before on Twitter 

 

So yeah she doesn't come across as someone who's at her wits end. In fact I regularly see those photos making the rounds on the interwebs as the greatest couple ever photos so...I dunno. But she was definitely there though. 

[BilIie Joe Armstrong]

It's actually advised not to "help" people with addictions unless they are in immediate risk of death. They are more likely to realize they have a problem when they have to deal with the consequences themselves.