|
Green Day
Green Day are the most famous punk rock band to emerge in the past decade, and a band which the word dynamic could have been created for. The band is mainly the trio of Billie Joe Armstrong (lead vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass, backing vocals), and Tré Cool (drums, backing vocals), backed up by guitarist friend, Jason White. Described by many as pop punk, when New Wave would probably be a better description, Green Day are certainly a band combining power with melody, but definitely with a punky attitude. Their 1994 album, 'Dookie', has shifted over 10 million copies in the U.S., and their 2004 album, 'American Idiot', is set to soar past that figure. 'American Idiot' is a brave album, as, being British, I often think leftie Americans ARE being crushed by the "redneck agenda". 'American Idiot' has been described as a concept album, and a punk rock opera, and, by their record company, Reprise, as "an expansive and intimately crafted concept album, detailing the alienation and disillusionment of the American citizen under Bush's post-War On Terror administration." Green Day are the kings of MTV, and in 2005 won seven awards for their videos, but it's the music that really counts, and, already regarded as a classic, 'American Idiot' won a Best Rock Album Grammy in 2005, and Best International Album at the 2006 Brits. At the latter, they also won in the Best International Group category. When Live 8 was being organised for the summer of 2005, Green Day would have been one of the first acts to have been written down, and duly delivered a blinding set in Berlin. This Californian group are now at the peak of their powers. - Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com. |
