East Rutherford, NJ - Continental Arena, October 29th, 2004
I was really going to see Green Day. Unbelievable as it was, October 30th had arrived and my cousin and I were freaking out. During the drive to C. Arena, there was apparently a car accident, and our moms said we might have to turn back. But, the God of Punk apparently favored us, and we found a way through. The show was sold out; by the time we reached the parking lot, I could hear various Green Day tunes blasting from parked cars, most of them off the American Idiot record. We parked the car and I of course was the first one out, hopping around and looking at all the other Green Day fans. I noticed many of them wearing green (expected? nah). I myself was wearing a green sweater, but it was personalized by myself, with the heart grenade on the pocket to the left of the zipper, the traditionally Billie Joe worn black shirt with red tie on the right, the title American Idiot in red and black, and on the back, Green Day in... green. Underneath, I had a proudly worn Nirvana tee (sorry if you're getting bored of my wardrobe).
We lined up to enter, presenting our tickets, and there was a muffled roar from inside, even though no one was apparently onstage. I had been to C. Arena before at a Nets basketball game, but I wasn't excited then. Now, I was clinging to my cousin Jane, squeaking out little comments and practically running towards the doorway to section 236, where we would be sitting in row 4. The seats weren't disappointing, but being only fourteen and having to bring adults who refuse to stand in general admission, we weren't as happy as the hundreds of people squished up against the barriers down below. But, still pretty fucking happy. Jane and I went out and bought Green Day shirts and I got a button pack, and then we took our seats again.
The lighting dimmed, and we screamed like mad, becoming deafened by the roar of the crowd. Sugarcult's backdrop lit up, and we saw silhouettes moving on the stage. Even though neither Jane nor myself are huge fans of Sugarcult, we were pleased the show had begun. Sugarcult moved through their songs at a good pace, but mistook New Jersey for New York, shouting "What the fuck's up, New York?" after their first song. The well known song "Memory" was played, along with "She's the Blade" and an old crowd favorite (even Jane said she loved this song) "Bouncing Off The Walls". Sugarcult said goodnight, and the crowd awaited New Found Glory. Now, the only thing I like about NFG is their drummer (kickass).
The lights came back on, and people rushed out to the bathroom and concession stands. 15 or so minutes later, Sugarcult's backdrop had been removed, and the lights went out once more. The bad thing about New Found Glory's set: the volume was so loud, you couldn't understand a word Jordan Pundik said over the churning, undefinable guitars. My mother was grossed out by how their bass player (somewhat obese) performed shirtless. It didn't really bother me because I had seen NFG perform on television. The songs "My Friends Over You", "Failure's Not Flattering", and "All Downhill From Here" were the only ones I could identify, and I only somewhat enjoyed the last one. NFG had given only what I expected (but they did actually scream "What the fuck's up NEW JERSEY?")
Time for insanity. The tension was immense, everyone knowing that the almighty stars Green Day were next. Green Day were the obvious headliner, having been around the longest and well... Being the best band on the tour. I observed as the entire wall was removed, revealing a second wall, and instead of a backdrop, a number of black flags with the heart grenade hand on them, and red sheets of fabric with various Green Day symbols (the shocked man, the heart grenade itself). An odd presentation, so it seemed, was a man dressed in a pink bunny rabbit suit, holding a can of beer, walking out onstage and onto the center peninsula. I couldn't identify him, but I suspected it to be a roadie or even a member of Green Day. He began to chug the beer, and the crowd chanted "Go go go!". A few minutes later, he walked off. The show was about to <i>really</i> begin.
The famed Ramones song, "Blitzkreig Bop" came on the radio during the space between NFG and Green Day's sets, and the entire crowd yelled "Hey ho, let's go!" to it. Very pleasing. Along with it, the Bobby Fuller Four song "I Fought the Law" covered by both Green Day and the Clash came on the radio, unfortunately this time by the Clash, despite their greatness. This was a Green Day night!
About ten minutes later, (are you full of suspense yet? I am just writing this thing) the lights FINALLY went out. My ears ached as my voice joined about 40,000 others in screaming for the one and only Green Day. Dramatic music blasted out of the speakers, as if about to reveal some holy icon - and this was true. The lights flashed on, and there stood Billie Joe Armstrong, clutching his guitar and staring out at his mass of slaves. Beside him was Mike Dirnt, bass player extraordinaire, fist raised to the crowd. Upon the riser, behind his gargantuan set of drums, Tre Cool sat, holding up his drumsticks, basking in the band's glory. The entire arena stood. The standard rock on was given by all, and Billie leaned to the mic, but didn't say a word. The crowd screeched like a million birds. Billie Joe simply raised his pick, and played the beginning notes of American Idiot. The crowd was drowned then as the bass and drums crashed in, and Billie finally sang out his first words of the night "Don't wanna be an American Idiot," Now you could hear the crowd again. I sang along, well, more like yelled along, pumping my fists to the beat of the song. I couldn't believe that was them right there. Just down there. All of them, in the same building as me, despite it's size... BUT THEY WERE RIGHT THERE! The band charged unmercifully through the song, Mike often raising his bass as if he were (and maybe is) some kind of rock god. When the song ended, Billie grinned, chuckling to himself as the crowd lost their minds. He greeted the crowd, "How ya doin' New fuckin' Jersey? Good?" Everyone screamed in unison, "YEAH!" Mike smiled, looking over at Billie. Billie nodded and said "This next song is Jesus Of Suburbia," He forced out the chords, and the 9 minute song began "I'm the son of rage and love, the Jesus of Suburbia," During this song, Tre had his very own solo, and he impressed me by pulling it off (I can only do 3/4 of it, and not very well). The song was amusing during it's third part, titled "I Don't Care", ("I don't care if you don't care"), and serious in throwing down demented governments, greed, and war all across the world ("We are the kids of war and peace, from Anaheim to the Middle East,"). The next song on the record was "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", but the band chose to skip it in order to "get to St. Jimmy". They then played "Are We The Waiting", which was like some kind of religious ceremony, as the entire stadium shouted the words with Billie Joe "Are we, we are, are we, we are the waiting" Then they burst into St. Jimmy, everyone going mad at it's pulsing riffs and bratty verses. Now, it was time for some good old - OLDIES!
First, of course, was "Longview"! Good old Blue was slung on Billie's shoulder, and the famed bassline sprung from Mike's bass, Tre patting out the unlearnable rhythm on the toms. After the line "Call me pathetic, call me what you will," and he leaned out as if to take abuse, nobody knew the insult... I think it's nomad, but I'm not sure. After Longview, Billie sprinted around with a watergun, squirting those in the front row - of course, they were screaming "Squirt me!" instead of "Hey, stop!" Then, an amusing sect began. Bille Joe stood on the center peninsula, and began laughing like a psycho. A few seconds later, his hand floated upwards. He was laughing at the crowd. Everyone giggled at his childish antics, and the giggling turned to severe laughter mixed with girly screams as Billie twisted his psychotic laughter into sensual moaning, and <i>reached into his pants</i>. The crowd screamed and continued laughing, as he moved his hand in his pants, still moaning, making the illusion (or was he...) of masturbation. A few minutes later, (my mother covered her face and laughed like crazy during this), he "had an orgasm", and shouted, "SOMEBODY FUCK ME!", receiving major feedback from the crowd. "Now that's how we do it in Jersey, baby!"
Bilie Joe ran back to get his guitar, and returned to his former position. "Is there anyone from New York here tonight?" He said into the mic, which he dragged around with him stand and all, Jane and I, along with many others, being from New York, called out in reply. He laughed and pointed out at the crowd, "Hey ohhh." He raised his hands, and the crowd imitated. This hey oh session went on for a few minutes, then he moved on. He pointed to the left side of the stadium, sparking a note off the guitar. The left side screamed. He turned to the right, and repeated, the right side screaming louder. Once each side has reached it's highest volume, Billie went left and right 5 times - and popped out the notes of BRAIN STEW! Jesus, I shouted insanely loud for this, I love Brain Stew like... a teddy bear. By the way, we were all still standing. I only sat about an hour and a half into the set 'cause my legs were dying, but then I stood back up... for a reason you will learn soon enough. Later, they played half of "Hitchin' A Ride", which contained a number of count offs from 1 - 4, in which Billie would hold the mic to the crowd. They played half of it only to let 3 kids come onstage and play! Billie asked people in the floor crowd if they played bass, and he picked one... But they actually didn't play bass. So, he chose someone else, and proceeded to choose 2 others.
Tre stood, and moved next to his set, and Mike removed his bass. Billie had put on a different guitar prior to Hitchin' A Ride, and so had Mike. The three kids went up, one on guitar, one on bass, and the last on drums. The guitarist randomly hugged Billie Joe, and Billie Joe unexpectedly hugged back and kissed the guy's cheek (predictable Billie Joe-ness). They played something simple of course, but they got to keep the instruments! Well, the drummer got the sticks, but he got to stagedive! I could have played that beat SO easily! But of course, as you know, I had to drag along the adults, so I was a tad too far away to go onstage (try two levels away). Then, they played the song about Billie as a drag queen, "King For A Day", off the album "nimrod.", during which Billie wore a king's cape and a crown. Also, the band was joined by a trumpet player in a bee suit and a trombone player.
They also played "Jaded", a song which was hard for most of the crowd to sing along to due to it's pace and barely audible words (in other words, no one near me knew the lyrics except myself, and I was pleased to show off my love and dedication, heh), and "She", during which Billie screamed, imitating a girl, and the crowed screamed right along with him. Then they actually did play Boulevard of Broken Dreams, which pleased me because I would have been surprised and disappointed if they didn't end up playing it.
Then, they played my favorite song off American Idiot, "Wake Me Up When September Ends" (which I am listening to as I er... type), I screamed an approving "woo!" over the silence of the crowd. I was touched as Billie said, "This song is dedicated to Joey Ramone." Next, they played the second rock opera and nine minute song, "Homecoming", which features Mike and Tre on vocals, Mike during the very Green Dayish "Nobody Likes You" (even though it goes with the story, still very Green Day), and Tre during "Rock & Roll Girlfriend", with the pleasing line "I play the shit out the drums, and I can play the guitar".
After this, I sat for a moment. But, my break was disturbed by the guitar opening of the famed "Minority". I screamed like a fricking monkey, nobody knew this song was Minority! Then, finally, Tre snapped at the snare, and it was this: "I wanna be the minority, I don't need your authority, down with the moral majority, 'cause I wanna be the minority!" Damn, I was moshing up in the seats. This song is Green Day's ANTHEM! The ultimate response to those old corporate guys who call punks... well, punks. This started various mosh circles and crowd surfing, but as the song ended, everyone settled down, obviously tired. Then, the most special and well known Green Day song around, "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)" came. My mother and aunt cried, because at their brother's (my uncle) funeral, this song was played. Billie abandoned the idea of playing acoustic guitar, still wearing his electric as he strummed out the notes, and he had done the same with Wake Me Up When September ends. I think the crowd would have been bothered if Good Riddance was not played.
Later, an enjoyable cover rolled out. "We Are The Champions", originally by Queen, was played, and the crowd sang along. An impossible amount of confetti had dropped during this and before, during Homecoming. Then, there was another crowd oriented part. The electric Green Day sign flashed, "Green", then "Day", and the crowd yelled each word of the bands name as it flashed. It moved faster and faster, until the shouts were just random babble. The set was ending. The crowd roared continually, as Green Day stood, and thanked the crowd. I was somewhat disappointed that "Waiting", "Welcome To Paradise", "I Fought The Law", "Redundant", "She's A Rebel", and a few others were not played, but time doesn't stop, even for Green Day. Applause could be heard over the yelling, and the immortal band walked offstage to inspiring cheers.
The best night of my life had ended, leaving me dumbstruck and speechless, with memories I hope to never forget.
P.S. - I'm sure I've forgotten things or put things in the wrong order, but I have a crap memory, and photos of this show can be seen <a href=http://www.greendayconcerts.com/pix/meet/index.html>here</a>, under E. Rutherford, NJ. Rock on, Green Day!
We lined up to enter, presenting our tickets, and there was a muffled roar from inside, even though no one was apparently onstage. I had been to C. Arena before at a Nets basketball game, but I wasn't excited then. Now, I was clinging to my cousin Jane, squeaking out little comments and practically running towards the doorway to section 236, where we would be sitting in row 4. The seats weren't disappointing, but being only fourteen and having to bring adults who refuse to stand in general admission, we weren't as happy as the hundreds of people squished up against the barriers down below. But, still pretty fucking happy. Jane and I went out and bought Green Day shirts and I got a button pack, and then we took our seats again.
The lighting dimmed, and we screamed like mad, becoming deafened by the roar of the crowd. Sugarcult's backdrop lit up, and we saw silhouettes moving on the stage. Even though neither Jane nor myself are huge fans of Sugarcult, we were pleased the show had begun. Sugarcult moved through their songs at a good pace, but mistook New Jersey for New York, shouting "What the fuck's up, New York?" after their first song. The well known song "Memory" was played, along with "She's the Blade" and an old crowd favorite (even Jane said she loved this song) "Bouncing Off The Walls". Sugarcult said goodnight, and the crowd awaited New Found Glory. Now, the only thing I like about NFG is their drummer (kickass).
The lights came back on, and people rushed out to the bathroom and concession stands. 15 or so minutes later, Sugarcult's backdrop had been removed, and the lights went out once more. The bad thing about New Found Glory's set: the volume was so loud, you couldn't understand a word Jordan Pundik said over the churning, undefinable guitars. My mother was grossed out by how their bass player (somewhat obese) performed shirtless. It didn't really bother me because I had seen NFG perform on television. The songs "My Friends Over You", "Failure's Not Flattering", and "All Downhill From Here" were the only ones I could identify, and I only somewhat enjoyed the last one. NFG had given only what I expected (but they did actually scream "What the fuck's up NEW JERSEY?")
Time for insanity. The tension was immense, everyone knowing that the almighty stars Green Day were next. Green Day were the obvious headliner, having been around the longest and well... Being the best band on the tour. I observed as the entire wall was removed, revealing a second wall, and instead of a backdrop, a number of black flags with the heart grenade hand on them, and red sheets of fabric with various Green Day symbols (the shocked man, the heart grenade itself). An odd presentation, so it seemed, was a man dressed in a pink bunny rabbit suit, holding a can of beer, walking out onstage and onto the center peninsula. I couldn't identify him, but I suspected it to be a roadie or even a member of Green Day. He began to chug the beer, and the crowd chanted "Go go go!". A few minutes later, he walked off. The show was about to <i>really</i> begin.
The famed Ramones song, "Blitzkreig Bop" came on the radio during the space between NFG and Green Day's sets, and the entire crowd yelled "Hey ho, let's go!" to it. Very pleasing. Along with it, the Bobby Fuller Four song "I Fought the Law" covered by both Green Day and the Clash came on the radio, unfortunately this time by the Clash, despite their greatness. This was a Green Day night!
About ten minutes later, (are you full of suspense yet? I am just writing this thing) the lights FINALLY went out. My ears ached as my voice joined about 40,000 others in screaming for the one and only Green Day. Dramatic music blasted out of the speakers, as if about to reveal some holy icon - and this was true. The lights flashed on, and there stood Billie Joe Armstrong, clutching his guitar and staring out at his mass of slaves. Beside him was Mike Dirnt, bass player extraordinaire, fist raised to the crowd. Upon the riser, behind his gargantuan set of drums, Tre Cool sat, holding up his drumsticks, basking in the band's glory. The entire arena stood. The standard rock on was given by all, and Billie leaned to the mic, but didn't say a word. The crowd screeched like a million birds. Billie Joe simply raised his pick, and played the beginning notes of American Idiot. The crowd was drowned then as the bass and drums crashed in, and Billie finally sang out his first words of the night "Don't wanna be an American Idiot," Now you could hear the crowd again. I sang along, well, more like yelled along, pumping my fists to the beat of the song. I couldn't believe that was them right there. Just down there. All of them, in the same building as me, despite it's size... BUT THEY WERE RIGHT THERE! The band charged unmercifully through the song, Mike often raising his bass as if he were (and maybe is) some kind of rock god. When the song ended, Billie grinned, chuckling to himself as the crowd lost their minds. He greeted the crowd, "How ya doin' New fuckin' Jersey? Good?" Everyone screamed in unison, "YEAH!" Mike smiled, looking over at Billie. Billie nodded and said "This next song is Jesus Of Suburbia," He forced out the chords, and the 9 minute song began "I'm the son of rage and love, the Jesus of Suburbia," During this song, Tre had his very own solo, and he impressed me by pulling it off (I can only do 3/4 of it, and not very well). The song was amusing during it's third part, titled "I Don't Care", ("I don't care if you don't care"), and serious in throwing down demented governments, greed, and war all across the world ("We are the kids of war and peace, from Anaheim to the Middle East,"). The next song on the record was "Boulevard of Broken Dreams", but the band chose to skip it in order to "get to St. Jimmy". They then played "Are We The Waiting", which was like some kind of religious ceremony, as the entire stadium shouted the words with Billie Joe "Are we, we are, are we, we are the waiting" Then they burst into St. Jimmy, everyone going mad at it's pulsing riffs and bratty verses. Now, it was time for some good old - OLDIES!
First, of course, was "Longview"! Good old Blue was slung on Billie's shoulder, and the famed bassline sprung from Mike's bass, Tre patting out the unlearnable rhythm on the toms. After the line "Call me pathetic, call me what you will," and he leaned out as if to take abuse, nobody knew the insult... I think it's nomad, but I'm not sure. After Longview, Billie sprinted around with a watergun, squirting those in the front row - of course, they were screaming "Squirt me!" instead of "Hey, stop!" Then, an amusing sect began. Bille Joe stood on the center peninsula, and began laughing like a psycho. A few seconds later, his hand floated upwards. He was laughing at the crowd. Everyone giggled at his childish antics, and the giggling turned to severe laughter mixed with girly screams as Billie twisted his psychotic laughter into sensual moaning, and <i>reached into his pants</i>. The crowd screamed and continued laughing, as he moved his hand in his pants, still moaning, making the illusion (or was he...) of masturbation. A few minutes later, (my mother covered her face and laughed like crazy during this), he "had an orgasm", and shouted, "SOMEBODY FUCK ME!", receiving major feedback from the crowd. "Now that's how we do it in Jersey, baby!"
Bilie Joe ran back to get his guitar, and returned to his former position. "Is there anyone from New York here tonight?" He said into the mic, which he dragged around with him stand and all, Jane and I, along with many others, being from New York, called out in reply. He laughed and pointed out at the crowd, "Hey ohhh." He raised his hands, and the crowd imitated. This hey oh session went on for a few minutes, then he moved on. He pointed to the left side of the stadium, sparking a note off the guitar. The left side screamed. He turned to the right, and repeated, the right side screaming louder. Once each side has reached it's highest volume, Billie went left and right 5 times - and popped out the notes of BRAIN STEW! Jesus, I shouted insanely loud for this, I love Brain Stew like... a teddy bear. By the way, we were all still standing. I only sat about an hour and a half into the set 'cause my legs were dying, but then I stood back up... for a reason you will learn soon enough. Later, they played half of "Hitchin' A Ride", which contained a number of count offs from 1 - 4, in which Billie would hold the mic to the crowd. They played half of it only to let 3 kids come onstage and play! Billie asked people in the floor crowd if they played bass, and he picked one... But they actually didn't play bass. So, he chose someone else, and proceeded to choose 2 others.
Tre stood, and moved next to his set, and Mike removed his bass. Billie had put on a different guitar prior to Hitchin' A Ride, and so had Mike. The three kids went up, one on guitar, one on bass, and the last on drums. The guitarist randomly hugged Billie Joe, and Billie Joe unexpectedly hugged back and kissed the guy's cheek (predictable Billie Joe-ness). They played something simple of course, but they got to keep the instruments! Well, the drummer got the sticks, but he got to stagedive! I could have played that beat SO easily! But of course, as you know, I had to drag along the adults, so I was a tad too far away to go onstage (try two levels away). Then, they played the song about Billie as a drag queen, "King For A Day", off the album "nimrod.", during which Billie wore a king's cape and a crown. Also, the band was joined by a trumpet player in a bee suit and a trombone player.
They also played "Jaded", a song which was hard for most of the crowd to sing along to due to it's pace and barely audible words (in other words, no one near me knew the lyrics except myself, and I was pleased to show off my love and dedication, heh), and "She", during which Billie screamed, imitating a girl, and the crowed screamed right along with him. Then they actually did play Boulevard of Broken Dreams, which pleased me because I would have been surprised and disappointed if they didn't end up playing it.
Then, they played my favorite song off American Idiot, "Wake Me Up When September Ends" (which I am listening to as I er... type), I screamed an approving "woo!" over the silence of the crowd. I was touched as Billie said, "This song is dedicated to Joey Ramone." Next, they played the second rock opera and nine minute song, "Homecoming", which features Mike and Tre on vocals, Mike during the very Green Dayish "Nobody Likes You" (even though it goes with the story, still very Green Day), and Tre during "Rock & Roll Girlfriend", with the pleasing line "I play the shit out the drums, and I can play the guitar".
After this, I sat for a moment. But, my break was disturbed by the guitar opening of the famed "Minority". I screamed like a fricking monkey, nobody knew this song was Minority! Then, finally, Tre snapped at the snare, and it was this: "I wanna be the minority, I don't need your authority, down with the moral majority, 'cause I wanna be the minority!" Damn, I was moshing up in the seats. This song is Green Day's ANTHEM! The ultimate response to those old corporate guys who call punks... well, punks. This started various mosh circles and crowd surfing, but as the song ended, everyone settled down, obviously tired. Then, the most special and well known Green Day song around, "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)" came. My mother and aunt cried, because at their brother's (my uncle) funeral, this song was played. Billie abandoned the idea of playing acoustic guitar, still wearing his electric as he strummed out the notes, and he had done the same with Wake Me Up When September ends. I think the crowd would have been bothered if Good Riddance was not played.
Later, an enjoyable cover rolled out. "We Are The Champions", originally by Queen, was played, and the crowd sang along. An impossible amount of confetti had dropped during this and before, during Homecoming. Then, there was another crowd oriented part. The electric Green Day sign flashed, "Green", then "Day", and the crowd yelled each word of the bands name as it flashed. It moved faster and faster, until the shouts were just random babble. The set was ending. The crowd roared continually, as Green Day stood, and thanked the crowd. I was somewhat disappointed that "Waiting", "Welcome To Paradise", "I Fought The Law", "Redundant", "She's A Rebel", and a few others were not played, but time doesn't stop, even for Green Day. Applause could be heard over the yelling, and the immortal band walked offstage to inspiring cheers.
The best night of my life had ended, leaving me dumbstruck and speechless, with memories I hope to never forget.
P.S. - I'm sure I've forgotten things or put things in the wrong order, but I have a crap memory, and photos of this show can be seen <a href=http://www.greendayconcerts.com/pix/meet/index.html>here</a>, under E. Rutherford, NJ. Rock on, Green Day!
