The Great Green Day Debates
I'm really sick and tired of people bashing Green Day. I'm beyond tired of it, actually. My question is, how can you call a band that wrote the most amazing masterpiece, American Idiot, untalented? That almost seems like a joke to me, because I can't think of many other bands that would even come up with such a concept as a punk rock opera. Billie is such a talented songwriter. He wrote such a brilliant album, front to back. With American Idiot's characters and settings, plotlines... this album is better written than a novel, in my opinion. It was well thought out, and it has a message behind it. Tre and Mike are astounding as well, absolutely wonderful musicians. They consistantly create good music, and keep growing artistically, too. I just don't see any fault there.
My other problem - the "sellout" debate. Okay, to me, the definition of a sellout is someone who leaves their beliefs and standards behind in order to make more money and get more fame. Writing a rock opera about how stupid our president is could have costed Green Day their career. These guys made this album knowing it could hurt them, and did it anyway because it was what felt right to them. It was where they wanted to go creatively. Now, does that sound like selling out to you? Because to me, it sounds like having a lot of guts and doing what you believe in. Which is what "punk" is all about, is it not? I see absolutely no reason to think these three are sellouts. Since when does wearing eyeliner make you a sellout? Are you joking? The guys are still the same, only older and more matured.
Green Day is still pushing the envelope, trying to be as creative as can be. And they always reach new boundaries, which in my eyes, takes incredible talent.
Green Day also still believes one amazing thing "Fuck what everyone else thinks of you." If that's not punk, I don't know what is.
By Poette
My other problem - the "sellout" debate. Okay, to me, the definition of a sellout is someone who leaves their beliefs and standards behind in order to make more money and get more fame. Writing a rock opera about how stupid our president is could have costed Green Day their career. These guys made this album knowing it could hurt them, and did it anyway because it was what felt right to them. It was where they wanted to go creatively. Now, does that sound like selling out to you? Because to me, it sounds like having a lot of guts and doing what you believe in. Which is what "punk" is all about, is it not? I see absolutely no reason to think these three are sellouts. Since when does wearing eyeliner make you a sellout? Are you joking? The guys are still the same, only older and more matured.
Green Day is still pushing the envelope, trying to be as creative as can be. And they always reach new boundaries, which in my eyes, takes incredible talent.
Green Day also still believes one amazing thing "Fuck what everyone else thinks of you." If that's not punk, I don't know what is.
By Poette
True Punk saviours, enough said!
Let's Live A Dream, April 14th, 2008 at 09:35:26am
HOLY CRAP! AMAZING YOU JUST SAID EVERYTHING THAT I FEEL SO AWESOME! LOVE IT!
Drummergirl, February 29th, 2008 at 05:29:53pm
Everyone has said what I wanted to say on your blog but I can say excellent blog, I like it!
Sarah!, February 21st, 2008 at 02:00:55pm
For people to still hate them on terms of whether or not they're a punk band is really pathetic to me. Just remember, at some point in most of those kids lives, they were living in an I-Love-Green-Day society. In fact, I bet you some of those kids LOVED them.
They can just go back to their Paramore and other sh*t.
Oh, and in regards to the whole sell-out issue...
look at the Sex Pistols nowadays.
Kyra, February 20th, 2008 at 10:02:33pm
I agree to 100 %!
Also, I think Green Day did a great thing when they 'sold out'. If they never had, I don't know where I'd be right now. They inspired so many people. And there's still the underground punk scene for those who want to keep there; I mean, all punk music didn't disappear after they 'sold out'.
Lissie!, February 20th, 2008 at 09:58:37am
you're a good blogger =]
Kurtni, February 19th, 2008 at 11:05:44pm
I don't really see people calling them sellouts anymore.
Lately I've seen people saying that Green Day are cowards and won't ever release a new album. Saying that they've lost their faith in Green Day.
And that annoys me. Because we all know that as soon as Green Day do release their next album those people will jump back onto the Green Day bandwagon as if nothing ever happened.
Nice blog though. :D
vonny, February 19th, 2008 at 06:41:35pm
yes... I think people just have nothing better to do than bash a band they think is bad... When in all reality are very good. And yes, the sellout thing is so bogus. Yes, Green Day has millions of dollars, but they're putting it to good causes, aka Adeline and the Darfur thing and whatnot... I mean what else are you supposed to do with millions? Just leave it sitting in the bank?
Green Day deserves what they have. They started at the bottom, and worked hard for what they have, and they deserve it. So I say f*ck whoever bashes Green Day...
Shorty of Suburbia, February 19th, 2008 at 05:10:10pm
I agree.
Everyone is always like "Green Day sucks, they're just sellouts!" When they have no clue all of the risks Green Day has taken, or the amount of talent they have. But really, I think they're just losing an amazing band by putting them down.
Sunsh!ne., February 19th, 2008 at 03:46:14pm
I agree with you, Green Day is an amazing band, but it's really all a matter of opinion. Not everyone can find what they do amazing. Some people find what Hilary Duff or Paris Hilton do amazing, and who are we to say it's not? To some people, it could be the best thing they've ever heard. Yet we constantly bash them and accuse them and their music of being idiotic simply because we don't like what the artist does or stands for. Personally, I don't like these artists, but I have friends who do, and there's really nothing I can do but just tolerate it. :]
We are all contradicting ourselves one way or another, so there's really no answer. I just say fck it all and listen to what you want to listen to. If someone bashes Green Day and says they have no talent for the pure joy of upsetting you, then they're obviously demented and have nothing better to do than make you feel bad so they can feel better about themselves. If they really mean it, then too bad, there's really nothing you can do to change their opinion, they're still not going to like it.
All in all, I'd just say to ignore it. As long as it makes you happy, no one can take that away from you. :]
=] Good blog, though.
Hello, My Name Is Asshole, February 19th, 2008 at 03:22:55pm
i think the reason people try to say green day is untalented is a.) they do not appreciate punk music, or b.) they have heard only the sickeningly overplayed boulevard of broken dreams and automatically decide they lack talent. because face it, a lot of other bands have overplayed songs...and they lack talent because that one song is the best they can do.
its sad really. the same reason people are calling them sellouts is the same reason they have been declared untalented--ignorance. you just have to take the same advice "f*ck what everyone else thinks of you" if someone is telling you those things. i'm sure green day doesn't care if people are calling them sellouts...why should we? they know they have fans like us that are entirely devoted to them and see there talent, thats all that matters. when have they ever relied on the mainstream crowd to buy their records?
i like your blog =]
suburban.zombie, February 19th, 2008 at 03:00:27pm