#StayNegi: Good Riddance To Green Day

Doing research for that last post took me back to my childhood: some good music was listened to, some terrible music was listened to and lots had changed since the break of all those bands.  Nirvana lost their lead singer, which lead to a new band and a political career, Pearl Jam got clean, Alice in Chains lost their lead singer, Soundgarden happened, in reality, the 90s happened.   With the 90s came the boom of Fat Wreck Chords, Lookout! Records, Asian Man Records, and more with this huge push for this poppy punk sound. A break out star of that punk scene was Green Day, and holy shit how far have they fallen? 

A few days ago I did a post on growth and having your music mature with you.  Green Day grew up and embraced capitalism 100% but failed to keep their punk ethos.  Green Day had commercial success in the early 90s, but it was on their own terms.  Songs about drugs, masturbation, and being young and dumb ruled their records.  There was no pretense about it, you could picture Billie Joe Armstrong sitting on his chubby butt and playing with his chubby. 

The band disappeared from mainstream attention wth the release of their next two albums. Insomniac and Nimrod sold well, but the only song that really made it to the radio was "Good Riddance" (can we say good riddance to that song?).  It was a nice break form their audio shenanigans.  Warning was much more of a rock influenced album than punk and didn't really reach the mainstream either.  

But then, all fucking hell broke lose.  2004, why the hell did you have to unleash the terror that is American Idiot on us?  Okay great, you're railing against the government, the war, the bullshit and the hypocrisy of the American way.  Fine.  Wave that punk flag high and proud.  Oh wait what?  You want to make a movie?  Kaching!  Adapted in to a Broadway musical?  Kaching Kaching!  Release it in 30 other packaging with booklets and other dumbshit?  Kaching Kaching Kaching!  Suddenly the American way that you dislike is looking pretty good to you wallet.  AND!  You aren't putting out anything new! Congrats on tricking the mainstream into buying your shitty music over and over again.  

I know bands "sell out", I know money is a driving force to everyone.  But to shit on the hand that's feeding you?  To have a rally cry against the people who are buying your albums?  Wow.  

And the obnoxious love hate relationship with making money continues.  Since American Idiot, there's been one Green Day album (movies and Broadway take up a lot of time), but this year there will be three new albums.  Yes, three.  When I read that online, I had to double check it with four other sources.  What are you?  Making up for lost time?  

For a band that has their "roots" in punk, they've certainly lost track of what they stand for.  There's growing up, which I'm all for.  See: Iggy Pop, Social Distortion, Bouncing Souls.  But taking your core ideas, and selling them for a Broadway show?  And releasing three albums in one year?  What example are you setting for future punks?  STOP THAT!  

I DUB THEE: THE NICKELBACK OF PUNK!  

Nobody wants you.  Go away. 

Stay Negi, my friends