Rolling Stone Article - my reaction

So the other day an interview in Rolling Stone magazine with Billie Joe emerged. It was his post rehab explanation if you will. Here is the cover:

I would first like to take a moment to mention how well he is looking, he turned 41 a couple of weeks ago and you would not be able to tell. Anyway fangirl moment over.

The interview was the frankest interview with Billie that I have ever read. There was nothing sugar coated - he said exactly what he felt he had to say. To have the courage to come out with it like that after the time he has been through these last six months is just incredible.

I would also like to take a moment to complement the quality of the journalism here...considering I am a journalist in training...extremely well written!

Anyway. A thing that made me smile about this article was where Mike says that he wants to be sitting on a park bench with Billie when he's older, just feeding the birds and having conversations. That is what you call a strong friendship. I just think Mike is amazing to help Billie through everything like that and stick by him like that. Judging by what Billie said in the interview, i don't think there would be many friends who could do that.

After reading the interview, i can see that there is not much more to say about the matter because I think just about everything is covered here, meaning this hopefully won't get raked up again when the band make their triumphant return in the next few weeks. There are a few things about this that make me really sad - the interview is honest, which is why it makes me so sad. Like when he talks about the time he got really bad after a show and drank his body weight in alcohol after a show which also involved drinking before and during - and then waking up hungover on the West Side Highway in a park. I mean...that is some serious stuff. I didn't realise just how bad things were for him, i figured them to be bad because of him going into rehab - when that was first announced after iHeart i didn't think it was serious until i read the actual press release. I couldn't believe it. I'm sure most, if not all of their fans feel exactly the same.

The rehabilitation for him sounded really scary - he had to have a nurse go to his home and make sure he wasn't having seizures because of the withdrawals. It must be so hard for him, and Adrienne and the boys. I couldn't imagine what they are going through, even now. He may be out of rehab and ready to get back out there but he has to take baby steps to get through it.

The thing that really got to me is the part where the interviewer asks him if he owes an apology to the fans and he said that he let us down. I actually cried when i read that part. He did nothing to let us down. He let a bad habit grab hold of him and it held too tightly. I don't feel in any way ashamed to call him my hero - if anything, i admire him all the more for coming through this. And to have the courage to come out and speak so honestly about it all. I'm just so so glad that he is getting better and he is going to stop drinking. I can't wait to see him back on that stage with Mike, Tre and Jason, where he belongs! Bring it on!

All I will say is have some tissues ready when reading it! You will cry!

WE LOVE YOU BILLIE JOE! WE ARE PROUD OF YOU AND ALWAYS WILL BE. Idiot forever!

Dream setlist songs

Booking tickets to see Green Day is always very exciting. This will be my third time of seeing the band, and after reading a status on my friend Ally's Green Day Facebook page: 'I'm Not Fucking Around... G.L.O.R.I.A', I have started thinking about songs that would make up my perfect setlist. I'm obviously not going to make up a whole setlist because that would take way too long, but here are a few that I would love. So yeah, here goes:

One song I would like would be Redundant. I have always adored the song, I think the lyrics are beautiful and it would make for a really great acoustic performance, like this video proves:

If I were to think of songs from the Trilogy, the first song that comes to mind would be Brutal Love. The song gives me goosebumps anyway, it's so beautiful and it really shows off Billie's talent. I have a feeling that if they did play that i would shed a few tears!

Another good one from the trilogy would definitely be Dirty Rotten Bastards. Like Homecoming and Jesus Of Suburbia, it is made up of different parts and I think it is the perfect song for crowd interaction especially.

Delving back into the older stuff, a song I would love to hear live one day would be Blood Sex and Booze. I don't think i have ever heard them play it and I'm not sure if that would be a song that they would perform now, they have such a collection of great songs and for some reason that never seems to come up anywhere. It's a shame, so that's why I think they need to play it.

I have always wanted to hear Peacemaker live. Simply because it is my favourite song from the 21st Century Breakdown album. I think because it is a song that the band have not played since the release of that album, it would be quite a nice surprise to hear it.

Finally, if I were to choose the setlist, i think Nightlife would definitely appear. I'm not sure what we could expect from that...what would happen if for some reason Lady Cobra couldn't appear? would Billie do the rap? That would be really funny to see! I have chosen this one because it's obvious change in direction when it comes to sound. It would be a great part of the show that the band could maybe make a big thing out of? I don't know but I think it should be played.

Happy New Year, Green Day folk!

Hello all,

I hope you have all had a nice Christmas and got loads of Green Day goodies :D I know I did haha

ANYWHO....

Over the past week it was announced on the Idiot Club that the US Green Day tour dates were going to be rescheduled for spring 2013. A good moment for the fandom, but all of that excitement died when that post was taken down and people started recieving emails from Ticketmaster saying that their date had been cancelled.

Last night on the Green Day Community there was some speculation about some rescheduled dates that had been floating around, but obviously nobody knew whether they were right because nothing had been confirmed.

It was this morning that one of the best instagram posts for a while came out. Billie posted a message on his instagram:

“Dear friends
I just wanted to thank you all for the love and support you’ve showed for the past few months. Believe me, it hasn’t gone unnoticed and I’m eternally grateful to have such an amazing set of friends and family. I’m getting better every day.

So now, without further ado, the show must go on.. We can’t wait to get on the road and live out loud! Our passion has only grown stronger.
Happy new year
We love you all
Rage and love
XX
BILLIE JOE

P.s..
Green day tour in march”

It is so nice to hear that he is getting better. People have been thinking the worse and I have heard the dreaded question "what if they never come back?" a few times, but this completely silences stuff like that!

The part of this message that really makes me happy is where he says "Our passion has only grown stronger" which means that on that new tour in March, faces are going to be melted! They are going to give it their all and be back on that stage where they belong. It also means that the Emirates Stadium show in June is going to be fucking immense! Couldn't be more excited for that!

I'm just so proud of him for getting back on his feet, because I guess addiction is a hard thing to come back from. It makes me smile knowing that he knows how much we all love him and support him, and I can't wait to see my heroes again because I have missed them so so much. I would love to be able to thank them for everything that they have done for me, but until that day comes I will just continue to love them and fangirl where appropriate! Smiley face.

2013 is going to be the year of Green Day for sure, so get ready guys!

Happy New Year.

And so ends the trilogy!

It seems like only yesterday when Green Day announced plans for a trilogy. It was an exciting day for the fan community because the band had been teasing us for a while with studio updates and stuff but we had no idea what surprises they had planned for us.

Uno, released September 24th, was the first in the trilogy, the fast paced party warm up album received mixed reviews because of the considered drastic change in direction, and who could forget the bad press about first single 'Oh Love'? It was like a marmite album: either you loved it or you didn't. Still, it seems there were people out there who did love it because it went straight to number one on the Billboard chart and got number two on the UK charts. Personally i absolutely loved it! I was on holiday on the day it leaked out and my best friend downloaded it for me so i could listen to it! That was a good day...sunshine and Green Day!

The promo for the album was so much better than it was for 21st Century Breakdown. The band were everywhere: playing club shows, on the cover of magazines, on the radio, on Instagram and at festivals...however it was at a festival where everything came to a massive halt, in the form of a 'breakdown'.

We all know about Billie's little rant at iHeart now, i think everyone does:

It unfortunately was the start of a downward spiral that would see Billie Joe Armstrong enter rehab for substance abuse.

Now, this is quite a sore subject for me. This man is my hero, has been since i was 12 years old, and will be until the end. Seeing this happen and how people have been talking about him really upset me because it's like he has turned into some sort of monster. He has obviously had problems and has just worked himself silly, becoming sick because of it. Hearing people call him a druggie and whatever really upsets me. Journalists always seem to talk about it as well. Everytime the subject of Green Day comes up in a magazine it just HAS to be mentioned! I know it's a recent thing and it's a bit of a blow to the band but i wish they would shut up about it! No matter what anyone says about him, all I want is for him to get better, come back and rock everyone's arses off!

So anyway, promo for the trilogy has consequently suffered. So much so that shows planned from November right through to February have had to be postponed or cancelled.

Released November 12th, Dos was number two of three. This brought another side of the band to the table, like Green Day meets Foxboro Hot Tubs. It is dirty, suave and sexy, with a collaboration from Lady Cobra (Mystic Knights of the Cobra) thrown in there too - she appears on Nightlife, the RnB offering on the album...such an addictive song! Definitely one of my favourites. This placed at number 10 in the charts. Considering what has been happening with Billie, it's still a good position...would it have been better if Billie had been around to promote it? We will never know.

So, Tre is released officially released on Monday. It was streamed on various websites earlier in the week and has subsequently leaked so i'm sure many fans have already heard it. I have and my verdict is...it's bloody brilliant! The best of the trilogy! (A review will come soon) The albums may be a drastic step in direction for Green Day but it shows just how versatile they are and their talent just shines through. Billie's voice has gotten more powerful since the musical, and it really shows, especially on Tre. There are a couple of filler tracks there but all in all it has been success!

I am just looking forward to the tour. I am going to see them on 1st June at the Emirates Stadium, and i couldn't be more excited if i tried! I just know it's gonna be incredible, especially with Billie being back on his feet by then. I'm just gonna be like 'homina homina jghiughroifhokrhvjirjghofuf'! the fangirl in me is really gonna come out! There is a good few songs that would be on my dream setlist but i guess we will just have to wait and see! All I can say is that June cannot come quick enough!

Just as a final thought for this post, here are my favourites from the trilogy. Smiley face!

UNO: Kill The Dj, Angel Blue, Stay The Night, Sweet 16, Rusty James
DOS: Baby Eyes, Nightlife, Wow! That's Loud, Lazy Bones
TRE: Brutal Love, 99 Revolutions, Dirty Rotten Bastards, X Kid

Dos has leaked...and I'm ok with it!

On Monday, all Green Day fans were waiting for the inevitable...and it happened. Yes I'm talking about the leak of the next album in the trilogy: Dos.

I can't say that I resisted the temptation to give it a listen, at all. Personally I blame social media for that but, as it has leaked around it is going to end up all over the internet anyway so i thought 'if you can't beat them, join them'! The journalist in me couldn't resist writing a review so here it is: Dos - Track by Track:

See You Tonight - Reminds me a little of a Bob Dylan sort of song. The acoustic guitar and the soft harmonies are a brilliant combination.

It's Fuck Time - A silly song that has been a feature in almost every recent Green Day/Foxboro Hot Tubs gig. It gets to the point and shoots from the crotch!

Stop When The Red Lights Flash - Definitely a pump up song. Infectious melody and awesome lyrics: "Stop when the red lights flash, I'll trade you blood for dirty cash/life in the catacombs, you make me feel like i'm at home"

Lazy Bones - I have a feeling that with Billie could maybe be tapping into his personal feelings with this one. It feels like a window into a potential problem but it's one of those tracks that you can just really enjoy listening to. It may be wrong but it's just my opinion...Oh and Mike's backing vocals are just awesome!

Wild One - Sexy and swarve! It's nice to hear Mike's backing vocals more with this album! It's a grower!

Makeout Party - Amazing solo and some very naughty lyrics! Sounds very Foxboro Hot Tubs/old rock and roll.

Stray Heart -First single to be released. Rolling bassline right through showing Mike's shining talent. Different than what we are used to but still awesome!

Ashley -Typical Green Day song, sounds a little like something that could belong on Nimrod. Brilliant nonetheless

Baby Eyes - Personal favourite of mine. There's not much i can say except it's amazing! I think Billie may have a fascination with killing though! ("Baby baby i was born to kill")

Lady Cobra - This is where the sound starts to get interesting...very Foxboro meets Green Day

Nightlife - Introducing Lady Cobra from the Mystic Knights Of the Cobra...this song doesn't even sound like Green Day, but that's why it is such a stand alone track for me. I didn't expect to like but i do because it is awesome and catchy as hell!!

Wow! That's Loud - Another personal favourite of mine. Some great guitar riffs thus proving that they have a lot more to offer than simple three chord punk. Also showing that Jason White belongs in the band!

Amy - Such a sweet tribute to Amy Winehouse. Showing appreciation for someone he didn't know but respected deeply for her amazing talent. Beautiful lyrics and beautiful music.

Overall I would give this album a 10/10. To me it is a perfect album, they really showed that they could expand even further with their music and even though I really rated Uno, Dos came and knocked it out of the water. Fantastic album  *****

Exciting times ahead...

When the tickets for the June 1st show in London went on sale, I didn't think i would get the opportunity to go. I had no one to go with plus ticket prices were a little high. I felt so disappointed because I could see everyone's Facebook statuses saying things like 'OMG I'M GOING TO SEE GREEN DAY IN JUNE!' and I knew I couldn't write any such thing. I was ignoring adverts in magazines and any mention of it made me feel worse.

Yesterday though, that all changed. My friend Katie text me telling me that All Time Low and Kaiser Chiefs had been announced as the support acts for that show. DAMN! I was already missing out on ATL's UK tour and I knew i wanted to see Kaiser Chiefs again because they were awesome last time.

I got into my friend David's car ready to get to Uni and i discussed it with him. I told him that there was no way I wanted to miss out on this, the band are showing no signs as of yet of announcing any more UK dates and frankly I didn't wanna wait. So i decided that I was booking them and he was coming with me no matter what. I didn't even wait until I got to a computer I just did it through my iPhone!

The feeling I got when it had been confirmed was that of...well I can't even describe how i felt. I wanted to cry with happiness and jump for joy. I get to see a band that have been my inspiration for twelve years of my life...for a third time. New albums, new material, new tour.

I just know now that I am gonna be wishing the days away until June 1st arrives...which I don't wanna do because I have so much more to look forward to: Warped Tour, Frank Turner, American Idiot, Rancid, Olly Murs, two more GD albums and the rest of my final year of being a student. Until showtime arrives I will be grinning like a cat that got the cream!

The countdown begins: 222 days and counting :D

Stray Heart and Lady Cobra hit the airwaves

Last night, two new songs from album number two of the trilogy: Dos, appeared on the web: Stray Heart and Lady Cobra. I think Stray Heart is going to be the first single to be released but I need to find an official source to back that up.

We have all heard Stray Heart before through the secret live shows that the band were playing at the start of last year, and fans thought that the song was going to appear on Tre, so it's great to get a full studio version. It was premiered on Radio 1 along with an interview with Mike.

 (this is the cover for it, which i personally think is really cool...taken from greenday.com)

On hearing the song my first initial thought was 'this is very Foxboro-esque', it would make a great first single because it really puts the kind of sound out to the critics, kind of like a 'see what I mean?' approach - Uno didn't really use that approach with 'Oh Love' so it was a bit of a guessing game for the fans which, judging by all of the criticism surrounding the song, was not a positive step. I think it shows a lot of character which is great because it can hardly be described as boring!

The thing I love the most about the song is the bassline. It's freaking awesome! It makes the song really stand out from the others and it adds the 'garage-y' character that we all know and love. The vocals have a mixture of husk, lust and passion which is definitely reminiscent of Reverend Strychnine Twitch, which works really well.

All in all i think the song is great, it gives another fresh approach to the band's ever growing talent and it gives us all something to look forward to with Dos.

Here's the audio for people who missed it:

Lady Cobra is just something completely different altogether!

We got a clip of it during an interview on Radio 1 with Zane Lowe about a month or so ago but last night the full track was premiered exclusively on the Idiot Club.

 

It will lead onto a track called Nightlife and it features Lady Cobra from punk rap band Mystic Knights Of The Cobra. Overall I would say that this song delves a lot more into the garage sound. I'm generalising here of course because we are yet to hear anything else from the album, but you can hear a fresher sound from Green Day than we have had on any of their older albums, as well as the trademark punky pop feel that we love! It's a welcome change!

I think this is the song that gets me the most excited for Dos' release because it's like nothing i have heard from the band, yes it's got the FBHT similarity but i lot more polished. The vocals sound more clean cut and the drums are awesome!

34 days and counting until release day! Can't wait! This album is just going to be epic!