September is over, so right about now is when Billie Joe Armstrong’s alarm should be going off and all of the teenage angst from the 2000’s should be re-awakening inside of us. As one of the most popular punk rock bands of all time, Green Day undoubtedly influenced and affected much of our musical tastes during our younger years (and maybe even our eyeliner preferences). While the band has somewhat stepped out of the mainstream music spotlight over the last decade, there are rumors that they have begun recording a twelfth studio album to be released in the future. To celebrate, here is a list of 5 reasons why Green Day is one of the most important rock icons of all time.
1) Their band made you feel almost normal
Whether it was Billie Joe’s antics or Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool’s ~we don’t give a single f*ck~ personalities, Green Day could make any person feel like their true and honest selves were enough for the somewhat suppressed and emotionally reserved society we live in.
2) They wrote a rock opera
A “rock opera” is a work of rock music that presents a storyline told over multiple parts, which had been somewhat reserved to earlier rock legends of the 70’s and 80’s. Green Day brought back lyrical prowess to rock music with their rock opera “American Idiot” in the early 2000’s, which showcased issues facing our country and unintentionally became a mouthpiece for teenagers during the Bush administration.
3) Billie Joe Armstrong basically invented throwing shade
Nothing is more rock and roll than messy hair and guyliner, but Billie Joe taught us all the true meaning of Green Day’s music with his constant side-eye and generally disgruntled mannerisms.
4) A musical was adapted from one of their albums
It is one thing to create your own art, but to be able to influence others to take your work and build something even bigger is truly amazing. Green Day’s “American Idiot” was adapted into a musical on Broadway and has since won two Tony awards and a Grammy.
5) Their lyrics inspired an entire generation
Personally, Green Day’s music helped me through many difficult times when I was growing up. Whether it was my parent’s divorce, my friend’s clinical depression, or just a bad grade on an exam, their music made me feel understood and validated my emotions. Musically, Green Day has produced some of the most beautiful lyrics in the rock industry of all time; their music made teenagers all over the world feel as though their voices were being heard.
Picture Credits:
(http://9gag.com/gag/av0O17E/wake-me-up-when-september-ends)
(http://data.whicdn.com/images/62715453/large.gif)
(http://s9.favim.com/orig/130801/american-idiot-band-green-day-lyrics-Fav…)
(https://38.media.tumblr.com/29ef58132edf30a91d6259f8f5f7d01c/tumblr_nrv1…)
(http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/02/theater/02greenday.html?_r=0)
(https://33.media.tumblr.com/fb87e60e2d6480bc90188dbb61133945/tumblr_mpw1…)