G
Green Day is commemorating 30 years since the release of Dookie and 20 years since American Idiot with a stadium tour this year. Their new album, Saviors, which will be released on January 19th, encompasses the essence of these influential albums. Touching on themes of inequality and the alt right, Saviors is just as politically charged as American Idiot. However, it also incorporates elements of Dookie’s laid-back attitude with mentions of dating apps and free weed. The album also marks a reunion with long-time producer Rob Cavallo, the first time they have worked together since 2016. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong recalls the moment he reached out to Cavallo, stating, “I sent Rob a casual text and he responded with ‘do you want to make rock’n’roll history together again?’ I was just saying hi, but hell yeah, let’s have some fun!”
What is your favorite aspect of London, where you recorded the majority of Saviors at RAK Studios?
I attended numerous football matches during my time in England, including Arsenal, Leyton Orient, and Fulham. I also had the opportunity to watch a game at The Den, home of Millwall. It was a truly incredible experience and if you want to fully immerse yourself in British culture, attending a football match is a must. The atmosphere is akin to that of a massive rock concert, so much so that earplugs are almost necessary. I’ve always been interested in exploring all levels of the sport, not just the top-tier teams like Arsenal and Manchester City. I especially wanted to see Millwall, known for their gritty, rebellious attitude and “us against the world” mentality. It’s similar to being a fan of the Oakland Raiders.
Why did you choose to revisit the political themes of Green Day in a manner similar to American Idiot, with the album being critical of US society?
BJA: Upon the release of our most recent album, Father of All Motherfuckers, there was a lot of commentary. Many people had strong opinions and expressed hatred towards Trump. It was a popular and effortless trend to join in on, but ultimately ineffective. However, as time has passed and the world has evolved, particularly with the rise of social media, conspiracy theories, and the impact of Covid, I have had the opportunity to reflect on the last five years and the growing division in America.
What qualities contribute to a successful political song?
Tré Cool, drums: Something that gets people’s hair to stand up on their arms or neck, and causes an emotional reaction.
Mike Dirnt, bassist: Embracing genuine emotions and acknowledging them, while also inviting discussion and inquiry instead of dictating thoughts.
I believe that many of my lyrics are inspired by the feeling of being lost. This could be the physical sense of not knowing your location, such as when your GPS is incorrect, or the mental state of being drawn into conspiracy theories and searching for answers that seem to be missing. It’s a quest for truth, but it must also come from a place of genuine emotion, much like a love song.
Do you find conspiracy theories to be a prominent feature of our current era? Is this what causes you the most stress?
You must be able to see the funny side of it. For example, believing the Earth is flat? However, it’s important to understand that there will always be people who believe in such things and will search for evidence online to support their beliefs. And if they come across evidence that disproves their belief, they will likely claim it’s a conspiracy.
I believe that individuals are searching for something to have faith in. With the overwhelming amount of information available, it can be chaotic. It is possible to find evidence to support any viewpoint, but it is important to pause and carefully consider things.
BJA: I recently watched a video in which the interviewer posed the question of whether it is appropriate for everyone to possess a firearm. One individual responded, “Yeah man, you can’t combat fire with water.” [laughs] This statement embodies the essence of America, or at least a significant portion of it.
You premiered the initial two tracks from Saviors at the reminiscent When We Were Young festival. What are your thoughts on the resurgence of punk and emo music from the 90s and 00s in recent years?
According to BJA, emo was considered a thing of the past, but just after five years, we are seeing the resurgence of emo club nights. Shouldn’t there be a longer waiting period for this trend? The recent break up of My Chemical Romance adds to the discussion. The influence of streaming and the viral nature of content seems to be driving this phenomenon. Take, for instance, the case of the band The Walters, who disbanded four years ago but now have a hit song that is all over the place. Similarly, the Deftones’ music has suddenly gained popularity through TikTok videos. This shift towards algorithm-based recommendations is especially noticeable in rock music and highlights the declining significance of traditional platforms like radio.
The announcement of your album included four inquiries: What actions would Andy Warhol, John Waters, and Quentin Tarantino take? And now I ask you the fourth question: what would Green Day do?
BJA: Many people are interested in hearing Green Day’s perspective in today’s society. Similar to Tarantino, who draws inspiration from various genres such as blaxploitation, kung fu, and gangster films, we continue to enjoy playing punk rock, stadium anthems, and powerpop. As we reflect on our career, we have taken the opportunity to focus on the truly inspiring moments.
Source: theguardian.com
