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In 1994 punk rock trio Green Day were on top of the world with DOOKIE, their massive hit album. They were loud, fast, bratty, pissed off, hopeless, truthful, drunk, maybe high, and somehow, absolutely massive. It was glorious.
But by 2004, the hoopla seemed to be over. The band were still respected by up-and-coming bands, but their album sales were down. And then, in October 04, came a new album, AMERICAN IDIOT. A furious and impassioned reaction against American politics – and in particular George W. Bush – AMERICAN IDIOT spoke directly to millions of people around the globe. Once again Green Day were reaching legions of disaffected teenagers as well as millions of older fans.
Few bands achieve Green Day’s early success, and even fewer come back for an even more explosive second act. Highly respected rock journalist Marc Spitz has interviewed the band many times, and has won their respect. His book will be the definitive history of the band, charting their transformation from snotty-nosed mall rats into the ultimate punk rock protest band – The Clash for the 21st century.
But by 2004, the hoopla seemed to be over. The band were still respected by up-and-coming bands, but their album sales were down. And then, in October 04, came a new album, AMERICAN IDIOT. A furious and impassioned reaction against American politics – and in particular George W. Bush – AMERICAN IDIOT spoke directly to millions of people around the globe. Once again Green Day were reaching legions of disaffected teenagers as well as millions of older fans.
Few bands achieve Green Day’s early success, and even fewer come back for an even more explosive second act. Highly respected rock journalist Marc Spitz has interviewed the band many times, and has won their respect. His book will be the definitive history of the band, charting their transformation from snotty-nosed mall rats into the ultimate punk rock protest band – The Clash for the 21st century.
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Reviews
Marc Spitz has written the ultimate book for fans of Green Day and a book that mirrors the wild, crazy ride that punk has made into the mainstream
The definitive account of who Green Day is, what Green Day means, and why all of this could only have happened in northern California
Marc Spitz has done a fine job . . . it feels definitive. He has interviewed the band several times, but also bands such the Dead Kennedys, who also originated in San Francisco and serve to contextualise the unlikely rise of a most likeable group
Full of entertaining trivia . . A decent, well-constructed take on the Green Day story thus far