Blogcritics: Comments on Green Day - from apolitical punk band to American Idiots

Comment by kasha chang

Mon, 14 Feb 2005 20:50:35 EST

Thank you, BRICKLAYER. Just one small thing to add - punk rock itself has over the years been defined, originally, as socially aware. That, in case you're wondering (who knows, MEM, you might be) means, or at least is a direct precursor to, POLITICAL. Some sources attribute the mass appeal of punk circa 1970 - 80s to the fact that in the united kingdom at this time, there were a significant number of young people out of work, creating an angry, proactive portion of the population who had a message and a cause, and wanted it to be heard by the government. If you were to say that this explanation is overly simplistic, I would be inclined to agree with you. However, the fact remains that many bands popular during the "heyday" of punk were political in nature. If we're being strictly definitional and accurate here, we could say that American Idiot is a return to form for Green Day's music, rather than a digression from it. BOTTOM LINE: Much of punk is political. If you can't deal with artists expressing opinions that don't match yours, then stop listening to punk.

Comment by BRICKLAYER

Sun, 13 Feb 2005 11:53:26 EST

"If they're going to sing about how intolerable American life is, then leave it behind. If they want to remain in the States, hypocritical as it is for them to do so, then by all means." Why should they leave it behind, rather than try to change it? Because their viewpoints are different from yours? That's a damn shame that you're all grown up, and not a Democratic anti-war squawker, and you can't like Green Day anymore. But for the band, they're probably happy that this album is serving as an a-hole filter to cut the fat off their fair weather fanbase. But don't worry, Toby Keith is writing a brand new song about tying a yellow ribbon around his brand new Ford truck, before filling up the bed with illegal aliens, and driving them back across the border himself. So, you'll still have something to listen to when Rush Limbaugh goes on rehab vacation again.

Comment by Kasha Chang

Sat, 12 Feb 2005 22:56:48 EST

Before I begin, there are a few things anyone reading this should know about me: 1. I loved the record American Idiot. I think it's the best Green Day album to date, partially BECAUSE of it's political nature. Not necessarily just because I agree with the viewpoint expressed - although we'll get to that in a minute - but simply because it has a purpose, a message, instead of just being a bunch of great songs all strung together. 2. I've also loved Green Day as a band ever since I started listening to music - FYI, that was about age 11. 3. I was born, and live in Canada. 4. I'm anti - Bush. Strongly. Okay, so I think that's it...didn't want you to start reading this without being warned of my stance. Mike Edward Manning: "I just hope Green Day have the honesty to record their next album in Canada." First off - just a small, nit-picky little point - not all canadians are anti-Bush. About 83% are. But we have a 13% population that rooted for him in the last election. They're the ones that scare the heck out of me. So I understand your point about canada - to be honest, due to my views, I'm living proof that what you're saying has some truth to it. But please, don't generalize so broadly. Second itsy-bitsy, nit-picky point: There are plenty of americans IN AMERICA who are anti-Bush as well. Just in case you hadn't noticed. Unfortunately, there weren't enough of them this past November to stop him from getting re-elected. Or were there? If you believe Micheal Moore (which I don't, BTW - I may be canadian, and I may be a leftie, but I'm not that conspiracy crazy)maybe Dubya is a cheat. But that's beside the point, and I digress. My main point - and only major beef - is the fact that mike seems to imply that it is impossible to love your country but disagree with the policies of the body governing it. And this, if I may make so bold, is exactly the attitude that the Bush administration has been pushing. Come on, don't tell me you haven't noticed. The frequent use of the word "patriot" in speeches and pieces of legislation, the implication that a person cannot be a patriotic american and have an opinion that differs from that of the government. Your suggestion that it would be more "honest" for Green Day to record in canada owing to their views quite frankly scares me. If you take this idea to its inevitable conclusion and apply it to everyone rather than just artists, you come to the point wherein EVERYONE - protesters, opposing political parties/groups, etc. - who disagree with the actions of the current government should expatriate themselves in the name of being "honest", or be branded a hypocrite. Now let's see - we have A) no opposing political party, B) no protesters, C) no one with views that differ in any way, shape or form from the government...so, in that case, what's the point of holding an election? What's the point of even being a democracy, if every "honest" person who has the temerity to voice an idea that contradicts the claims of the white house, has left? Considering that the Bush administration has sent many soldiers overseas to supposedly fight for the cause of democracy, I doubt this would go over too well. But don't listen to me. I'm just a crazy socialist canadian.

Comment by Mark Edward Manning

Sun, 16 Jan 2005 11:18:05 EST

Mike Kole: "What was Green Day writing about when Clinton was President? Yeah." Exactly. They were writing slap-happy songs about not much at all. America's image being stained by a president committing perjury didn't matter to them. Nor did Clinton's hawkish behavior in Sudan and Iraq matter either. Or how about that war in the Balkans? Nope. Nary a word about that. Bush could be a Nelson Rockefeller-type Republican, never engage in a war, spend tons on liberal pork to keep the Dems off his back, give the O.K. for states to legalize gay marriage, and wear flowers in his hair: And "artists" would still scream about how terrible he is. As Mike Kole says, you need only to be a Republican - even if in name only. Mark Saleski: "yes. remember, dissent is not allowed if you are an artist.just keep your trap shut." Mark, all I said was that I hope Billie Joe, Tre Cool and Mike Dirnt find a little honesty in their lives. If they're going to sing about how intolerable American life is, then leave it behind. If they want to remain in the States, hypocritical as it is for them to do so, then by all means.

Comment by Dave Nalle

Sun, 16 Jan 2005 10:44:08 EST

You mean Clinton wasn't a Republican? Dave

Comment by Mike Kole

Sun, 16 Jan 2005 10:11:58 EST

I have looked forward to having Republicans in the White House for one reason: the punk rock scene gets re-energized every time. There are very few bands/artists who can consistently keep up the heat, no matter who is in the White House. What was Green Day writing about when Clinton was President? Yeah.

Comment by Mark Saleski

Sat, 15 Jan 2005 15:41:17 EST

yes. remember, dissent is not allowed if you are an artist.just keep your trap shut. gawd bless america.

Comment by Mark Edward Manning

Sat, 15 Jan 2005 13:04:55 EST

Dave, I appreciate what you said here, very intelligently argued. However, as stated in my piece here, Green Day has not denied that American Idiot is about Bush and the Iraq War. Even if it wasn't for that link, I'd still say it's pretty damning stuff. I just hope Green Day have the honesty to record their next album in Canada.

Comment by Dave Nalle

Thu, 13 Jan 2005 22:25:11 EST

There's only one line in American Idiot which can be construed as referring to Bush at all - "I'm not part of the redneck agenda" - and all it isn't a terribly specific reference. Everything else in the song is about people being unable to think critically and being pawns of the media. That's non=partisan as far as I can tell, so I'm going to keep liking Green Day. Back when I was the right age to listen to this kind of music I listened to The Clash. I liked their message of revolution against the establishment. Of course, I thought it referred to the liberal establishment of the Carter administration, or at least the labor party in Britain. Only later did I realize that they embraced a lot of socialism along with their anarchism. But I still liked their message of freedom, integrity and revolution even if our specific agendas were different. Dave http://www.diablog.us

Comment by Tyler G

Thu, 13 Jan 2005 21:57:06 EST

Green Day is alwayz going to be a kick ass band. I agree w/everything there doing.I mean the war on Irak is such a joke. All you have to do is watch Bush give a speech and it is spooky he's are president. lol I hate biggots and redneck retards. I think a lot of music is turning more political which is good it's how they feel. I even like eminems new shit he makes the same points in the song mosh.

Comment by Sean

Thu, 21 Oct 2004 16:17:50 EDT

What was it Joe Strummer once said about them that fuck nuns?

Comment by uli

Thu, 21 Oct 2004 13:52:43 EDT

the headline says - from a political punk band to american idiots. aha. if you concider a punk band as stupid white men, because they ask questions, and have a serious concern about the politics in your land, than you give an answer about the real idiot. green day have been too long a commercial teenage band which now took the change to get this land out of trance. why not talk about politics? rumsfeld told the public (last week ny times) , there were no mass destruction weapons found in irak, there is no connection with al caida an saddam hussein, but still every second american believes that saddam hussein bombed the world trade center...george w. bush lied to the whole world. it is a crushade only of the brave not to duck but to take a stand against bush and its agressive and murderous foreign politics. please burn all your punk cds, you didn`t understand any text line. uli

Comment by Mark Edward Manning

Wed, 29 Sep 2004 09:54:11 EDT

Anon: "I think Mark's saying that this goes beyond that and sort of over-generalizes and portrays our government as so evil that they are no better than Osama bin Laden." That is exactly what I'm saying, Anon, and thank you. That, and Green Day's assertion that the war on terror is all hyperbole.

Comment by Mac Diva

Sun, 26 Sep 2004 21:34:25 EDT

If Mark is chagrined by Green Day's anti-war music, I guess he has not heard Moby & Public Enemy's "Make Love F--k War" yet. Now, that is an arse-kicking anti-war song. The video rocks, too. The link is not working, but the video is viewable at the iTunes Music Store. You can hear the song here.

Comment by Anon

Sun, 26 Sep 2004 20:41:04 EDT

Mac Diva, I see what you're saying, but I think Mark's saying that this goes beyond that and sort of over-generalizes and portrays our government as so evil that they are no better than Osama bin Laden. While I am by no means a Bush-supporter, this strikes me as uneducated and preaching to the choir for purposes of making money. I LOVE political punk, but I prefer it to be intelligent. This doesn't strike me as brave OR intelligent. Of course, I haven't bought the album, so this is only speculation. :-) Musically, I never quite got into Green Day, although I really liked Dookie.

Comment by Mac Diva

Fri, 24 Sep 2004 09:03:28 EDT

According to the author of this entry, questioning the invasion and occupation of Iraq is "the foulest, most dangerous area of politics." I wonder what a discussion of why one's country is at war in a democracy would like. Is one of the Ms for Mussolini?

Comment by Mark Edward Manning

Fri, 24 Sep 2004 08:05:46 EDT

Muddro, with all due respect, I reprint here part of what I wrote to Duke de Mondo on his review of American Idiot:

Green Day is engaging in the foulest, most dangerous area of politics, undermining and questioning the fight against terror, insinuating that whatever disgust and fighting spirit and patriotism that people felt in the aftershocks of Sept. 11 are no longer valid and that the President is a more of a terrorist than Osama. Billie Joe doesn't quite sing as much, but the point is made. I expected better of these guys, and what a cheap way to revive one's career and get the respect of glue-sniffing 14-year-olds back.

And that is the line I tow with these bands making political statements. Musically, Green Day is sound and American Idiot rocks. But that is not what's important to me concerning this album.

Comment by Muddro

Thu, 23 Sep 2004 21:34:39 EDT

You're rethinking your love of the band because you don't agree? Perhaps it's because it's just that kind of bullshit that they're most likely blasting with American Idiot. Is it a good record or not? I thought it was. Your political views didn't help anyone who wants to know whether this record is any good.

Comment by JR

Sun, 19 Sep 2004 12:06:37 EDT

MEM: I have no problem with Green Day from a musical perspective. They can still make a great song with plenty of drive and energy; they haven't lost that. In fact, they maintain an adventerous musical ground without sounding boring like they did on most of Warning. Now that is the beginning of a good music review.

Comment by Mark Edward Manning

Sun, 19 Sep 2004 10:53:40 EDT

Eric O.: "politics aside do you like the album?" I have no problem with Green Day from a musical perspective. They can still make a great song with plenty of drive and energy; they haven't lost that. In fact, they maintain an adventerous musical ground without sounding boring like they did on most of Warning. But I saw no point in actually discussing the music on the album as I have other, greater concerns about it.

Comment by Aaron, Duke De Mondo

Fri, 17 Sep 2004 17:14:17 EDT

just about to post the review. I linked to this article.

Comment by Sammy Beckett

Fri, 17 Sep 2004 15:27:27 EDT

"There's man all over for you, blaming on his boots the faults of his feet."

Comment by BRICKLAYER

Fri, 17 Sep 2004 15:13:49 EDT

Don't let the door hit ya on the way out!

Comment by Aaron, Duke De Mondo

Fri, 17 Sep 2004 15:07:13 EDT

i loved this record. working on my review as of this minute. interesting take on it, Mark, although i don't see how a punk band making a political statement is much of a suprise. I'll link to you when i get my own review up, hopefully later tonight

Comment by Eric Olsen

Fri, 17 Sep 2004 14:52:12 EDT

thanks MEM - politics aside do you like the album?