Locomotive Music's The History of Green Day: Suburbia Bomb, much to the surprise of people who paid for this DVD, is just Pogo Paradise (which was released in 2002) with a new title and new cover art. If you've seen Pogo Paradise, chances are your heart sank when you saw the title on the screen.
It's a step back in time to the roots of the pop-punk darlings - Billie Joe Armstrong (lead vocals, guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass) and Tre Cool (drums). The documentary focuses on the early days of Green Day, going as far back to the days of Sweet Children, who were formed in 1988 by the sixteen year old pair, Billie Joe and Mike. By 1989, Tre Cool had joined the group, they recorded their first EP, 1000 Hours, and changed their name to Green Day.
I wish I could say that the DVD was worthwhile for diehard Green Day fans, but it isn't. It's cheaply put together, not easy on the eyes and features no Green Day music. Another disappointment is the fact that the total time of actual band interviews is, at the most, a minute and a half.
We are taken on a tour of Green Day's history by Jaan Uhelszki of Creem magazine (the only one who really seems to know what she's doing), Jesse Michaels of Operation Ivy, Winston Smith, who created the album art for Insomniac and, basically, others who really don't have anything of importance to say, including a random fan who claims he's "the biggest Green Day fan ever". Can we go "Aww.."? No, I didn't think so.
I'm trying really hard to give you an unbiased review here, but quite frankly, it's not possible. When the first thing you see on the screen is "This DVD contains no music performed by Green Day" on a documentary about one of your favorite bands, you have to wonder what the hell the creators of this were thinking. The DVD starts with a 30- second clip of a barely audible Green Day "interview" and that's all we hear or see of them during the hour long show (except for a very brief interview with the band at an awards show) until the very end when we get to see Green Day again. But wait! It's the same exact footage that we saw at the opening! Oh my god!
Article comments
1 - Phillip Winn
So none of the band's music, and less than a minute of the band on-screen? Yeah, this sounds really bad. Thanks for the warning!
2 - Jen-e
Okay, so the DVD sucks because the creators couldn't even afford the rights to Green Day's music, or any of their videos, or interviews, so that does make the DVD a little pointless. But the point of the DVD is not to have endless GD footage and maybe they should have said that on the DVD cover, or at least a little bigger.. But, I own the thing, and despite all of the above, I like it, and I'm a "diehard fan" to boot..I've always wanted to meet Jesse Micheals or see what Whinstin Smith looked like, and the fact that those people talked about Green Day made it even sweeter. It's just cool hearing about other people who are affilated with them. Just my opinion, ya know?
3 - Jones Violet
Yep, Phillip - it is pretty horrible. I'm guessing it's because it's an unauthorized biog, even though they claim to have "over forty minutes of unseen band footage and interviews". uhhh..not quite!!
4 - Chris Evans
I love Green Day. <3
5 - Jones Violet
Me too. The first band I ever saw live, and that was many, many moons ago.
6 - chris ward
Ok so an interview with Billie Joe's postman and a few people dragged off the street claiming to know somebody that knows somebody that knows Billie Joe's Auntie? Need I say more?
7 - fereshteh
hi my friend fereshteh from iran i love you billie joe. mr armstrong i love you
8 - Bob A. Booey
Hello, Fereshteh ... are you rockin the Casbah?
Jesse Michaels is a punk legend. Operation Ivy was probably the greatest underground punk band of the late 1980s. For those who don't know, Tim Armstrong (aka Lint) and Matt Freeman went on to form Rancid after OPIV broke up.
That is all.
9 - christine
hey no matter what green day is still the greatest band ever with the sexiest men in it, especially billie joe!! he is hot!!
10 - ailex stewart
i just want to say that i have heard alot bout this dvd and from what i hear it's a waste of money. i have been a green day fan for 10 years and i would't waste my money on it.
11 - Vicki_Billie_Luva!
Omg Billie is the hottest guy ive ever seen! He is so talented. At his concerts he always makes the crowd cheer for Tre and Mike, but what about him!!!! I swear if he took an opertunity for the crowd to cheer for him the whole place would fall down it would be so loud! I'm might get the DVD if i find it cheap somewhere but i wouldnt pay over £5 for it, since it hardly has any Billie on it at all!
12 - Noodle B
Thanx for the warning I was gonna order it but um.not anymore! I will wait until the Live at Milton Keynes DVD comes out so I can relive the day!
Thanx!!!!!!!!
P.S. GREEN DAY RULE AND WILL ONE DAY TAKE OVER THE WORLD!
13 - jess
amazin
14 - gia
Green day I love you!you're my life and I can't live without you!Isn't there anyone who speak with me?I'm italian
15 - gia
I love Green day!
16 - JONATHAN
I LISTEN GREEN DAY MORE THAN 10 years.AND I JUST WANNA SAY THAT ALL THE PEOPLE THAT PLAY AMERICAN IDIOT IS A IDIOT BECAUSE THE REAL GD MUSIC ARE IN CD´s LIKE KERPLUNK AND 1039 Smothedd of Slappy Hours ... THis Is The REal GReen Day !
I like american idiot to but is not the best work of GD.
INSOMNIAC MEABY IS THE PUNK CD POR EXCELLENCE IN GD.