Tag Archives: Green Day

September 12, 2009

Lushie Church of Wishful Thinking Edition: Prima Donna = Foxboro Hot Tubs in the UK?

By Green Day Mind
Prima Donna Opens for Green Day in Europe

Prima Donna Opens for Green Day in Europe

I will admit that at times I am a card-carrying member of the Church of Wishful Thinking.* I can’t help it. I want to believe that all sorts of things are possible – world peace, the end of famine, a sane Republican Party, aliens – you know, stuff like that. Unfortunately, world peace is probably unattainable because people suck, the end of famine won’t happen because agribusiness is too strong, a sane Republican Party is currently an oxymoron, and aliens wouldn’t dare come to Planet Earth at the moment what with the shape that we’re in and all… though they would probably get a great exchange rate right now. The entire planet is half off!

However, some things can be inferred (right or wrong), and I would like to throw the rumor out there that somewhere in Europe (probably in England), the Foxboro Hot Tubs will play some secret shows.

How do I know? I don’t, but I present the following:
1. The Reverend Strychnine Twitch, lead singer of the Foxboro Hot Tubs and supposed lead singer and guitarist of Green Day, wrote in a May 30, 2008 FBHT blog post the following: “and with that said, thanks to all the Tub Heads for coming out for our first tour. Will there be more? I got you on my mind, england…STING!!!!! The Reverend Strychnine Twitch.”
2. Prima Donna, a great band from Los Angeles, will be opening for Green Day for the entire European tour.
3. Chinatown, one of the members of the Foxboro Hot Tubs, is rumored to be Kevin Preston, a member of Prima Donna.
4. Someone who will remain nameless and who saw FBHT on their tour last year, asked someone else who will also remain nameless and is a member of the Hot Tubs, if they were going to play in England at some point and the answer was in the affirmative.
5. Lastly, I just want it to happen something bad. If it happens on Green Day’s day off, Sunday, October 25th, this will be the icing on my wishful thinking cake. I’ll be in London that day after seeing Green Day the previous two nights at the 02. STINNG!!!

Like Mulder from the X-Files, I WANT TO BELIEVE.

We’ll see what happens.

The Lushie Gods be praised.

*See lyrics for East Jesus Nowhere

3 Comments   |  tags: , , , , | posted in 21st Century Breakdown World Tour 2009-2010, Foxboro Hot Tubs, Green Day's Other Bands, Opening Bands, Prima Donna

September 11, 2009

Green Day STRIPPED (Live)

By Green Day Mind

A widget from greenday.com featuring Green Day live. I believe this may have been filmed in France back in May.

[clearspring_widget title=”Green Day STRIPPED (Live)” wid=”4a2456535a17dfa6″ pid=”4aaa76d606c9e383″ width=”300″ height=”250″ domain=”widgets.clearchannelmusic.com”]

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September 7, 2009

The Next Single

By Green Day Mind

UPDATE:

Well, lo and behold, the next single is actually “East Jesus Nowhere.” I am happy.

From Greenday.com:

09-03 – 21ST CENTURY BREAKDOWN

Green Day will be filming a video for their next single “21st Century Breakdown” with director Marc Webb.
==============================================================================

I saw “21st Century Breakdown” and its opening companion piece, “Song of the Century” live four times this summer, as well as numerous times on Youtube. (Oh, what a love/hate relationship I have with Youtube due to copyright issues.) The performance posted below was filmed at Madison Square Garden on July 27th (and we’ll leave that at that). It was a fabulous show and my second time hearing 21CB live. Prior to my fourth time hearing it live at San Antonio, I literally found myself craving to hear the song live once more. In fact, when I think of going to London for two shows in October, I can think of almost nothing else besides hearing both “Song of the Century” (recorded) and “21st Century Breakdown” live again.

Many people, including me, predicted (or hoped) that the next single would be “East Jesus Nowhere,” a hard-hitting song about the vagaries of our modern-day religious system. It’s screeching, loud and indignant and I will say truthfully, captures all of the inner angst that I feel about organized religion with lyrics like, “Put your faith in a miracle… And it’s non-denominational…. Join the choir we will be singing… In the church of wishful thinking” as well as “I want to know who’s allowed to breed… All the dogs who never learned to read… Missionary politicians… And the cops of a new religion.” (Though sometimes I have to question myself about the breeding dogs line because I’ve actually thought worse sentiments at times. Just keeping it real, people, just keeping it real.)

Alas, EJN is not the new single, it’s going to be the terrific title song of the album, “21st Century Breakdown.” “21st Century Breakdown” in itself is a problematic song with lyrics such as “Born into Nixon, I was raised in hell… A welfare child where the teamsters dwelled…” and “Video games of the tower’s fall.. Homeland security could kill us all…”. Ouch. The lyrics aren’t as overt as “East Jesus Nowhere,” and the music behind them softens the blow by a bit. “21st Century Breakdown” is not a song to be taken lightly.

And when this song is played live, the house rocks out. Check it out below.

Drunk Bunny, “Song of the Century” and “21st Century Breakdown.” –

Madison Square Garden, July 27th, 2009

1 Comment   |  tags: , , | posted in 21st Century Breakdown (Album)

September 1, 2009

Storytime with Billie

By Green Day Mind

This is a bit messy, but I culled all of the Storytimes with Billie from a thread that I started at the GDC. I used to be a professional storyteller as a children’s librarian and actor, and performed in a few one-woman shows that I created back in the day. So these stories from Billie were special to me and always made me laugh. Some of them are random snippets he told throughout the show, but for the most part, Storytime with Billie occurred prior to the start of “Before the Lobotomy.” Here’s a messy list in no particular order for your enjoyment. Now, he’ll have to come up with some new ones for Europe!

Storytime with Green Day – or More Specifically, Billie.
1. Sunset Boulevard Fight with Adrienne and Brando.
MSG1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up1Q4KfFYRA
Los Angeles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y624MvbBBjI

2. Twins Convention on Acid
Via Whatsername868: “Tampa he said that they were driving once somewhere down near Mexico, and Tre had some acid so they all took some. That night they went to a hotel and would see a person, then turn around and see their double someplace else. Later they found out it was a Twin’s Convention.”

3. Pissing – Closet and Hanger, Albany: This story is hilarious and I have to find some video on it.
Thanks to greenday801440 for the video and the link! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4Qg98xicHk

4. Pissing – Guinness and Suitcase – Ireland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCFvr9MccF8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve7LL4KSYS4…feature=related

5. Pissing – Sleepwalking and Naked (Nashville, via TeenageLush): “Nashville he told the story at the beginning of are we the waiting, and it was something about how whenever he gets drunk he sleepwalks. Apparently they were staying on the first floor of a hotel and he end[ed up] sleep walking to the fifth floor and woke up butt as naked, Jason White walked it on him and was like, “ew”” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yDAYspxOVw

6. Sleepy in Copenhagen (an old one, but who wants to sleep with a head in a bottle?) MSG2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DytzpQ9TtFQ

7. Tattoo and Anal Sex with Ricky. Orlando: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qYoHz1WDzk

8. Skinhead Fight (I don’t remember where this story took place.)

9. Playing in a Harrisburg living room. He mentioned that there are Youtube videos of the band playing in a living room back in the day. Told at Pittsburgh.

10. Hamilton: via .:Whatsername:. “It’s been a long time hasn’t it? It’s been like half a fucking decade. What the fuck’s up with that shit? How are you all doing?! This is like family now, shit! Everybody here’s my fucking cousin. I never knew this but I’m Canadian.” He also did some shoutout to bands that they had played with in Toronto in like 1993 before “Are We the Waiting” and said “It wasn’t that long ago, but we waited around and here we are. Are “We the Waiting!”

11: Scared in Detroit (just a snippet) Via Angie-Marie, “the first time we played Detroit, I think it was 1990, I was like 18 and we played with the Generals, and Detroit scared the fucking shit outta me”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLpI-uawG6E

12.: The moral of the story of “She,” MSG1): Via lilacdreamer: “You know, the moral of the story is, is that when you’re in the heat of a passionate moment, with someone that you fucking love, you will fucking do anything for them. Its not just the fight to prove that you’re right, but it’s a fight that you fucking do it together to make it right. You know what I’m saying?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqG0rRNKxn4

13. Boston: via XCourt: Billie talked their early days when they played a show in Providence, RI (I think he also said that was their first show in New England, correct me if I’m wrong) and they met a guy (forget the name) who has been really good friends with the the band ever since and he was in the audience that night. That was Billie’s only anecdote for the night.

14. Philly: Via MascaraTears: before Before the Lobotomy, he was just talking to a guy who brought binoculars, and saying stuff like, “it would be the guy from jersey who brings binoculars.”

15: Fargo: via Taylor_k2008: “Billie explained that it was Green Day’s first official time playing in Fargo because they had to cancel the show there 10 years ago due to Tre’ having a foot fungus. Then after a bit – Billie was still talking and was like, “Hold on…something is sticking in my ass…” Then he tried to fix his mic box thing I think… then continued “…and that’s not the first time I had something sticking in my ass…actually, I think that it might have been Tre’s foot in my ass before.” Lol saying that’s probably why he got a foot fungus. That’s not word for word obviously – but that’s the best I can explain it. Haha. Close enough.”

16: Houston via Teenage Kicks!: “Houston was like…him talking about coming to Texas as Foxboro (which I was lucky enough to see! ) and how he “rode a bull named Lisa….and how she had nice….” then he said “uh nevermind” and started laughing. XD”

17: St. Louis: St. Louis’ story was about him drinking his brother’s urine when he was kid, and that’s he’s done it a few times in other situations since.

18: Family in Nashville introduction. Additional Nashville: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7CaxJ9jFCg

19. Billie with his Mom in Salt Lake City:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm0rAQvakrM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whf27IJ3Ur4

20. Kansas City, “Beautiful Girl”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k3iNKmTpYA

21. San Jose introducing Family: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebZcjYiE4H4

22: Minneapolis, Mankato and Adrienne: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wQojAb1Zx0

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , | posted in 21st Century Breakdown World Tour 2009-2010, Billie Joe Armstrong

August 28, 2009

Las Vegas in Black, White and Pink

By Green Day Mind

Ah, Las Vegas. What happens there of course stays there, and this is one of the shows that I most wanted to go to. I’ve never been to Vegas, and what better way to be introduced to the city of lust and money than to see Green Day? I can’t think of any other reason to go to Vegas, actually. Alas, it was not meant to be. My current adventures ended in San Antonio, sadly.

While I wasn’t able to attend, I did read about the show a bit on the IC and GDC Boards. I won’t go into details, except for one. From what I gather, this show had a very lively soundcheck with some hardcore fans who flew in from around the country, including a girl named Lauren, who had already been to a few GD shows on the East Coast. I was happy to learn that Lauren, with her ever-present “Nimrod” cone hat and her Ernie hand puppets, was successful in her quest to get Billie to sing a few verses of the lost classic from Warning, “Misery.” They rarely do this song at shows; it’s long and Cabaret-like, but worthy of performance every once in awhile. Embrace your inner Broadway, boys, I mean, aren’t you doing a musical or something, I hear? LOL. Maybe the AI cast can prank you or something and forced you to do it live one day? Hmmm…

This was the second attempt at a soundcheck, if I am correct, where fans persuaded Billie to sing a bit of “Misery.” Problem is, Billie doesn’t remember the words, I mean, who does? 🙂 I don’t know if the first group provided lyrics, but Lauren smartly wrote them on a sign, with Billie finally relenting to sing a verse or two. With Lauren, I really don’t think he had any other choice, she was on a valiant mission and did not fail us. Bwahaha. She was also mentioned in a review as a “grown woman” spotted in the crowd with an Ernie doll. Lauren isn’t even out of her teens yet. You go girl!

On a side note, I’m trying not to think about ROCKTOBER, big time, but London is calling.

Back to Las Vegas, though. Ryan O. from a site newly created by fans at Flickr (Green Day Flickr Group), posted some lovely black and white images of the band taken at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. See some highlights below while the entire set can be viewed here. Be sure to check out his other band photographs from Mandalay Bay while your at it.

Billie in motion, as usual:

Billie in Motion - Green Day, Las Vegas. Photo by Ryan O. from the Green Day Fan Flickr Group

Billie in Motion - Green Day - Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. Photo by Ryan O. from the Green Day Fan Flickr Group

Tré always keeps the beat:

Tré Cool Rules - Green Day - Las Vegas, 2009. Photo by Ryan O. from Green Day Flickr Group

Tré Cool Rules - Green Day - Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, 2009. Photo by Ryan O. from Green Day Flickr Group

Mike with my favorite of his basses, the black star on white with three hand-drawn XXX’s. They remind me of the city symbol of Amsterdam, one of my favorite places:

Mike and the Bass - Mike Dirnt, Green Day, Las Vegas. Photo by Ryan O. from the Green Day Fan Flickr Group

Mike and the Bass - Green Day - Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. Photo by Ryan O. from the Green Day Fan Flickr Group

There’s your black and white, and now to the pink: Billie and his boa. I posted a while ago about a red hot boa brought to Billie by Teenage Lush. It was a rich, deep red and well, Billie looks good in red.

I was hoping that someone would give him a giant Vegas showgirl tiara with swooping feathers, LOL, but there was something better. Billie brought his own hot pink and fluffy boa, according to eyewitnesses. He done did good. From a Youtube video, however, he didn’t wear it for too long into the song. It may have been just a bit too fluffly!

I swear, he reminds me of Marlene Dietrich sometimes:

Hot Pink and Fluffy - Billie Joe Armstrong - Green Day - Las Vegas, 2009. Photo by Cheryl McCloskey.

Hot Pink and Fluffy - Boa by Billie Joe Armstrong - Green Day - Las Vegas, 2009. Photo by Cheryl McCloskey.

Here’s a slightly “X-rated,” if you will, bit of “King for a Day.” I feel naughty just posting it. eek… it was LAS VEGAS, after all.

Ah, Vegas.

5 Comments   |  tags: , , , , , , , | posted in 21st Century Breakdown World Tour 2009-2010, Green Day Fans, Green Day Photographs

August 27, 2009

Highlights from the Breakdown: Los Angeles

By Green Day Mind

The pit in Los Angeles seems to have been the most crowded of the pits during Green Day’s North American tour leg. The crowd was fabulous, the band, well, you know.

Here’s a few videos:

She:

Brainstew:

21 Guns (Pyrotechnic favorite, the waterfall effect included):

Van Halen; Tight Wad Hill; When I Come Around (TWH Special thanks to DJ Rossstar for reminding Billie of the words):

Storytime with Billie and We Are the Waiting/St. Jimmy:

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August 26, 2009

It’s Bagpipes for the Scots

By Green Day Mind

Bagpipes and toilet paper. A perfect combination to send the Scots off the right way. No video yet, but here’s hoping! I love the bagpipes, one of the most annoyingly beautiful instruments out there. Absolutely adore them.

From what I hear, last night’s final Green Day show of the first leg of their 18-month World Tour was phenomenal – a sight and spectacle to behold. I wish I had been there, but there are a few fabulous videos (sorry, guys, I know this irks you a bit), so stay tuned for some highlights–though of course, the entire show was one spectacular time, I’m sure.

Really, I expect nothing less from this trio and their band of merry henchpeople. They are the best thing out there right now and for an agnostic, I feel quite blessed to be a fan of such a great band.

On another note, Billie got a bit too excited last night and plopped off the stage. There’s video somewhere, but I’m too lazy to find it again tonight. It was a bit shocking to see (but maybe not as shocking at the strange tufts of semi-orange hair that appeared on his head last night in Sacramento), that after all of the shows where he throws himself around like a ragdoll, he gets so excited that he just slips off the stage. Luckily, since he’s currently a mechanical man, he got right back up and continued on as if nothing happened, but I have to say: DON’T DO THAT AGAIN! LOL.

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August 26, 2009

This Is The End…

By Green Day Mind

I’m so glad we had this time together,
Just to have a laugh, and sing a song.
Seems we just got started and before we knew it
Came the time we had to say, ‘So long.’

It seems like eight short weeks ago that Green Day sprang back onto the concert circuit with their 2009 U.S. Tour. And you know what, it was only eight short weeks ago that they started out in Seattle, WA, through to Canada, a bit of the Midwest and back up to the Great North, through Yankee territory, down on to Philly and conquering D.C., to the South and Texas, Middle America, and the West Coast and the Sun Belt, and finally, ending it all last night in LA LA Land.

Do not fret as they make their North American goodbyes, for in a short month, they will begin the breakdown of Europe and all will be well!

In the meantime, there’s MTV’s Video Music Awards coming up, where Green Day will perform (9/13), and Green Day’s American Idiot also begins soon. It’s going to be a busy but laid back month and every one probably needs a break, you know, to sit down with the kids, take a long bath, say hi to the missus, stuff like that. And yes, the end of September brings them traveling out of the country at least through to January. Yes, they will be gone from America for such a long time, but the world needs them, too. LOL. At any rate, rumor has it that there will be a second U.S. tour leg sometime next year. So, Lord willing and the crick don’t rise, we’ll have them back again next year. Can’t wait.

Three Friends

Three Friends

Rest up, boys! Europe, Australia and Japan are waiting for you!

Green Day on television music show in Japan, June 2009

Japan Loves Green Day

*Photograph by unknown photographer. Green Day Authority Picture Vault. Video via Current TV and Green Day Authority.

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August 24, 2009

Franz Ferdinand, Prepare Thyself for Prank

By Green Day Mind

I was lucky enough to see all three opening bands, The Bravery, The Kaiser Chiefs, and Franz Ferdinand, perform on this first North American leg of Green Day‘s World Tour.

The Bravery’s performance stood out more for me primarily because of the massive pranks that took place on stage that night. Reviews had been quite mixed with the band as openers, but from what hear tell, they improved (loosened up, moved more, got haircuts) during their time with Green Day and truthfully, their set, besieged as it was the night I saw them by possibly “The Snoo,” was pretty good. Of course, this may have been helped by the fact that the prank was pretty damned good and true to their name, the Bravery took a valiant stand and unexpectedly pranked Green Day right back, even if they did run off squealing like girls when Billie Joe admonished them. Good on ya!

Green Day Pranks the Bravery, Albany, July 25, 2009

I saw the Kaiser Chiefs twice, and I really like the concept of this band, but I’m still not convinced on its performance in a large stadium. I must say, however, that I was fortunate to see an episode of the British teevee show, “Never Mind the Buzzcocks,” posted by the lovely Kryssi with KC lead singer Ricky Wilson, as the show’s host. I was impressed. Funny stuff. Watch here. Part I. Part II. Part III.

Of the three opening bands, I’d actually like to see the Kaiser Chiefs as the headliner, in a much smaller venue. Unless, of course, their next album comes with full brass orchestration! The prank that Green Day played on them at their last night in New Orleans was almost as swell as The Bravery’s last night in Albany, though without the toilet paper and complete with a New Orleans Brass Band that perfectly complemented Wilson’s voice. He does have a great voice.

Green Day Pranks the Kaiser Chiefs with Brass –

New Orleans, August 7, 2009

Here’s the thread at the Kaiser Chief’s Forum and fans reaction to the prank. Apparently they were hoping for toilet paper as well as the brass band!

Personally, my favorite band of the three was Franz Ferdinand. They were very tight, and musically brave for the most part. Their stage presence was pretty good (but what’s up with the bassist?), and I personally appreciated their style more than the other two. However, all three bands were solid, and I’m happy that I got the chance to see them all.

Franz Ferdinand Opening for Green Day, HP Pavilion, August 21, 2009

Tomorrow night, as Green Day leaves its first round of North American touring (please, there has to be a second North American leg!!!), it’s Franz Ferdinand’s turn to become puppets of the masters. I wonder what’s in store for them?

Hmmm…. we shall see.

Truthfully, it’s gonna be really sad to see Green Day go away for a little bit again.

Just watch out, Franz! They are coming to get you!

1 Comment   |  tags: , , , , , | posted in 21st Century Breakdown World Tour 2009-2010, Opening Bands

August 23, 2009

Highlights of the Breakdown: San Jose II

By Green Day Mind

In Albany and the two MSGs shows, Green Day entered the stage from backstage. In each of these shows, a recorded version of the first two parts or movements of 21st Century Breakdown, “Song of the Century” through to the title song’s course and repetitive “thuummpp, thuummpp” sound that echoes massively from the recording of Jason Freese’s piano. From there it goes live with Tré kicking in the drums, followed closely by Mike, Jason White, live Jason, and Billie and they are off to the races. (I’m not sure if Jeff plays an instrument here but he kicks in vocals.)

At San Antonio, Green Day entered the stage from the back of the AT&T Stadium.

It took them a while to walk from the back of the stadium around the aisle between the first row of seats and the stadium floor, to the front due to all of the high-fives and saying hi and shit like that (ha, “yo mike, what up!? “yo, man, doing a show!”) and by the time they arrived on stage to where my cohorts and I were at the very front of the barrier, the anticipation was palpable.

“21st Century Breakdown” sounded powerful and self-assured at all my shows, particularly for a slightly difficult and grandiose song with lots of beat and mood changes.

At the recent concert in San Jose, the stop closest to where Green Day hails in Northern California, this opening medley, as viewed below, sounds even more rich and deep and from the heart of a band happy to be back home to the whooping cheers of a hometown crowd.

Oh, and this time, they came up through the pit in the middle of the stadium floor. That takes balls! It’s dramatic the reaction that the crowd has to the band as they march through the crowd. Lucky San Jose!

“Song of the Century” and “21st Century Breakdown,”

Green Day, San Jose, CA, August 18, 2009

Of course, I was not at this San Jose show but from what I’ve seen and heard, it was the “Hartford of the West Coast,” if you will, only ten times more so; (sorry, San Jose AND Sacramento but L.A. took all kicked of your asses and took the the title, even, from reports, surpassing Hartford!). Also, the first highlight of San Jose is “Mother Mary,” which was talked about in an earlier posting.
*Found by way of Youtube.

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