Okay so prior to around 1 month ago, I followed Green Day like it was nobodies business.
But with the new album (21st Century Breakdown) coming out, and the promotion that it gets well, everywhere, I feel as if the band have really sold out. Okay, people have been saying that Green Day has sold out since 1994, or they say they aren't a Punk band or there's nothing Punk about them. I'd just like to say, on the positive side:
- Green Day are a Pop Punk band, Pop Punk is an offshoot of Punk Rock which (to me) developed in the late 80's/early 90's in California. They are seperated from punk rock due the often apolitical, sometimes humorous lyrics and more Pop-influenced sound, midtempo sound. Just because your Pop Punk doesn't make you Un-Punk. People respect NOFX as being a Pop Punk band, but people always call them Punks. Even "real punks" (ie. people that whine about Black Flag or The Clash)
- Green Day didn't kill punk, it was bands like The Sex Pistols and The Clash that did. Anyone with half a punk brain knows that Punk is based on a Do It Yourself ethic that includes the refusal to sign to major record labels, as this is a sign of selling out and the desire for money. When The Clash signed to CBS Records in 1977, everyone was furious, it showed that The Clash were in it for The Cash. One early speak out against Punk commercialism in the 70's was Anarcho-Punk collective Crass's song Punk Is Dead. Its lyrics pointed out to musicians such as Patti Smith, The Sex Pistols and The Clash signing to major labels and turning out a profit, turining into products of profit for the corporate labels.
- Back in 1994, ex-Public Image Limited/Sex Pistols lead singer John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) said that Green Day weren't Punks. Now Johnny has been a respectable, yet criticized figure among punk fans. His shocking appeal being most respected. But it should be noted the Lydon was quite the businessman, and sell out. In the mid-80's, when Public Image Limited were at their height, Lydon operated and owned sizeable amounts of real estate in Los Angeles. Most recently, he appeared in an advertisement for Country Life butter, he was largely mocked as a sellout but increased Country Life sales up by 85% the following quarter.
So it just comes to show, Green Day aren't the first Punk band to sell out;
1977: The Clash & Sex Pistols both sign to major labels
1978: Blondie released Parellel Lines, a straigtforward Pop album, The Clash's "Give Em Enough Rope" shows that the band have no aggresion. Just recession
1979: The Clash's London Calling shows nothing PunkRock about the band. Meanwhile groups such as Teen Idles and Crass start to point out the movement's flaws.
1980: 1st wave Punk fades away and the musicians either move on (Goth rock, Postpunk, Hardcore, Psychobilly ect.) or they sell out (New Wave).
1994: After a long wait "Punk Rock" returns to the mainstream. In the post-grunge mid 90's, this is an easy task. Pop Punk band's like Green Day and the proto-mall rock Blink 182 gain mass mainstream appeal. A backlash occurs withing the Punk movement with DIY Punks and aging 70's Punks claiming Blink and Green Day aren't punk. This is true as they are Punk Pop, which is an offshoot, much like Post-punk and Goth rock. Also Green Day are banned from some club in Berkely, California who's name I've forgotten.
1999-2003: Green Day enter a low period both commercially and musically, going on a"hiatus" for a couple years. Meanwhile, Mall Rock bands, influenced by Blink 182, hit the charts. These bands include Avril Lavigne, Sum 41, Simple Plan and Good Charollette among others. There is nothing punk whatsover about these bands, but they manage to be called Punk or Emo bands. Sadly.
2004: Green Day are back, American Idiot is a suprise success. The band are accused of selling out both their original and Dookie fans. But I'll admit, American Idiot is the band's second greatest album after Insomniac. To me, it was the first time since the 70s that a mainstream punk musician could really speak out. Mall Rock keeps climbing up the charts.
2005-2008: Green Day are done with American Idiot, do a tour and a couple of side projects for fun and not for money. Meanwhile Blink breakup and the Mall Rockers are topping the charts by 2007. I'll admit, Fall Out Boy had a couple of catchy songs but other than that they sucked. I'll remember the summer of 2007.
2009: Green Day have their album mass-publicized. Wherever I go theres something about Green Day that bothers me. They have an album put out in the worst, most corporate fashion. It makes me wanna die. Even worse, Blink 182 reforms, announcing public at... The Grammy's? How did they end up there? Plus why? Is this a good way to earn money or what!?
Punk Rock RIP | 1975-1976
