I believe that their are at least three bands that, not only are highly influential on the Green Day sound, but that can claim some aspect to the “nation’s most prolific composers of punk operas.” The Jam, though you’d have to ignore the fact that they are from a different nation, wrote thematic records much in the style of thematic Kinks and Who albums, with “Setting Son” being an incomplete concept record. The Descendents wrote thematic records about the philosophy of “ALL”. And, Husker Du went beyond writing thematic records with “Zen Arcade” the worlds first hardcore rock opera.
On March 25th, 2009, I attended the one and only screening of “Heart Like a Hand Grenade” at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, California. Directed by John Roecker "Live Freaky! Die Freaky!"😉, the film is a two-hour documentary of the making of Green Day’s 2004 record American Idiot.
“Heart Like a Hand Grenade” was the perfect mix of studio banter, recording, songwriting and rehearsals, blended together with clips from the band’s first performance (in support of American Idiot) on September 16th, 2004, which, of course, I attended.
Rather than recite the entire 120-minute masterpiece, I will put the spotlight on my four favorite parts:
Watching Billie Joe alter and add lyrics to the song “Letterbomb” (originally called “Clusterbomb“) was unbelievable. In my opinion, Billie Joe is (in my opinion) the best lyricist of all time and to see his mind at work sent shivers down my spine.
Another highlight was seeing Billie Joe record vocals for a few of the songs without any music behind him (He was listening to the music in his headphones, which we couldn’t hear.) The man has an incredible voice, that nobody can emulate, and to hear his voice on its own was something I‘ll never forget.
Towards the end of the film, Billie Joe performed a song that was left for American Idiot. No Green Day fan had heard this song before … ever. A slow, acoustic number, the song was honest and heartfelt. Although the lyrics were hard to decipher, it was obviously a love song, most likely written for his wife Adrienne.
I am on the Green Day message boards everyday and it’s nice to know Billie Joe reads the boards too from time to time. One clip in the film shows Billie Joe mocking haters on the boards, repeating lines he’s read such as: “Warning sucked. That was their worst album.” "Kerplunk! Was their only good record.” “Green Day need to make another record like Dookie.” “Green Day’s music sucks now, but Billie Joe is sooo hot.” And my personal favorite, which I have read time and time again … “Why do Green Day get fat when they aren’t on tour and then get skinny when they go back on tour?”
American Idiot ends with “Whatsername” … my favorite song on the record and the one that fills me with the most emotion with each listen. Billie Joe actually cried in the film, for the first and only time, while listening back to the song. It’s at this moment that you can tell how honest and real his lyrics truly are. He writes from the heart.
The film ends with a 10-minute jam session by the band, featuring Billie Joe on drums, Mike Dirnt on bass and Tre Cool on vocals. It’s a hilarious song about drinking that is intertwined with short little clips that were left out of the film. At the very end of the movie I was left speechless. I had just witnessed something most will never get to see. John Roecker has no plans to release the film in any other theaters, online, or even on DVD.
The theater was packed with Green Day fans from all over the country. One woman flew all the way from Germany just to witness the creation of (in my opinion) the greatest record of all time. It was a reunion of fans I’ve seen at every Green Day show in the past and will see again during the 21st Century Breakdown tour this May.
As a bonus, Roecker created small programs for the film. One page in particular is the original track list for American Idiot. Notice how different it is from the finished product:
American Idiot
Jesus of Suburbia
Holiday
Blvd. of Broken Dreams
Are We We Are
St. Jimmy
Bagdad
Clusterbomb
Wake Me Up When September Ends
We’re Coming Home Again
Whatsername
I am still in shock over “Heart Like a Hand Grenade” and I can’t wait for Green Day’s new record, 21st Century Breakdown, on May 15th.
DJ Rossstar
Originally posted by The Grey Foxits just taste
I don't get why Slay only likes music that is really complicatedWhy can't he just enjoy music on a personal level
All these Progressive Hardcore Psychadelic Death Doom Metal bands say nothing to me about my life, even if they are pretty good
like i dont understand how these Akons and Kanye Wests sell millions and are in charts all the time
i mean who buy these songs? its just a taste thing
like some people found it weird that i like dark chocolate
i remember in business studies we did a survey and im like the only one awehawe its like a sexy chocolate
whats not to understand