American millionaire punk types Green Day have spoken about their new musical production of ‘American Idiot’.
Green Day had sunk into irrelevance when they released ‘American Idiot’ back in 2004. The band’s heyday was long since behind them, their talent dissipating into a series of songs that alternated between toilet humour and hectoring political balladeering.
Yet from nowhere the group became one of the biggest on the planet. Green Day’s concept album ‘American Idiot’ seemed to capture the moment when the world grew sick of United States neo-Conservatism.
Spawning the huge title track hit single, ‘American Idiot’ remains one of Green Day’s most spectacular successes. The band recently chose to re-visit the album as a new musical, which opened on Wednesday night (September 16th).
The trio attended the production alongside family, friends and well-wishers including producer Butch Vig. Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine Green Day claimed they felt no pressure ahead of the musical’s debut.
“I had no concerns,” frontman Billie Joe Armstrong explained. “I was interested and flattered to meet (director) Michael Mayer. We were floored by (Mayer’s 2006 musical) ‘Spring Awakening’ so there were no worries.
“I think this is a broader version of the album. We started with (characters) Johnny, St. Jimmy, and Whatsername, and Mayer added Will, Tunny and Heather. Your heart goes out to them.”
Bass player Mike Dirnt warned journalists that Green Day won’t be reading any reviews of the show. “You can’t or else they effect how you feel about your own work,” he said. “I learned the hard way.”
Green Day recently released their new album ’21st Century Breakdown’ earlier this year. Click HERE to read our review!
