On a new episode of WTF with Marc Maron Podcast, Marc is joined by Billie Joe Armstrong to talk all about Green Day’s headlining global tour, celebrating the 30th anniversary of their breakout album Dookie, the 20th anniversary of American Idiot, and the release of their new album Saviors.
LISTEN NOW: WTF with Marc Maron Podcast — Episode 1503 - Billie Joe Armstrong
Plus, how through it all, Billie Joe has tried to keep a healthy distance from fame while fronting one of the biggest bands of all time. Billie Joe and Marc talk about melodies, power pop, R.E.M., the Bay, his bandmates, and how he’s still learning songs on YouTube.
Despite Green Day’s very specific Punk and Pop influenced sound, often generating flack for them claiming the Rock genre, the band has stood the test of time, as they celebrate a handful of major milestones. While discussing Green Day’s penchant for poppier hooks and using more than 3 chords, Billie expressed, “everything that we’ve always tried to do has always been pure at heart, when it comes to melody, that is what came natural to me… I love melodies, I love melodic songwriters… I love power pop.”
“When we started playing our version of Punk Rock… there was no road that was open that would take you to where we are now, or what happened with Dookie.”
“With American Idiot, there was a new aesthetic for us," Billie Joe later added, “I would say even fashion… the music was starting to influence us as far as… me wearing a black shirt and red tie. Sort of these really iconic imagery and stuff like that… there was intent to it.” He continued, “I wouldn’t say we reinvented ourselves, but it was a time where yeah, we reinvented ourselves.”
For all that and whole lot more, including what Billie had to say about the making of their latest album, listen to the entire conversation on the free Audacy app.