Ace's Web World Network: Books | Edu | Pool Sitemap | Music Home: Posters T-Shirts | Sports: MLB NBA NFL | NASCAR | Poker
Green Day had its origins in the group Sweet Children formed by childhood friends Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt in Rodeo, California when they were 14 years old. Drummer John Kiftmeyer was added to the group later and their name was changed to Green Day after one of their songs. The group independently released their first EP, 1,000 hours, in 1989. It was well received in punk circles. Soon after, they signed with independent label, Lookout! Records, run by Larry Livermore, and released their first album, 39 Smooth. Kiftmeyer announced that he was going to leave the group to attend college and suggested the band replace him with his former tutor, Tre Cool.
Kerplunk, Green Day's second album, was an underground success, and the group's cult following continued to grow. Next, they signed with Reprise Records. Dookie, their first release with a major label, was released in 1994.¹
"There's nothing wrong with being a loser, it just depends on how good you are at it." ~ Billie Joe
"Punk is not just the sound, the music. Punk is a life-style." ~ Billie Joe
"The album is as vibrant, powerful, and strong as any in the band's discography." ~ Lou Friedman, Music Today on American Idiot