The punk rock pension

Green Day grows old in
three chords

By Elliot Chan, Contributor

Pos Green Day was
once the genre’s semi-
questionable idol. After 24
years, eight studio albums,
and one Tony award-
winning musical, it’s hard
to distinguish which anti-
establishment act they stand
for today.

So it should be of
note that on September
22, three days before the
release of their ninth album,
jUno!, frontman Billie Joe
Armstrong ended a set in
Las Vegas abruptly when
a LCD monitor at the back
of the venue signaled them
to wrap-up 20 minutes
early. Armstrong was
outraged, smashing his
guitar after a cuss-filled
tirade and claimed that he
was mistaken for Justin
Bieber. Whether he made
the statement out of anger,
intoxication, or humour,
the fact was that the aging
rocker was concerned with
usurping artists and the
fading limelight.

Song titles from ;Uno!
such as “Nuclear Family,”
“Carpe Diem,” and
“Sweet 16” all hearken the
adolescent golden years.
The daunting prospect of
time weighs heavily on

ea 4

these unruly musicians, and
it translates to the music.
Such can be heard on “Kill
the DJ,” their second single
off the album, which adapts
a danceable beat intended
for the dominant pop-
loving demographic.

Meanwhile, mainstream
America is having an
obsession with trilogies.
From films to books to
albums, producing a series
in three parts has recently
gone from risky business
venture into guaranteed
success. But Green Day does
not see their new collection
as another commercial

Over the years, Green Days persona has
evolved from angsty shenanigans to political
objectors; but their music is a reflection of what
they are. So what exactly are they now?

bandwagoner. jUno!
released on September

25, jDos! is set to release
on November 13, and the
final installment ;Tré/ will
be available on January 15,
2013, apparently taking
inspiration not from the
contemporary, but from the
classic Van Halen trilogy,
Van Halen I, Il, and IIT
(1978-1998).

While other aging punk
bands (such as Bad Religion
and Rancid) try to sustain
solely on their organic style,
Green Day dares to explore

Ask an

new avenues. After all, they
were the band to create the
critically acclaimed rock
opera American Idiot back in
2004. They are not afraid to
veer from convention, but
conforming is what they’II
have to do now to endure
the ride over the hill.
But many
genres allow artists
to survive well
into their sonority
seniority. Look at
71-year-old Bob Dylan,
who released his 35th
album Tempest just this
month.
Should they make the

attempt, Green Day would
not be the first artist to jump
genres to avoid extinction.
For example, Kid Rock,
despite what you might
believe, was smart enough
to go from rap to country in
order to find an accepting
(and yes, existing) audience.
Over the years, Green
Day’s persona has evolved
from angsty shenanigans
to political objectors; but
their music is a reflection
of what they are. So what
exactly are they now? A day
after the incident in Vegas,

mh
vue

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Armstrong checked himself
into rehab for substance
abuse. In a statement
afterward, the band
apologized to the promoters
and any fans that had been
offended. It was punk rock
suicide.

    
   
        
   
   
       
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
   

The bad press
and concert
cancellations are

devastating
blows, but
nothing

new in

the

industry.
After all,

the ‘live fast, die
young’ mentality
only works for
those committed to
dying young. The
band is faced with
a midlife crisis.
If Green Day is
aiming to be the
Rolling Stones
of punk

rock, than
something’s gotta give.
Otherwise, expect an early
retirement plan for those
prolific punk rockers.

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My boyfriend and | are coming up on our two-year, and |
want to do something special for him. I've been looking for

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be unrealistic. Jo you have any tips for a saucy two-year
anniversary night?

- Laura Palmer

 

I've always been a big fan of Cosmo's sex tips—I find them to
be incredibly realistic and reasonable. The thing is, most men
don't know what they what, so it’s best to just surprise them!
For your romantic evening, greet him at the door naked, but
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down on the floor and pinch him all over with tweezers: if he
cries out, that means he likes it. Happy anniversary!

USC
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