Sweet Children
Green Days story starts out in Rodeo, California.Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt (full name Micheal Ryan Pritchard)had been friends since the age of 10. At 14 they put a garage band together called Sweet Children, taking any gigs they could get at the punk clubs on Gilman Street. They recorded their first EP together(1,000 hours) in two days, while they were 17 and seniors in high school. Soon, Dirnt graduated and Armstrong dropped out, knowing school wasn't his thing, and started focusing more on his music. Soon the band grew out of the name Sweet Children and when Billie Joe wrote a song when he was high(called Green Day) the band permanently changed their name. Then the band settled in Oakland, where they made Green Days debut album, 1039 Smoothed out Slappy Hours, with drummer Al Sobrante (real name Jon Kiffmeyer)released by the independent label Lookout records. Jon left soon after to go to college (without telling Billie)and the band was without a drummer |
 |
|
Green Day
After Jon left they found a "friend in arms", Tre Cool (born Frank Edwin Wright the 3rd) who had played in a band called the Lookouts since age 12.
Tre mde his Green Day debut on Kerplunk the bands second album and sold 70 thousand copies on word of mouth alone.Green Day soon earned a following of punks and even before they signed to a major label, the had completed 5 nation wide tours in a renovated book mobile, crashing at friends and fans homes along the way. The bands first Reprise album, Dookie caused a huge uproar in the punk society, but at the same time introduced a whole new group of fans to punk rock as we know it. Green Days songs on that album, clocking in at only 39 minutes, about picking scabs, pyromania and masturbation had become unofficial teenage anthems. Dookie taught people to laugh at their insecurities and not be afraid to share them with the public. With Green Days immature outbursts at society, you can look into your CD collection and see that you still can't get rid of Dookie.
Family Life
Billie Joe Armstrong is now married to Adrienne Nesser with whom he has two children, Joey and Jacob.
Mike Dirnt is divorced from former wife Anastasia with whom he had Estelle Desiree, and is rumoured to be engaged to current girlfriend Sarah.
Tre Cool married Lisea Lyons in March 1995 and is now married to Claudia. He has two children. Ramona was born to Lisea and Frankito is born to Claudia.
New Band Poll!
|
Madness Home |
Green Day Biography |
Tour Dates |
Band Updates |
Contact Me |
Band Pictures |
Billie Joe |
Tre Cool |
Mike Dirnt |
Corkboard |
Guest Book |
Who Knew |
Tabs |
My Band