A Random Green Day Thought....

[revid]

Since I got DSL and my shiny new iMac G5, I've been semi-obsessively collecting GD concert videos...I'm up to about 45 now, plus or minus. This is clearly to compensate for the fact that I've actually seen the boys live........once.

Over the last few days, I've watched several videos from 1990 to 2005, and made the observation that the 33 year old Billie Joe Armstrong is far more like the 18 yo BJA than the 22/23 yo or the 28/29 yo is. There's a lot more joy in the early and late periods. As to why that is, well, this is an awfully facile answer, but I think drugs may have had something to do with it. They were just so obviously tweaking through the 90s, in addition to acting like they were trying to prove something to somebody. Growing up has certainly helped.

They just look like they're having so much more fun now. Thank God.

And they're so much better looking now, too.

Comments

[mikeyface.livejournal.com]

Those were some awesome observations! They sound pretty accurate too! Yeah, I did notice that BJA was a bit tweaked out in the 90's! lol :)

Oh yeah and MUCH better looking! They get hotter by the day ♥

[luthien123.livejournal.com]

It's true, I did notice these things. When you watch the videos of young Green Day, especially Billie (and I was much to young to actually see these shows, so I have to watch videos), they seem so happy to be there, full of life and energy and just, radiating joy. And in the newer videos, like BIAB and such, they recapture that exhuberent atmosphere.

But that feeling is missing from the middle period shows, somewhat. They seem angerier, harsher. (but they are still awesome shows :P) I think drugs are a likely culprit. Perhaps they "over indulged" due to the fallout from becoming so famous so quickly, and dealing mentally with the label of "sell out" that had been imposed on them (I know they SAY it doesn't matter, but it must have affected them, you can even see them coming to terms with it various songs- Walking Contradiction anyone? Walking Alone? and, of course, Good Riddance.) But they seem very well adjusted now, in a much better place. And I must say, I am sooooo happy for them. They never deserved the shit people dealt out for them. Hehe long comment, but this was an interesting subject, one I've thought about a bit as well...oh, and 45 videos? I don't have nearly that many. think you could send me some maybe :P?

[revid.livejournal.com]

Good point about the various songs, and 86 is all over that topic too. They didn't smile alot in the Dookie/Insomniac/Nimrod/Warning shows, but it struck me watching the Top of the Pops video that Billie Joe was grinning like a Cheshire Cat the whole time.

Any videos in particular you crave? Actually, here's a great one if you don't have it: http://www.sendspace.com/file/lqcysk (450 MB)

It's a bootleg from the Apollo theater in London 7 Feb 05, on the 2nd night where they did AI instead of the usual set list. It's great quality. I have the 4 GB DVD version, but I created a smaller mpeg version for someone on GDA. Your best bet to play it is with VLC. http://www.videolan.org/vlc if you don't have i

[revid.livejournal.com]

ITA. I caught a rerun of GD doing Warning on Mad TV recently, and had I not known better, I would not have believed Billie Joe was that guy playing guitar. It's amazing what losing 25 pounds and getting a new haircut can do for you!

(Hmmmmm...note to self.... :-) )

[mikeyface.livejournal.com]

LOL! Yeah, it really is! I remember that clip! ♥

[luthien123.livejournal.com]

I created a playlist once of songs that could be taken as coping with the topic...not that it's *all* they were about. But there are a lot, and it's interesting...

He, oh thank you! I'm downloading now...I don't have those shows. I *wish* I knew specific shows I wanted, but to tell you the truth I don't. All I can say is, anything you thing is particularly amazing would be great, especially real early stuff. But no pressure or anything, lol. Dinner!