Billie Joe Armstrong is stupid
16 Mar
“Introducing [Iggy Pop], Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day had described him as “the most confrontational singer we will ever see.’”- New York TImes 3/16/2010
Iggy Pop is the shit. I would never be foolish enough to argue against that. Iggy Pop is a legend because he expanded our expectations of a rock & roll frontman. Frantic, spastic and feral, Iggy Pop burst onto an heavily stoned rock scene and totally harshed everyone’s vibe. Just as James Brown redefined the archetype of a soul singer ten years earlier, Iggy made it impossible after 1972 to just be another pretty boy in skinny jeans clapping along or shrugging your shoulders to the beat. No longer could you stand awkwardly by as the rest of the band took their solos. It isn’t the Stooges, but this video gives you a pretty good idea of how electric Iggy was on stage.
Iggy left it all on stage, and god bless him for it. Sexy, wasted, totally empathetic- he’s total rock id in service to the groove. And if the world ended in 1975 then perhaps he could hold claim to the most in-your-face singer we’ll ever see. But it didn’t…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRJD3PLsh7Q&NR=1
Yes, Iggy was in your face, but he still inherently was on your side. GG Allin hated your fucking guts, and the more you claimed to like him, the more shit he’d throw in your face. And that’s no metaphor- he would shit on stage and throw it in your face (these antics and more can be seen in Hated: GG Allin and the Murder Junkies directed by Todd Phillips, better known for Old School and The Hangover). GG Allin hated everything about our society, from the sanctimonious to the hypocritical.
Which brings us back to Mr. Armstrong. Sure, you’re on stage, you’re inducting one of your idols on stage, but come on. Why even bother saying something so obviously bullshit? Are you really at a loss to find superlative things to say about Iggy Pop or The Stooges that aren’t total crap? If anything, the fact that so many (GG Allin, Blackie Lawless, Extreme Elvis, et. al) followed the example of Iggy and pushed harder and harder against the normative modes of behavior and performance is a testament to the man’s influence and genius.
But how the hell would Billy Joe know that? Green Day was always a simulacrum of a punk band as opposed to the real thing, and the more they exist the phonier they become. Broadway musical? Bite it, you scum.
I have to say, broadway Musical = fucking AWESOME.
you can say what you want about green day but really, dont go off saying he’s scum because he allowed his music to go to the theater. I’d do it too
theater is <3
Billie Joe is amazing. Along with everyone else in Green Day. <3
I don’t like Green Day either.
But
I saw that thing, and even I can say what he saying wasn’t bullshit.
Besides, your argument is stupid. You said Billie Joe couldn’t know; but if he couldn’t, how could you? According to you, unless you were Iggy Pop, you couldn’t understand. So you can’t–and then, that means that you can’t judge if Billie does or doesn’t.
Also, you’re saying that Iggy and other punk bands pushed against the norms. However, then you turn around and insult Armstrong for doing exactly that with Green Day’s play. Personally, I think it’s one of the most “punk” things that they’ve done.
It’s probably time to grow up a little, kid. Making fun of Green Day was funny the first time; now it just makes you look… Well, stupid.