Since the post punk explosion heralded by super-band Nirvana, few bands have had the success and influence that Green Day have had. With the 1994 major label release of their album Dookie, Green Day has brought the late 1970s pop-punk sound to a new generation of teens. Their music is frenetic with the three cord energy and style of post-punk pop and they have opened the door for countless other pop-punk, ska-rock and skater metal bands who have followed their lead.

Green Day heralds from Southern California, home of a thriving post-punk underground subculture. Billie Joe Armstrong (guitar, vocals) and longtime friend Mike Dirnt (orig. Mike Pritchard) began playing music together at the age of 14 and formed the band Sweet Children. In 1989 the duo, renamed Green Day, added drummer John Kiffmeyer and independently released their own EP, 1,000 Hours. The California hardcore punk scene embraced the EP and the band soon signed with local indie label Lookout. Green Day's first full-length album, 39/Smooth, was released later that year. Some time after this release the band replaced Kiffmeyer with their current drummer, Tre Cool (orig. Frank Edward Wright III).