Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tre Cool are a part of the punk rock band Green Day, formed in California. These three guys were all born and raised in California, Billie and Mike having known each other since childhood. Other punk bands such as DOA, TSOL and the Dead Kennedys have inspired this band. Going under the name "Green Day" in 1989, they have succeeded greatly through five albums and their popularity has grown. Through the nine years that they have been together, Green Day has grown a lot in maturiy and music. Form their first rookie album, "1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours", to their most recent millions-sold album, "Nimrod", the band Green day has obviously come a long way. Within this biography, you will learn how Green Day began and how they have changed for the better.
Longtime friends, Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt began in their music careers with the formation of the band "Sweet Children" at fourteen years old, in Rodeo, California. Later, in 1989, they decided to add drummer Al Sobrante (also known as John Kiffmeyer) to their band "Sweet Children". Soon after, they changed their name to "Green Day". In 1989, they released their first single, "1000 Hours", their most popular song off their first album, "1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours". Green Day soon signed with a local label, Lookout! Records. Everything was going well for Green Day, until John Kiffmeyer decided to leave for college. They replaced Kiffmeyer with Tre Cool, chosen by Lawrence Livermore, founder of Lookout! Records. Tre Cool would become the permanent drummer of Green Day. In 1992, they released their second album, "Kerplunk". They realized they were ready to be signed onto a larger label and signed with Reprise Records. Soon afterwards, in the spring of 1994, they would release their third album "Dookie" and would reach a new peak of success. This album contained three of their most famous songs to date, "Longview", "Basketcase" and "When I Come Around". This alubm seemed to be Green Day's overnight success. "Longview" played on MTV repeatedly and "Basketcase" spent five weeks on the top of American modern rock charts. In the summer of 1994, Green Day played at Woodstock, causing sales of "Dookie" to greatly increase. Their fourth single off of "Dookie" was "When I come Around" and it had a seven-week stay at the top of American rock charts in early 1995. In the US, "Dookie" sold five million. Green Day was finally starting to feel the rewards of their hard work. Eventually, sales of "Dookie" topped eight million in the US and eleven million internationally. "Dookie" also won a 1994 Grammy for "Best Alternative Music Performance". Their fourth album was "Insomniac", released in the fall of 1995. During the summer, they also hit number one with "J.A.R.", their contribution to theAngussoundtrack. "Insomniac" was number two on the U.S. Charts and sold two million in the spring of 1996. Two favorites of this alubm were "Brain Stew/Jaded" and "Walking Contradiction". Unfortunately, "Insomniac" was not as popular as "Dookie" In the spring of 1996, Green Day cancelled their European Tour due to exhaustion. Notmuch was heard from Green Day after the cancellation. They spent the rest of the year resting and writing new material. Ther released their latest alubm "Nimrod" in 1997. This album would include the hits "Hitchin' A Ride" and "Good Riddance/Time of Your Life". "Good Riddance/Time of Your Life" would receive a spot on Billboards Top 40 Charts. Green Day also took place in Edgefest 98, a Canadian alternative music tour, and traveled through different cities in different provinces. They were one of the only American bands that took part in the Canadian tour. As well, a cool remix of "Brain Stew/Jaded" can be heard on the "Armageddon" soundtrack. Their most recent award was for the 1998 MTV Award for "Best Alternative Video".