This one was written by late great journalist and publicist Marc Spitz who passed away in 2017. When I bought this book I actually wanted to learn more about phenomenon of Green Day, their success, rise and almost fall and then rise back. Most of all I wanted to find out an answer to my question, are they still punk or aren’t they? How much does it take to ‘sell out’ and betray the scene and ideals, did they really or is it just a mantra that is always present in this our little punk hardcore scene. Is signing up to major label betrayal? How much does it take to compromise and change your music due to request from your label bosses and men in corporate suits?

Well, this book is biography of this band, from their starts and playing at Berkeley, California and first two albums and history with legendary pop punk label Lookout Records, whose main man Larry Livermore says a lot about in this book. Besides main three protagonists, Billie Joe, Mike and Tre, lots of other punk scene alumni say a lot in this book, for example Fat Mike(Nofx/Fat Wreck), Brett Gurewitz(Bad Religion/Epitaph Records) and many more. Then of course there are major label years from Dookie to almost falling out and break up prior to first concept pop punk opera, album American Idiot, with this album this book also ends up, although there are couple of years and albums after that made this band still arena attraction. What I would like more is anecdotes from touring and some unknown and weird/funny stuff. There are couple situations here in the book like infamous Woodstock 94 mud show, trouble with shitting on balcony and beef and eternal war with The Offspring of which I would certainly like to find out more. But, did I find out the answers from the beginning of this review? Yes and no. Are they still punk? Yes and no in my opinion. They definitely kept their punk roots mixed with pop influences that Billie Joe had since his early childhood when he recorded his first single as a five year boy. Is signing to major betrayal? I would not do that with my band because there are enough let’s call them underground major labels like Fat Wreck, Epitaph and couple more to stay on them an keep your integrity. Are Green Day band with couple of anthological pop punk albums and hits, also with couple of crappy ones? Yes they are. Okay book, but nothing really insightful.

3/5