When They Come Around

Green Day has come a long way from a couple of 15-year-olds in Berkeley, California, smoking too much weed. Originally a teenage punk band called Sweet Children, the band has constantly re-invented itself over its 22-year existence (a virtual eternity in rock 'n' roll), winning new fans, losing old ones,...

By P. Scott Cunningham

July 30, 2009

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Green Day has come a long way from a couple of 15-year-olds in Berkeley, California, smoking too much weed. Originally a teenage punk band called Sweet Children, the band has constantly re-invented itself over its 22-year existence (a virtual eternity in rock 'n' roll), winning new fans, losing old ones, and then regaining the old ones and losing the new ones. They've also pissed off a number of their influences, including Johnny Lydon, who was aghast that Green Day referred to themselves as punk, and some younger rock stars who bristle at alleged thievery (Noel Gallagher, Brandon Flowers).

But whatever they're doing, it's working. Their newest album, 21st Century Breakdown, is another critical success, and fans don't seem to mind that they refuse to stick to one particular genre.

Expect an audience that spans from teeny-bopper to 40-something, and bring a lighter.
Tue., Aug. 4, 8 p.m., 2009

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