With the Hamilton/Pence controversy still making headlines, there's been a lot of discussion about how much artists should use their platform for politics. However, Green Day broke that barrier long ago, and they're not about to stop now. They've already modernized their edgy, 2004 song American Idiot (off the album of the same name, also adapted as a Broadway musical) to feature anti-Trump lyrics, and during their performance of "Bang Bang" at yesterday's American Music Awards, they led a massive chant against Trump that had the audience crying, "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA," The move was surprising, electrifying, and likely risky (Fox News, for example, wasn't example a fan). Check out why right here:
"Bang Bang" is the lead single of Green Day's 12th album, Radio Revolution. Green Day doesn't reserve political discussion for their music, however. NME reported that in Kerrang! interview, Billie Joe compared Trump to Hitler. “The worst problem I see about Trump is who his followers are,” the frontman stated, “I actually feel bad for them, because they’re poor, working-class people who can’t get a leg up. They’re pissed off and he’s preyed on their anger. He just said, ‘You have no options and I’m the only one, and I’m going to take care of it myself.’ I mean, that’s fucking Hitler, man!” An interview with Noisey also demonstrated the band's no-holds-barred attitude, with Billie Joe comparing white supremacists in the Republican Party to rats.
We're thrilled to see Green Day using freedom of speech/song to its fullest potential. Long live punk rock!
