See also: Green Day's New Song "Epic as F*ck"? Not Even Close. See also: Throwback Thursday: Green Day's Dookie
When I was told by my editor to allow some room for a Green Day blurb, my first thought was "How awesome! It's like getting to write about how a former love stole my television and left me high and dry." Therapeutic, yet conflicting. I scrounged through my shabby CD collection for something I haven't heard in a while. Something I would have to blow the dust off of. Something that was so deeply ingrained in my psyche, it would instantly catapult me back to my rebellious days of shoplifting and glue sniffing. What was this magical album you ask? It was the first Green Day album I ever bought, 1,039 Smoothed Out Slappy Hours.
For all you youngbloods who think Green Day made their bones shortly after American Idiot, think again. The snotty, raw, pre-Tre Cool-Green Day of my childhood would make your head spin.
There was no pretentiousness. It bears little resemblance to the Green Day of today, but then again, that's what I love about it. Songs like "At the Library" and "Paper Lanterns" were some of the greatest songs ever written by Billy Joe, who mastered the sell-out three-chord song better than any band in the history of punk, save solo Sid Vicious.
And it's not just the early albums that captivate: If you don't own Warning, the band's 2000 effort, I suggest you head to your nearest record store and pick up a copy. It was undoubtedly their most ambitious and musically diverse album. But don't allow the vomitous irony of soon-to-be dance hits like "Kill The DJ" be lost on you. Now allow me to step off my old-man soap box.
Green Day will be making the rounds again, to showcase their latest album trifecta, and supposed "return to roots" !Uno !Dos! Tres, set to drop like some time-released psychotropic drug over the course of the next few months. The last time I saw them in concert, they finished their epic set by setting their instruments ablaze on stage, but this time I'll settle for a decent rendition of "2,000 Light Years Away". And their tour... well, let's just say their Monday, December 10, show at The Marquee Theatre will be akin to getting the opportunity to cradle Mike Dirnt's goods while he jams to some of Green Day's most memorable songs.
Check out more just announced gigs:
You won't find a more intimate venue on their tour, as they will no doubt be hitting some giant arenas around the world. So don't be an American Idot. Take advantage of this -- tickets go on sale Friday, September 14, via Luckyman Online.
Blitzen Trapper: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 8 p.m., $13/$15. Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602‑265‑4842.
Joe Brooks: With Joseph Vincent, & Mike Mains and the Branches, Monday, Nov. 12, 8 p.m., $13/$15. Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602‑265‑4842.
Sera Cahoone: With The Parson Red Heads, Sunday, Nov. 18, 8 p.m., $10/$12. Sail Inn, 26 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe, 480‑966‑9565.
Angger Dimas: With DJ Thomas James, & DJ Silent J, Friday, Nov. 30, 10 p.m., $10. Wild Knight, 4405 N. Saddlebag Trail, Scottsdale, 480‑213‑9500.
Dirty South: Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 p.m., $15. Axis/Radius, 7340 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale, 480‑970‑1112.
Exitmusic: Friday, Oct. 19, 9:30 p.m., $10. Trunk Space, 1506 Grand Ave., Phoenix, 602‑256‑6006.
Gentleman Jesse and His Men: Saturday, Nov. 17, 9 p.m., free. Yucca Tap Room, 29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe, 480‑967‑4777.
Green Day: Monday, Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m., $62. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480‑829‑0707.
Horse Feathers: Sunday, Dec. 9, 8 p.m., $12. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix, 602‑716‑2222.
MarchFourth Marching Band: Friday, Dec. 14, 8:30 p.m., $14/$16. Crescent Ballroom, 308 N. 2nd Ave., Phoenix, 602‑716‑2222.
Metalocalypse's Dethklok: With Machine Head, & Black Dahlia Murder, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 5 p.m., Price TBA. Marquee Theatre, 730 N. Mill Ave., Tempe, 480‑829‑0707.
Smoking Popes: With Luther, Saturday, Nov. 10, 9 p.m., $14. Sail Inn, 26 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe, 480‑966‑9565.
The Sword: With Gypsyhawk, & American Sharks, Friday, Dec. 14, 8:30 p.m., $14/$16. Club Red, 2155 E. University Drive, Tempe, 480‑966‑4733.
Toys That Kill: With The Fuck You Ups, Mangled Men, Robot (Re)par, & more, Monday, Nov. 5, 9 p.m., free. Yucca Tap Room, 29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe, 480‑967‑4777.
Typhoon: With Laura Gibson, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 8 p.m., $10/$12. Sail Inn, 26 S. Farmer Ave., Tempe, 480‑966‑9565.
Winter Jam Tour Spectacular 2012: With TobyMac, RED, Sidewalk Prophets, Jamie Grace, Chris August, Group 1 Crew, Jason Castro, Dara Maclean, Capital Kings, & more, Saturday, Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m., $10. US Airways Center, 201 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix, 602‑379‑2000.
Young Prisms: Monday, Nov. 19, 8 p.m., $10. Rhythm Room, 1019 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, 602‑265‑4842.
