Billie Joe Armstrong on the power of the World Cup and why Green Day are “not a political band”

Billie Joe Armstrong has spoken out on the power of the World Cup and explained why Green Day are “not a political band”. READ MORE: The Big Read – Green Day: “We live our lives as if we have nothing” In a new interview with the LA Times, Armstrong spoke about the evolution of their career. Their major-label debut and best-selling album to date, 1994’s ‘Dookie’, touches on themes such as boredom, anxiety, depression and much more. “We were not about politics at all – even though we came from an outspoken scene,” Armstrong said of their early career. “It was just a really crazy time.” However, with the release of 2004’s ‘American Idiot’, Green Day were inspired by the tumult of 9/11 and the Iraq War. Later albums such as 2016’s ‘Revolution Radio‘ continued this political streak, drawing from the band’s anger at the rise of President Donald Trump. Armstrong remarked that ‘American Idiot’ “came out of nowhere”, explaining: “It was done with heart and from a place of total confusion about why the world is changing and this dark and ugly place and I think that rings true, especially right now”. However, he added that he “felt really proud of America” while watching the World Cup. The to...