Green Day Therapy

About six weeks ago, Flannista posted on Facebook how much she was into Green Day's new album, "21st Century Breakdown."  Intrigued, Jerseysista, wanted more info, so Flann sent Jersey Green Day's last two albums:  "21st Century Breakdown" and "American Idiot."  Click here to view the latest video from "21st Century Breakdown."  It totally rocks.  Below is the title video from "American Idiot" (it's only three minutes long) followed by a post from Jerseysista about what Green Day's music taught her.  Thanks, Jerseysista!

My therapist taught me that suppressed anger really isn’t suppressed. It comes out in the body’s muscles, in the stomach’s acids, as plaque in the arteries.  She also said that depression, much of the time, is anger that is turned on oneself instead of being rightly directed elsewhere. I struggle with this sort of misdirection of anger. I have great admiration for those who have healthy self-respect that enables them to be angry without repression or self-recrimination.

Billie Joe Armstrong is one of those –- or so I like to think. He’s the lead vocalist and lead lyricist for the band Green Day.  Since Billie Joe and I have never met, I have no idea about his mental health, but it’s hard to imagine a better representation of productive, healthy anger than is displayed in Green Day’s latest two albums. The band is downright, cheerfully, angry.

These albums are what anger should be -- released without lingering side effects -- expressed, and feeling good about the expression. Most punk and head-banging rock is anger that only further riles the bitterness of all who hear and express it. Usually rock anger feeds on itself but Green Day’s anger is different: it exuberantly burns itself out as if to say, “There! Truly said!”

The band does this by allowing the melody and lyrics to dominate the crash and bang of the instrumental anger. When you hear Billie Joe’s voice you think you have been transported back to the early English invasion of the 60’s. The silly vocal tones of Herman’s Hermits and the Royal Guardsmen come to mind, but the voice is singing folk and soft ballad rock melodies while punk crashes in the background. It’s hard to pin down Billie Joe’s style. It’s Dylan and Baez, Sting and Coldplay; it’s Irish folk melodies with intelligent lyrics about stupidity, arrogance, responsibility, betrayal, blood and hand grenades. The instruments are angry. The voice tells you it’s all good.

Green Day has found the way to express their anger. I have found a new therapist: Billie Joe Armstrong.

And the Sassistas! have found a new critic of head-bangin' music -- Jerseysista!  We love her sassessment of Green Day's music.  What head-bangin' music (specifically, head-bangin' -- not classical or any other genre) do you turn to for therapy?

Comments

[Flannista]

I LOVE GREEN DAY. Let me be more emphatic:

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE GREEN DAY -- even their guy liner.

This band completely, unreservedly, absolutely helps me to process my anger. Jersey's assessment nails it for me. When I learned that she had never EVEN HEARD OF GREEN DAY (What? Isn't she a living, breathing, thoughtful human being with good taste in sipping tequila?) I knew I had to get their last two albums to her. Within hours of receiving them, I could hear her rockin' through cyberspace.

I'll be posting more on the impact of their music throughout the day as well as another band that gets me through the day and night: NINE INCH NAILS.

Rock on, Jersey. I'm working out to GREEN DAY this morning in your honor!

[half-a-sista]

Green Day's music sounds okay. I can't understand the words though, too loud, too much guitar. I get the angry part.

I turn to Aretha Franklin when I'm pissed and want to scream, sing, protest. Songs like RESPECT and Think get my blood boiling. I may have to buy a Green Day CD with the words so I can understand what they are saying, other than American Idiot.

The video was cool.

[Jerseysista]

I would have chimed in sooner but I got side-tracked watching that video again (and I over-slept).

What is it about this music? The tunes get stuck in my head like Broadway snippets but they are raucous and angry lyrics. You would think the band would be screaming and out of control but, no. If you listen, it’s all a crafted and conscious message. It’s what I aspire to do with my anger: express it intelligently and rightly.

[Jerseysista]

half-a try this one. It shows that "Herman's Hermits" quality I mentioned (well, at least at the beginning). http://www.last.fm/music/Green+Day/_/¡Viva+la+Gloria%21

[Jerseysista]

This one draws on 1930's German cabaret style: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxxyKqWw_J0

[Flannista]

half-a -- here are the lyrics to "American Idiot," the video featured in Jersey's post:

Don't want to be an American idiot.
Don't want a nation under the new mania
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mind fuck America.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.

Well maybe I'm the faggot America.
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda.
Now everybody do the propaganda.
And sing along to the age of paranoia.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.

Don't want to be an American idiot.
One nation controlled by the media.
Information age of hysteria.
It's calling out to idiot America.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
For that's enough to argue.
*****
Damn, I LOVE THESE GUYS.

Jersey -- your links are great and do show other "sides" to these boys.

[Flannista]

Like my fear of death lures Carolyn into the 'sphere, I'm hoping that posting Jersey's great review about Green Day's head-banging music lures babysis back into the 'sphere. I also gave her "American Idiot" and "21st Century Breakdown."

[Flannista]

Green Day is to this generation what The Who was to mine, I guess. Remember the rock operas, "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia"? "American Idiot" and "21st Century Breakdown" are both rock operas.

Bear with me. To help you better understand, here's the Wiki summary of the story in "American Idiot":

*****
The album's protagonist, Jesus of Suburbia, emerged out of Armstrong asking himself what sort of person the title of "American Idiot" referred to. Armstrong described the character as essentially an anti-hero, a powerless "everyman" desensitized by a "steady diet of soda pop and Ritalin".

Jesus of Suburbia hates his town and those close to him, so he leaves for the city. As the album progresses the characters of St. Jimmy and Whatsername are introduced. St. Jimmy is a punk rock freedom fighter, "the son of a bitch and Edgar Allan Poe." Whatsername, inspired by the Bikini Kill song "Rebel Girl", is a "Mother Revolution" figure that Armstrong described as "kind of St. Jimmy's nemesis in a lot of ways." Both characters illustrate the "rage vs. love" theme of the album, in that "you can go with the blind rebellion of self-destruction, where Saint Jimmy is. But there's a more love-driven side to that, which is following your beliefs and ethics. And that's where Jesus of Suburbia really wants to go," according to Armstrong.

Near the end of the story, St. Jimmy apparently commits suicide. While the singer did not want to give away the details of the story's resolution, he said the intention is for the listener to ultimately realize that Jesus of Suburbia is really St. Jimmy, and Jimmy is "part of the main character that pretty much dies."

The reason for St. Jimmy's suicide is because of the Jesus of Suburbia's conformity to regular life, illustrated in "Homecoming: East 12th Street" with "Jesus filling out paperwork now, at the facility on East 12th St." Jesus of Suburbia longs to have the St. Jimmy personality back to break conformity and "be free" as heard in the same song by saying "I don't want to stay, get me out of here right now, I just wanna be free." Then, in "Homecoming: Nobody Likes You" it is said that Jesus of Suburbia's relationship with Whatsername is starting to fade away, although another interpretation says that their relationship faded earlier, by the time she wrote "Letterbomb," and that "Wake Me Up When September Ends" is Jimmy's mourning of their lost love.

In the album's final song, "Whatsername", Jesus of Suburbia loses his connection with Whatsername as well, forgetting her completely. Whatsername is actually not her real name but since he can only remember her face he refers to her as Whatsername. It is also apparent that Jesus and Whatsername fell in love. But Jesus knew that the relationship was falling apart due to the fact that St. Jimmy was simply a character that he had made up to have a rebel side to himself, while Whatsername was a true rebel, who really believed in it. But St. Jimmy was not truly a rebel and she left him to go and make a life somewhere else, described in "Homecoming". The song leaves the story open ended by referring to the fact Jesus cannot remember Whatsername's actual name because he has either forgotten what her name was or had chosen to erase her from his memory in whole. This is further proven by the crossing out of her name whenever it is mentioned in the song booklet.
*****

[Flannista]

And here is Wiki's summary of the story in "21st Century Breakdown":

*****
21st Century Breakdown continues the rock opera style of its predecessor American Idiot. The album is divided into three acts: "Heroes and Cons", "Charlatans and Saints", and "Horseshoes and Handgrenades". Set in Detroit, its loose narrative follows a young couple named Christian and Gloria through life in the United States following the presidency of George W. Bush, as they "deal with the mess our 43rd president left behind" and "spin their wheels and fight their way through a new century already going terribly wrong." Bassist Mike Dirnt told Alternative Press that the songs "speak to each other the way the songs on Born to Run speak to each other. I don't know if you'd call it a 'concept album,' but there's a thread that connects everything."

David Fricke of Rolling Stone called the album "the most personal, emotionally convulsive record Armstrong has ever written", noting that many of its themes and lyrics are drawn from Armstrong's personal life: "When he sings about abandonment and vengeance in songs like 'Before the Lobotomy', 'Christian's Inferno', and 'Peacemaker', he does it in the first person." The title track's opening lyric "Born into Nixon, I was raised in hell" references Armstrong's own birthday in 1972, while "We are the class of '13" references the fact that his eldest son, Joseph, will graduate from high school in 2013. Dirnt has expressed his belief that "Last of the American Girls" was written about Armstrong's wife Adrienne, who "has very strong beliefs and stands up for the things she believes in." Armstrong has cited his "disconnected" childhood—he was raised by his two older brothers and three older sisters after their father's death, while their mother worked graveyard shifts as a waitress—as the roots of the discontent expressed on 21st Century Breakdown. "East Jesus Nowhere" rebukes fundamentalist religion and was written after Armstrong attended a church service where a friend's baby was baptized.

[Flannista]

I did not pay much attention to Green Day until "American Idiot."

I read a review of the album in The New Yorker (of all places) and was willing to order it and take a listen. I was immediately hooked for the reasons cited by Jersey. Their cheerful anger -- plus melodies that really hooked ya. This stuff is SINGABLE and probably the best workout music I've ever had. And yeah, it's great therapy. "21st Century Breakdown" is presently at home in my car. The only music to listen to when you're stuck on Beltway traffic here in the Nation's Capitol. And given what the album is about, the Nation's Capitol is a good place to play this music LOUD, LOUD, LOUD.

[Flannista]

One more comment, then I'll shut up for a while.

Did anyone watch the video for "21 Guns" (linked in the introduction to Jersey's post)? It's so freakin' cool what the art director did with light and gunshot holes.

[Jerseysista]

Another way I have used music as therapy is as a means to learn to embrace. I take to heart the Bible’s message that perfect love casts out all fear. I believe that fear stands in the way of being able to open the heart in an embrace. So, as a tool, I have looked for music that scares me or makes me tense or ill-at-ease and then practiced playing it loud while meditating and opening to it, accepting it, embracing it, rather than resisting it. I have found that the lessons learned from this can be carried by analogy to learning to embrace people who I may fear as different.

[half-a-sista]

Watched "21 Guns". What was the poetry on the wall, "I chased the alcohol and pills"? Who wrote it. I couldn't read it all.

I may have to break down and buy the albums (CDs...what was I thinking?) to listen to all their songs.

Jersey, listen to both links. I see what you are saying about the Hermans Hermits and 1930's German cabaret. Thanks for the links.

[Flannista]

half-a: if you're serious about these two albums, I'm happy to send them to you. Let me know. I feel like it's my responsibility as chief sass moderator to make certain all the sasslings get the therapy they need.

Speaking of which, I love Jersey's comment about perfect love casting out all fear. Did you know that that verse is THE VERSE FROM THE BIBLE I CLING TO (1 John 4:18)? Of course you do. But I digress.

I never thought of listening to and opening yourself to music that makes you tense as a way to learn to embrace people you fear. Perhaps I should listen to it as a way to embrace my fear of death. I'm completely intrigued by your comment, Jersey. Touched, too, actually.

[Jerseysista]

half-a, the words "I chased the alcohol and pills" are version of the lyrics of "See The Light" also on 21st Century Breakdown. Here are the full lyrics:

I crossed the river
Fell into the sea
Where the non-believers
Go beyond belief
Then I scratched the surface
In the mouth of hell
Running out of service
In the blood I fell

I just want to see the light
i don't want to lose my sight
I just want to see the light
I need to know what's worth the fight

I've been wasted
Pills and alcohol
I've been chasing
Down the pool halls
Then I drank the water
From a hurricane
And I set a fire
Just to see the flame

I just want to see the light
I don't want to lose my sight
I just want to see the light
I need to know what's worth the fight

I crossed the desert
Reaching higher ground
Then I pound the pavement
To take the liars down
But it's gone forever
But never too late
Where the ever after
Is in the hands of fate

I just want to see the light
I don't want to lose my sight
I just want to see the light
I need to know what's worth the fight

[Jerseysista]

Flann, I did not know that about you and I John 4:18.

[Flannista]

Thanks, Jersey, for chasing those down. I was methodically going through the lyrics online (as the CD is in my car, though I could have gone out to get it, but I was too lazy; actually, I'm only wearing a large t-shirt. I know, I know, TMI), so you saved me some time.

[Flannista]

If I could defer to Nine Inch Nails for a moment.

Here's a link to Trent Raznor (who goes by "Nine Inch Nails") singing in concert what is perhaps his most famous song, "Hurt". Please be advised that the images on the large video screen behind him are disturbing. This is my go-to song on gray and damp days:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFx2TmQfM-o

[Flannista]

Okay, that's NIN's version of "Hurt". Here's Johnny Cash's version -- one of the last songs he ever recorded. Completely heartbreaking:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o22eIJDtKho&feature=related

[Jerseysista]

Flann, you beat me to the punch. I was looking for the Cash cover of that song.

[Flannista]

Did you watch the video to Cash's version? It's one of the saddest things I've ever viewed on YouTube.

[babysis]

Okay, the lure worked. Nice to see my Green Day boys getting some attention. I was familiar with their music before Flann gifted me originally with American Idiot, mostly from watching sports on tv like skateboarding. Might never have bought a CD though. While I prefer to receive my Green Day CDs as a gift from Flann, I guess I'm a follower now and would probably buy them myself if she quit coming through.

You can guess I'm not that into their politics, but that doesn't bother me a bit. I also love their artful expression of all that Jersey and Flann have noted. While I've always loved rock, I guess I was born a little too late to really embrace the idea of music speaking for me or any cause. I usually read and know the lyrics of music, but avoid the cult of personality tendency like the plague. I don't much care about Billie Joe other than as an entertainer. Call me shallow.

That being said, I have wondered if he or the band might suffer from mental illness. Not kidding. I find their music the manic depressive jackpot of extremes. Part of what colors my thinking on that idea is that a dear friend of mine became completely fixated on "Wake me up When September Ends," during a bi-polar crash a couple of years ago. She lit tons of candles and just played that song endlessly for days. It took on special meaning for her, obviously, and she requested it be played at her funeral, as she became increasingly suicidal. I'm happy to say she survived that rough time, and we've had many conversations about my love of Green Day in spite of that. She says she carries a letter I wrote her during that time, basically saying I won't honor your stupid request to play that song if you kill yourself. And that "Don't fear the Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult has a better guitar solo anyway.

[Jerseysista]

I had not. But I have now. You know, I think decay from youth is what makes me saddest, not death.

[Flannista]

Well, your comment was worth the wait, babysis. And I'll keep coming through and gifting you with Green Day as long as you show up in the 'sphere every once in a while. I must confess that I became obsessed with the last song on "American Idiot," "Whatsername." I was in the middle of a relationship break-up and it helped. When I say obsessed, I mean I would play the song endlessly during a 70-minute workout. No candles were lit. Only my metabolism.

I tend to become obsessed with songs. "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails" is one of them. "Run" by Snow Patrol is my latest. I think the song that obsessed me most in my lifetime was "Silent All These Years" by Tori Amos. Honestly, over and over and over and over again. How can I song that includes a reference to menstruation hook me so? Well, it was about finding one's voice, for one thing. Another thing: the video for it was extraordinary. I'll try and find it.

"Don't Fear the Reaper" . . . uh oh -- is that the song that featured the cow bell? Guess I'll have to find that SNL link now, too.

[Flannista]

I could only find live versions of Tori Amos singing, "Silent All These Years" and can't stand looking at her. She's so weird live.

Here's a link to the "More Cowbell" sketch from Saturday Night Live (though the quality is poor and the video and audio don't always sync up):

http://www.clamshare.com/videos/135/snl_more_cowbell.html