Music

Watch this awesome footage of Green Day playing their high school as teenagers

by Mark Teo

Last week, California pop-punk trio Green Day was inducted to the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame. And for good reason: Since their rise in the mid-’90s, Billie Joe Armstrong, Tre Cool, and Mike Dirnt have become synonymous with adolescent malaise, capturing the imaginations of glue-sniffing, Ramones-worshipping degenerates and Hot Topic subdivision warriors everywhere. But while the band’s now middle-aged—Armstrong’s 43—at one point, the adolescent punk heroes were, y’know, adolescents. And now we have proof.

Video has surfaced on Reddit of Billie Joe and co. playing as Sweet Children, their proto-Green Day band. Filmed in 1990 on glorious VHS, the trio’s fans will recognize the songs on display: They’re largely taken from their pre-Dookie albums, 39/Smooth and Kerplunk! What isn’t recognizable, though, is their audience. Playing outdoors at Pinole Valley High School—Billie Joe had reportedly dropped out by this date, and he introduces a song with, “this song is about how much I hate school”—they’re largely met with indifference, as students mill about carelessly. No one, it seems, is watching.

Watch the full concert below.

Indeed, it’s impressive to see how far Green Day has travelled. They’re now among the world’s most-revered bands, although upon their induction to the Hall of Fame, they also shared a strikingly humble message. Here’s what they wrote.

dear you

I can’t express enough how much love is in my heart for all of you in our green day community.
for me to try to put it into words almost feels awkward.
sometimes I don’t always like to use the word “fan”. I think I can speak on behalf of me mike and Tre when I call you family or community. Because you all truly grew up together with us and shared this journey together.
this is more than an award. it’s the privilege to play music, write songs and follow this psychotic passion called rock n roll.

and We share this honor together. because honestly YOU ARE our rock n roll hall of fame.
idiot nation forever

rage and love

Billie Joe

Adorable.