This DVD is Not Rated
I wish more bands would release DVDs of their music videos. Let’s face it; a lot of the music channels aren’t very good at playing music videos anymore. Even when they do, it can be hard to come across videos of bands you actually like. Plus it’s fun to be able to look back at some of the older videos that no longer get played.
Green Day formed in 1987 in the East Bay area of California. Billie Joe and Mike are founding members of the band with Tré joining them in 1990. The three have been together ever since. “Kerplunk” (1992) became an underground success, which caused major labels to take notice of the band. Green Day ended up leaving their label and signing with Reprise Records. Their next CD was “Dookie” (1994) which was their first commercial success. Their popularity has only continued to climb since then.
I own all of Green Day’s CDs and would say I like them all equally. Which one I chose to listen to at any given time depends on what kind of mood I am in, do I want something harder/punkier or a bit mellower. It always bothers me when people call them sellouts. When a band has been together as long as they have, of course the music will evolve over time. They have to be allowed to grow and change otherwise you risk stagnation and boredom, nothing good ever comes from that (if they also happen to make a lot of money doing it, then good for them). I know I don’t want to listen to a band that makes the same album over and over again (I won’t name names, but you know who you are).
This DVD has a great collection of videos on it, from four different CDs (ranging from 1994 to 2001). Throughout the course of their career they’ve managed to continually make interesting/memorable videos. While their more recent ones tend to be a bit more serious and have higher production values, you will find many on this DVD are humorous and really let their personalities show through. They are a lot of fun to watch.
When you insert the DVD it automatically starts playing the videos in the order of release. However, if you hit your menu button, it will take you to a menu where you can select specific CDs to play videos from. So if you want to watch a favorite there is a way to get to it fairly easily. Really the only negative thing I can think of about the DVD is that it is edited for language. Which always annoys me; it messes with the flow of the song. Plus it’s not as if you can’t tell what they are saying by watching their lips.
Band Members:
Billie Joe Armstrong – Vocals and Guitar
Mike Dirnt – Bass and Vocals
Tré Cool – Drums
Video List:
Longview (Dookie)
This was filmed in the basement apartment that the band used to live in. I really love the intensity and rawness of this video. Look how young they are!
Basket Case (Dookie)
Apparently, this video was shot in an abandoned mental institution. It was shot in black and white, with color added later to give it that vivid, surreal look.
When I Come Around (Dookie)
The band is shown walking through areas of San Francisco and Berkley. Intercut with snippets of people’s lives in the city.
Geek Stink Breath (Insomniac)
This one’s a bit bloody. It has graphic footage of one of their friend’s having a tooth extracted. It kinda freaks me out, since I’m a bit squeamish about that kind of thing.
Stuck With Me (Insomniac)
Animation sequences (like from the CD cover) intermixed with the band performing.
Brain Stew – Jaded (Insomniac)
This one’s a two parter. The first part is located at a garbage dump and is in sepia tone. The guys are on old sofa which is being dragged around by a bulldozer. When it transitions to “Jaded” it’s now in color with frantic and fast paced cuts of the band performing.
Walking Contradiction (Insomniac)
Watching this always puts a smile on my face. I love how they are causing so much trouble and are totally oblivious about it.
Hitchin’ a Ride (Nimrod)
Has an old fashioned look about it. Set in a 1920′s themed club.
Good Riddance/Time of Your Life (Nimrod)
Features Billie Joe sitting on a bed, singing and playing the acoustic guitar. Intercut with brief glimpses of people around town. I love this video and find it to be very moving.
Redundant (Nimrod)
So much happens in this video it’s hard to catch everything that’s going on. The band is playing while people keep coming in, doing things, leaving and then looping back around again. It’s fun to watch.
Nice Guys Finish Last (Nimrod)
I had never seen it this one before. It’s set in a stadium and has a sports theme.
Last Ride In (Nimrod)
This song is purely instrumental. The video is made up of footage that feels like an old home video. Includes footage of the guys, a skateboarder, water skier, carnival, dog, etc. First time I had seen this one too.
Minority (Warning)
Shows the band performing on a parade float as it moves down the street. Apparently, it’s a very small parade; their float, three large balloons depicting them (Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade style) and a small amount of people marching along.
Warning (Warning)
Features a guy waking up in the morning and proceeding to do all kinds of dangerous things you are always told not too (like running with scissors). While the band plays in his kitchen. Funny, I used to have the exact same toaster shown in the video, complete with the fake wood grain.
Waiting (Warning)
The band is playing in a house, when they are suddenly invaded by a bunch of teens/young adults, who are there to party. I really like the way this was filmed, with the slowmo and freeze effects.
By the way, in 2008, the members of Green Day released a CD under the name of “Foxboro Hottubs”. It’s called “Stop Drop and Roll”.
Ok, I have a question. On the back cover of the “Nimrod” CD, is that Davey Havok (from AFI) that is next to Mike Dirnt? I’m talking about the person that is on the bottom row, third from the left. I’m pretty sure it is, but it would be nice if someone confirmed it.
Jan
