Modern punk band, Green Day, released their major record label debut album on February 1, 1994. And, suddenly, punk was cool again.
Green Day, named after the band’s fondness for “leafage”, was formed in 1986, in the East Bay (Berkeley, CA) area. They put out two indie label records before landing a major deal. By that time, the band consisted of original members Billy Jo Armstrong (guitar and vocals) and Mike Dirnt (bass), and drummer, Tre Cool, who started playing with them in 1990.
Dookie? The band was forced to shorten the album title from the grosser Liquid Dookie, a reference to an unfortunate side effect of eating spoiled food while on the road. Green Day’s break through album contains whining rants about ex-girlfriends, anxiety and panic attacks, masturbation. hobos, mass murder, sexual orientation, divorce and boredom. But, in a clear reaction to the darkness of grunge, Green Day’s sound and vibe is upbeat. No wonder Dookie was a hit, even if older punks like Johnny Rotten dissed Green Day as “not true punk”.
“Hit” is putting it mildly. Let’s run the numbers. The album charted in 7 countries, is ranked #193 in Rolling Stone’s The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, was certified as "Diamond" sales status (10 million units) in 1999, and has now sold over 20 million copies, by far the group’s best selling work. The album produced 5 hit singles, spawned a tour, and merited complete performances in London and the Reading and Leeds Festivals for its 20th anniversary. It peaked at #2 on the US Billboard 200, and won the Grammy award for Best Alternative Music Album.
Not bad for an album named after . . well, you know. It was also the catalyst that got the band into the R&R HOF last year.
