Green Day’s real-life “Basket Case”
It was 1994 when the California punk rock band Green Day released its major label debut album Dookie. The third hit single from the album was “Basket Case,” a song written by the band’s lead vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong about his struggles with anxiety and panic disorders.
It now appears the song also foreshadowed things to come.
Today, the Associated Press reported that Billie Joe Armstrong will begin treatment for substance abuse soon.
This comes mere days after his now famous meltdown at the iHeart Radio Music Festival in Las Vegas. When producers told Armstrong he had one more minute to wrap up his set, to accommodate Usher’s performance, the Green Day front man went ballistic.
“You’re gonna give me one minute? I’ve been around since f–ing nineteen eighty f–king eight, and you’re gonna give me one minute? You’ve gotta be f–ing kidding me,” Billie Joe ranted. ”I’m not f–ing Justin Bieber, you motherf–ers! Let me show you what one f–ing minute f–ing means!”
He then smashed his guitar on the stage. Granted, this may not seem very strange for Billie Joe, but it did punctuate his tirade in grand fashion.
I don’t know what’s going on with you, Billie Joe, but I commend you on getting help. And I’m sure Justin Bieber will breathe a little easier knowing you are “off the streets” for a little while, too. He doesn’t know how close he came to taking the guitar’s place.
Posted on September 23, 2012, in Music, Perspectives and tagged Associated Press, Basket Case, Billie Joe Armstrong, commentary, current-events, entertainment, Green Day, humor, Justin Bieber, Las Vegas Nevada, music, musings, news, perspectives. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
When I first saw the video, I was just glad that someone had the balls to say it … I mean, they DID cut his bands time way down just for Usher (I think it was him up next…). But yeah, getting help for his issues is good — though I don’t think it was the only reason for his onstage antics.
True enough, lunatic. He seems to need a little break.
The guy needs anger management classes but can’t say I blame him for being pissed off.What they did to him wasn’t fair.
I totally agree, doglady…