Billie Joe Armstrong Shares Passion for Millwall F.C. and British Culture

Billie Joe Armstrong, the frontman of the iconic pop-punk band Green Day, has a profound appreciation for Millwall Football Club and its unique place within British culture. Armstrong, together with bandmates Mike Durnt on bass and Tré Cool on drums, got candid in a recent discussion about their album 'Saviors' and their experiences in London.

Exploring London and Football

During the creation of 'Saviors', most of Green Day's time was spent at RAK Studios in London, collaborating with their longtime producer, Rob Cavallo. When prompted to share his favourite aspect of London, Armstrong did not hesitate to talk about his experiences attending various football matches. 'I went to a lot of football games: Arsenal, Leyton Orient, Fulham. I went to The Den to see Millwall. That was amazing,' Armstrong recounted with enthusiasm. He believes that to truly grasp British culture, one must dive into the world of football.

Armstrong likens the fervor of football games to rock concerts, highlighting the intense auditory environment that almost necessitates earplugs. His fascination extends beyond the top-tier teams to include lesser-known leagues. 'I've always wanted to check out all the different divisions,' he said. 'Especially Millwall, which has that gritty, pissed-off, underdog, "no one likes us and we don’t care" vibe. It reminds me of being an Oakland Raiders fan.'

Armstrong's Take on the Emo Revival

The Green Day frontman also delved into the recent resurgence of emo music. With the band revealing new singles at the When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas, including 'The American Dream Is Killing Me' and 'Look Ma, No Brains!', Armstrong reflected on the quick-paced revival of '90s and '00s rock. He expressed surprise at the rapid cycle of musical revivals, musing, 'Emo was dead – then just five years later we're having emo club nights.'

Armstrong attributed this phenomenon to the power of streaming and viral trends, noting how bands can gain sudden popularity even after discontinuation. 'There’s this new algorithmic way of discovering new stuff. It’s really prevalent in rock music and it shows how people are paying less attention to the radio and other traditional platforms,' he observed.

The album 'Saviors' is set to be released on January 19, continuing Green Day's influential legacy within the rock genre. Alongside their musical projects, the band also offered fans a glimpse of the production process behind their recent single 'Dilemma'.

GreenDay, Millwall, Football