Have very Green Day on Aug. 4 at the American Airlines Arena

Punk Pop and Mary-J

Make it a Green Day

By Nicole Letaw

For more than two decades Green Day has rocked the punk scene with their edgy and catchy melodies. The trio formed in Northern California, allegedly naming their band after a love of cannabis sativa. 

Green Day’s early years spawned two full-length albums, two EP’s and a hell of a lot of live shows. It was their second LP, “Kerplunk,” that attracted the major labels and went on to become one of the best selling independent albums of all time. 

Many a Green Day follower was less than thrilled at their decision to sign with Reprise Records, however, in 1994, with major label backing and proper production their next release, “Dookie” became a huge commercial success. The album earned them a slot at ’94 Woodstock and heavy rotation on MTV — Green Day’s music blared throughout living rooms across the country for most of the 1990s. 

However, the band fell out of the spotlight for a decade, eventually returning in 2004 with a rock opera style record called “American Idiot” that won the Grammy for Best Rock Album in 2005. The song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” went on to claim a Grammy for Record of the Year in 2006. In continuation of this dramatic poppy punk rock story, in May, Green Day released “21st Century Breakdown.” Rave reviews, including from other artists, soon followed and the album has already gone gold or platinum in 14 countries.

Green Day will perform at 8 p.m., on Aug. 4 at the American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd. Tickets are $25 to $49.50. Call 786-777-1000 for more information.

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