TRT 59:23 // ORIGINAL AIR DATE: 12/8/18
From Oakland, California, we go beyond & back with musician, singer, songwriter, playwright & actor Billie Joe Armstrong.
Krissy Teegerstrom & Billie Joe Armstrong
Billie Joe Armstrong is best known for his band Green Day. In the past three decades since they formed in the East Bay of California, they released a dozen studio albums, sold over 85 million records worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Having accomplished more than enough for a lifetime already, what I find fascinating about Billie Joe is that he continues to push himself creatively, adapting their album American Idiot into a Broadway show, acting in films, and just this year he debuted a new band, The Longshot, releasing new music and touring small clubs.
In this episode, we talk about the solitude needed to nurture a creative seed versus the fortitude needed to share it with the world, the benefits of encouraging others, and what we can accomplish when we keep pushing past our comfort zones. I spoke with Billie Joe in his studio in Oakland, California.
THANK YOU TO 1-2-3-4 GO! RECORDS FOR SPONSORING THIS EPISODE
This episode is brought to you by 1-2-3-4 Go! Records, an independent record store with locations in Oakland and San Francisco. These righteous record stores are open 363 days a year and carry all types of new and used vinyl. They’ll pay you good money for your used records, they’ll special order vinyl for you, and at the Oakland shop they offer live in-store performances open to all ages and they have a great old school photo booth. If you love vinyl and great customer service without an attitude, visit them in person or online at www.1234gorecords.com!
AUDIO featured in this episode:
Theme music by Davíd Garza.
First song: “Love is for Losers” by The Longshot
Second song: “Brain Stew” by Green Day
Third song: “Long Time Gone” by Norah Jones & Billie Joe
Fourth song: “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
SPONSOR FEEDBACK
“I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you that what you came up with for the sponsorship copy was PERFECT. It came out so well and I'm really pleased to have been apart of the episode. It was a great conversation. As I listen to more of these I feel like the beginning of the conversation is this gathering of raw materials and by the end they've been put together or chiseled away in to this really amazing piece. It absolutely demands a full listen. You're doing a great job, I'm looking forward to the next one and let me know if you ever need anything!” — Steve S.
LISTENER FEEDBACK
“I’m an artist /musician/writer and massive green day fan for about 25 years; started my career w/ a Green Day zine in 97! Just wanted to thank you for this amazing piece of work. Im a prolific culture creator freak and love what I do— but my brain is wild and the interview couldn’t have come at a better time. . . Hearing this was vital! Plus, I literally havent gotten a chance to listen to my hero get so deep in his feels since fucking kurt loder did “green day raw” in like 95!!! Im an og punk bruja who loves growing up, towards universality— but I hate how complacent journalism can get! Even during this political era. People are either scared to cry or fight. I get that! But its necessary to get real right now. So thank you! “ — Cristy R.
“Hello Krissy, I just finished listening to your podcast with Billie Joe. As a 17 year old aspiring musician, I really enjoyed how in depth this conversation goes. It brought up a lot of my insecurities when it comes to making music and being creative. Me and my band are the only people in my high school that make music, and there isn't many people who would support us for it. One thing that you mentioned that I really enjoyed was that being creative has many benefits besides financial ones… I find comfort in knowing that if I can't make a living making music, I can still get that rewarding feeling for completing a song or performing for people. This episode really revealed that to me, and encouraged me to stay creative and keep making things for myself, and for others.” — Luke
“I just wanted to thank you for sharing your podcast with Billie Joe Armstrong. I have been big fan of his art since I was 12 years old, all the way back in 1992. I came across your podcast from a fan website “greendayauthority” that reposted it. I enjoyed both yours and his outlooks on creativity and the processes we all must figure out. I used to play in band and haven’t even picked up a guitar in years because life/work happened. Your pod cast inspired me to pick it back up. For no other reason than it used to make me happy. Thanks again.” — Josh
“Just finished listening to your podcast interview with Billie-Joe Armstrong. I'm a podcast AND Green Day fan so this one was a real must for me. It got me thinking about how I use my downtime, and in fact, why I call it downtime in the first place. Surely it could be up-and-down time? I have kids, a wife, a job etc. and I regularly convince myself that I don't have time to open up the reflective and creative part that I know exists within me. I play guitar and affords me some time to be able to transfer some of my experiences into music which I always enjoy. I always played in bands when I was in my teens and twenties. My wife is an art teacher and I think she's able to do the same sometimes within her artistic abilities. Hopefully we'll teach our kids the importance of the space that you talk about; the fun and creative space but also a time to allow ourselves to be vulnerable and explore parts of ourselves that we wouldn't do otherwise. Anyway, I just thought I'd drop you a line after listening to the episode; I really enjoyed it! I particularly liked the part where you talked about the moment you give someone a cookie that they have always loved and then wait for their expression. I'll look to do the same. Thanks so much & love from the U.K,” — Rob
“Such an inspiring episode! I've been working on a long essay about the importance of Green Day in my life, recovering from depression and anxiety. This gives me a lot of fuel to get it done and share it! Thank you!” - Adolescent Girl
“With regards to the comments about Bowie playing a character;
This inspired me to write something on a Post-It note which will eventually become a song. I just wanted to share that the inspiration I thought you're talking about inspiration has inspired me to this.
Loosely, this little Post-It note alludes to the concept of how I, as a musician and performer, transform into somebody I like better then myself when I'm on stage. You can very well say I'm writing a song for all the songwriters... And Billie, if you're reading this let's work on this together?
See you on the 19th on stage...”
-Junkyard Triumph
“I really enjoyed this very much. Thank you to you both so much for creating this conversation! It honestly, made me remember much more vividly, of all the significant 'times of my life' in which Green Day (or more specifically, Billie Jo) has played such a huge role for me. Emotionally, mentally, spiritually.. so Inspirational on so many levels, I grew up (literally) right alongside every album, teaching myself guitar riffs (& having children 🙂) Now, I too, with my own adult children (3 out of 4) My oldest daughter, now 25, the first concert I took her to see was Green Day for her 16th Birthday. Truly as inspiring of an artist as ever, 25 years later! 💓👏😊” - Lisa Smith
“Your Smash Everything with Billie Joe Armstrong episode 10 is so good! I love how deep you were able to get into how he creates. Thank you both for sharing your important insights and experience to make lasting art.”
“Thank you so much for the brilliantly inspiring interview with Billie Joe. The discussion was so revealing regarding the creative process which are transferable to any creative situation. I myself was stuck in a rut about 8 years ago being a single mom with my world falling apart at my feet. One amazing moment at a GD gig in Dublin Marley Park changed my life forever. Billie Joe chose me to go on stage albeit the fact I was dressed as a nun. That kind and wonderful experience helped me break through my depression at the time. I moved back to the UK. Went to University. Graduated with a degree last year at the age of 45. I have now started to write a book which gives me so much creative pleasure. I never thought I was creatively capable enough, but like you and BJ said, we easily forget how creatively unrestricted we were as children and i have discovered now that I did still have that creativity within me, I just forgot how to access it because of how we are nurtured negatively by today's world to just get on with things in life in the way others expected us to be. I am now following my heart and dreams. Nothing may come of it successfully but I now don't care anymore. I am enjoying the process and that is enough for me and my happiness. I've shared this podcast with my son who has just turned 18 and he struggles with allowing himself to be creative although I and others see how creative he actually he is, despite having Aspergers. He's great at Art and loves nothing more than spending hours playing his guitar, bass and piano. I hope he will see that we are all creative and that he should be as creative as he wishes to be and fuck what pigeon hole society wishes to place him in. Thank you both so very much. “ Charmaine, Birmingham, UK xx