Billie Joe Armstrong Dedicates “Kids In America” Cover to Mike Dirnt
Shortly after we all began self-isolating due to COVID-19, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong kicked off his No Fun Mondays cover series, each song freshly recorded from his home studio. Though we got a curveball with an extra cover last week – Billie’s ‘No Fun Hump Day’ Italian language cover is of “Amico” – we’re back to our normal programming with Billie’s newest cover: “Kids In America,” originally by Kim Wilde in 1981 and later recording by The Muffs in the 1990s. And in honor of his bandmate’s birthday today, Billie Joe dedicates his new recording and video to Mike Dirnt.
“Kids In America” has been a rather well-known song since its release nearly 40 years ago. I have to admit, I’ve always disliked the song… so I wasn’t too excited to discover Billie had chosen to cover it. But, surprisingly, I actually enjoy his cover! Billie’s version is less synth-pop than Kim Wilde’s original recording, leaning more into the punk rock style that The Muffs utilized. The song is comfortably within Billie’s range, and he sings it with energy and meaning. And somehow his version sounds better than other recordings of the song.
Along with his new cover, we also get a music video / lyric video. Up top we can see an animated Father Of All… unicorn version of Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt. It was drawn by a Peruvian fan named Sergio; he manages the fan page Green Day Perú. Below the dancing animation, we can see Billie Joe writing out the “Kids In America” lyrics in green sharpie. It’s simple but strangely entertaining. At the end of the video, Billie writes “Happy Bday Mike ❤️”
Watch the music video for Billie Joe’s cover of “Kids In America” below:
So far, No Fun Mondays has given us covers of “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “You Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory,” “Manic Monday” featuring Susanna Hoffs, “Corpus Christi,” “That Thing You Do!,” “War Stories,” and now “Kids In America.” We also got the bonus Italian language cover of “Amico” last week.
While most of Billie’s No Fun Mondays covers aren’t available to stream or download, the first one now is! You can stream or download “I Think We’re Alone Now” from your favorite music provider here.
Father Of All… & “Otis Big Guitar Mix” EP
Green Day’s new album Father Of All… just came three months ago. It features the singles “Father Of All…,” “Fire, Ready, Aim,” “Oh Yeah!,” and “Meet Me On The Roof.”
It’s a fun and straightforward record, weaving in elements of Motown along with Green Day’s brand of punk rock. While it’s not their strongest or most ambitious release (see instead American Idiot, 21st Century Breakdown, and the trilogy), it is refreshingly carefree and fast-paced.
Then, surprising fans everywhere, Green Day just put out an EP at the beginning of April. The “Otis Big Guitar Mix” EP features alternate versions of three trilogy songs. Sure, the trilogy came out 8 years ago, but it’s never too late for more goodies from it, right? Hear new mixes of “Lazy Bones,” “Wild One,” and “Oh Love.”
Changing Labels & More Music Possibilities
In a series of interviews last September, Green Day did imply that Father Of All… would be their last album with Warner Records. They’ve been with the major label since the early 1990s, and all of their albums from Dookie onwards have been released by Warner.
Additionally, at the time, the band members also suggested the possibility of them releasing a second album 2020 – possibly on their own label after leaving Warner.
Billie Joe has repeated this idea, including in an interview in February. He stated that he’d written several songs in the previous six months and had several left over from the Father Of All… sessions. However, he did not indicate how they would release new music this year, if they indeed do so. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Now, Billie Joe recently told Kerrang that he’s written another six songs since the quarantines began. We could have a ton of new music ready once the pandemic is over!
Hella Mega Tour
This summer, Green Day is supposed to embark on the Hella Mega Tour, co-headlining with Fall Out Boy and Weezer.
COVID-19 has forced them to postpone their spring 2020 dates in Europe; they’ll be pushed back to 2021. Asian dates have also been cancelled due to Coronavirus, and are being rescheduled for 2021 as well.
While a lot is still very uncertain, the Hella Mega Tour is set to take the three bands to North America this summer, starting in Seattle on July 17th and finishing in Philadelphia on August 29th. In November, the tour will go to Australia and New Zealand.
Tickets for the Hella Mega Tour are on sale now. Be sure to get tickets before it’s too late! Some dates have already sold out, so don’t wait!
Enjoy Billie Joe’s cover of “Kids In America,” and don’t forget to wish Mike Dirnt a happy birthday. Be sure to spin Green Day’s recent Father Of All… album and new “Otis Big Guitar Mix” EP. Get ready for more music from Green Day, potentially out this summer, and for their Hella Mega tour with Fall Out Boy and Weezer. Keep checking back here for all the latest Green Day music news.
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