Billie Joe Armstrong Covers “A New England” for No Fun… Fridays?
From March through May, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong treated fans to his No Fun Mondays cover series. Following a six-week break – during which time the nation focused on protesting police violence and supporting Black Lives Matters – Billie Joe returned last week with “Gimme Some Truth.” Today, even though it’s a Friday, Billie continues the covers with “A New England,” a 1983 song originally by Billy Bragg.
In an Instagram caption, Billie Joe wrote:
Welcome to No Fun Monday on a Friday because no one knows what day it is anyway . I love this song penned by Billy Bragg. Also a great version by Kirsty MacColl
“A New England” is a short song describing a falling out between a couple. But now, as Billie sings, he’s looking for a new girlfriend to take his ex’s place. Like nearly all the songs he’s covered so far, this one feels like it would be right at home on a Green Day album. It’s earnest and to the point, with just enough bitterness to resonate with our youthful grudges.
Enjoy Billie Joe’s version of “A New England” in the simple lyric video below:
In the spring, No Fun Mondays gave 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,” “Kids In America,” “Not That Way Anymore,” and “That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll.” We also got the bonus Italian language cover of “Amico.”
So far, summer has brought Billie’s covers of “Gimme Some Truth” and now “A New England.”
Father Of All… & “Otis Big Guitar Mix” EP
Green Day’s new album Father Of All… just came out in February. 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 in 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.
In early April, Billie Joe 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
Around now, Green Day was supposed to be in the midst of their Hella Mega Tour, co-headlining with Fall Out Boy and Weezer. COVID-19 has forced them to postpone Asian, European, and North American dates to 2021. However, the November tour to Australia and New Zealand is still on… for now.
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 “A New England,” and be sure to spin Green Day’s recent Father Of All… album and the “Otis Big Guitar Mix” EP. Get ready for more music from Green Day, potentially out later this year. Keep checking back here for all the latest Green Day music news.
- Green Day Announces ‘BBC Sessions’ & Shares “2000 Light Years Away” - October 22, 2021
- The Weeknd & Swedish House Mafia Team Up for “Moth To A Flame” - October 22, 2021
- See Lana Del Rey’s Music Video for “Blue Banisters” - October 20, 2021
