American Idiot 20

I know I'm four days late but it's finally here, the 20th anniversary reissue of American Idiot! I love it and it even came with some goodies! Here are the photos that I took.

Here are the front, back, and side of the box.

I saved the sticker that was on the plastic wrap.

And now for the inside: The original American Idiot album that comes in a special sleeve.

B-Sides & Bonus Tracks. Has six live songs from Green Day's March 19, 2005 concert at the Makuhari Messe in Tokyo, Japan; four b-sides and four songs from the VH1 Storytellers special from February 15, 2005.

Demos. I listened to the demos at work and my favorite is "Lowlife", an early version of "Dearly Beloved", the fourth suite in "Jesus Of Suburbia".

Live at Irving Plaza. Green Day performed at the Irving Plaza in New York City on September 21, 2004, American Idiot's release date. Has all of the songs from the album, plus "Minority" and their cover of Queen's "We Are The Champions".

Two Blu-ray discs. First one is the Heart Like A Hand Grenade documentary from the 2010's; second one is a new documentary, 20 Years Of American Idiot, and BBC Live, which has Green Day's appearances on Top Of The Pops and Later... With Jools Holland. Unfortunately I don't have a Blu-ray player....

Heart Like A Hand Grenade.

20 Years Of American Idiot and BBC Live.

And finally the goodies. A 44-page booklet.

Front.

Back.

A cloth patch.

Four stickers.

A set of three enamel badges.

All in all, I love this box set and seeing the patch, stickers and badges brought back memories of me getting Green Day merchandise from Hot Topic during that time.

Happy 20th Anniversary American Idiot

It's hard to believe American Idiot came out 20 years ago today. The thought of it makes me feel old because I remember what it was like back in the day, and I feel grateful to be a part of it. The amazing thing is it still holds up and sounds like it could be a record from today. One of my favorite albums of all time.

Happy anniversary American Idiot!

Bob Gruen American Idiot Photos

Here are the American Idiot photographs that were featured in my book, complete with comments from photographer Bob Gruen and Green Day.

*All photos by Bob Gruen*

Park Place, NYC, September 22, 2004.

Fuse TV Studio, NYC, November 12, 2005. Bob Gruen: "I went to take a group picture of the band when Billie Joe picked up a copy of my John Lennon book I had just given him, holding it up like a Playboy centerfold. Tré and Mike immediately got the joke... this band is always on the same page with the same sense of humor."

Park Place, NYC, September 22, 2004. Green Day: "This was a free pop-up show we played on the release day of American Idiot."

Park Place, NYC, September 22, 2004. Bob Gruen: "Authorities closed off an entire city block near Wall Street for an after-work Green Day party."

Lower East Side, NYC, January 6, 2005.

Backstage before show at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, September 1, 2005. Mike Dirnt: "I had just thrown up – this was Green Day's first stadium show in America."

Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, September 1, 2005.

Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, September 1, 2005. Tré Cool: "To stay young looking, Tré Cool recommends a hot iron to the face twice a day."

Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, September 1, 2005.

Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, September 1, 2005. Mike Dirnt: "Onstage I s*** my pants multiple times! Tour flu. The show must go on..."