Entertainment Breaking News

The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong in good spirits after rehab as punk band storms SXSW

By: Paul J. Weber, The Associated Press

Saturday, Mar. 16, 2013 at 1:06 AM | Comments: 0

FILE - This Sept. 21, 2012 file photo shows Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day on stage at the iHeart Radio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. Green Day revs up for a world tour that was postponed by Armstrong entering rehab when the Grammy-winning punk band plays the South by Southwest music festival on Friday night, March 15, 2013. (Photo by Eric Reed/Invision/AP, file)

AUSTIN, Texas - Green Day isn't talking about the recent rocky past, but they're playing like the old days.

An upbeat Billie Joe Armstrong whipped the Grammy-winning punk trio through an ear-splitting two-hour show Friday night at the South by Southwest Music Festival, returning to the stage for only the second time since Armstrong emerged from a rehab stint that caused the band to postpone an arena tour.

The 41-year-old Armstrong made no mention of his problems with substance abuse while playfully bantering with a nearly sold-out crowd Moody Theater and ripping through a 25-song marathon. The energetic set mixed new rockers from the "Uno!" ''Dos!" ''Tre!" trilogy the band rolled out last winter and old favourites like "Longview" and "American Idiot."

"This ain't no (expletive) cafe!" Armstrong told the crowd right out of the gate. "Get crazy!"

Armstrong's good spirits were a sharp contrast to his profane meltdown at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas in September, when he complained the band's time was being cut short and smashed his guitar. Two days later, Green Day announced Armstrong was headed to treatment for substance abuse.

His cheery chatting with the audience at the showcase SXSW gig did include one moment when, while apparently encountering a hiccup with his microphone, Armstrong quipped, "I wasn't even on drugs," while laughing.

Green Day is among the marquee acts at SXSW this year along with Justin Timberlake, Dave Grohl and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The weeklong festival turns out the lights Saturday when Prince is scheduled to play an intimate finale for just a few hundred guests at a small Austin club.

Green Day didn't just swing into Texas for a warm-up show before their delayed tour finally begins March 28 in Chicago. The band also walked a red carpet earlier Friday for the premiere of the documentary "Broadway Idiot," which chronicles Green Day turning their 2004 career-reviving album "American Idiot" into a musical.

___

Online:

http://greenday.com

Rate this
This article has not yet been rated.

We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.

Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments

You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

There are no comments at the moment. Be the first to post a comment below.

Post Your Comment

The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.