Billie Joe took to Instagram to let fans know about their upcoming documentary (originally announced back in 2014) about the easy bay punk rock scene they grew up in. The bulk of his message was encouraging people to not focus too much on the past or trying to impress "elder statesmen", but to do your own thing. Here's his text in full:
[quote]dear friends "fuck the old generation
start something new"
we're about to release a new documentary about east bay punk rock.. it's a document about a time in our lives of being young. trying new ideas. and singing along together.. but just remember that this is the past.. if you get anything out of a documentary it should be to start something new and blaze a new trail. do not listen to any so called elder statesman's opinion about what YOU are doing.
most likely if it doesn't make sense to the previous generation then they are too old to get it. and they allowed time to get the best of them.. and they have not earned your respect .
I never want to be an elder statesman or royalty of anything.
most likely that palace burned to the ground many years ago.. the future punks and poets are the ones that create something new.
if there are young kids practicing in the garage, turn that garage into a gig and invite all your friends.
if you have a microphone and GarageBand or a cassette tape. record it and make it your album.. if you get sick of reading about opinions and bands you don't like, start your own fanzine and speak your truth.
if someone tells you your not good enough. tell them they were never invited and do it anyway.
many people have a war story but most of them have never seen war.. just be true to yourself. as I know you do.. I love all the green day fans because they have passion and desire to live life on their own terms. to be weird and loud and create something new that some people just don't get. and therefore you inspire me more than you think.
eternal gratitude
rage and love
BJ[/quote]
[quote]dear friends "fuck the old generation
start something new"
we're about to release a new documentary about east bay punk rock.. it's a document about a time in our lives of being young. trying new ideas. and singing along together.. but just remember that this is the past.. if you get anything out of a documentary it should be to start something new and blaze a new trail. do not listen to any so called elder statesman's opinion about what YOU are doing.
most likely if it doesn't make sense to the previous generation then they are too old to get it. and they allowed time to get the best of them.. and they have not earned your respect .
I never want to be an elder statesman or royalty of anything.
most likely that palace burned to the ground many years ago.. the future punks and poets are the ones that create something new.
if there are young kids practicing in the garage, turn that garage into a gig and invite all your friends.
if you have a microphone and GarageBand or a cassette tape. record it and make it your album.. if you get sick of reading about opinions and bands you don't like, start your own fanzine and speak your truth.
if someone tells you your not good enough. tell them they were never invited and do it anyway.
many people have a war story but most of them have never seen war.. just be true to yourself. as I know you do.. I love all the green day fans because they have passion and desire to live life on their own terms. to be weird and loud and create something new that some people just don't get. and therefore you inspire me more than you think.
eternal gratitude
rage and love
BJ[/quote]
