green day how to sound like oh love

Green Day is a Grammy-award winning punk rock band that formed in East Bay, California, in 1997. Their current lineup includes lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool. Green Day has sold over 65 million records worldwide, with their main album success being Dookie in 1994. While they originally had a hard punk sound, some of their more current songs like Wake Me Up When September Ends have a softer, more pop punk sound.

Billy Joe Armstrong

Lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong is a low tenor, and while he’s able to sing punchy punk, he can also effectively sing a heartwarming ballad. A punk vocalist with versatility would be ideal to replicate Armstrong’s sound. Billie Joe usually plays his signature Gibson USA Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Jr., but also plays a Fender Stratocaster and Gibson ES-135. For acoustic numbers, Armstrong uses a Guild D55, and Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong J-180 signature acoustic guitar. For live amplification, Billie Joe uses a Marshall Plexi Super Lead 100-watt Amp Head, Marshall JCM800 amps, and a Fender Bassman. Armstrong does use a variety of effects, such as a Dunlop Crybaby Wah pedal, Boss TR-2 Tremolo, IbanezTS9 Tube Screamer, and an ISP Decimator pedal. Effects will be needed to replicate his guitar sound on most songs, for the crunchy and distorted punk sound.

Mike DirntBassist Mike Dirnt usually plays his Fender Mike Dirnt Precision Bass, or a Fender 1969 Vintage Precision Bass. For live amplification, Mike uses Mesa Boogie and Fender Pro heads, and Mesa Boogie and Fender Pro cabs. Dirnt’s style is punk and poppy, and he uses a Plectrum to play the bass, as opposed to a pick or fingerpicking. He does use several effects, including a Zinky Master Blaster Boost Pedal, and a Zinky True Grit Overdrive Pedal.

Tre CoolDrummer Tre Cool has used several drums and cymbals over the years, and his rig changes with every album and tour. For the most current album and tour, Tre is using a Gretsch USA Custom Kit in Red with Reno Drumheads. He always plays with Zildjian cymbals. An intermediate drummer is needed to imitate his sounds, as some of his drum parts can be tough.

To sound like Green Day, you’ll need a versatile vocalist, a strong drummer, and some distortion. The ability to play straight punk rock and ballads is also a necessity. Many of the songs, such as Boulevard of Broken Dreams are easy to play, so intermediate guitar knowledge will be needed.

Keep rockin’!

Green Day Concert Stage (Montreal) – Green Day is Ever Green by Anirudh Koul © July 18, 2009
Billie Joe Armstrong by musicsentropy © July 3, 2009
Green Day Venezuela: Mike Dirnt! by Edvill © Ovtober 2010
Green Day Venezuela: Tré Cool by Edvill © October 2010

 

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