Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Think Green Day Got Their Name from Marijuana? – Screamin’ Scott

Avatar photo
Author Screamin' Scott
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 15: Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs during the Hella Mega Tour at Wrigley Field on August 15, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images)

Band’s name origins always have a unique story to each individual band, including a band from California. I have to tell you the truth: This name went right over my head for years, and I never associated marijuana with how Green Day got their name. Or. in my defense. I just plain forgot. Over the years, I have seen the band a few times, and the concerts are energetic and entertaining with a catalog of hits to keep them going for hours!

https://share.newsbreak.com/1nevo7xy

Green Day’s ‘Dookie’: 7 Hidden Musical References on the Cover

Green Day’s Dookie was released on February 1, 1994. The album remains both timeless and a snapshot of the rock world as grunge’s popularity started to wane.

Simply put, Dookie helped turn Green Day into a household name. The album was the band’s major label debut and third album overall. It went on to sell over 20 million copies worldwide. In the United States, Dookie has been certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America for selling 10 million copies. That certification was awarded in February 1999. (It would be interesting to see how many more copies have sold since.)

To paraphrase “The Iceberg That Sank the Titanic” from Saturday Night Live, Dookie is 14 tracks, “no skips, swear to God.” (Well, it’s technically 15 tracks when you count the hidden track “All By Myself,”, but you get the idea.) The album yielded four singles: “Longview,” “Basket Case,” “Welcome to Paradise” and “When I Come Around.” Each of those songs is a stone-cold classic. In fact, Setlist.fm notes that “Longview” and “Basket Case” are the two most-performed Green Day songs in the band’s history. Overall, “Longview” has been featured on 1,008 setlists, while “Basket Case” has been featured on 965. Not to be outdone, popular album track “She” is third with 829.

While the album is a timeless piece of rock magic, the same can be said about the album cover of Dookie. Drawn by local East Bay artist Richie Bucher, the cover alone deserves special recognition. It’s full of all sorts of references to Berkeley’s punk scene at that time, but there are also a number of musical references even fans outside of the East Bay would know.

How many? Seven in total. Think you know what they are? Scroll through the gallery below to find out!

Born in Mt Clemens, Screamin’ Scott has been a part of the Detroit airwaves for 30-plus years. With 40 years of experience in radio. When he’s not out on the streets for WCSX, you can find him devoting time to local charities with his, “Screamin Angels”; and for 16 years with Rock 4 Tots charity. And last 10 years with his local band, "Chit!." Screamin Scott likes to write about nostalgic Detroit area memories, classic rock, and local metro Detroit topics.

Sign Up For The WRIF Everything That Rocks Newsletter

Get everything that rocks sent right to your inbox. We're talking rock news, concert updates, stories from all around metro Detroit, plus exclusive contests, games and more.

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Avatar photo
Author Screamin' Scott
Category:

More Uncategorized

Load More