Apparently, Brandon Flowers, lead singer of The Killers, was a bit annoyed by Green Day‘s 2005 DVD ‘Bullet In a Bible’. In particular, the performance of American Idiot and how Billie Joe pumps the audience during it.
“I just thought it was really cheap,” he explained. “To go to a place like England or Germany and sing that song – those kids aren’t taking it the same way that he meant it. And he [Billie Joe Armstrong] knew it.”
After reading the article, I tend to agree with him. There are parts of ‘Bullet In A Bible’ that kinda struck me as Green Day deliberately missing their own point and playing up anti-American hatred. That said, to get offended is somewhat ridiculous if you ask me. What were they supposed to do, not play the song?
That said, the phenomenon he’s referring to does bother me. While I was in Ireland in 2004, there were a ton of kids wearing ‘Not My President’ shirts with swastikas drawn on Bush’s forehead. I wore that shirt with pride as an American just as I sing along to American Idiot. With pride in my nation and what it stands for, in civil disagreement of my government’s policies. Not because I hate my country, but because I love it. Somehow I don’t think those kids in Europe get that. In that sense, I agree with Flowers, and it scares me.
It’s just a shame it he is saying it a year too late, and for shameless self-promotion:
The Killers frontman said he believed that his band’s new album ‘Sam’s Town’ is a much better representation of America.
“People need to see that, really, there are the nicest people in the world here!” he declared. “I don’t know if our album makes you realise that. But I hope it’s from a more positive place.”
(Via Punknews)