'Idiot' to 'Breakdown': Green Day on American Politics April 19, 2011

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Billie Joe Armstrong discusses his inspiration for Green Day's latest albums. He explains that the American Idiot album was written in response to the fear and confusion in America post-9/11. The latest album, 21st Century Breakdown is also inspired by current American politics. "It's the end of a lousy era," says Armstrong. "It's that defining moment where you have to destroy something to make something new happen."

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Billie Joe Armstrong is an American rock musician and occasional actor, best-known as the lead vocalist, main songwriter and lead guitarist for the American punk rock band Green Day. He is also a guitarist and vocalist for the punk rock band Pinhead Gunpowder and provides lead vocals for garage rock band Foxboro Hot Tubs when not working with Green Day.

Raised in Rodeo, California, Armstrong developed an interest in music at a young age, and recorded his first song at the age of five. He met Mike Dirnt while attending elementary school, and the two instantly bonded over their mutual interest in music, forming the band Sweet Children when the two were fifteen years old. The band changed its name to Green Day, and became one of the most successful rock groups of all time. Armstrong has also pursued musical projects outside of Green Day's work, including numerous collaborations with other musicians as well as serving as the primary vocalist for the bands Pinhead Gunpowder and Foxboro Hot Tubs.