Green Day vs. Wal-Mart

Green Day is enraged that Wal-Mart, the largest retailer of its music, has refused to carry its album after they refused to censor it. They are now trying to boycott Wal-Mart and tell their fans not to get any of their music (obviously by other bands) there.

I have a question: When did Green Day sell-out? Again? I mean for the third time? I mean when did they pretend that they didn't sell-out after selling-out three times?

I don't even need to address their petty quarrel because both parties are at fault for stupidity. Wal-Mart can easily slap an advisory sticker on it, make millions and call it a day. Green Day could easily have censored it for Wal-Mart only, made millions and called it a (green) day.

Now Wal-Mart is acting like its conglomerate self: egotistical, elitist (though its stereotypical clientele represent a population otherwise...), monopolizing, and all-powerful.

Green Day is none of those things. And it's no wonder they were banned from CBGBs before it closed down. No wonder they were booed at The Warped Tour, Lalapalooza, and at Woodstock. They have confused their fans as to their true intention. Sure, they claim to be punk...but so do Good Charlotte, New Found Glory and Yellowcard. None of them are, or will ever be, punk.

So are faux-punk fans ridiculed by real punk fans as a result? I'd argue yes and no; it depends on the level of commitment, geographic area, and interaction. Wholly--no. Individually--probably, yes.

Fans of Black Flag, The Misfits, Iggy Pop or countless other real punk bands from long ago knew that selling out meant having your CD mass produced by a popular label, endorsing products, and appearing in everything from Superbowl Commercials to Nickelodeon award shows.

Green Day has sold out more than any other punk band in history, yet at 40+ Billie Joe is trying to regain his punk, anti-establishment and anti-censoring roots and boycott Wal-Mart.

I'm sure some Sunday punk fans (like Sunday drivers...) will jump on board, but the majority won't care or react at all. It's a victory for no one and ultimately only serves as a focal point for online bloggers (hence...) who find it either a passionate cause to support, or like me, say, "What?! Green Day. Do they think...Are they serious?"

The End. (Get it?)