A FEW WORDS WITH GRAMMY CONTENDER GREEN DAY'S BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG

The Green Day frontman hesitantly answers our questions about the band’s 14th album, Saviors, in particular one of its more introspective cuts, “Dilemma,” which has been nominated for 2025's Best Rock Song Grammy. The Reprise act is also recognized in the Best Rock Album category, for the aforementioned Saviors, and for Best Rock Performance, for "The American Dream Is Killing Me."

What’s your absolute favorite moment on Saviors?

My favorite moment from making Saviors was me, Mike [Dirnt] and Tré [Cool] being in the same room together. I would bring in a song and we would hash out the arrangements together. We got away from that process the last couple of albums. It’s a way of working together like we did during Kerplunk or Dookie. All of our character, passion and personalities come out in the album. And of course, working with Rob Cavallo. His enthusiasm for the project was so infectious and made us want to be the best band in the world.

What surprised or delighted you about the fan reaction to Saviors?

The fan response has been overwhelmingly amazing. It is always our intention to make a perfect album. On the great Beatles’ records, every song is a banger. I feel like we achieved that with Saviors. By the time you get to the end of the record, with the song “Fancy Sauce,” it’s like a ride with your life flashing before your eyes.

Fill in the blank: Saviors is a cross between _________ and _________.

Saviors is a cross between a hurricane and a pontoon ride
on a lake. It searches for the meaning of life in a life-and-death situation.

What did you learn about yourself when writing “Dilemma?”

That I can be a drunk-ass fool. And suicide can be a very slow process—especially when you’re not even aware that you’re self-destructing.

Send a shout-out to the unsung hero in the making of Saviors.

The unsung hero is the city of London. It’s the first time we ever recorded outside of the U.S. Sometimes I feel like it was the biggest influence on making a great record.