In their 30-plus years as a band, Green Day has been known to stir up controversy — but their latest move cost them a bit of airplay in an entire city.
During the band’s show in San Francisco, California on Friday, September 20, the band’s lead vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong had some words for Oakland A‘s owner John Fisher after Fisher moved the Major League Baseball team to Las Vegas, Nevada.
We don’t take s**t from people like f**king John Fisher… I hate Las Vegas,” said Armstrong, 52, to the audience. He continued, saying that Las Vegas is “the worst s**thole in America.”
Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs onstage as Green Day kicks off their Saviors North America Stadium Tour at Nationals Park on July 29, 2024 in Washington, DC. In September 2024, the band’s lead vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong made a bold statement, which resulted in their music being pulled from Las Vegas radio stations.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation
Since Armstrong, who is an Oakland native, made the controversial statement, Green Day’s catalog has been pulled from several Vegas radio stations. One of these stations was KOMP 92.3, who announced on Wednesday, September 25, that Green Day’s music would no longer be in rotation.
“KOMP 92.3 has pulled any and all Green Day from our playlist. It’s not us, Billie…it’s you. #vegas4ever,” the station announced in an Instagram post, featuring an image of the band’s members — Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tré Cool — crossed out.
Another radio station, X107.5, shared that they would also pull Green Day’s music from the air, and invited fans to weigh in on Armstrong’s proclamation.
“After Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong disrespected Las Vegas, we’re pulling the plug on ALL of their music. No more Green Day on X107.5,” the station said in a post. “What do YOU think about his comments?”
Granted, this isn’t the first time Armstrong critiqued parts of the United States. Back in June 2022, he renounced his American citizenship after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade.
Not to mention, the band put out an album in 2004 called American Idiot, which served as a commentary on the American political landscape.
