Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt were 15 when they formed their first band,
Sweet Children and started playing locally around Vallejo, California with
drummer John Kiffmeyer. Spotted at one of their early shows, they were signed by
Lookout Records and recorded their first EP 1,000 Hours in 1989. By the time
they released their first album 39/Smooth in 1990, they'd changed their name to
Green Day and had started building a devoted following with their punk rock
style and extravagant shows. Kiffmeyer quit to go back to college and Tré Cool
took his place. In 1994, they upset har...