Green Day

When Green Day started out with humble punk rock roots in East Bay, California, few people could imagine the trio would ultimately win multiple Grammy Awards and go on to be one of the biggest bands in the world. Early on, the band was picked up by pioneering pop-punk label Lookout! Records, who released their earliest singles, EPs, and albums. Green Day were able to tour the US and the world on the backs of their releases from Lookout!, but in 1993, despite being considered "sellouts" by punk loyalists, they left Lookout! and signed with Reprise Records, who released the immensely successful Dookie in 1994. Some of their best-known songs were on this album, including "Longview" and "When I Come Around".

Since, Green Day have had regular success with each album they have released, and while their sound has somewhat matured and evolved, they've always maintained the punk rock sound of their roots, largely reflected in singer Billie Joe Armstong's sneering, snarling vocals.

After some setbacks, including the lukewarm reaction to their 2000 album, Warning and the theft of the master tapes of an album the band had been working on, they took some time off, only to come back with the critically acclaimed and politically charged American Idiot. The album was their first #1 album, and earned them the coveted Grammy Award for Best Rock Album as well as seven Video Music Awards.

Currently, the band is said to be working on an album they hope to release in 2007.