Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trio Green Day turned a new generation on to “political” punk while forging a canon that melded pop melody and social commentary, especially on such collections as American Idiot (2004) and 21st Century Breakdown (2009).  To my ears, Billie Joe carries the populist mantle forged by Joe Strummer, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, John Lennon, and Jello Biafra…

However don’t let the simplistic “punk” moniker mislead you when it comes to the music and the bassist, as the former Michael Ryan Pritchard is a accomplished and dexterous player; rendering chords, slaps, walking lines, and counterpoint as evidenced on such Green Day tracks as…

“Father of All” https://youtu.be/eXv00PJ9IQM

“Welcome to the Paradise” https://youtu.be/iOcrKFiB_ts

“Makeout Party” https://youtu.be/hsHrfNzal0U

“No One Knows” https://youtu.be/jRbVjJPKoUY

“Chump”  https://youtu.be/qiN2rE7shBc

“Minority” https://youtu.be/cDBlqu6KF4k

“Dirty Rotten” https://youtu.be/Tsn7pW8TcI4

“Longview” https://youtu.be/vlOuYdPVlak

…to cite a few.  

A songwriter, occasional lead singer, and backing vocalist, Mike Dirnt’s signature Fender P bass plays like butta! Dig Dirnt talkin’ Dirnt bass: https://youtu.be/vYWm9gvtlKQ