“Heart Like A Hand Grenade”, a documentary tracking the recording of Green Day’s 2004 smash “American Idiot”, is coming to US theaters on October 15.
Director John Roecker filmed the Bay Area band for nine-months as they worked on their seventh album.
“I would have total access to the band and could film everything,” says Roecker. “During this time Metallica released their film ‘Some Kind of Monster,’ a film that showed a band on the verge of artistic collapse and infighting. I told Billie about the film and he thought because there was no drama going on with the band I did not want to continue with the film. I was thinking the opposite.
“This film does not contain high drama or fighting. It shows a band on top of their game creating incredible music. It is a film that inspires. It is also a very small film. All it took was a box of tapes and one camera. Going back to the D.I.Y. Ethic that I was raised with. It was also a risk for the band because this album was either going to take them to a higher level or sink them. Either way I was going to document it.”
Produced by longtime associate Rob Cavallo, “American Idiot” delivered five singles including the title track, "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams", "Holiday", "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and "Jesus Of Suburbia."
The album sold more than 15 million copies worldwide, including 6 million in the States alone and won numerous industry awards including two Grammys – for Best Rock Album in 2005 and Record Of The Year for "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" in 2006.
“American Idiot” was adapted as a stage musical for the theater in 2009 and opened on Broadway in 2010, where it was honored with two Tony Awards that year; the project went on as a touring production that continues today.
Completed in 2008, “Heart Like A Hand Grenade” was screened only once for about 400 fans at Hollywood’s Egyptian Theatre in 2009.
For a list of “Heart Like A Hand Grenade” US screenings, visit greenday.com
Green Day were inducted into 2015 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2015 and are working on a new album.
See also:
Green Day start writing material for next album
VIDEO: Green Day inducted into Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
VIDEO: Green Day play club show ahead of Rock Hall induction
Green Day thrilled with 2015 Rock Hall induction
Search Green Day at hennemusic
