Max Bemis > Billie Joe

[Jason Tate]

Yahoo! Music has posted an (http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/30111581) "article" on Say Anything (http://www.absolutepunk.net/sayanything). Nothing that new, but I've included it below. Also, the band's AP.net profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/sayanything) has been updated with the band's new (amazing) biography - written by Max Bemis himself.
Say Anything's first major-label album may seem at first like a pop-punk creation, complete with heavy guitars the angst-ridden lyrics of a young man. Music fans have heard this before, right?

Upon closer inspection, Max Bemis, the voice and writer behind Say Anything, shows that his raw musical talent cuts through any stereotypes. Bemis sings and plays guitar on all the material on the two-disc album. For added thump, he has drummer Coby Linder and bassist Alex Kent behind him. Originally, the songs on the record were to be part of a rock opera, along the lines of Green Day's "American Idiot."

Bemis' guitar skills are a large part of what makes the record so compelling. He switches easily from the heavy power chords to intricate guitar riffs. He also has a great ear for harmonies that offset the pounding melodies. This is particularly clear on "Spidersong." On the slow, hypnotic "Yellowcat" Bemis criticizes his friends and to a larger degree, society, for laziness and accepting the status quo. Most of all, Bemis sticks to his punk and rock roots and keeps the tunes fun. "Every Man has a Molly" is an anthem to a lost girl which is full of anger. His songs may have catchy melodies and revolve around themes of girls and partying, but Bemis manages to make them all sound fresh.

[tambo41187]

But max and billy are nothing alike.

[beauty is dead]

say anything slays green day

[apex]

i'm seeing them tonight. in 20 minutes i am going on my way.


this is going to be wonderful.

[RockVocalPower]

hahahahahaha

Billie Joe Armstrong is a legend. This dude is just some nutcase who was able to trick a whole bunch of kids into thinking he's a "genius."

[Jason Tate]

But max and billy are nothing alike.
refering to the article comparing is a real boy to american idiot.

[Jason Tate]

hahahahahaha

Billie Joe Armstrong is a legend. This dude is just some nutcase who was able to trick a whole bunch of kids into thinking he's a "genius."
Yah, that's basically the point. You say that like it's something hidden ... obviously never actually listening to a word Max is singing.

[fromoc2dc]

I guess he did his best to capture what makes Say Anything special, but I think he missed the mark a tad bit. But what are you going to do with only 225 words? For someone who has never heard of Say Anything, that wouldn't be a bad introduction at all.

I miss the days when you the words rock opera and Green Day were not synonymous.

[Jason Tate]

I miss the days when you the words rock opera and Green Day were not synonymous.

I think that was my point by my title. You said it much better ... thanks!

[autistk]

he didn't trick anyone... he's ridiculously talented. he just happens to be a bit mental, which for whatever reason, seems to make it easier for people to write him off.

[fortyparachutes]

i'm not sure how any part of ...is a real boy is about partying

[ACA]

Green Day > Say Anything

It's not even close.

-ACA

[CorporateFish]

Green Day > Say Anything

It's not even close.

-ACA
No joke.

[crzydrmmer]

max bemis>life

[SwingingMics]

the ap.net bio written by max is fantastic.

[reductiondesign]

Max makes incredible music... but Green Day is legend.

They're pretty much the modern Beatles.

[AsheyLarryRXB]

Being fresh faced teenagers, as well as the fact that we were playing with bands like the Promise Ring (and, like, Rooney) it wasn't a surprise that all these big scary labels saw us as a safe bet and tried to get us to sell our souls to them. They also told us we could be the next Blink182 if we gave them our first-born children and agreed to do whatever the wanted. That didn't sound so hot so we chose to be totally "underground" and sign to Doghouse Records. They've put out such obscure, borderline D.I.Y records as The All American Rejects.

i thought that was pretty amusing haha

[Brian Seeders]

This is what I don't get.. on the Yahoo! Music bio page it says: Written by Record Label at the bottom.

[JacksColdSweat]

False just because billy joe became a *** over the past year doesn't refute everything hes done in the past.

[RockVocalPower]

Here is proof why Billie Joe Armstrong is better than Max Bemis:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00004XQP4.03._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[eatmeplz]

I really don't understand why people give this max dude the time of day.

It's not like he's Conor Oberst... and even then.

[tambo41187]

Green Day > Say Anything

It's not even close.

-ACA
...Is a real boy > American Idiot

-we get it, ACA is your username too.

[sweetmik]

Go Alex Kent! Lance's Hero rocked!

[preppyak]

...Is a real boy > American Idiot

-we get it, ACA is your username too.
haha

[AsheyLarryRXB]

I really don't understand why people give this max dude the time of day.

It's not like he's Conor Oberst... and even then.

dude have you actually listened to any of his songs? i have about 60 of them and no two sound the same. everything he does is so original and rocking. i dare you to listen to but a fleeting illness and try not to rock out.

[marbury1414]

The new SA profile is so great. Max has such a way with words.

[rocksolidgurl]

I really don't understand why people give this max dude the time of day.

It's not like he's Conor Oberst... and even then.

Max Bemis >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Conor Oberst.

The bio is hysterical and amazing.

[sweetmik]

Max Bemis >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Conor Oberst.

The bio is hysterical and amazing.

I dunno, I'm wide awake it's morning was really good.

[youareallfreaks]

...Is a real boy > American Idiot

-we get it, ACA is your username too.


pwned.

[tambo41187]

"That didn't sound so hot so we chose to be totally "underground" and sign to Doghouse Records. They've put out such obscure, borderline D.I.Y records as The All American Rejects."

haha thats great.

[sputniksignals]

if everyone could be like max bemis, the world would be a better place. forserious

[Go Analog Baby]

God, how I love this band.

[fire on my lips]

This is random but wasn't the AAR's first CD pretty much made on their own then they shopped it to doghouse?

[Throwback]

This is random but wasn't the AAR's first CD pretty much made on their own then they shopped it to doghouse?
I believe so.

And while I'm going to totally pick up the IARB re-release, I really hope that a new SA record drops sometime in 06. I think I'd explode with ecstasy.

[Bobcat46308]

man, at first i was about to flip out because i though it said Max Bemis > Billy Joel, but then i read the part about green day, and then i was like oh alright, i guess everyone has their own opinions (although i guess this isn't even his opinion?) who knows, they're all pretty cool

[AsheyLarryRXB]

man, at first i was about to flip out because i though it said Max Bemis > Billy Joel, but then i read the part about green day, and then i was like oh alright, i guess everyone has their own opinions (although i guess this isn't even his opinion?) who knows, they're all pretty cool

haha yea you cant knock the piano man. even though i love say anything, max is gonna have to wait a little while before he gets billy joel status

[earlynovemberX]

so does this mean he won the 'whos next' thing?

[TheBestBet]

Coby never gets any love

[hypocrisy101]

Green Day, even with their great accomplishments in the past(5th grade dookie was my favorite record), are merely ass clowns after what they're putting out now. In my humble opinion, it's terrible. They're the new good charlotte.

Say anything is inventive, actually has interesting lyrics, and intelligent musical styling that says more about Max than any second rate yahoo article could.

[weworemasks]

hahahahahaha

Billie Joe Armstrong is a legend. This dude is just some nutcase who was able to trick a whole bunch of kids into thinking he's a "genius."

agreed.
i think max is talented, but i dont think he can be comparable to billie joe. well see how long say anything stays around.

Green Day > Say Anything

It's not even close.

-ACA

agreed.

[GlassyLight]

Green Day, even with their great accomplishments in the past(5th grade dookie was my favorite record), are merely ass clowns after what they're putting out now. In my humble opinion, it's terrible. They're the new good charlotte.

Say anything is inventive, actually has interesting lyrics, and intelligent musical styling that says more about Max than any second rate yahoo article could.

I'm pretty sure green day has never written anything as atrocious as "Girls and Boys" or whatever the fuck it was called. Good Charlotte is inoffensive crap that takes no position whatsoever. Like it or not, think it was bandwagon-jumping or not, Green Day has taken a position. And I'm NOT just referring to AI. Listen to Warning, as said above.

Max Bemis is a fantastic lyricist with a fantastic voice, but they have not influenced people (yet). Green Day has been around for *almost* 20 years, and remained vital. Not only have they constantly sold boat-loads of records, they're STILL influencing people -- I can only imagine how many 'rock operas' are going to be coming out any day now after the success of AI.

However, you are entitled to an opinion, and at least you didn't call them gay. For that, I applaud you.

[FASSWcore]

bemis even looks absolutely insane

[skeeter988]

my 10 year old sister like loves billy joe idk what that mean but yea Max is awesome

[streetcar]

...Is a real boy > American Idiot

-we get it, ACA is your username too.


I think i like your way of thinking

[hypocrisy101]

Listen to Warning, as said above.

Warning was good, but I consider that album to be the start of Green day's Downward curve into semi-creative pop-rock.

However, you are entitled to an opinion, and at least you didn't call them gay. For that, I applaud you.

Whether or not I enjoy a bands music usually has nothing to do with whether or not they like peen juice

[streetcar]

I just have to say that i feel like alot of you kids dont know music you just listen.

[hypocrisy101]

Define knowing music? Being an avid player\listener\showgoer\artist I feel that I have a right to discuss music. Especially on a forum created for the discussion of music...

[streetcar]

Define knowing music? Being an avid player\listener\showgoer\artist I feel that I have a right to discuss music. Especially on a forum created for the discussion of music...


Whoa bud, remind me where i said you couldnt discuss music.

[atouchoverrated]

So tomorrow the radio station i work for is having its monthly music meeting in which we all gather around and listen to music and decide what to "recommend" to our listeners. Tomorrow i will be bringing in Say Anything in an attempt to get it recommended for the month of April.

If this goes down, we'll add "...glory of love" to our playlist and plug their show down here at the Epicentre and who knows maybe get max in studio for an interview?

I'm going to try my damndest but we have a bunch of music snobs that work for our station, the main one being the MD and the man who ultimately makes the decisions.

[rocksolidgurl]

Fuck, my friend just called me from the CBGB's show and they were playing "Walk Through Hell."

Get me to a fucking SA show NOW.

[AHMYBRAIN]

Max Bemis is a man everyone needs in their lives.

[Carlo Marx]

green day's new album is terrible. billie joe never should have written a rock opera, that's not the sound that green day is known for. i'm all for him expanding to new horizons and that type of bullshit, but it just isn't green day and billie joe does not have the musical expertise to write a good rock album.

say anything, on the other hand, ditched the whole "plot" aspect of their rock opera and made an incredible record which i enjoy immensely more than american idiot.

[sweetmik]

I just have to say that i feel like alot of you kids dont know music you just listen.

please, enlighten us to your music knowledge ways! 'Knowing music' sounds so foreign to my feeble mind.

you're a douche.

[lesto17]

Max Bemis >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Conor Oberst.

The bio is hysterical and amazing.


I disagree.

Conor can do just about anything. I love Max and SayAnything, but Conor Oberst is a force and gets a lot of undeserved shit. That guys is pretty phenomenal.

[sweetmik]

green day's new album is terrible. billie joe never should have written a rock opera.

I agree. Just cause you're songs tell a story, and the songs are 8 minutes long doesn't mean it's a rock opera. Rock opera's are dynamic.

[alkalinexandy]

i'm not sure how any part of ...is a real boy is about partying

Maybe not so much about partying...But there's reference to marijuana all over the place.

[Carlo Marx]

Maybe not so much about partying...But there's reference to marijuana all over the place.

of course there's references to pot. the concept of the album is that this kid is inflicted with this power that makes all of his thought burst out as fully orchestrated songs. that's an incredible amount of pressure, so naturally he'd attempt to self-medicate through drug usage.

[shtjames]

whoever wrote this article clearly does not understand say anything

[apex]

I believe so.

And while I'm going to totally pick up the IARB re-release, I really hope that a new SA record drops sometime in 06. I think I'd explode with ecstasy.

theyre looking to start recording this fall so no, that wont happen.

[apex]

Fuck, my friend just called me from the CBGB's show and they were playing "Walk Through Hell."

Get me to a fucking SA show NOW.

it was an amazing show. nanner nanner.

[streetcar]

please, enlighten us to your music knowledge ways! 'Knowing music' sounds so foreign to my feeble mind.

you're a douche.



I said some of you kids, now if you want to throw yourself in the group of kids im talking about then your the douche.

:'( baby

[shagelific]

Fuck, my friend just called me from the CBGB's show and they were playing "Walk Through Hell."



yes, that is true.

what an incredible show. those turners are not just awesome dudes but great guitarists as well, jake can tear shit up. it was great to see max up there. and only one random person asked me about coby. a good night all around.

[sweetmik]

I said some of you kids, now if you want to throw yourself in the group of kids im talking about then your the douche.

:'( baby

well what the fuck are you even talking about then? If you're gonna bitch about something, make it good. And it's "you're a douche", douchey mcdoucherson.

[we are cured]

max is a way more creative guitar player, with respect to what he records. billie is a great pop song writer. who knows, he might be a ridiculous shredder and doesn't show it off.

[streetcar]

well what the fuck are you even talking about then? If you're gonna bitch about something, make it good. And it's "you're a douche", douchey mcdoucherson.



oh shit correct my grammmar, who said i was bitching about anything. ur a godamnmnmn retard sweetmilk

[Mike Oxmall]

Man when people get on here and defend the hell outta greenday it's like why even bother going to absolutepunk? You probably get your musical news from Mtv, they act as if Green Day hasn't released trash... With more money behind it than Mr. Bemis. The guy is fricken 21, and writes songs as if he is 27, and he doesn't write the same way other nigguhs in the back of the bars are writing. I am a Green Day fan, and have listened to all of their albums, and even saw them back in 1996 which was really special for them and will forever make them gods. Lets quit comparing musicians that are living in two different leagues. Mr. Armstrong has been to hell and back. Let Max leave hell, so he can do what he has to do, and thats create a legacy.