Green Day are likely the most successful punk band on the face of the planet, with a career of screaming highs and tragic lows stretching back over 30 years. But when they trotted down the steps of a New York City subway station in top-to-bottom disguise for a surprise gig, none of their massive crowd even clocked it was them playing!
This viral video has amassed over 3M views in only 3 months, and it’s not hard to see why. The band takes to the subway platform stage with Tonight Show host, Jimmy Fallon, covered in shaggy hair, hobo clothes and looking absolutely nothing like the legends themselves. They kick off their busking set with an acoustic cover of Bad Company’s “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” and it turns out Jimmy is just as good a singer as Green Day’s frontman, Billie Joe Armstrong.
Perhaps the TV cameras are what attracted such an unnaturally vast crowd to their busking set before the stars revealed themselves. With Billie Joe looking homeless, bassist Mike Dirnt looking insane with his long flock of brunette hair and shades, and drummer Tré Cool dressed like an emo teen in his black beanie, hoodie and fake goatee, the trio of 51-year-olds were unlikely to draw any attention without the crew.
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But when they remove their crude disguises and launch an explosive acoustic rendition of their 90s hit, “Basket Case,” the crowd just can’t be tamed. A sea of fans stretches back as far as the camera can see, jumping and headbanging in the middle of the underground station while the band play their hit like they’re at Wembley Arena.
For Green Day fans, this is a glimpse into the band in their rawest form; their sound like a teenage basement band as Billie’s acoustic strums clash wildly with the electric bass and full drum kit, serving pure punk and nineties nostalgia. By the end of the set, Tré Cool stabs his drumstick through his tom drum in a scene any Music Man reader will find 100% hilarious; classy like an old-school punk pushing fifty.
This clip from The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon was lined up with the release of the California band’s fourteenth album, “Saviors,” which dropped in January 2024. This wasn’t the first time Jimmy’s taken superstars busking in disguise either. He’s also pulled the same trick with Miley Cyrus, U2, Alanis Morissette, and Maroon 5!
If you would like to hear more from this iconic punk band you can subscribe to their YouTube Channel for more incredible music. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for updates and visit their website for more information.