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I honestly couldn´t stop myself from laughing when I read through the statement that Green Day had dropped about Games and MMA via Kerrang. And who can blame me? Because this is, in fact, what Green Day told Kerrang:

“Green Day have said they’re worried about video games becoming increasingly violent. The trio, who release new album ‘Revolution Radio’ on October 7, have said they’re worried about the world becoming so violent that it’s going to scar their children.” – Green Day via NME and Kerrang



“My kids are going to grow up seeing things that I never saw, like Mixed Martial Arts. When that first came out, people were ‘Oh fuck, that’s fucking violent.’ And now they play it on TV in restaurants. I’m supposed to eat and watch this shit wherever I go? Nothing makes me hungrier than watching two guys in weenie bikinis kicking the shit out of each other.” –

“Video games are different now too. You’re actually in there shooting and killing people. And that’s got to take a toll, but I don’t have the solutions.” – Mike Dirnt, Greenday´s bassist via Kerrang

So, why do I find those statements by Green Day to be laughable? Well, please allow me to tell you why. 1. Green day hasn’t been relevant for years (their latest album “Tré” was released over four years ago…). In the matter of fact, I haven´t heard a single word about them since the early 2000s when I was still in college. 2. If someone has set his or her mind on killing people in real, then it doesn´t matter if the person in question is playing games or not. As it´s a question about mental health, and not violent games. 3. Green Day is just trying to get relevant again by jumping on the “Let´s blame all the world’s problems on video games” train (all while cashing in on some free PR and political correctness points). 4. Green Day is supposed to be a Punk band for crying out loud! In all fairness though. I never really saw them as a “real” punk band, but more of a “mainstream” wannabe Punk/pop band (even Prodigy and PWEI are more Punk than Green Day).

5. If the members of Green Day don´t like MMA, then the solution is very simple. Simply don´t watch MMA, problem solved (“Call me a killjoy” anyone?). 6. There is no data on video games that proves that there is a connection between violent video games and violent behavior 7. Before modern video games it was rock music that was the devil in our society (do you remember the time when the media told people to stop listening to Manson?), then it was movies. So the blaming goal post has been moved around tons of times in the past (I wonder if people blamed everything on books back in the 1800s?). 8. It´s said that Elliot Rodger (the son of Hunger Games assistant director Peter Rodger) listened to Green Day´s music before went out on a killing spree in California (the tragic California drive-by shooting took place back in May 2014). My point would be that since Green Day are “worried” about violent games and MMA, then I guess that we should be worried about their music as well? You know, since it´s said that Elliot Rodger got all pumped up and ready to kill thanks to Green Day´s music?

9. The violent crime rate has dropped a whole lot in America and 10. Green Day released their own video game “Green Day: Rock Band” back in 2010, sure, it´s not a “violent” game. However, since they seem to love to generalize the world of games (the PEGI age rating system exists for a reason Green Day…). I might just as well state that Rock n roll = Sex, drugs and alcohol. Therefor I believe that Green Day´s music should be banned or censored. Well, I think you get my point. And in my opinion, I think Green Day is a group of overrated complaining rockers who should stop whining like some moral preaching old ladies at a church meeting…But hey! They have to do some PR for their new album some way right?

And with that said, what´s your take on this matter? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section down below.

Source:

Washingtonpost

nme.com

Mark Kern

Telegraph

mirror.co.uk

CBS news

***Disclaimer***

This is a personal opinion of the writer, and it doesn’t necessarily represent the other writers (nor The Gaming Ground´s) opinions.



Robin “V-Act” Ek

The Gaming Ground

Twitter: @TheGamingGround

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Tags: Gamer, Gamers, Gaming, Green Day, Violent video games