Green Day plays for only 400

The last time Green Day came to Detroit, it played the State Theatre, with a capacity of about 1,500. The time before that, it played Cobo Arena, which packs in about 10,000.

So what recently inspired the boys to play 400-person clubs now that they're bigger than they've ever been? Green Day's drummer, Tre, explained the strategy

"We're just takin' it to this level 'cause we sorta skipped this level before," said Tre. "It's better to have more people that can't come to see you than be readily accessible at this point. Plus, the burnout factor is higher when you play big shows ... we're a club band and we go over better that way ... but we're f---in' really good in a big place, too."

Green Day has been gone the last couple years, touring the world following the success of its last three albums, "Insomniac," "nimrod." and of course, the multi-million selling "Dookie."

Courtesy of Reprise Records Thousands of fans would would love to see Tre, Billy and Mike (left to right) in Pontiac tomorrrow night, but only 400 lucky ticket holders will be able to attend.

"We've been overseas more than we've been home. It's kinda weird," Tre said. "The f---in' crowds go off. Like we're demi-gods in Japan. They have little totem poles with our heads on 'em. It's pretty silly though."

The boys are well aware of their success, which appears to have gone to their heads. "We got a lot of hit songs, baby," Tre said. "That's the way it is. Our f---in' setlist looks like a greatest-hits album.

"Pretty huge band? We're the only rock 'n' roll band in the world. Seriously, we're the f---ing only band left that's still a band, anyways," Tre added.

PREVIEW
	Green Day 7th House Tomorrow at 8 p.m. 3 stars

Green Day may be the biggest band with the biggest egos, but one could easily argue it's not the best. Pick up "1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours," "Kerplunk!," "Dookie" or "Insomniac," and you'll realize they all sound the same.

That's why Green Day's album, "nimrod.," is such a refreshing surprise. It's new, exciting and adventurous.

When I asked what took them seven years and five albums to expand their sound, Tre snapped, "You gotta establish yourself before you start f---in' around, branching out. We've been together longer than most bands and we're younger than most bands. We're not making music for you, we're not makin' music for yo mama or your little brother. It's for us. We don't really give a shit if people think our sound is the same. We're the same guys with the same instruments."

It's a shame that with its staying power and great new songs, Green Day is playing a radio show in Detroit that most fans won't even get to see.

If you're one of the lucky ones that won tickets, though, cherish the moment. Seeing Green Day support "nimrod." at the 7th House in Pontiac with Samiam (a great band from Gilman Street) would be an amazing way to spend tomorrow.

05-26-98