If you’re looking for a Green Day friendly support act, look no further than Lovebreakers. This self-releasing band have bought the Green Day song book, ripped out all the good pages, added their own twist and are now out on a charm offensive. The Birmingham four-piece are tight, sharp, and ready to spread their uplifting indie rock. Charismatic lead singer Jack Perry leads the band through a well worked set ahead of their second album release this Friday. Billy Joe Armstrong is clearly a fan and why wouldn't he be? ‘Wonder’ is available to pre-order now and if it's a rocked-up sound you're after Lovebreakers won't disappoint.
The 600-strong crowd now warmed up, the excitement rachets up a gear as Green Day side-project The Coverups take to the stage. “How are you guys doing?” welcomes Armstrong, we’re The Coverups, we play cover songs. This is the kind of stuff that we do at home. We’re just friends who get together and we hang out, and it’s just glorified karaoke.” With that they launch into first track ‘A Million Miles Away’ by The Plimsouls.
Formed in 2018 by Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt (unfortunately absent tonight) the band features Green Day touring manager Bill Schneider on bass, Green Day touring guitarist Jason White and the band's audio engineer Chris Duggan on drums. It’s a party vibe, smiles all-round, as Ramones’ ‘I Wanna Be Sedated’ crashes through the sound system. Armstrong introduces ‘Ready Steady Go’ by Generation X “this is from one of my favourite bands of all time” and joy abounds, you can see the 16-year-old kid still there in his eyes.
It’s a testament to how much Armstrong loves playing that they play intimate shows like this. Purely enjoying the music of others, in an all too stage-managed world of choregraphed bands Green Day have become a shinning beacon of light. Their punk ethos does not wain. The last time they played here at The Garage as Foxboro Hot Tubs I was lucky enough to be in the mosh pit. They came fresh from a three-hour Wembley Stadium show and to ‘relax’, played another hour of Hot Tubs tunes, to a half full venue, so secret was the gig. One tune 16 times! I jest not. An unforgettable night of music as this is turning out to be.
“We have a special guest, Courtney Love” Armstrong smiles.
The Hole singer introduced herself saying "my name is Courtney Love, you may not remember me. I've been living in a cave in Birmingham for about 9 years. But we'll give this a f**king try right?" A thrilling version of 'He's a Whore' by Cheap Trick and 'Even the Losers' by Tom Petty followed.
After Love left the stage Billie Joe Armstrong commented "I told you it was going to be a special night. Thank you, Courtney, I hope we see more of you singing, please, we need you."
The Coverups then regale us with a blistering ‘Neat Neat Neat’ by The Damned and a nod to the great Kurt Cobain with a full throttle version of ‘Drain You’ by Nirvana.
Tonight, is a life-affirming validation of music. Another stand out track is ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’ by The Clash after which Love returns to singer her favourite song ‘Surrender’ by Cheap Trick.
“I don’t know how I’m gonna follow that” says Armstrong as they all walk off stage. But he duly delivers with final encore ‘Where Eagles Dare’ by Misfits to cap off a triumphant celebration of music.
The Coverups play the 100 Club on Friday then it’s Green Day’s turn to up the ante at Wembley Stadium this summer, you’d be wise to keep an eye on any late-night shows at The Garage around that time, I certainly will be.
The Coverups Setlist A Million Miles Away -The Plimsouls I Wanna Be Sedated - Ramones Ready Steady Go - Generation X I Think We're Alone Now - Tommy James & the Shondells Message of Love - Pretenders Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams Walking Out on Love - Paul Collins Beat I Fought the Law - The Crickets Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've) - Buzzcocks I'm So Bored With the U.S.A. - The Clash Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie Dancing With Myself - Generation X He's a Whore - Cheap Trick - with Courtney Love Even the Losers - Tom Petty - with Courtney Love Neat Neat Neat - The Damned Drain You - Nirvana Last Nite - The Strokes American Girl - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Love is for Losers - The Longshot Fox on the Run - Sweet Rockaway Beach - Ramones Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash Surrender - Cheap Trick - with Courtney Love
