In Berklee, California two childhood friends, Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt fell in love with music.  They started their first band when they were only fourteen years old, Billie Joe (vocals, guitar) and Mike (bass).  By 1989 they added a drummer, Al Sobrante, and made up the name Green Day, for the band.  The same year Green Day independently released their EP, 1000 Hours.  Shortly after a local label, Lookout! Records signed Green Day.  In 1990 they released their first full album 39/Smooth.  Soon after the release of 39/Smooth, Green Day got a new drummer, Tre Cool.  To this day he is still Green Days drummer.

During the early 90's Green Day began a crowd bass which only got bigger when their second album Kerplunk, which debut in 1992.  Now Green Day had a underground success, having a major record label wanting to sign Green Day.  They signed with Reprise records and released their third album in the spring of 1994, Dookie.  Dookie had four singles, "Longview", "Basketcase", "She", and "When I Come Around".  Green Day became a huge hit and won a Grammy in 1994.