The Network
Encyclopedia
The Network is a six-piece New Wave
band
. They released their debut album
Money Money 2020
on Adeline Records
on September 30, 2003. A re-release of the album, with two bonus tracks, followed in 2004. The band has not played a live performance since about late 2004 and is believed to have disbanded around 2005. The band also may or may not be the punk rock
band Green Day
in disguise.
in 2003. Since Armstrong's voice is clearly heard in several songs of the album, fans of Green Day started to think that Money Money 2020 was Green Day's stolen album Cigarettes and Valentines
. After 2 years of that speculation, Armstrong stated that he was not in the project, nor any members of Green Day, and has said many times "Fuck The Network". That being said, fans did not believe Armstrong, and The Network then ceased touring together and recording together. Since about 2008, a new album has been rumored, which is Omega 3000, but nothing from The Network has been heard. Green Day has performed covers from the Network as the Foxboro Hot Tubs
, a name that they use to book secret shows.
while "Roshambo" is on the NHL 2005
soundtrack. The original Money Money 2020 release came with a companion DVD with music videos directed and produced by Roy Miles of AntiDivision. A segment of the song "Joe Robot" can also be heard on several VH1
specials like "All Access", MTV 2's "High School Stories", and at least once on the MTV
show "Pimp My Ride
."
, Mike Dirnt
, Tré Cool
and Jason White
, all of whom are most famous for their work as the band Green Day
. The stage name
s of The Network are Fink, The Snoo, Van Gough, Captain Underpants and Balducci.
Armstrong denies the involvement of any Green Day members in The Network. Although the style of music is different (New Wave as opposed to Green Day's pop-punk style), but Warner/Chappell Music cites the three Green Day members as having writing credits for The Network's album Money Money 2020
.
The band's website (The Network) was registered by Green Day, Inc., on May 16, 2003. WHOIS
details for the domain can be seen at Network Solutions. Green Day also utilized the domain in July 2007 to host their rendition of The Simpsons
theme song for The Simpsons Movie
. http://www.thenetworkband.com/greendaynetsimpsons.mp3
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
. They released their debut album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Money Money 2020
Money Money 2020
Money Money 2020 is the debut album by the new wave band The Network. It was released on September 30, 2003 through Adeline Records.The album came with a DVD that featured six music videos for songs on the CD directed and produced by Roy Miles of AntiDivision. It was re-released by Reprise Records...
on Adeline Records
Adeline Records
Adeline Records is a record label which was formed in Oakland, California in late 1997. It is co-owned by Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day, his wife Adrienne Armstrong, and Jim Thiebaud, professional skateboarder...
on September 30, 2003. A re-release of the album, with two bonus tracks, followed in 2004. The band has not played a live performance since about late 2004 and is believed to have disbanded around 2005. The band also may or may not be the punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
in disguise.
History
The band formed in 2003, and the band started working on matierial on mid 2003 and then invited members of Devo to take part in the project. After rumors started surfacing that Green Day was starting a new project, they came up with nicknames to hide their identities. The group recorded and released Money Money 2020Money Money 2020
Money Money 2020 is the debut album by the new wave band The Network. It was released on September 30, 2003 through Adeline Records.The album came with a DVD that featured six music videos for songs on the CD directed and produced by Roy Miles of AntiDivision. It was re-released by Reprise Records...
in 2003. Since Armstrong's voice is clearly heard in several songs of the album, fans of Green Day started to think that Money Money 2020 was Green Day's stolen album Cigarettes and Valentines
Cigarettes and Valentines
Cigarettes and Valentines was an unreleased studio album from punk rock band Green Day that would have been the proper follow-up to 2000's Warning. In the summer of 2003, the album was nearly finished when the master recordings of 20 tracks were stolen from the studio...
. After 2 years of that speculation, Armstrong stated that he was not in the project, nor any members of Green Day, and has said many times "Fuck The Network". That being said, fans did not believe Armstrong, and The Network then ceased touring together and recording together. Since about 2008, a new album has been rumored, which is Omega 3000, but nothing from The Network has been heard. Green Day has performed covers from the Network as the Foxboro Hot Tubs
Foxboro Hot Tubs
The Foxboro Hot Tubs band is a side project of Green Day. All members of the band perform live with Green Day . Their debut album, Stop Drop and Roll!!! was released on April 22, 2008....
, a name that they use to book secret shows.
Album re-release
Money Money 2020 was re-mastered and re-released by Reprise Records on November 9, 2004, with two additional tracks, "Hammer of the Gods" and a cover of The Misfits "Teenagers from Mars" which can also be heard on Tony Hawk's American WastelandTony Hawk's American Wasteland
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, abbreviated to THAW, is a video game that was released for the PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo GameCube and PC on October 18, 2005. Part of the Tony Hawk series, the game was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision.The PC version of the game was ported and...
while "Roshambo" is on the NHL 2005
NHL 2005
NHL 2005, the successor to NHL 2004, is a hockey video game first released on September 14, 2004 in North America and September 24, 2004 in the PAL region.-Improvements/flaws:...
soundtrack. The original Money Money 2020 release came with a companion DVD with music videos directed and produced by Roy Miles of AntiDivision. A segment of the song "Joe Robot" can also be heard on several VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
specials like "All Access", MTV 2's "High School Stories", and at least once on the MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
show "Pimp My Ride
Pimp My Ride
Pimp My Ride is a TV show produced by MTV. Each episode consists of taking one car in poor condition and restoring it and customizing it.The original United States version was hosted by rapper Xzibit...
."
Members
Members of The Network include Billie Joe ArmstrongBillie Joe Armstrong
Billie Joe Armstrong is an American rock musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, main songwriter and lead guitarist for the American punk rock band Green Day...
, Mike Dirnt
Mike Dirnt
Michael Ryan Pritchard is an American musician, best known as the bassist, backing vocalist and co-founder of the American Rock band Green Day. While at school, he would play "air-bass." While pretending to pluck the strings, he made the noise, "dirnt, dirnt, dirnt"...
, Tré Cool
Tre Cool
Frank Edwin Wright III, a.k.a. Tré Cool, is an American drummer, best known as the drummer for the punk rock band Green Day. He replaced the group's former drummer John Kiffmeyer in 1990...
and Jason White
Jason White (musician)
Jason White is an American guitarist who has played in various punk rock bands. He is most notable for being the long-time touring lead guitarist for Green Day and guitarist for Californian punk quartet Pinhead Gunpowder. Jason White has been a touring member of Green Day since 1999 when they...
, all of whom are most famous for their work as the band Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
. The stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
s of The Network are Fink, The Snoo, Van Gough, Captain Underpants and Balducci.
Armstrong denies the involvement of any Green Day members in The Network. Although the style of music is different (New Wave as opposed to Green Day's pop-punk style), but Warner/Chappell Music cites the three Green Day members as having writing credits for The Network's album Money Money 2020
Money Money 2020
Money Money 2020 is the debut album by the new wave band The Network. It was released on September 30, 2003 through Adeline Records.The album came with a DVD that featured six music videos for songs on the CD directed and produced by Roy Miles of AntiDivision. It was re-released by Reprise Records...
.
I just wanted to talk about the rumors and the bullshit that has been going on lately. All I gotta say is fuck The Network. These guys are totally spreading rumors. I try to do those guys a favour by bringing them to this country and putting out their record and this is how I get repaid, by talking shit about my band. Unfortunately there is a contract and I have to put out their record. The only thing I can say is Fuck you, Network. Bring it on. -Billie Joe Armstrong
The band's website (The Network) was registered by Green Day, Inc., on May 16, 2003. WHOIS
WHOIS
WHOIS is a query and response protocol that is widely used for querying databases that store the registered users or assignees of an Internet resource, such as a domain name, an IP address block, or an autonomous system, but is also used for a wider range of other information. The protocol stores...
details for the domain can be seen at Network Solutions. Green Day also utilized the domain in July 2007 to host their rendition of The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
theme song for The Simpsons Movie
The Simpsons Movie
The Simpsons Movie is a 2007 American animated comedy film based on the animated television series The Simpsons. The film was directed by David Silverman, and stars the regular television cast of Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Hank Azaria, Harry Shearer, Tress...
. http://www.thenetworkband.com/greendaynetsimpsons.mp3
Identities
Still unknown about The Network is which stage name goes with which musician. The following information may or may not link the members of Green Day to certain stage names in the band.- Fink: Green Day frontman Billie Joe ArmstrongBillie Joe ArmstrongBillie Joe Armstrong is an American rock musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, main songwriter and lead guitarist for the American punk rock band Green Day...
has written songs for Pinhead GunpowderPinhead GunpowderPinhead Gunpowder is an American punk rock band formed East Bay, California, in 1990. The band has consisted of Aaron Cometbus , Bill Schneider , Billie Joe Armstrong and Jason White for the majority of its existence...
under the alias "Wilhelm Fink." Fink of The Network and Armstrong are also both born under the same astrological signAstrological signAstrological signs represent twelve equal segments or divisions of the zodiac. According to astrology, celestial phenomena reflect or govern human activity on the principle of "as above, so below", so that the twelve signs are held to represent twelve basic personality types or characteristic modes...
: Aquarius. The Network is also signed under Billie Joe's record company, Adeline RecordsAdeline RecordsAdeline Records is a record label which was formed in Oakland, California in late 1997. It is co-owned by Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day, his wife Adrienne Armstrong, and Jim Thiebaud, professional skateboarder...
. The official Network web site also claims that Fink financed the band, when in actuality this was done by Armstrong. Another coincidence is that in the song "Spike" the character Branden moved into a warehouse in Oakland. It is well known that Billie Joe used to live in a warehouse in Oakland with several other punk rock band members. And in another song, he mentions "The Ave.", which is a nickname for Telegraph Ave. in Oakland, on which the title of the song "Stuart and the Ave." on the Insomniac album is based. Another clue to Fink being Armstrong is that on the CD Short Music For Short PeopleShort Music for Short PeopleShort Music for Short People is a 1999 compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. The title is a parody of the 1980s punk compilation Rat Music for Rat People...
, Green Day plays a song called "The Ballad of Wilhelm Fink." - Van Gough: Mike DirntMike DirntMichael Ryan Pritchard is an American musician, best known as the bassist, backing vocalist and co-founder of the American Rock band Green Day. While at school, he would play "air-bass." While pretending to pluck the strings, he made the noise, "dirnt, dirnt, dirnt"...
is identified by most fans as Van Gough. Van Gough claims to be a vegan on the band's official biography on the website, even though Mike Dirnt is not vegan. (Cf. Vincent van GoghVincent van GoghVincent Willem van Gogh , and used Brabant dialect in his writing; it is therefore likely that he himself pronounced his name with a Brabant accent: , with a voiced V and palatalized G and gh. In France, where much of his work was produced, it is...
.) - The Snoo: Tré CoolTre CoolFrank Edwin Wright III, a.k.a. Tré Cool, is an American drummer, best known as the drummer for the punk rock band Green Day. He replaced the group's former drummer John Kiffmeyer in 1990...
can be identified in several pictures (note the size and shape of the nose). The Snoo claims to be a former MexicanMexican peopleMexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
wrestler in his bio on the Network's official website. Green Day has, in the past, had a run-in with former ECWExtreme Championship WrestlingExtreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
wrestlers TazzTazzPeter Senerchia is a retired American professional wrestler and current color commentator best known by his ring name Tazz, originally Tazmaniac and later shortened to simply Taz...
and Tommy DreamerTommy DreamerThomas James "Tom" Laughlin is an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Tommy Dreamer. He is currently working for various promotions on the independent circuit. He is best known for his time spent with Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
. The Network was a faction representing TNN, now Spike, censors when ECW had a wrestling program on the channel. Spike is also the name of a song by The Network, telling the story of how a punk rocker becomes homeless when his girlfriend leaves him. On the GDA website Billie Joe Armstrong claims that his favorite joke from all of those he made up is ‘What do you call a drummer without a girlfriend? Homeless!’ Cool was seen wearing a similar mask while pranking supporting band "The Bravery" during a concert at Times Union Center in Albany, NY. - Captain Underpants: He is believed to be Reto Peter, a SwissSwitzerlandSwitzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
producer. This is supported by an obviously faked press conference seen at the end of the DVD Disease is PunishmentDisease is PunishmentDisease Is Punishment is a live DVD featuring songs from The Network's first album Money Money 2020. The project, directed by John Roecker, co-directed with visuals & music videos directed/produced by Roy Miles Jr...
where questions by the press are answered in Swiss GermanSwiss GermanSwiss German is any of the Alemannic dialects spoken in Switzerland and in some Alpine communities in Northern Italy. Occasionally, the Alemannic dialects spoken in other countries are grouped together with Swiss German as well, especially the dialects of Liechtenstein and Austrian Vorarlberg...
by one of the band members. (Cf. Captain UnderpantsCaptain UnderpantsCaptain Underpants by Dav Pilkey is a series of American children's books about two fourth graders, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, and the aptly named superhero they accidentally create by hypnotizing their principal, Mr. Benny Krupp...
.) - Z: He is believed to be Chris Dugan, a sound engineer.
- Balducci: is most likely Jason WhiteJason White (musician)Jason White is an American guitarist who has played in various punk rock bands. He is most notable for being the long-time touring lead guitarist for Green Day and guitarist for Californian punk quartet Pinhead Gunpowder. Jason White has been a touring member of Green Day since 1999 when they...
, Green Day's back-up guitarist. Balducci even fills that duty in the Network, and is seen on stage in a similar stance to White's when he plays guitar. - Reto Peter: Is also the co-producer of Money Money 2020 and one of its songs is called "Reto".
- Chris Dugan: The sound engineer for Money Money 2020 and the mixer for Disease is Punishment. He is also credited with the production of a Green Day B-side "Governator". It has also been rumored that at least one member of DevoDevoDevo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
is a member of The Network. - Dr. Svengali: The Network
' s manager, is the director of Disease is Punishment, John RoeckerJohn RoeckerJohn Roecker is an independent film director who is associated with the Punk scene. He currently resides in California. Roecker is probably most well-known for Live Freaky! Die Freaky!, a stop motion animated comedy based on Helter Skelter....
. Dr. Svengali and the band claim that they are all members of the Church of Lushotology, which believes in "total intoxication." (The church is a parody of The Church of the SubGenius (which is the religion of DevoDevoDevo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
, The Network's main influence), and the name is a parody of the controversial Church of ScientologyChurch of ScientologyThe Church of Scientology is an organization devoted to the practice and the promotion of the Scientology belief system. The Church of Scientology International is the Church of Scientology's parent organization, and is responsible for the overall ecclesiastical management, dissemination and...
). (Cf. SvengaliSvengaliSvengali is a fictional character of George du Maurier's 1894 novel Trilby. Svengali "would either fawn or bully and could be grossly impertinent. He had a kind of cynical humour that was more offensive than amusing and always laughed at the wrong thing, at the wrong time, in the wrong place...
.)
Line-up
Past Members- FinkBillie Joe ArmstrongBillie Joe Armstrong is an American rock musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, main songwriter and lead guitarist for the American punk rock band Green Day...
- guitar, lead vocals, backing vocals (2003–2005) - Van GoughMike DirntMichael Ryan Pritchard is an American musician, best known as the bassist, backing vocalist and co-founder of the American Rock band Green Day. While at school, he would play "air-bass." While pretending to pluck the strings, he made the noise, "dirnt, dirnt, dirnt"...
- bass, lead vocals, backing vocals (2003–2005) - The SnooTre CoolFrank Edwin Wright III, a.k.a. Tré Cool, is an American drummer, best known as the drummer for the punk rock band Green Day. He replaced the group's former drummer John Kiffmeyer in 1990...
- drums, lead vocals (2003–2005) - Z - keyboards - backing vocals (2003–2005)
- Captain Underpants - synthesizer (2003–2005)
- BalducciJason White (musician)Jason White is an American guitarist who has played in various punk rock bands. He is most notable for being the long-time touring lead guitarist for Green Day and guitarist for Californian punk quartet Pinhead Gunpowder. Jason White has been a touring member of Green Day since 1999 when they...
- guitars (since 2004-2005)
DVDs
- Money Money 2020 Companion DVD (September 30, 2003)
- Disease Is PunishmentDisease is PunishmentDisease Is Punishment is a live DVD featuring songs from The Network's first album Money Money 2020. The project, directed by John Roecker, co-directed with visuals & music videos directed/produced by Roy Miles Jr...
(November 9, 2004)