GREEN DAY Vinyl Records and CDs

With snappy, three-chord songs driven by effectively unshakable rhythms and squinty-faced vocals, Green Day have set the standard for Punk-Pop. Though the genre existed before their time, this Bay Area trio -- under the tutelage of Lookout! Records co-founder Larry Livermore -- helped resurrect the catchy, two-and-a-half-minute pop song. Green Day came together at a time when Berkeley, Calif., was bubbling with new bands who were blowing air into Punk's gasping lungs. They quickly became local favorites, frequently playing 924 Gilman St. and helping to establish the venue's legendary status. Constant touring spread their easily digestible songs the world over, and Green Day began attracting considerable attention. Though not the first Bay Area Punk band to sign with a major label, they have certainly gone on to be the biggest. Despite criticism and cries of, "sell out!" Green Day remain as obnoxious and wily as when they were teenagers. Plus, their song formula has remained the same -- simple, catchy, and fun, changing just enough to keep from getting boring.