Las Vegas radio stations KOMP 92.3 and X 107.5 have stopped playing Green Day songs after frontman Billie Joe Armstrong furiously criticized “Sin City.''
Armstrong had powerful words for the city after hearing that Oakland's beloved baseball team was moving to Nevada. He erupted in anger at a hometown show at San Francisco's Oracle Park on September 20, and vandalized the Oakland Athletics team logo during a tour stop in Canada. “We don't give a shit about guys like damn John Fisher who sold the Oakland A's to Las Vegas,” Armstrong shouted to the crowd.
“I hate Las Vegas. It's the worst shit in America.”
Las Vegas bans Green Day from several radio stations after lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong's uproar pic.twitter.com/jkjbT3C6wa
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) October 1, 2024
Armstrong used to be a die-hard Oakland A's fan, but switched allegiances when he heard about the planned transfer. His feelings for Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher became clear when the team announced its move to the Las Vegas Strip in April.
Bay Area residents and fans may have supported Mr. Armstrong's opinion, but Las Vegas residents were enraged by Mr. Armstrong's profanity during his rant. On September 26th, Las Vegas rock station KOMP 92.3 announced on Instagram that it was boycotting Green Day's music.
“KOMP 92.3 has removed all Green Day from their playlists. It's not us, Billy…it's you. #vegas4ever,” they wrote, along with an image of the band with a circular backlash symbol covering their faces. I wrote it with
×107.5 They announced on their website that they would be removing the punk band from their rotation.
“Well, you could hear his voice clearly in Sin City, but not in X107.5,” they wrote.
Los Angeles, California – September 16: Billie Joe Armstrong of the band Green Day performs on Jimmy Kimmel Live on September 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo courtesy of RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images) Getty Images
“Following Mr. Armstrong's inflammatory comments, the station has banned all Green Day music, effective immediately,” the statement said.(Related article: John Mellencamp sends fans into a frenzy, causing audience member to walk off stage after being irritated by abusive language)
“Maybe instead of talking bad about the city of Las Vegas, he (Billy Joe) should focus on the city and the people involved in its dealings,” the host said.
Green Day has not publicly addressed the double-bang, which appears to be an indefinite decision by both radio stations.
