The Green Day Concert

Back in August of 2004 I rolled into seminary with my windows down, hair in a ponytail, tattoos exposed, ears pieced, wearing a Hollister cut-off shirt and camo pants, and Green Day’s “Welcome to Paradise” blasting from my speakers.

I hopped out of the car.

Grabbed my backpack.

And walked into the building for my first day of classes.

I had no idea where on earth I was going and so I stopped at the front desk to ask where new students were supposed to go. The lady looked at me like I had 8 1/2 heads and told me to head downstairs to the chapel.

“Why did she look at me like that?”

“Is there something on my face?”

I had no idea.

I walked down 8 or so steps.

Saw the huge window-encased room.

And felt my stomach SINK to the floor.

“Ooooooh. That’s why she looked at me like that”, I thought.

Yup.

The room was filled (and I mean FILLED) with people who looked like they had it all together - lots of khaki pants, lots of ties, some suits, not a tattoo in sight, well-kept hair, etc.

Phew.

I took a deep breath, opened the door, kept my head down, and went to find a seat. To say I felt awkward would be an understatement, but just as I was about to get up and run for my car one of my professors from college sat down next to me with the biggest smile on his face and I’ll never forget what he said …

“Don’t let this place change you.”

Solid advice that I wish I would have taken more to heart because over my 3 years of seminary and years and years of church ministry, it all changed me (in subtle AND not-so-subtle ways) as I eventually …

Cut my hair.

Took out my piercings.

Covered my tattoos.

Got more grown up clothes.

Put my Green Day CD’s away.

… and became a version of myself that (I thought) everyone (including God and even myself!) expected me to be.

Fast forward 20 years and after deconstructing and rethinking much of what I picked up in Bible College, Seminary, church, etc. I’ve declared 2024 to be the year of re-engaging my inner child - the younger versions of myself that I’ve locked away over the course of my life in an effort to be “more mature”, have “more realistic dreams and goals”, etc.

Now.

There are many versions of Little Glenn, of course. For instance, if you’ve been hanging around here for a bit you know that I’ve recently begun making a ton of art because art was a passion of mine when I was younger that I locked away after being told that I wasn’t “good enough” to pursue art in any sort of serious way.

Another part of Little Glenn, though? Another part of my neglected inner child is (as odd as it sounds!) Green Day. They have been my favorite band for 25-ish years - their punk attitude, their catchy tunes, their genius lyrics, the fun that they have as a team, the support they show each other in their journeys … I’ve always been fascinated by Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt, and Tre Cool. Not only did I roll into the seminary parking lot with one of my favorite Green Day songs shaking my car, but I also used lyrics from their songs in some papers I wrote for my “Church As A Social And Cultural Institution” class (“American Idiot” and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”, if you’re interested!).

Anyways.

Green Day released a new album this year and back in January announced a year long world tour where they would take to the road to visit cities all around the world in celebration of their new album and the anniversaries of their 2 career defining albums - “Dookie” and “American Idiot”.

Both albums?

Played in their entirety?

That announcement IMMEDIATELY captured the attention of my inner child and I knew I had to go.

Long story short, Dana and I got tickets to see them when they came to Charlotte and it was absolutely magical as I felt my inner child come alive, goosebumps fill my body, and I sang every lyric of every song with a sold out crowd of 20,000+. They played 35 songs for almost 3 hours straight and Dana and I laughed and sang and jumped up and down and screamed as the pyrotechnics blasted, confetti was shot into the air, and fans were called up to sing and dance on stage with the band.

What a night!

It was also a moment to celebrate our upcoming 14-year wedding anniversary along with my arrival at a place in my life that really is defined by the heart of “punk rock” - a place where I just don’t care what anyone thinks of me, a place where I’m content to be who I am, doing what I want with my life, and enjoying every moment of it … refusing to “sell out” in an effort to be who others want/expect me to be. Indeed, it took a long time to get here … but I’m here. I have lots of work to do on myself, lots of wounds to heal, lots of other versions of myself to let out of hiding and discover, but I’m well on my way.

And the Green Day concert? It was one of the greatest nights of my life - I will remember it forever, and am forever grateful that I got to experience it with my best friend and partner in crime - HA!

Also.

Shoutout to Dr. Nicole LePera (The Holistic Psychologist) and the SelfHealers Circle - the work that Dr. Nicole is doing, the energy she is putting into the world, the ways she is helping people uncover their Authentic/True Selves … friends - it’s life-changing stuff. If you haven’t picked up her books yet PLEASE DO. And if you can’t afford them, message me - I will mail you one (I promise - just EMAIL ME!). I believe in her work so much and am full of gratitude for the impact it’s had on me and helping give Little Glenn some much deserved and well overdue attention.

Much love, my friends.

Glenn Siepert