Recently, we had the incredible opportunity to connect with John Kiffmeyer, Green Day’s original drummer, thanks to a mutual friend. For fans keen on the history of Green Day and the foundations of their iconic sound, John Kiffmeyer, also known as Al Sobrante, is a pivotal figure. We were eager to delve into his memories, and he generously shared fascinating insights about his time with the band and a recent special event.
The House of Blues Reunion: John Kiffmeyer’s Perspective
The House of Blues show was clearly a significant moment, and John Kiffmeyer offered an interesting behind-the-scenes look at his involvement. Initially, he wasn’t enthusiastic about the idea. It took a couple of months of persuasion from Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt to convince John to participate in this nostalgic performance. He eventually agreed, but on his own terms, emphasizing a return to their roots. This meant no risers, no imposing Marshall Half Stacks, a setlist largely curated by John himself, and even Billie having to dust off and use his old amplifier from their early days. Billie’s reaction was classic – he thought that amp was long gone! It was a testament to their commitment to authenticity that their guitar tech actually tracked it down and got it back in working order for the show.
John Kiffmeyer also highlighted some musical adjustments made for the performance. Due to songs being outside of Billie’s current vocal range, some tunes had to be transposed down. He mentioned “Angel,” an unrecorded track from his era with Green Day, as one of these songs. Interestingly, “Dry Ice” was an unexpected addition to the setlist. Billie was initially reluctant to play it, making it a surprise for John when they actually performed it. This House of Blues show marked John Kiffmeyer’s return to the stage in front of a live audience since 1997, with his last band, The Ritalins. It was a remarkable comeback and a treat for long-time Green Day fans to witness John Kiffmeyer back in action.
Unearthing Early Green Day Tour Dates with John Kiffmeyer
Beyond the House of Blues show, John Kiffmeyer also helped clarify some details about Green Day’s early touring history. He provided some corrected and previously unknown tour dates from 1990, offering a glimpse into the band’s formative years as they were building their fanbase.
1990 Tour Dates:
- July 8: Chicago, IL
- July 9: Bloomington, IN
- July 10: Indianapolis, IN (Notably, John mentioned this show was cancelled due to extremely low attendance – a stark contrast to Green Day’s later fame)
- July 12: Detroit, MI
- July 14: Harrisburg, PA
These dates offer valuable insights for historians and die-hard fans tracking Green Day’s journey from local gigs to international stardom during the John Kiffmeyer era.
The Royalty Check Rumor: John Kiffmeyer Sets the Record Straight
Another intriguing anecdote John Kiffmeyer shared concerned the long-standing rumor about him never cashing a royalty check from his time with Green Day. He finally clarified the story behind this myth. According to John, the situation arose when his accountant presented him with a tax form related to royalties. John’s puzzled response, “What royalties?”, led to the discovery of a communication breakdown. Apparently, someone within Green Day’s crew had claimed they knew John and would ensure any royalty checks reached him. Unfortunately, these checks were never actually delivered. It wasn’t a case of John refusing to cash them, but rather a matter of the checks never reaching him in the first place.
Missing On-Stage Camera Footage and Dave Grohl’s Presence
John Kiffmeyer also addressed the widely circulated full video of the House of Blues show available on YouTube. He revealed a slightly disappointing detail for those hoping for high-quality stage footage. While cameras were visibly present on stage that night, they were, in fact, only broadcasting to the bar area and not actually recording for archival or later release.
Finally, John confirmed his last show with Green Day was in Olympia, WA, in 1991. Adding to the legendary nature of that performance, he corroborated the account of Dave Grohl being in attendance. Furthermore, he supported the detail from a 1994 Billie Joe Armstrong interview mentioning Kurt Cobain was also present at that show, making it a truly iconic moment in early 90s music history.
Talking with John Kiffmeyer was an absolute privilege. His contributions to Green Day’s early success are undeniable, and his perspective on those formative years and the recent reunion show is invaluable. Our twenty-minute conversation with John Kiffmeyer was not only informative but also a genuine pleasure, highlighting his kindness and engaging personality. We look forward to sharing more exciting content soon!
