East Bay punk trio Green Day just dropped a new single from the forthcoming album “Saviors,” complete with a holiday-themed music video.
“‘Dilemma’ was one of those songs that was kind of easy to write because it was so personal to me,” frontman Billie Joe Armstrong said in a statement about the release on Thursday, Dec. 7. “We’ve seen so many of our peers struggle with addiction and mental illness. This song is all about the pain that comes from those experiences.”
The chorus of “Dilemma” repeats the line, “I don’t want to be a dead man walking,” as Armstrong sings about the destructive nature of addiction. Its music video shows Armstrong trudging around a festively decorated bar and a holiday house party, knocking down a Christmas tree and causing a scene in his drunken state.
“Dilemma” is the third single from the band’s 14th studio album, set for release Jan. 19, following rock anthem “The American Dream Is Killing Me” and energetic punk song “Look Ma, No Brains!” Grammy-winning producer Rob Cavallo, who worked on Green Day’s “Dookie” (1994) and “American Idiot” (2004), assisted in producing “Saviors.”
Don’t make any plans on December 31st except with your TV - we’re taking over Dick Clark’s New Year’s @RockinEve with @RyanSeacrest!!! We’re playing not one, not two but FIVE SONGS (including the live debut of Dilemma) for the first time ever!!! Yep, it's happening. See you… pic.twitter.com/htH55QNG45
— Green Day (@GreenDay) December 7, 2023
Green Day, which formed in Berkeley and is composed of singer/guitarist Armstrong, bassist Mike Dirnt and drummer Tré Cool, plans to embark on a global stadium tour following the release of “Saviors” in the new year, kicking off with dates in Europe in May before returning to North America in July.
Green Day presents the “Saviors” tour: 5:30 p.m. Sept. 20. $93-$1,688. Oracle Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, S.F. 415-972-2000. www.ticketmaster.com
They are scheduled to play San Francisco’s Oracle Park on Sept. 20, supported by Berkeley natives Rancid, alt-rock veterans the Smashing Pumpkins and Los Angeles girl group the Linda Lindas.
In the meantime, the band is set to take over “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC with the live debut of five songs, including “Dilemma,” on Dec. 31.
Reach Zara Irshad: zara.irshad@sfchronicle.com