Adrienne Armstrong
Encyclopedia
Adrienne Armstrong is the co-owner of Adeline Records
, Adeline Street, and Atomic Garden (an eco-friendly boutique in Oakland, CA). She is married to Green Day
frontman Billie Joe Armstrong
. Adrienne earned a degree in sociology
from Minnesota State University, Mankato
. Her brother, Steve Nesser
, is a professional skateboarder and makes his own line of skateboards.
Adrienne was dubbed "First Lady of Green Day" by presenter Vickie Howell.
concert on their first tour in 1990, when she asked the singer where she could get a copy of Green Day's album. The two began communicating over the phone, which involved Adrienne discussing her human sexuality
class with Armstrong. The first kiss between the two led to an early Green Day song, "2000 Light Years Away."
The long-distance relationship dissolved. Adrienne became engaged to Billy Bisson, the frontman of the Minnesota band, The Libido Boyz, but they broke up.
After arranging many Green Day Minnesota tours for the purpose of seeing Adrienne, Billie Joe asked her to come out to California
, inspiring the song "Westbound Sign" from Insomniac. They wed two weeks later on July 2, 1994. The backyard ceremony lasted five minutes, with many different religions represented. Billie Joe remembered their wedding by saying that, "Adrienne just got this ratty old dress and we got married in my backyard." Adrienne found out that she was pregnant the day
after they got married.
Their first child, Joseph "Joey" Marciano Armstrong, was born on February 28, 1995 and was named after Adrienne's and Billie Joe's fathers. Their second child, Jakob Danger Armstrong, was born on September 12, 1998.
Songs such as "Redundant" and "Church on Sunday" chronicled the struggles Adrienne and Billie Joe faced during album recording. The making of American Idiot
, as Adrienne claimed in the VH1
documentary Driven, "took [their] relationship further than [she] would've liked."
. Speaking of her early experiences with creating clothes in a June 2006 interview, she commented, "I would bring home bags of clothes and cut them up. I wrecked so many cool clothes trying to make stuff." Adrienne also states that she "had a specific idea of [her] own style and always worked on creating clothes that she liked regardless of any trends happening." She also worked at the Minnesota State Fair at a bead booth in Heritage Square in 1991 or 1992.
Adrienne claims to have an "eclectic fashion sense," and has stated several times that both she and her husband "wear things that [they] like, regardless if they're from a thrift store, Target, or [Christian] Dior." The Green Day song "Fashion Victim," released on the band's 2000 Warning
album, deals with today's fashion scene and the amount of time and money people will spend just to fit in. When asked about the importance of fashion in the punk scene, Adrienne commented: "I don't really think fashion is that important. There are definitely people out there who think it's all about what you wear, from the predictable punk dress code to the high-end designer labels. I don't like labels in general, they're too confining. I like being at a shitty punk show as much as fancy award shows and I don't dress up to fit in. I just wear what I like, regardless of where I am at or what I am going to do."
Adeline Street took off in February 2005, as an extension of Adeline Records
, and quickly graduated from basic band merchandise into a full line of men's and women's clothing. The line is largely influenced by the Armstrongs' passion for individual style, and is a collaborative effort between the couple. Adrienne describes Billie Joe as being "more of an idea man," in the process saying that she is "the follow through," in the duo. Adrienne works on the women's, children's, and accessories lines, but also plays a part in the men's line.
The line can be bought through several stores across the United States, and online through several websites, with a percentage of the quarterly proceeds going to charities. The Adeline Street webstore also comprises a 'Take Action' resource, encouraging visitors to become involved in social and environmental causes.
Adrienne and Billie Joe Armstrong were recently in attendance at the MAGIC convention in Las Vegas, working to promote Adeline Street.
Adrienne Armstrong undertakes work with the Natural Resources Defense Council
. She composed a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u45TvLCg3ws to help raise awareness of the everyday things people can do to protect the natural environment. The Green Day + NRDC website http://www.greendaynrdc.com/ also gives visitors an opportunity to become involved in environmental causes and campaigns.
In November 2007, she teamed up with Jamie Kidson to open Atomic Garden, located at 5453 College Avenue in Oakland, California, an eco-friendly clothing and home goods store with a strong community orientation. http://www.atomicgardenoakland.com/ A blog post on "More Ways to Waste Time" also gives information about the project.http://morewaystowastetime.blogspot.com/2007/11/retail-therapy-atomic-garden.html
In a recent podcast with Vickie Howell, Adrienne discussed Atomic Garden, as well as her other ongoing environmental work.
Adeline Records
Adeline Records is a record label which was formed in Oakland, California in late 1997. It is co-owned by Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day, his wife Adrienne Armstrong, and Jim Thiebaud, professional skateboarder...
, Adeline Street, and Atomic Garden (an eco-friendly boutique in Oakland, CA). She is married to Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
frontman Billie Joe Armstrong
Billie Joe Armstrong
Billie Joe Armstrong is an American rock musician and occasional actor, best known as the lead vocalist, main songwriter and lead guitarist for the American punk rock band Green Day...
. Adrienne earned a degree in sociology
Sociology
Sociology is the study of society. It is a social science—a term with which it is sometimes synonymous—which uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about human social activity...
from Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato is a public four-year university located in Mankato, Minnesota, a community of 53,000 located southwest of Minneapolis-St. Paul. As of Fall 2011, the student body is the third-largest in the state of Minnesota with over 15,000 students...
. Her brother, Steve Nesser
Steve Nesser
Steve Nesser is a professional skateboarder from Minneapolis.His current sponsors include The High 5 Skateboards, Spitfire Wheels, Bones Bearings, and IPath shoes.-External links:* * *...
, is a professional skateboarder and makes his own line of skateboards.
Adrienne was dubbed "First Lady of Green Day" by presenter Vickie Howell.
Relationship with Billie Joe Armstrong
Adrienne met Billie Joe at a Green DayGreen Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
concert on their first tour in 1990, when she asked the singer where she could get a copy of Green Day's album. The two began communicating over the phone, which involved Adrienne discussing her human sexuality
Human sexuality
Human sexuality is the awareness of gender differences, and the capacity to have erotic experiences and responses. Human sexuality can also be described as the way someone is sexually attracted to another person whether it is to opposite sexes , to the same sex , to either sexes , or not being...
class with Armstrong. The first kiss between the two led to an early Green Day song, "2000 Light Years Away."
The long-distance relationship dissolved. Adrienne became engaged to Billy Bisson, the frontman of the Minnesota band, The Libido Boyz, but they broke up.
After arranging many Green Day Minnesota tours for the purpose of seeing Adrienne, Billie Joe asked her to come out to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, inspiring the song "Westbound Sign" from Insomniac. They wed two weeks later on July 2, 1994. The backyard ceremony lasted five minutes, with many different religions represented. Billie Joe remembered their wedding by saying that, "Adrienne just got this ratty old dress and we got married in my backyard." Adrienne found out that she was pregnant the day
after they got married.
Their first child, Joseph "Joey" Marciano Armstrong, was born on February 28, 1995 and was named after Adrienne's and Billie Joe's fathers. Their second child, Jakob Danger Armstrong, was born on September 12, 1998.
Songs such as "Redundant" and "Church on Sunday" chronicled the struggles Adrienne and Billie Joe faced during album recording. The making of American Idiot
American Idiot
American Idiot is the seventh studio album by the American punk rock band Green Day. It was released on September 21, 2004 through Reprise Records and was produced by longtime collaborator Rob Cavallo. In mid-2003, the band began recording songs for an album entitled Cigarettes and Valentines...
, as Adrienne claimed in the VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
documentary Driven, "took [their] relationship further than [she] would've liked."
Adeline Street
Adrienne began her career in fashion at the age of 17, when she worked at a recycled clothing store in Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
. Speaking of her early experiences with creating clothes in a June 2006 interview, she commented, "I would bring home bags of clothes and cut them up. I wrecked so many cool clothes trying to make stuff." Adrienne also states that she "had a specific idea of [her] own style and always worked on creating clothes that she liked regardless of any trends happening." She also worked at the Minnesota State Fair at a bead booth in Heritage Square in 1991 or 1992.
Adrienne claims to have an "eclectic fashion sense," and has stated several times that both she and her husband "wear things that [they] like, regardless if they're from a thrift store, Target, or [Christian] Dior." The Green Day song "Fashion Victim," released on the band's 2000 Warning
Warning (Green Day album)
Warning is the sixth studio album by American punk rock band Green Day. It was released on October 3, 2000 through Reprise Records. Building upon its predecessor, Nimrod , the album eschewed the band's trademark punk rock sound and incorporated acoustic and pop rock elements...
album, deals with today's fashion scene and the amount of time and money people will spend just to fit in. When asked about the importance of fashion in the punk scene, Adrienne commented: "I don't really think fashion is that important. There are definitely people out there who think it's all about what you wear, from the predictable punk dress code to the high-end designer labels. I don't like labels in general, they're too confining. I like being at a shitty punk show as much as fancy award shows and I don't dress up to fit in. I just wear what I like, regardless of where I am at or what I am going to do."
Adeline Street took off in February 2005, as an extension of Adeline Records
Adeline Records
Adeline Records is a record label which was formed in Oakland, California in late 1997. It is co-owned by Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day, his wife Adrienne Armstrong, and Jim Thiebaud, professional skateboarder...
, and quickly graduated from basic band merchandise into a full line of men's and women's clothing. The line is largely influenced by the Armstrongs' passion for individual style, and is a collaborative effort between the couple. Adrienne describes Billie Joe as being "more of an idea man," in the process saying that she is "the follow through," in the duo. Adrienne works on the women's, children's, and accessories lines, but also plays a part in the men's line.
The line can be bought through several stores across the United States, and online through several websites, with a percentage of the quarterly proceeds going to charities. The Adeline Street webstore also comprises a 'Take Action' resource, encouraging visitors to become involved in social and environmental causes.
Adrienne and Billie Joe Armstrong were recently in attendance at the MAGIC convention in Las Vegas, working to promote Adeline Street.
Environmental activism and Atomic Garden
In April 2007, the Armstrong family volunteered with the Habitat for Humanity development project, working in New Orleans for three days.Adrienne Armstrong undertakes work with the Natural Resources Defense Council
Natural Resources Defense Council
The Natural Resources Defense Council is a New York City-based, non-profit, non-partisan international environmental advocacy group, with offices in Washington DC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Beijing...
. She composed a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u45TvLCg3ws to help raise awareness of the everyday things people can do to protect the natural environment. The Green Day + NRDC website http://www.greendaynrdc.com/ also gives visitors an opportunity to become involved in environmental causes and campaigns.
In November 2007, she teamed up with Jamie Kidson to open Atomic Garden, located at 5453 College Avenue in Oakland, California, an eco-friendly clothing and home goods store with a strong community orientation. http://www.atomicgardenoakland.com/ A blog post on "More Ways to Waste Time" also gives information about the project.http://morewaystowastetime.blogspot.com/2007/11/retail-therapy-atomic-garden.html
In a recent podcast with Vickie Howell, Adrienne discussed Atomic Garden, as well as her other ongoing environmental work.