Mike Dirnt
| Mike Dirnt | |
|---|---|
Dirnt performing with Green Day in 2013
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Ryan Pritchard |
| Also known as |
|
| Born |
May 4, 1972 Berkeley, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | |
| Notable instruments | |
Michael Ryan Pritchard (born May 4, 1972), known professionally as Mike Dirnt, is an American musician, songwriter and composer. He is best known as the co-founder, bassist, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of American punk rock band Green Day. He has also played in several other bands, including The Frustrators. His stage name was originally a nickname that his friends from grade school had given him, as he would constantly play "air bass" and make a "dirnt, dirnt, dirnt" noise while pretending to pluck the strings.
As a child, his father was often away obtaining a degree, while his mother stayed at home to care for him and his sister Myla. Dirnt excelled in school despite missing classes, often as a result of various illnesses believed to be caused by his biological mother's drug use. After an argument between his parents resulted in a call to the police, the couple divorced. His mother and sister moved to Rodeo, CA while he stayed in El Sobrante, CA with his father. However, missing his mother, he eventually moved in with her and Myla. Having been previously described as bright and fearless, Dirnt became sullen and withdrawn after the divorce.
In the cafeteria in Carquinez Middle School, ten-year-old Dirnt met Billie Joe Armstrong, with whom he bonded instantly. Armstrong began to play guitar with Mike, and the two spent much time in Armstrong's house and they played songs by various artists, most notably The Ramones and Van Halen. At the age of 15, they formed a group named "Sweet Children" where Billie playing lead guitar and Mike playing rhythm guitar.
After attending Salesian High School, an all-boys Catholic school for his first year, Dirnt transferred to Pinole Valley High School, where Armstrong had also recently transferred from John Swett High School. Dirnt's family struggled with financial troubles; in an effort to help out, he worked as a chef at Nantucket, a seafood restaurant in Crockett. He eventually saved up enough money to purchase a used pickup truck that he and Armstrong often drove to Berkeley to attend shows at 924 Gilman Street, an influential DIY punk club. The pair got jobs at the club as security guards, despite their small physiques. Dirnt recalled, "We lived and died for that place. At that time, it meant everything."
...
Wikipedia