Green Day needed a break from their much-anticipated album Insomniac, which peaked at number two on the billboard charts, and went 2x Platinum. It was time to relax, and the band knew it. Mike Dirnt and his then wife, Anastasia experienced the birth of their first daughter, Estelle Desiree. Billie Joe had started to enjoy the company of his first son, and Tré was a newlywed. At the same time, late 1997, a record label, Adeline Records was founded by Billie Joe, his wife Adrienne, Jim Thiebaud and Jason White. Furthermore, Billie Joe and his wife Adrienne experienced the birth of their second son, Jakob Danger in September of 1998. Besides enjoying the company of his second son, Billie also released the album: Good Bye Ellston Avenue with his side band Pinhead Gunpowder, who is signed to Adeline Records. Pinhead Gun Powder is made up of Billie Joe Armstrong, Aaron Cometbus, Bill Scheinder, and Jason White. Little did Jason White know, he will later become more associated with Green Day.
Eventually Green Day, being who they are had to jump right back into the studio. They began to record new songs and old songs. In time the band had decided the date for their new album, which would be named Nimrod. The release date was set for October 14, 1997. It was an album had a mix of pop-punk to acoustic ballads that swept the nation off its feet, again. Track seventeen, “Good Riddance”, better known as “Time Of Your Life” was the song every school had for graduation, and even some used it in weddings. It was used on the last episode of Seinfeld, the popular hit comedy on Fox. When the band appeared on Much Music Billie Joe was asked what he thought about it being on the last episode of Seinfeld he simply replied “Not any different then it being played on Much Music.” Besides that song the album is full of amazing tracks such as ‘Hitchin’ A Ride’ to the all time favorite at concerts ‘King For A Day’.
The album was released on October 14, 1997, and rose in the charts instantly. Nimrod went 2x Platinum and peaked at the number ten spot on the billboard charts. The singles from the album were, Hitchin’ A Ride, Time Of Your Life, Redundant and Nice Guys Finnish Last.
It was time to go back on tour. Getting back to their punk roots this tour would be different. It would be for smaller venues, “So the children can ride the buss into the city and see us” Tre Cool. The tour would be more of a fun energetic show. It would be more entertaining, with King For A Day and Hitchin’ A Ride being added to the set. Another favorite was Platypus/I Hate You, with the infamous line of language that Green Day has been known to use a lot.
The album was nominated for four awards, winning one, MTV’s Best Alternative Video for Time Of Your Life. This time the fans would have to wait three years for an album.