The Coverups
Green Day side project cover band.
The Coverups is an American cover band formed in January 2018 as a side project for Green Day members Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt. The band performs cover songs and includes several musicians from the Green Day circle, such as touring guitarist Jason White, audio engineer Chris Dugan on drums, and tour manager Bill Schneider on bass. They are known for sporadic, often unannounced shows in small clubs.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Oakland, California, U.S.
- Genre
- Rock / punk rock / power pop
- Years Active
- 2018–present
- Spinoff Of
- Green Day
- Current Members
- Billie Joe Armstrong / Jason White / Chris Dugan / Bill Schneider
- Past Members
- Mike Dirnt
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Coverups were founded in January 2018 by Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt as an outlet for performing cover songs. Their first shows took place at the Ivy Room in Albany, California, on January 15 and January 29, 2018. The band has not formally toured or recorded, instead performing one-off shows, sometimes unannounced, such as their third show in San Francisco on March 8, 2018. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coverups returned to occasional performances in 2021, with Mike Dirnt continuing to play with the band. Greg Schneider filled in for him during a few early 2021 shows before the band settled as a four-piece. On December 31, 2023, they performed a New Year's Eve concert benefiting Project Chimps at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. In 2024, they played two shows in London, on February 27 and March 1, at The Garage and the 100 Club, with Courtney Love joining them on stage at both shows. They played in Oakland, California on May 2, 2026 at the Fox Theatre as part of the Notes & Words benefit concert.
Reader's Guide
The Coverups represent a casual, low-key creative outlet for members of Green Day, allowing them to perform cover songs in intimate settings without the pressure of a major tour or recording. Their significance lies in their connection to one of the most successful punk rock bands of all time, offering fans a rare glimpse into the musical tastes and camaraderie of Green Day's inner circle. The band's sporadic, often unannounced performances create a sense of exclusivity and spontaneity, while their benefit concerts, such as the 2023 New Year's Eve show for Project Chimps, demonstrate a commitment to charitable causes. The departure of Mike Dirnt after 2019 and the band's continuation as a four-piece highlights the fluid nature of side projects. Their legacy is one of fun, community, and musical exploration, rather than commercial ambition.
Did You Know?
- Mike Dirnt has continued to play with the band after the COVID-19 pandemic, with Greg Schneider filling in during early 2021 shows.
- Courtney Love joined the Coverups on stage at both their London shows in February and March 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Coverups?
The Coverups is an American cover band that functions as a side project for Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt. The group performs other artists' songs rather than original material, giving the two Green Day members a casual outlet outside their main band.
Who are the members of The Coverups?
Beyond Armstrong and Dirnt, the lineup draws from the Green Day orbit: touring guitarist Jason White, audio engineer Chris Dugan on drums, and tour manager Bill Schneider on bass. This all-friends roster keeps the project informal and tightly connected to the Green Day circle.
When was The Coverups formed and when are they active?
The band came together in January 2018 and has remained active from that point through the present. They have never signed a traditional record deal or announced a permanent touring schedule, instead operating as an ongoing, low-key side endeavor.
What makes The Coverups different from a typical cover band?
Their shows are typically small-venue, unannounced gigs that pop up without advance tickets or press coverage, making attendance feel almost like a secret. This sporadic, word-of-mouth approach sets them apart from cover bands that book regular club or bar slots.
Why do fans care about The Coverups?
It offers Green Day listeners a rare, stripped-back window into Armstrong and Dirnt performing songs they did not write, often in intimate settings where the usual stadium energy is absent. For die-hard fans, catching one of these rare, unannounced club dates is considered a special treat.
More in Cover bands 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced