The Coverups
Green Day side project playing cover songs in small clubs.
The Coverups are an American cover band that started as a side project for Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt. Formed in January 2018, the group plays cover songs and includes Armstrong and Dirnt on guitar, along with other musicians connected to Green Day: touring guitarist Jason White, audio engineer Chris Dugan on drums, and tour manager Bill Schneider on bass. Lead vocals are shared among White, Armstrong, and Dirnt. The band has never toured or released recordings; instead, they play occasional one-off shows, often in small venues. Their first two performances were at the Ivy Room in Albany, California, on January 15 and January 29, 2018. A third show, unannounced, took place in San Francisco on March 8, 2018. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coverups resumed occasional performances in 2021, but Mike Dirnt did not return and is believed to have quietly left the band. Greg Schneider filled in on bass, guitar, and vocals for a few early 2021 shows before the group settled as a four-piece. On December 31, 2023, they played a New Year’s Eve benefit concert for Project Chimps, a chimpanzee sanctuary in Morganton, Georgia, at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. In 2024, they performed two shows in London—on February 27 at The Garage and on March 1 at the 100 Club—where Courtney Love joined them on stage at both dates. On March 25, 2026, they announced a surprise concert at a bar in Berkeley, California, just hours before playing. They also performed in Oakland, California, on May 2, 2026, at the Fox Theatre as part of the Notes & Words benefit concert.
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 performed their first shows at the Ivy Room in Albany, California, on January 15 and January 29, 2018. Their third show was an unannounced performance in San Francisco on March 8, 2018. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the band returned to occasional performances in 2021, but Mike Dirnt did not play with them and is assumed to have quietly quit. Greg Schneider filled in for Dirnt during a few early 2021 shows before the band settled as a four-piece.
On December 31, 2023, the band put on a New Year's Eve concert benefiting Project Chimps, a chimpanzee sanctuary in Morganton, Georgia, at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles. They played two shows in London on February 27 and March 1, 2024, at The Garage and the 100 Club, with Courtney Love joining them on stage at both venues. On March 25, 2026, they announced a surprise concert at a bar in Berkeley, California just hours before taking the stage. 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 occupy a unique niche as a low-key, unrecorded cover band that allows Green Day members to perform in intimate settings without the pressure of original material or large tours. Their significance lies in their spontaneity and connection to fans, often playing unannounced shows in small clubs. The band's evolution reflects changes in its lineup, most notably the departure of Mike Dirnt after 2019, which went unannounced but is assumed. Their occasional benefit performances, such as the 2023 New Year's Eve show for Project Chimps, demonstrate a commitment to charitable causes. The Coverups also highlight the musical camaraderie within the Green Day circle, with members like Jason White and Bill Schneider taking on lead vocal duties alongside Armstrong. Their 2024 London shows, featuring Courtney Love, and their 2026 Bay Area performances underscore their ongoing, if sporadic, activity. As a side project that has never recorded or toured formally, the Coverups remain a footnote in the careers of its members but a cherished curiosity for fans.
Did You Know?
- The Coverups were founded in January 2018 as a side project for Green Day members Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt.
- Courtney Love joined them on stage at both their London shows in February and March 2024.
- Mike Dirnt is assumed to have quietly quit the band after not playing with them since their return in 2021.
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