Green Day Artwork Causes Quite A Stir

A massive billboard featuring the front cover of Green Day’s ‘American Idiot’ has been pulled outside a Marriott hotel in the States after executives allegedly disapproved of the image.

Punkbands.com reports that the Independent Film Channel had booked an outdoor wall of the Times Square hotel to display the cover, but Marriott chiefs frowned upon the image of a bloodied hand clutching a grenade.

A Marriott spokesman reportedly told the site:  "We have the right to review all advertising that goes on our buildings, and if we feel it has any political, pornographic or inappropriate content, we have the right to reject that ad."

Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong was bemused at the decision made last week, believing it to be an April fools prank.

IFC representative Evan Shapiro dismissed the decision. He told the site: "We were told that the billboard was distasteful, and that's ridiculous.

"I also heard that somebody at Marriott said they hate everything that Green Day stands for. ... The chairman of the company [J.W. Marriott Jr.] is pretty outspoken about his politics and he's a very strong supporter of a certain party.

“I would imagine that Mr. Marriott is not a fan of Green Day's song 'American Idiot.' ... But if anybody tries to take our freedom of speech away, they'll take it from my cold, dead hand!"

Strong words! A hotel spokesman has since announced that Chairman Marriott had nothing to do with the decision.

Despite all the commotion, the billboard is now going to be displayed a few streets away outside the W Hotel.