 Although in August 1996, Armstrong said bands like the Ramones are bands he listened to later, in June 2010, Armstrong cited the Ramones as an influence.He also said his "range of favorite songwriters goes anywhere from the Sex Pistols to Lennon–McCartney.During the "American Idiot" and "21st Century Breakdown" era of Green Day, the band was influenced by The Who, U2, Motown albums, and musicals such as "Grease".