Green Day drummer Tré Cool joined his first band at 12. His dad turned a bookmobile into Green Day’s unconventional tour bus in the Dookie days, but his ‘rents didn’t let him see the Who. Read more about his days as a young punk, bonding with childhood pals Billie Joe Armstrong and Mike Dirnt and locking in the Green Day rhythm in David Fricke’s exclusive Q&A. Fricke’s Green Day cover story is available on newsstands now.

• Tre Cool on Growing Up Punk and Finding Green Day’s Groove

Plus, check out our other Green Day Q&As:

• Billie Joe Armstrong On the Fire and Freedom Behind “21st Century Breakdown”

• Mike Dirnt on Green Day’s Dark, Drunken Path to Rock & Roll Glory