The Network – Band Biographies
The Network is a 6-piece New Wave band and a side-project of at least one member of the band Green Day. They released their debut album Money Money 2020 on the independent record label Adeline Records on September 30, 2003. A re-release of the album, with two bonus tracks, followed in 2004.
The only confirmed member of the band is Billie Joe Armstrong, vocalist/guitarist of Green Day. The stage names of The Network are Fink, The Snoo, Van Gough, Captain Underpants, Z. and Balducci.
Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong has written songs for Pinhead Gunpowder under the alias “Wilhelm Fink”. Fink of The Network and Armstrong are also both born under the same astrological sign: Aquarius. The official Network Web site also claims that Fink financed the band, when in actuality this was done by Armstrong.
Armstrong denies the involvement of any Green Day members in The Network. Although the style of music is different (New Wave as opposed to Green Day’s pop punk style), Armstrong’s voice can be unmistakably made out on several Money Money 2020 tracks. In a recorded statement at the Green Day website Armstrong says “I just wanted to talk about the rumors and the bullshit that has been going on lately. All I gotta say is fuck The Network. These guys are totally spreading rumors. I try to do those guys a favor by bringing them to this country and putting out their record and this is how I get repaid, by talking shit about my band. Unfortunately there is a contract and I have to put out their record. The only thing I can say is “fuck you Network, bring it on”.
Green Day drummer Tré Cool went by King Underpants in the band The Lookouts. However, Tre Cool is most famous for being Green Day’s percussionist, though he can also play guitar. Captain Underpants does not play percussion for The Network.
The bassist for The Network (“Van Gough”) and the bassist for Green Day (Mike Dirnt) are both vegetarians.
Warner/Chapell Music accidentally proved that members of Green Day are involved in The Network by citing the three Green Day members as having writing credits to the The Network’s song “Roshambo”.
There is a great deal of speculation as to the identities of the other members in the band. The two other members of the band could be Reto Peter (suggested to be Captain Underpants), a Swiss producer, and Chris Dugan (suggested to be Z), a sound engineer. This is supported by an obviously faked press conference seen at the end of the DVD Disease is Punishment where questions by the press are answered in Swiss German by one of the band members. Reto Peter is also the co-producer of Money Money 2020 and one of its songs is called “Reto”. Chris Dugan is the sound engineer for Money Money 2020 and the mixer for Disease is Punishment. He is also credited with the production of a Green Day B Side “Governator”. It has also been rumored that at least one member of Devo is a member of the Network.
The Network’s manager, Dr. Svengali, is the director of Disease is Punishment, John Roecker. Dr. Svengali and the band claim that they are all members of the Church of Lushotology, which believes in “total intoxication”.
Members/ Instruments
Fink – Vocals/Guitar
Van Gough – Vocals/Bass Guitar
The Snoo – Drums
Z – Keyboards
Captain Underpants – Keytar
Balducci – Guitar
Ze Netverk.com: About the Members.
FINK > He might be considered the leader, being as he finances the group using money he made on a “TOP SECRET” nuclear invention he created shortly before dropping out of M.I.T. He’s an Aquarius. He is the main vocalist, but also engages in his guitar ability in a handful of songs. Fink is well-known for his poses with microphone stands and contingent stances and gestures on stage.
Van Gough > A macrobiotic/vegan, from Belgium, Van Gough was forced to work entrail duty at his uncle’s slaughterhouse in Fresno from the age of 10 until 18 where he moved to Tibet to conquer Mount Everest. After 12 attempts and suffering frostbite on over 80 percent of his body and losing his nose he returned to his favorite city, Oakland where he raises animals for experimental laboratory purposes. Van Gough jams on stage and sings several songs as well with his god-like voice.
The Snoo > The Snoo was formally a Mexican Wrestler from Argentina, hence his choice of clothing. He grew up poor on the busted streets of Buenos Aires and refuses to let the success of The Network affect him or his wardrobe in any way. The Snoo was jailed twice in Texas for messing with Texas, he does not claim to be reformed. He also likes to eat hot peppers. As for his musical position, he is the genius behind the drums for The Network. He is also the main vocalist in the song “Hungry Hungry Models”. Many people are also very jealous of his ability to randomly raise his hands while playing a song, but still manage to dazzle us with his music.
Z > This Icelandic sculptor’s name is so hard to pronounce, they call him Z. He likes to hitchhike. Z plays keyboards with one finger and uses Capt. Underpants’ home made keyboards exclusively. Musically, Z is the brains behind the keyboards, but that is not it. His talents also span from playing the keytar to singing backup vocals in multiple songs. One of his trademark skills are his dancing moves along with his sideways head nods.
Captain Underpaints > Although we do not know which sport or event, we do know he has two Olympic medals that he won for the Swedish national team. He made his first synthesizer when he was only six years old. He speaks seven languages and all with a slight stutter. Captain Underpants is famous world-wide for his mind-blowing composure on the keytar. Not only he is just an amazing Olympian and keytarist, but is known to be quite popular when wearing his yellow outfit.
Balducci > Balducci loves to skip in his free time and has a passion for cheap, barely running devices of transportation. Missing In Action for a strenuous amount of time caused the rumors that he was inducted by NASA for near-future space travel. However, his lack of presence in the media caused several shocked fans when he was found on stage with The Network. Balducci also plays guitar and is notorious for his head and upper body movements.