Do you think they're punk or alternative?

IMO, they're a punk inspired alternative rock band.

there pop punk.

Alternative.  At least they were, before last year. 

alternative is too broad a category. thats like saying nirvana were rock...no sheesh, what kind of rock?

they are punk...to be more specific: 90s punk revival.....

to be less specific: alternative, rock, etc

They're very safe punk. The kind that isn't going to venture too out there. I like songs that aren't trying to appeal to the broadest audience possible. They know who listens, and write for those people. In my opinion, Green Day does their fair share of radio whoring. So, I'd say their kinda punk, just one of the most watered down, sugar-coated forms of punk you can get: Pop Punk.

I like punk, but i hate Green Day.  (in my opinion) they are weird remakes and dont have any good songs.  My best friend loves GReen day and worships the ground they walk on.  At first she sang it when she was around me, and i didn't say anything, but one verse repeated gets on my nerves and finally i got sick of it and told her off.  She knows better now than to sing it near me.

Green Day was very punk and have mellowed out for the most part. THEY ARE NOT ALTERNATIVE!!!

Strictly speaking, neither. They are probably new-wave punk rock (not 'New Wave' or new-school punk rock) in the tradition of post-grunge Green Day were real pioneered with influenced later punk bands like Blink 182, Puddle of Mud and basically all the hardcore 'punk' bands around today. As for 'alternative' I think that 'genre' is bandied around too much today. By its very meaning, alternative is NOT mainstream and so much mainstream music today and even the 90s (think Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkin) is definately (commercially) mainstream. True alternative music is WHATEVER is not seen as 'mainstream' (itself not a clear definition) -

i think thatthey started off as a punk band (you would know what i mean if you listen to some of their older stuff) but they have strayed towards alternative. at least with warning. i think they are trying to go back towards punk now tho.

Strictly speaking, neither. They are probably new-wave punk rock (not 'New Wave' or new-school punk rock) in the tradition of post-grunge Green Day were real pioneered with influenced later punk bands like Blink 182, Puddle of Mud and basically all the hardcore 'punk' bands around today. As for 'alternative' I think that 'genre' is bandied around too much today. By its very meaning, alternative is NOT mainstream and so much mainstream music today and even the 90s (think Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkin) is definately (commercially) mainstream. True alternative music is WHATEVER is not seen as 'mainstream' (itself not a clear definition) -


Green Day ain't Post-Punk but they sure dress like it! 

I agree.  Alternative is College Radio, soundclick.com type stuff.  "Alternative" usually implies late 80s or 90s indie rock or 80s new wave (similar genres really, a lot of mid 90s bands like Cake have that Wave essence and keyboards)