Mike Dirnt

Michael Ryan Pritchard (born May 4, 1972), known professionally as Mike Dirnt, is an American musician, songwriter and composer. He is best known as the co-founder, bassist, backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of American punk rock band Green Day. He has also played in several other bands, including The Frustrators. His stage name was originally a nickname that his friends from grade school gave him, as he constantly played "air bass" and made a "dirnt, dirnt, dirnt" noise while pretending to pluck the strings.\n', '

As a child, his father was often away obtaining a degree, while his mother stayed at home to care for him and his sister Myla. Dirnt excelled in school, despite often missing classes as a result of various illnesses attributed to his biological mother\'s drug use. After an argument between his parents led to a call to the police, the couple divorced. His mother a…