Officially, The Network are vocalist and guitarist Fink (who is definitely, absolutely nothing to do with Billie Joe’s coincidentally-named alter ego Wilhelm Fink), bassist Van Gough, drummer The Snoo, keyboardist Z, keytarist and co-producer Reto Peter, alongside guitarist Balducci – whoever they are. At least that’s who the band were credited as on their last recordings. Who exactly is in the band right now is yet to be revealed, although we wouldn’t hold our breaths on that information being made clear any time soon anyway.
Not to be confused with The Longshot, Foxboro Hot Tubs or any of the many other bands that may or may not involve assorted affiliates from the Green Day gang, The Network have always been shrouded in mystery alas, ever since their emergence from parts unknown (or somewhere that speaks Swiss German…) in the summer of 2003. Although musically and aesthetically poles apart (The Network are more Devo-meets-Ramones than straight-up punks), even the most sceptical of fans couldn’t help but note the similarities between the band’s vocals, not to mention the unavoidable red flag fact that their debut album was released on Billie Joe’s Adeline Records. They even opened up for the legendary punks for a few shows in October 2005, despite trash talking them in the press from day one. Cynics among you, however, might say that the press conference was clearly fake… Regardless, the Green Day frontman has always played speculation about the band members’ true identities with a straight bat, insisting that people who claim The Network are Green Day in masks have got it wrong.
“All I gotta say is fuck The Network,” he’s gone on record as saying. “These guys are totally spreading rumours. I try to do those guys a favour 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.”