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 and sister moved to Rodeo, California, while he stayed in El Sobrante, California with his father. However, missing his mother, he eventually moved in with her and Myla. Having been previously described as bright and fearless, Dirnt became sullen and withdrawn after the divorce.\n', '

In the cafeteria in Carquinez Middle School, ten-year-old Dirnt met Billie Joe Armstrong, with whom he bonded instantly. Armstrong began to play guitar with Mike, and the two spent much time at Armstrong\'s house in 1984 and they played songs by various artists, most notably Ramones, Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard, Hüsker Dü, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Replacements, The Who and Van Halen. At the age of 15, they formed a group named "Sweet Children" with Billie Joe singing and playing lead guitar, Mike playing rhythm guitar, Sean on bass and Raj on drums.\n', '

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