What is the name of Green Day's first independent studio album?

Green Day’s first independent studio album was 39/Smooth, released by Lookout Records on April 13, 1990. It is the band’s debut full-length studio album, recorded before their breakthrough with a major label.

The album emerged from Green Day’s early Bay Area punk scene, particularly the 924 Gilman Street venue in Berkeley. After releasing the 1,000 Hours EP in 1989, the band recorded 39/Smooth at Art of Ears Studio in San Francisco around Christmas that year. Andy Ernst co-produced the sessions with the band.

The recording process was notably quick and inexpensive. Most of the album was completed within a few days, and the sessions reportedly cost only $675. Its compact, energetic songs show the influence of punk groups such as the Buzzcocks, the Clash, and the Ramones.

A frequent mix-up is 1,039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours, which is not the original debut album. That 1991 compilation combines 39/Smooth with the earlier EPs 1,000 Hours and Slappy. Kerplunk was Green Day’s second studio album, while Dookie was their major-label breakthrough.