|
Interviews done by the best band in the world!
 |
Good Charlotte |
GOOD CHARLOTTE: RICH AND FAMOUS?
Good Charlotte aren't exactly living the lifestyles of the rich and famous -- yet -- but check this: About 10 minutes before we talked to them, they learned that their album, The Young and the Hopeless, went platinum!
After recovering from the news, guitarist Billy took time out of his very hectic schedule to chat about the band's quick and sudden rise to the top of the charts. He told us how he first met the GC twins, Benji and Joel, what he thinks of the word "punk", and how many tattoos the band has! Check it out.
By Jin Moon
 Members: Benji Madden (guitar), Billy Martin (guitar), Joel Madden (lead vocals), and Paul Thomas (bass). Home Base: Waldorf and Annapolis, Maryland. Band Name: "The band name is from a children's book that Joel found called Good Charlotte. If you've never seen us, you'd probably think we're all girls." Biggest Influence: "Silverchair's Frogstomp came out when they were like 15 or 16. I think I was 14 at the time. I was like, 'If they could do it, I can do it.' I got a guitar and learned all the Silverchair songs. Ever since then, I've followed the band religiously." In Billy's CD Player: The Used, Silverchair, Muse, Glassjaw, and Blindside. Status: Taken! "I try to not talk about relationships 'cause it complicates everything, but I do have a girlfriend right now." Girl Talk: "The best thing in the world for a relationship is good communication. I need a girl who can listen to me and hold a conversation." Fave Video Game: "I just got Tony Hawk 4, and it kills the rest of the Tony Hawk games. I haven't gotten tired of it yet." Sk8er Boi: "Before I got a guitar, my whole life was skateboarding. Once I got a guitar, my skateboard got dusty in the closet. I bring a skateboard on the tour bus, but I won't like go on the half pipes and try crazy tricks 'cause I know I'll hurt [my guitar hand]." Fave Movie: " The Nightmare Before Christmas. I have life-sized dolls of all the characters. I have to rent a storage space just to keep all the [movie paraphernalia] because I can't fit it in my apartment." Pre-show Rituals: "We usually clear our dressing room out about 15 minutes to a half an hour before to clear our thoughts, and then we pound fists together before every single show." Web Sites: For more information on the band, check out goodcharlotte.com or goodcharlotterocks.com.
Members: Benji Madden (guitar), Billy Martin (guitar), Joel Madden (lead vocals), and Paul Thomas (bass). Home Base: Waldorf and Annapolis, Maryland. Band Name: "The band name is from a children's book that Joel found called Good Charlotte. If you've never seen us, you'd probably think we're all girls." Biggest Influence: "Silverchair's Frogstomp came out when they were like 15 or 16. I think I was 14 at the time. I was like, 'If they could do it, I can do it.' I got a guitar and learned all the Silverchair songs. Ever since then, I've followed the band religiously." In Billy's CD Player: The Used, Silverchair, Muse, Glassjaw, and Blindside. Status: Taken! "I try to not talk about relationships 'cause it complicates everything, but I do have a girlfriend right now." Girl Talk: "The best thing in the world for a relationship is good communication. I need a girl who can listen to me and hold a conversation." Fave Video Game: "I just got Tony Hawk 4, and it kills the rest of the Tony Hawk games. I haven't gotten tired of it yet." Sk8er Boi: "Before I got a guitar, my whole life was skateboarding. Once I got a guitar, my skateboard got dusty in the closet. I bring a skateboard on the tour bus, but I won't like go on the half pipes and try crazy tricks 'cause I know I'll hurt [my guitar hand]." Fave Movie: " The Nightmare Before Christmas. I have life-sized dolls of all the characters. I have to rent a storage space just to keep all the [movie paraphernalia] because I can't fit it in my apartment." Pre-show Rituals: "We usually clear our dressing room out about 15 minutes to a half an hour before to clear our thoughts, and then we pound fists together before every single show." Web Sites: For more information on the band, check out goodcharlotte.com or goodcharlotterocks.com.
Why did you guys call your album The Young and the Hopeless?
The theme of the whole record. A lot of the songs are about us when we were in high school, dealing with family problems, self issues, and depression. You get stressed out, and you feel like the whole world is falling apart. When you're in high school, if some kid makes fun of your shorts, you think it's the biggest thing in the world, and it drives you crazy.
But for the most part, as soon as you get out of high school, you realize it's not that big of a deal. There are so many more important things in this world. The CD is supposed to just be a record to prove to you that we felt the same way you did in high school, and look where we are now! You just gotta hold on and make it through.
|
