Don'tAskMeWhy
Jan 8th, 2004, 08:49 PM
AS GOOD CHARLOTTE AS IT GETS
With hit singles like "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous", and "The Anthem," Good Charlotte seems to be everywhere these days. We had a good talk with the bands lead singer, Joel Madden, about writing good songs, working with his twin brother, Benji and being rich and famous.
How did your band get the name Good Charlotte?
When I was fifteen, I just came up with it. There's no meaning behind it.
How do you go about writing songs?
My brother, Benji, and I usually sit down and write songs together. We're kind of shy about writing, so we have to be alone. We just play around on the acoustic guitar. When we're done with the song, we'll take it to the rest of the band. If they like it, we'll play it.
Where is your favorite place to write?
Probably in the back of the tour bus.
Where is your favorite place to perform?
Japan. The crowd sings along.
What is the best thing about working so closely with siblings?
We're completely honest with each other because we know each other so well.
What's the worst thing?
The fighting that I probably wouldn't do with anyone else, but that I definitely do with my brother.
You and your brother are identical twins. Do you ever pull a switcheroo on stage?
That would be kind of hard, because we have different tattoos and different hair color.
Have you been changed by your "Rich & Famous" lifestyle?
It's nice making money, doing what you love, and having a lot of fans. But we haven't been affected by any of it; we're the same. We're focused on our work.
What is the biggest misconception that people have about you?
People seem kind of scared of us when they see us on airplanes or in nice restaurants [because of our appearance]. It's kind of funny, though, because we're all really friendly.
What music do you enjoy that might surprise people?
I'm really into Frank Sinatra and Marvin Gaye.
What's your favorite thing to eat when you're on tour?
Pizza.
What do you always have when you're on the road?
Clean underwear and socks.
With hit singles like "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous", and "The Anthem," Good Charlotte seems to be everywhere these days. We had a good talk with the bands lead singer, Joel Madden, about writing good songs, working with his twin brother, Benji and being rich and famous.
How did your band get the name Good Charlotte?
When I was fifteen, I just came up with it. There's no meaning behind it.
How do you go about writing songs?
My brother, Benji, and I usually sit down and write songs together. We're kind of shy about writing, so we have to be alone. We just play around on the acoustic guitar. When we're done with the song, we'll take it to the rest of the band. If they like it, we'll play it.
Where is your favorite place to write?
Probably in the back of the tour bus.
Where is your favorite place to perform?
Japan. The crowd sings along.
What is the best thing about working so closely with siblings?
We're completely honest with each other because we know each other so well.
What's the worst thing?
The fighting that I probably wouldn't do with anyone else, but that I definitely do with my brother.
You and your brother are identical twins. Do you ever pull a switcheroo on stage?
That would be kind of hard, because we have different tattoos and different hair color.
Have you been changed by your "Rich & Famous" lifestyle?
It's nice making money, doing what you love, and having a lot of fans. But we haven't been affected by any of it; we're the same. We're focused on our work.
What is the biggest misconception that people have about you?
People seem kind of scared of us when they see us on airplanes or in nice restaurants [because of our appearance]. It's kind of funny, though, because we're all really friendly.
What music do you enjoy that might surprise people?
I'm really into Frank Sinatra and Marvin Gaye.
What's your favorite thing to eat when you're on tour?
Pizza.
What do you always have when you're on the road?
Clean underwear and socks.