With half the band not even old enough to purchase alcohol, Good Charlotte is already in the spotlight and making it big. The five young men from Maryland, Joel (lead vocals), Benji (lead guitar), Paul (bass), Billy (guitar) and Aaron (drums) came bursting onto the East Coast music scene in a big way over the past few months. The hard hitting first single off the album titled “Little Things” has become a high school angst anthem. The song deals with all the “things” the members of the band had to deal with while growing up (and yes it is all true they say). All the songs on their self-titled album were written by front man Joel and his twin brother Benji. Although the members of the band are young and the fame has come early, they have paid their dues and they don’t let it go to their heads.

While in Philadelphia I had the opportunity to sit down with them and see how they felt about their newly found stardom and a few other things. This particular show, the annual Y-100 FEASTival, was the largest show they have had the privilege of playing. The day before they had played a free concert in the parking lot of a hotel for y-100’s yearly food drive. Good Charlotte says this is something they like to do whenever they get the chance. When asked about their young ages and the attention they get they say “we don’t really think about it that much. We just do what we love to do and everybody seems to really like it. We’re just having fun.” Most of the fans are older than the members of the band but they don’t seem to mind and the fans for the most part don’t even realize this.

Since the band is so young their high school years are still fresh in their minds along with the torment the received while there. Billy, the youngest and newest member of the band, just recently graduated high school last May. This theme comes through on their record. “ It feels awesome to give back what we had to depend on in school. It is great to know we are impacting people the way we were impacted in school.” By this they mean through music. Music was something they used to keep them going throughout high school. While all the other kids were busy mocking them, they were out playing shows or practicing. The members of the band have no ill feelings towards the people who picked on them or thought they would never make it, but look at them now.

Pop is a category of music most bands don’t want any part of lately. A few critics categorize Good Charlotte as such, but they feel they are more “punk-pop” than anything. Backstreet Boys and Nysync the standard pop image--- all talented in the eyes of Good Charlotte and don’t deserve to be put down. “Music is music, some people just choose to ignore certain kinds, but all are talented in their own way.”

Along with being accepting and forgiving the members are also intelligent and down to earth. All the songs on the album were written by the members of the band, lyrics by the two brothers. Benji says they like to keep the first phase of the music writing acoustic, which comes through on some songs. Track 13 “Change”, Good Charlotte’s favorite off their album has this acoustic feel to it. All songs send mature messages while being fun and energetic.

IN CASE YOU WANTED TO KNOW: random thoughts from Good Charlotte
>Who would win a fight Christina Aguelara or Britney Spears? ---Benji says- Christina because she is more scrappy and could whup some @#$! ---Paul and Aaron say—Britney cause she is a little more beefy.

>Would they ever cover a rap song? ---They do, sometimes when playing live they had a little Vanilla Ice, ABC, DMX or Kris Kros into the mix.

>Feelings on Napster ---Napster is taking away from bands. Musicians make a living by selling records and songs are released on Napster for free before the CD even comes out so how will musicians get their money.

>Feelings on Touring ---Touring is great aside form not being in one place long enough to actually get to see the city. Seeing a hotel room and an arena all the time just doesn’t cut it, but playing live is worth it sometimes.

> Yeah of course Good Charlotte? ---Comes from a children’s book, no big deal.

Good Charlotte’s recent release is something that should be on everyone’s music wish list. The variety in types of songs is amazing and everyone could be a radio single. The band puts on an amazing live show. Check out their website GoodCharlotte.com for upcoming tour dates and keep an eye out for what could be the best new band of the year.