Good Charlotte

Joel Madden- Vocals
Banji Madden- Guitar, Back-Up Vocals
Billy Martin- Second Guitar
Paul Thomas- Bass
Chris- drums

Good Charlotte is probably one of the best pop-punk bands out there. They are a mix of Rancid, the Clash, Beastie Boys, and a little dash of Blink 182 and they rock! Their name is often questioned. Good Charlotte came from a book that was titled Good Charlotte. At the time of the band's naming, not even one solitary member of the band had read the book.
The band consists of 5 amazingly talented guys.
The lead singer is Joel Madden, 24, identical twin brother Benji Madden (24) plays guitar and does the back up vocals, Billy Martin (22) the second guitarist, Paul Thomas (23) is the bass player, and Chris is their newest addition as their drummer.
The band started when Benji and Joel were attending La Plata High. They had attended a Beastie Boys concert and figured that music was what they loved and being paid for doing what you love wasn't half bad of an idea. Benji had never touched a guitar string and Joel had never tried to sing even once before this incident. They tried to write songs but weren't too successful. That was until they met Billy at a local gig. Billy was currently with his band Overflow. the Madden brothers saw him play at one of his gigs and decided to chat with him. This chat was the beginning of Good Charlotte. Billy convinced the Madden brothers to try playing with him and when they realized that the chemistry and talent was all there the band had begun. Paul Thomas was brought into the picture along with Aaron (their ex drummer who left Good Charlotte to join his brother's band, Wakefield). Paul had known the Maddens from high school. Soon they started local gigs and were then discovered by record companies.
Their songs are about their hardtimes. Usually written by Benji Madden or sometimes Joel Madden, they are about being left behind ("its been a long hard road without you by my side why weren't you there the nights that we cried? -Emotionless"), about social works ("All I wanna do is kick the welfare, all I wanna do is get my share"- Waldorfworldwide), and what they really see themselves and the world as ("And no one in this industry understands the life I lead when I sing about my past its not a gimick not an act these critics and these trustfund kids try to tell me what punk is but when I see them on the streets I've got nothing to say!- The Young and the Hopeless). Their melodies are high powered and just make you want to mosh.
The band is currently with the Jive record label. They are known to be close friends with the band Mest and Rancid. Benji Madden is in fact a guest in both Mest's and Rancid's music videos. (Jaded by Mest and Fall Back Down by Rancid). As soon as their fall tour is over (for the year of 2003) they will be back in the studios and fine tuning a new record of hits.