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If you want to experience life, then touring is definately the way to
go according to America's hottest rock exports Good Charlotte, POPWORLD joined them in sunny California to get a taste of
life on the road with the biggest and best. Trust us, it doesnt get any better than this..............
Bakersfield,
California, is a remote town three hours drive east of Los Angeles. Its mainly residential, bar a few 7-evens and gas stations.
But right in the middle of this sleepy surburb, you'll find the Centennial Garden & Convention Centre. This $38million
venue has hosted everyone from Bob the builder to the Foo Fighters, and tonight for one night only, as part of their Civic
Tour - headliners Good Charlotte and New Found Glory will rock the normally quiet Bakersfield to its foundations.
Outside
the venue, around 50 kinda sit in the shade, with Good Charlotte and New Found Glory songs blaring from their stereos. A flashing
electronic billboard reads today's weather, a sweltering and uncomfortable 83 degrees. But the doors to the cool, air-conditioned
venue wont open for another six-and-a-half hours.
Previously a foursome, Good Charlottes line up includes twin brothers
Joel and Benji Madden, Paul Thomas, Billy Martin and the new official drummer Chris Wilson. The band all look tired when we
meet them outside the dressing room, but their moods lighten as we go through to the main arena. Sound check lasts 30 minutes,
and in between songs Joel practises his beat box skills, as well as doing a convincing impression of a cheesy game show host.
After
racing through one quick verse and chorus of 'Girls and Boys' and 'The Young And The Hopeless, they perform a flawless rendition
of Oasis's 'Acquiesce' That one was just for all the british in the house. Joel announces over the PA. 'They are my favourite
band,' says Benji. 'I love them.' Before wrapping up the sound check, they crowd around the drum riser, and play a long guitar-driven
instrumental. Its not a song we're familiar with and it carries a dark heavy metal sound while Joel covers the mic with his
mouth and hand and exhales in a deep murmur. New material perhaps? Joel confirms that they have some fresh tracks that they're
itching to record. "Im really ready to make another record", he nods. "We're going into the studio in January to record another
album. We have some good songs written - a little bit darker but good."
We go and sit in the empty seats in the arena. 'This venue probably holds more people than the whole population
of this town,' jokes bassist Paul, every single black and white strand of his hair forming an immaculate peak on his head.
What
was it like living on the tour bus, Paul?
We've only been travelling on the bus for two years. Before that we were in this
little van. This is like a mansion compared with before. Inside its really dark with blackout shades, so its nice and cool.
We've got leather seats, flat screen TVs and big bunks now.
Are there any rules on the bus?
Nobodys allowed
to poo in the toliet. If you've got to go, then we do a truck stop. Luckily we're asleep most of the time because we drive
to the next city at night. But every morning i run out of my bunk having to poo. its a pain in the ass (no pun intended),
especially when we're parked out where there are loads of kids around. They'll be like 'sign this!' and im like [pulling a
strained face] 'No i cant right now' then ill run off and then ill run off and they're all left with these really confused
looks on their faces.'
Billy is
riding the corridors of the backstage area on a BMX bike when we catch up with him. As he hops off we apologise from tearing
him away from his fun. 'Its ok, i really dont mind doing interviews,' he smiles.
Do you do anything to mark the first
night of the tour?
Yeh, we were in North Dakota, pretty much in the middle of nowhere. After the show we went to a
karoke bar. It was full of old men in Cowboy hats listening to country music, then we walk in with all our tattoos, dressed
all in black. Everybody stopped and looked at us. But after we ripped the notes on our first song, they were all clapping
and cheering for us to do another one. We pretty much took over the place.
Do you get gifts from fans?
Yeh,
tonnes. Alot of people know that silverchair are my favourite band, and the other day this bag was thrown on the stage with
all these imported Silverchair CDs in it, and a little note saying "I know you like Silverchair, but i dont know if you have
any of these' It was so cool of them to do that, because it probably cost them alot of money, and its something that im acutally
going to listen to.
Any memorable moments on the tour so far?
Something really cool happened the other day,
with help from the make a wish foundation, which helps kids that are ill. We were in Salt Lake city and this kid asked to
meet us, so he came to the sound check. He showed us that he could play our new single 'The Anthem' on guitar, so that
evening we brought this kid out and he played guitar with us. It was pretty amazing that we got to do something for a kid
like that.
As we pass the basketball
court backstage, we spot Good Charlottes newest addition Chris. The tall, slim-built 22-year-old is wondering around alone,
and at first appears to be shy and quiet, but we soon discover how warm and chatty he is.
How did you cross paths wth
Good Charlotte?
About a year ago i was working in a 7-Eleven. Id been in a band called ELC for four years, but it didnt
work out so we called it a day. I was devastated cos its all i ever wanted to do. Then my friend Quinn from the Used told
me that Good Charlotte were looking for a new drummer, so i tried out. They liked what they heard and i played my first gig
the next day in Chicago. They asked me to stay a bit longer then before i knew it, said they never wanted me to leave....so
i didnt.
You've done pretty well in the space of a year.......
Yeah! Its funny because i had Good Charlotte's
first album and i really liked it and id been to see them play in Salt Lake City, where im from. I never though id be here
now playing with them.
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