YM Article

(taken from YM Magazine) 

If it weren't for the Beastie Boys, there may not have been a Good Charlotte. Twins Joel and Benji Madden, 23, decided they needed to be rock stars after seeing the Beastie Boys on the Ill Communication Tour. Joel and Benji were 16, but they'd never been to a concert before, much less sung a note or strummed a guitar.

Seven years and alot of practice later, their Annapolis, MD-based punk band includes Joel on vocals, Paul Thomas, 22, on bass, and Benji and Billy Martin, 21, on guitars. They've just wrapped up their third Warped Tour, released their second CD, The Young and The Hopeless, and are opening for No Doubt this fall before starting their own headlining gigs. Oh and they also host MTV's heaviest video show, All Things Rock. Since Benji and Joel's first concert had such an impact on them, we wondered about their other firsts (then threw in their lasts just for kicks).

FIRST TIME I WAS MADE FUN OF

Joel: I went to a pool party when I was in the sixth grade, and there was this girl, Kelly, I thought was fine. I had a little potbelly back then- hey, I was just well fed. Anyway, I took off my shirt and started walking to the pool as Kelly was getting out. Everything was in slow motion like you see on TV. Then she looked at me, and I was like, "Hi, Kelly." She said, "Ewww, Joel, you're fat!" Everybody started laughing. I've been traumatized by it for the rest of my life. Thank you, Kelly.

LAST TIME I WAS MADE FUN OF

Benji: Yesterday my friends laughed at me for not showering for almost a week.

FIRST ALBUM I BOUGHT

Joel: I got Paula Abdul's Forever Your Girl when I was in the fifth grade because I had a crush on her. The first real record I bought was Nirvana's Nevermind when I was 14.

LAST ALBUM I BOUGHT

Benji: Sing Sing Death House by the Distillers. They're an L.A.-based punk band. You know Tim Armstrong from Rancid? It's his wife Brody's group.

FIRST TIME I CRIED

Joel: When my mom dropped me off at school my first day of Kindergarden.

LAST TIME I CRIED

Benji: My dad left when I was 16, and my family sort of fell apart. It was a pretty rough time- my family got evicted from our house.

FIRST TIME I GOT DUMPED

Joel: I was 17, and I liked this girl for a really long time. She finally broke up with her boyfriend and went out with me. About two months later, she got back with her ex. I think she was just using me to get him jealous.

LAST TIME I GOT DUMPED

Benji: Two days ago. It wasn't a breakup, but it still sucked. This girl decided I was gone too much. I can't really blame her because I was on the Warped Tour the entire time we were dating.

MY FIRST KISS

Joel: Like with tongue and stuff? 16. I was really nervous, but I'd been waiting to make out with someone. One day, this girl just went for it - sticking her tongue down my throat! It was kind of traumitzing. I thought kissing was supposed to feel good, but it didn't. I never called her after that.

MY LAST KISS

Benji: Thanks for reminding me. I haven't had one since my breakup! I'm such a loser.