| The Begining of the rest of their Lives... |
| Benji and Joel Madden grew up in Waldorf Maryland "The middle of nowhere suburbs" Benji says. Growing up they had it really hard. Their father left their mother to take care of 4 children on her own. Not having enough money they got evicted from their home where they had their own bedrooms for the first time and ended up crashing a friends houses, and even on the street at one point. They moved into a barn type housing and their mother was diagnosed with Lupus. Benji and Joel went to school and had crappy jobs. One was being shampoo boys. At times they were cold and didnt eat. "its good to be hungry sometimes" Benji said. They turned to music after everything went down. Their brother Josh got them into bands like Rancid, The cure, Minor threat, the smiths and many more. They would hide in the pantry and fight over the headphones becuase their mother was a very christain lady and wouldnt let them listen to that kind of music. Benji bagan teaching himself the guitar and Joel went toward lead vocals. Soon after Billy and Paul Joined. Billy on guitar, and Paul on Bass. Im not for sure who the first drummer was ((but i do know on the first album they had Aaron)) Although they had no money, equipment, or "connections" they never gave up. "I wrote a letter saying 'were good charlotte and if you sign us now it will be alot cheaper than if you wait!" Benji recalls "Our Ignorance was kind of a blessing, we couldnt be discouraged by knowing knowing too much about how the buisness really works" When Benji and Joel graduated High School in June 1997 they got 2 tickets to go to California. They crashed with one of their aunts. "some of our favorite Bands Like Green Day started out at this east bay club called 924 Gilman Street. So when we graduated that summer we made a pilgramige to visit the club. we'd never even been on a plane before but we have an aunt in Berkly who let us crash with her" Benji said. When they got back home they were newly inspired and even more determend then ever! They left Waldorf and moved to Annapolis and played shows both accoustic and electric. and they "Worked all kinds of shity jobs... over 30 of them!" Benji says. They had no money and no transportation but their mother let them us the only thing she owned. Her mini-van and she got rides or even walked to work. "we have alot more to say then other bands we're compaired with and I hope people will hear it on this album (((Young and the Hopeless))) The kids that we were 5 years ago- i just want to give those kids something to help them through the day" Benji says. That was just the begining. Since then they have gone on tour for months at a time and also released a new album. The Chronicles Of Life and Death. They have never given up and probably will never give up! |
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