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 Beasties on the Ill Communication Tour. Joel and Benji were 16, but they�d never even been to a concert before much less sung a note or strummed a guitar. Seven years and a lot 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 their third Warped Tour, released their second CD, The Young and the Hopeless, and are opened 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 heir 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 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 T.V. 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. 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 fifth grade because I had a crush on her. The first real record I got 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�s 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 kindergarten
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 mean 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 traumatizing. I though 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.