Built on the guitar and vocal axis of twins Benji and Joel Madden, Good Charlotte and punk-lite poster boys from the tough side of Washington DC.
To call the 23-year-olds MTV-friendly is an understatement - not only do they peddle tales of high school hell and parental rejection (the twins were left penniless and homeless aged 16 when their father walked out on christmas day) but they actually moonlight as presenters on the channel. With Tv stardom, legions of fans and their own clothing label, the pairs current lifestlye is far removed from the teen angst that informs debut UK hit Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous and its attendant album, The Young And The Hopeless. Not that they care. Anarchy!
Do you have one of those weird psychic twin links?
Joel: Yeh we finish each others sentances, and sometimes ill get really worried about Benji and ill when i call him he feels the same way.
Do you indulge in twin-swap antics?
Benji: I called a girl for Joel once because he's too shy, but thats pretty much it.
Joel: Needless to say she said no. I blame him.
Do female groupies ever equest a night with both of you?
Joel: [disgusted] Ah, yeah, but theyll never get it. I couldnt do it with my brother - thats sick.
Which of you is the most vain?
Joel: I have to say benji. Sometimes itll take 20 minutes to do those spikes. Im like, dude, wear a hat.
Benji: Its definetly joel. His idol is Morrissey!
Joel, Is it true you once had Bengay (American deep-heat style substance) forcibly smeared onto your genitals?
Joel: Yeh, the football players did that kind of homoerotic shit but you just had to put up with it.
How did you retaliate?
Joel: One time these guys were being dicks to me so one time i just picked up some bottles and started throwing them.
Did anyone get hurt?
Joel: Yeah, i got my ass kicked! it was good being a twin at those times, though, having someone who's got your back.
Joel, you once worked in a ladies hair salon. Not very punk, Is it?
Joel: It was really good shampooing pretty girls hair all day long! My friends all laughed at me, but the old ladies loved me man!
So you consider yourselves proper punks?
Benji: We definetly have the attitude and the balls.We've worked for everything we have. Some of the hardest punk bands are pussies from rich families. I could take an acoustic guitar and sing the sweetest song i know and still be more punk than them.
Whats your best tattoo?
Benji: Ive got "PUNX" across my stomach in six-inch high black letters. Id like my last name tattooed accross my throat but i know its gonna hurt.