Despite it being the basis of their latest single, Good Charlotte don’t need much motivation these days.
Twin brothers Joel and Benji, whose “The Motivation Proclamation” is getting increasing spins at radio and video outlets, didn’t have to be asked twice to appear as prom entertainment in the upcoming comedy “Teen Movie,” nor did it take much prodding to get them to accept an invitation from the Vans Warped Tour.
Lately, Good Charlotte’s drive and enthusiasm rivals even the most ambitious up-and-comers, however that wasn’t always the case.
“There was a point, especially before we got signed, when there was almost a feeling of [desperation],” singer Joel said of Good Charlotte’s state of mind when they wrote their get-up-and-go anthem. “‘Am I ever gonna get to where I won’t have to wonder if I’m going to get kicked out of the place I’m staying? If I’m gonna be able to eat tomorrow? Is our band ever going to get signed? Is this ever going to happen?’ You just want to get out of it, you want to get out of the rut you’re stuck in.”
Luckily for pop-punk fans, Good Charlotte dislodged themselves from their inspirational impasse, got signed to Epic Records, released their eponymous debut in September, and are now touring with MxPx. The album’s first single, “Little Things,” about the trivial troubles thought to be so catastrophic while in high school, brought the group enough acclaim to open for bands such as Blink-182, Lit and Bad Religion and caught the attention of MTV, who asked the band to write and perform a theme song for the animated series “Undergrads.”
Guitarist Benji and Joel, both 22, were inspired to start a band five years ago after attending a Beastie Boys concert. Despite never having played a note, the brothers got together with fellow high school students Paul (bass) and Aaron (drums), and Good Charlotte were born. Guitarist Billy joined the ranks soon after the boys left their hometown of Waldorf, Maryland, for the hipper music scene of Annapolis.
Sure they’ll be rookies on this summer’s Warped Tour, sharing a stage with such veterans as Rancid and 311 come June 22 when the outing kicks off in Phoenix, but Joel says there’s an upside to the group’s greenness.
“We’re definitely not jaded,” the singer said. And to the detractors who claim the band hasn’t paid its proverbial dues, Joel retorts, “We never really considered ourselves serious musicians who are changing music. We’re just kids who wanted to be in a band.”
Good Charlotte/MxPx Tour Dates, According To Good Charlotte’s Publicist:
- April 17 – Minneapolis, MN – Quest Club
- April 18 – Green Bay, WI – Riverside Ballroom
- April 19 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room
- April 20 – Peoria, IL – Madison Theatre
- April 21 – Nashville, TN – March 8 – Performance Hall
- April 22 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
- April 24 – Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
- April 25 – Jacksonville, FL – Club 5
- April 26 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
- April 27 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Landing
- April 28 – Gainesville, FL – Brick City Music Hall
- April 29 – Boynton Beach, FL – Orbit
- May 1 – Raleigh, NC – Ritz
- May 2 – Washington, DC – September 30 – Club
- May 3 – Allentown, PA – Crocodile Rock Cafe
- May 4 – Pittsburgh, PA – Metropol
- May 5 – Toronto, ON – Warehouse
- May 6 – Montreal, QC – Metropolis
- May 7 – Ottawa, ON – Barrymore’s
- May 9 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
- May 10 – Plainview, NY – Vanderbilt
- May 11 – Lancaster, PA – Chameleon
- May 12 – Old Bridge, NJ – Birch Hill Nite Club
- May 13 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
- May 15 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza
- May 19 – Williamsville, NY – Runwayz
- May 20 – Cincinnati, OH – Bogart’s
- May 21 – Detroit, MI – State Theatre
- May 22 – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
- May 23 – Milwaukee, WI – Rave