Because most bands do not seem to know what they are these days, I took it upon myself to do a little research on behalf of the boys in Good Charlotte. In a recent interview they admitted "...we're not punk, and we never have been." Hmmm, really? Well, I believe a courtesy call is due to Law of Inertia magazine, for, you see, you blatantly lied to their staff writer.

 

In an interview conducted by LOI, Benji wholeheartedly admitted to Good Charlotte being a punk band, and how much they have been influenced by the likes of: Rancid, Social Distortion, Green Day, etc. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe they just performed the intimate punk sin. You ultimately turned your back to your brothers, guys. Whether or not you wish to call yourselves punks now, you did at one time…and, as odd as it seems, so did a lot of influential people in punk music.




Law of Inertia: "...Let’s get back to your roots. Living in DC, were you influenced by the DC hardcore scene?
Benji Madden: We definitely were a little bit. When you’re growing up around there that’s what all the older kids who listen to punk like. Musically I don’t know how much we were influenced by it because I think our music is a lot more melodic. A little more simple than Fugazi, a little more complex than Minor Threat. We were more into the new wave of punk, like Rancid, Green Day, Social Distortion.


Law of Inertia: Do you have a Rancid tattoo?
Benji Madden: Yeah. Lars did a couple lyrics (“Journey To The End”) under it when we were on tour together.

 

Law of Inertia: That’s dedication. We read that Joel adores Morrissey-
Benji Madden: That’s his idol.
Law of Inertia: Is there anyone that’s your “guy”?
Benji Madden: Mike Ness [Social Distortion] has always been one for me. I started wearing eyeliner in high school because I saw “Another State Of Mind” and I thought he was the coolest. He was always lamenting. All of his lyrics are like hard times and gave me hope. He was so punk and I thought it was awesome.

 

Law of Inertia: How did you get into punk? Was it through your skateboarding?
Benji Madden: Some [of it was] through that and some through older kids. I was always treated badly by jocks [and] the thing that pissed them off the most was punk rock. Whether or not I was punk, I don’t know, but I sure believed it.

 

Law of Inertia: Do you still consider yourself a punk?
Benji Madden: Yeah. I mean, I have PUNX tattoos in 6-inch letters across my stomach and I guess a lot of people would say that just means you have PUNX tattooed across your stomach. To me, I’ll have that when I’m eighty. That’s something that’s there forever.