Good Charlotte: We believe in Manila!

Punk’s not dead. Not by a long shot. The genre has only reinvented itself into more accessible, more ear-friendly fare with key figures such as Green Day (the elder statesmen of pop punk), Rancid, Offspring, Blink 182, Simple Plan, SUM 41 and, of course, Good Charlotte, as well as other bands preoccupied with teenage angst, rebel get-ups, and loud guitars. Things that amplify what punk archetypes The Who once bellowed about: "I’m not trying to cause a big s-s-sensation, just talkin’ about my g-g-generation."

That’s what the guys from Good Charlotte do: sing about their generation, our generation. A generation raised on TV, malls, the Internet, weapons of mass destruction, broken homes, humor and a choc full of hopelessness. We live in a society that is funny and tragic at the same time. Musicians, at least those who matter, meditate on that in their music. In their songs, the guys from Good Charlotte deal with high school alienation, disaffected families, and crappy relationships coupled with catchy, melodic riffs and a whole lot of attitude – pop punk for the common punk.

This is evident in Good Charlotte’s self-titled debut released in 2000 (which boasts tracks such as Motivation Proclamation and Change) and the breakthrough The Young and The Hopeless released in 2002 (which boasts Emotionless and the hit Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous).

In Chronicles of Life and Death, released in 2004, the band experimented (imagine, an instrumental track in a Good Charlotte album) and explored different genres (I Just Want To Live sounds like a Red Hot Chili Peppers outtake), which showed maturity as artists. It’s just rock n’ roll.

And now the latest chapter in Good Charlotte chronicle is the band’s gig at the Folk Arts Theater (also featuring Kamikazee, Chicosci, Typecast and Mayonnaise). We caught up with Good Charlotte singer Joel Madden, guitarists Benji Madden and Billy Martin, and bassist Paul Thomas.

Philippine STAR: How has success changed your song-writing approach?

Joel Madden: I think it is more of experience that changed our song-writing approach as seen in the last three records we made. Every time we make a new record, we have more experience as song writers. In the next record, you’re going to see even different approaches to song-writing like boredom or curiosity, maybe.

What makes you different from your contemporaries?

Joel Madden: We can’t really explain it but there’s just something different about Good Charlotte that everyone knows. It’s just one of those things that our fans and people know. Our lyrics and music are very honest which our fans understand. We have a special relationship with our fans.

Benji Madden: We are the real deal.

You started with simple first and second albums. The third is more complicated. Did you stick to the pop formula or become more experimental?

Joel Madden: I think we have to be more experimental. As a band, we are all just getting more curious about what we can do. As we get older or more mature, we want to do different things.

Benji Madden: To stay around, we have to set ourselves apart from everything else out there. So, we need to continue to make better records, more diverse and give our fans something new so they are not just getting the same old stuff.

How was it to perform in Live 8?

Joel Madden: The Live 8 concert was really special to me because of what it is all about. The bands in the Japan show were really awesome. The fact that we all participated and got together for the concert was a big deal especially for Asia. It’s unfortunate that journalists criticized the show. But I think it was such a positive thing. It was such a great show.

As you get older, the music changes. When you hit 30, do you think you’ll still be playing punk music?

Joel Madden: Our roots our punk rock but I think right now that we are a rock band especially with our last album. It’s a rock record.

Benji Madden: I think that there will always be an element of punk in our music because it is the music we love and got inspired from the place we come from. Punk will always be there and I don’t think that it’s ever going to leave us.

Who are your dream collaborations?

Joel Madden: Green Day, Gwen Stefani.

Benji Madden: Marilyn Manson.

Billy Martin: Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails.

Paul Thomas: Andre 3000 from Outkast would be cool.

What can we expect from your performance tonight?

Joel Madden: We’ve been doing live shows for a long time and we are definitely proud of them. I think you can expect that it will be the best live show. Coming to Manila is the best opportunity to connect with our fans and we will hopefully never forget it.

What is your message for the fans?

Benji Madden: The show is where we all belong. We believe in Manila!!!

(Good Charlotte Live in Manila, presented by PULP, will be held tonight, 7 p.m. at the Folk Arts Theater (the gates will open at 6 p.m.). Tickets will be available at the gate.)