MANILA, Philippines - In 2005, I had the chance to work with American band Good Charlotte for their show here in Manila, manning the stage for their Folk Arts Theater show. I was watching Kamikazee playing from backstage when somebody came up from behind me and asked, “Who are they? They’re good!” It was none other than guitarist/ backup vocalist Benji Madden. I played it cool and nonchalant during that moment and gave him a mini-history of the band and their place in the local scene. He listened with interest. When I asked him, if he wanted to be introduced to the band, he graciously accepted the invite. During that time, drummer Chris Wilson had just quit and the band recruited English-born Dean Butterworth to fill in. (He became their official drummer in 2007.) No stranger to playing the drums, he had played for the likes of Ben Harper and THE Morrissey. (YS editor-at-large Erwin Romulo, who is a massive fan of the ex-Smith, sent me a link as proof.)
To be honest, I am not a huge fan of Good Charlotte but I consider them a “guilty pleasure.” I own only one of their albums, Chronicles of Life and Death. It includes their hits “We Believe” and “I Just Wanna Live.” (Ok, I confess that I sometimes catch myself humming “Little Things” a few times.)
Six years later, the band came back to Manila to do a one-night show. Presented by Ayala Malls and MMI, the band did a meet-and-greet at the Glorietta in Makati. I immediately jumped at the invitation. Getting there early, I heard screaming (presumably teenage ones) as I drew nearer the venue inside the mall. Good Charlotte was doing a sound check. Watching them run through their set, I felt a pang of nostalgia. The band has grown older and some of them a little thinner. They did sport a little more ink on their skin though.
During the concert itself, the younger ones dominated, all anxious to see the band. Although there were seats (which I believe have no place in a rock show), they became little more than hurdles for fans rushing the stage as soon as Good Charlotte took to the stage. Myself included. I don’t know exactly how it happened. Without meaning to, I suddenly found myself smack in the middle of a pit with screaming teenagers. It was a fun concert, though. There was a lot of interaction between vocalist Joel Madden and his twin brother Joel and the audience. They certainly didn’t disappoint their fans as they played hits like “The Anthem”, “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”, “Little Things”, and “Girls & Boys,” just to name a few.
During the meet-and-greet, (which literally means that you get to say hello and get your picture taken with the band), I first got to meet their guitarist and keyboardist Billy Martin followed by bassist Paul Thomas. As soon as I came face-to-face with Dean, their drummer, I couldn’t help but tell him that I knew he was Morrissey’s drummer. He was visibly taken aback and laughed, not expecting anyone in the audience that night to know. I asked him how that was like and he answered that, “it was amazing” and that “it was probably one of the best moments of his life.” I thanked him for the reply (and I bet Erwin would too).
I said hello to Benji, who lost weight but gained muscle, since the last time he was here. When I reached his brother, Joel, I gave him up a pendant for his wife, Nicole Richie. He thanked me by giving me a bear hug. I didn’t bother telling them that I worked with them the last time they were here. I’m sure they wouldn’t remember. No matter, it’s always good to keep some things to yourself.