Joel Madden Unveils Surprising All-Time Favorite Good Charlotte Hit and Drops Exciting Hints for Upcoming Projects

The young-at-heart and the never-hopeless: Good Charlotte firmly established their place in music history almost 30 years ago, but their journey is far from over.

In an exclusive interview with Us, Joel Madden reflects on the band's remarkable achievements since he and his brother Benji Madden formed Good Charlotte in the 1990s. "I take pride in the fact that we started as a group of school kids at the age of 15 and we've remained together for 27 years now," shares the 44-year-old host of the "Artist Friendly" podcast, while promoting season 15 of Ink Master. "We've overcome challenges that no one prepared us for, not knowing what lay ahead."

Good Charlotte developed a dedicated fanbase with their self-titled album in 2000. However, it was their 2002 album, "The Young and the Hopeless", featuring hit songs like "The Anthem", "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous", and "Girls & Boys", that really put the band on the map. According to Madden, Good Charlotte's distinctive sound is one of the reasons they have remained a prominent force in the music industry. He describes the band as one-of-a-kind, difficult to categorize, and not easily fit into any particular genre. Having two children with wife Nicole Richie, Madden is proud of the band's unique identity.

Joel Madden. James Minchin/Paramount+

The enduring bond he shares with his bandmates Paul Thomas, Billy Martin, and Dean Butterworth is akin to a committed marriage, according to Madden. This close-knit relationship has greatly contributed to their lasting legacy. Madden asserts, "We hold Good Charlotte in high regard and deeply value its significance. Our every action is purposeful."

In a few weeks, the band will reunite on stage for the first time in nearly five years at When We Were Young in Las Vegas. Madden reveals, "We have been brushing off the rust and dedicating ourselves to rehearsals, which has been an absolute blast. All of us are genuinely thrilled to perform together again, and discussions of recording new material have begun."

The possibility of going on a tour next year is being discussed by the group; however, the MDDN owner refrains from making an official confirmation. Madden informs Us that this discussion has sparked interest in hitting the road. If a decision is made, an announcement will likely be made before the end of this year or at the beginning of next year, if there is any news to share.

Good Charlotte, with seven albums to their name, shouldn't have trouble deciding which hits to include in their set. However, Madden has a personal preference for the timeless track "Hold On." He admits that he still loves performing this impactful mid-tempo ballad, as it holds significant meaning for him.

The band's earlier music serves as the foundation for everything we do today, according to the musician. The goal is to provide people with something they can personally connect with and use in a positive way in their own lives.

Madden also highlights the personal significance of some of the band's recent singles. He mentions that the song "Last December" holds a lot of meaning, and expresses his love for tracks like "Actual Pain" and "Shadowboxer" on the album Generation RX.

Good Charlotte fans are eagerly anticipating news about upcoming music and a new tour. Frontman Madden hinted that whatever they decide to do will be something unique and meaningful for the band. Additionally, fans can now see Madden taking on the role of host for the latest installment of Ink Master. The musician expressed his excitement about this opportunity and shared that he considers season 15 of the tattoo-themed competition series to be his favorite so far. Make sure to mark your calendars, as Ink Master will be returning on November 1, exclusively on Paramount+.

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Joel Madden