Joel Madden had a rough childhood. His old man left him and his brothers and sister to be raised by their mother. Growing up in the ghetto of D.C and living on the streets is how he describes it was like growing up for him in his rap East Coast Anthem... "We ride until we die..." High school was also a tough experience. Him and his twin brother Benji went throu some crazy shit, including drive by bengay incidents and gang bangs. Since he was left out and not let into any gangs cause he wasnt down enough, thats when he started his own group. It was lead by him and his brother, and also included their best (and only) friends Paul, Billy, and Aarron. Some of their signature styles were playing guitar, black nail polish, and hair dye. They named their gang after the first book Joel ever learned to read in the 9^th grade. It was called Good Charlotte. They started playing gigs at local clubs, but could never get a deal since they were always thrown out of the clubs. Billy finally got them signed to Death Row Records.  In a twist of fate, Billy was forced to do time in the Washington D.C county jail (for reasons which are disclosed at this time). His cellmate was a former employee of the Momoney record label. Well lets just say the two bonded in jail and when their time was up Billys friend got hired to Death Row and one thing led to another. Good Charlotte was finally signed. They released their first self-tittled debut album. During their U.S tour something tragic happened to the band that would change them forever. When they were leaving the show in the parking lot their rivalries Wakefield (gang of Aarrons brother) drove by and shot Paul in the chest 13 times. His lung collapsed, he ruptured his spine and all his vertebrae. His heart was hit 3 times. But lucky he recovered, and because of the guilt he felt Aarron left the band to join their long time rivalries Wakefield. Afraid for their lives GC fought with their record company to leave and get signed to another major label. They won, and later signed with Epic. Their much-anticipated album The Young And The Hopeless is coming out in October. Joel is credited for the album name Joel- "uh..yea.see I was watching my show the young and the restless with my mother and I wanted to change it around, so I wont get sued for rights of the name..ya know whatim saying?" Joel always keeps it real with songs like Bloody valentineJoel-.. "Thats about this crazy biiiaach." With the past behind them Good charlotte is growing and touring on the warped tour. And Joel keeps growing into the rap superstar he dreamed to be when he was growing up.