A lot of bands don't really like each other. I read an Interpol interview the other day, it was a really good interview because it was showing a different aspect of a band. They don't really like each other - they work together and they kinda exist together and that's how they like it. They're like, "we didn't get into this band looking for friends."

Benji Madden

Categorized in : Together Working Together Different

Don't let anyone make you feel like you're not good enough, smart enough or cool enough. Do your own thing.

Benji Madden

not-good-enough smart like-you

Start enjoying the things you like about yourself, and if there are things you want to change, either get to work on it or get over it.

Benji Madden

about-yourself enjoy want

In music industry they always want you to write something like the one that was popular. And that's something you kind of have to just - sometimes you just say yes to people, like, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, sure," and then you just write the one you want to write.

Benji Madden

kind writing people

I got a little tattoo on my face, I'll never be able to work another real job so I consider that to be kinda forcing myself to stick to music.

Benji Madden

tattoo real

When you have a relationship with a label, it can really affect the work you're doing and if you feel like they don't believe in you sometimes you go: "maybe I'm not any good at this". Then you get on a label that is excited to have you and you go: "oh, maybe we are ok at this". It gives you a little more confidence and you work a little better.

Benji Madden

labels giving believe

I didn't even write the lyrics down. I got in the booth, I put down a little guitar riff and the idea I had was it was going to be really simple, I just want it to be all about the lyrics and I just literally sang the lyrics.

Benji Madden

simple writing ideas

We want to give kids something to hope for. If one kid says, "Your cd helped get me through this year," that's all it takes.

Benji Madden

inspiration kids years

3 years ago I was stocking shelves at Target, living on Ramen noodles, and crashing at Billy's house. Now I'm on tour

Benji Madden

target house years

There are some people i'd take a bullet for, and some people i'd like to put a bullet in.

Benji Madden

bullets people

Hard to find a better drug than a song you love.

Benji Madden

hard drug song

Don't worry mom . I am still a virgin.

Benji Madden

virgins mom worry

Things have changed. I almost feel like it's more adaptable, and you can decide your own career now. I feel artists have so much more of a voice and so much more power now. It's really inspiring to see how a lot of the young artists use their platforms.

Benji Madden

things-have-changed changed artist

Often people think they know what they want, but what they really want is something that's genuine. So they'll be saying, "Do another one like that," but you liked that one because it's real. So as long as I keep it real and I do something that's real to me, you're going to feel it in the same way.

Benji Madden

real long thinking

I need a little criticism while I make a record so that I kind of feel like: okay, I know that I'm doing the best that I can do because someone is actually here challenging it.

Benji Madden

criticism challenges needs

The whole time you're bouncing ideas off each other, you continue to try and push the songs as far as you can take them and make them the best that they can be.

Benji Madden

song trying ideas

All the best songs are, I think, the easiest write because they just come out.

Benji Madden

writing song thinking

I hope my allergies don't act up

Benji Madden

allergies

It's really hard to do this life - to be a human being alone.

Benji Madden

human-being alone being-alone life

It does feel really good when you play a new song, and it's the loudest singalong of the night. It means just as much when we're playing the old songs, and people are singing along to those, too.

Benji Madden

good you song people

I think the soul of Good Charlotte is just feeling good.

Benji Madden

feeling good think soul