New Album Information - AP/Blender Magazine/DCMA Launch

From the current AP issue (US):
"I woke up one day, and just woke up," says Good Charlotte guitarist/vocalist Benji Madden, explaining how he prepared himself for the creation of his band's fourth album, schedualed for an October release on Epic. "All the bullshit was out of my head...[I realized] our last album [2004's The Chronicles Of Life And Death] was a little selfish; we just wanna take it back to the fans." And thus, the band began writing, ending up with over 50 songs demoed. "I think we're going to cut that down to about 15 or 16, and record all of those," Madden says. Some of Madden's early favorites from the band's sessions with Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Avril Lavigne) include "Keep Your Hands Off My Girl," which he describes as "dirty, dancey indie rock [that] only Joel[Madden, vocalist] could sing," and "Face The Strange," which "our fans will really dig." Of course, the one track Madden describes that we're really curious about is "She Takes Your Money", which, while still in its conceptual stages, will feature guest vocals from both rapper Fabolous and scene queen Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, if Benji gets his way; there's also plans for a cameo somewhere on the album from The Game. "We've never had collaborations on our album's before," he says, "and there's always a little hip-hop in our sounds. Good Charlotte will never go hip-hop, though." Good to see they're keeping it real.

Blender Article:
The bad news? Good Charlotte have been in the studio since April, and they haven't recorded a duet with Hilary Duff. The good news? According to Joel Madden, Duff's boyfriend of two years, "We've talked about it. Anything's possible."

The mall punk hereos are currently in LA, working on the follow-up to 2004's Chronicles of Life and Death, a quesi-conceptual album about the burdens of fame that sold only one-third as many copies as it's predeccessor. "Our last record was a little selfish." Joel's twin brother Benji admits. "This one's more adjusted. I see all these bands doing the dark thing- we want to do the bright thing."

It's too early to pick a single, but both Maddens like "Keep Your Hands off My Girl", a good-natured jab at hipsters with a "really dirty, indie-rock dance vibe." Joel is also partial to "Show Me What You Live For", which was inspired by nasty looks he got at a Chanel show during NYC's Fashion Week.

But lest fans worry they're getting caught up in the glamour of Hollywood and Manhatten, the twins also record a track with their new neighbor and "one of our best friends in the world", gangsta-rific Compton MC The Game. "We hang out with the Game all the time." Benji says. "I'm going to get coffee with him right after this interview. Actually he'll probably have a 40."

Benji describes the collaboration - tentaviely titled "Fight Song" - as "NWA meets the Clash" So who's who in that formulation?

"Oh, we're definitely NWA." says Joel. "Or WWA - Wiggaz with Attitude."

DCMA News:
DCMA COLLECTIVE will be having their launch party August 30th at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas (USA)