MTV Buzzworthy Blog › Good Charlotte

Oh hey! I'm Sam Lansky, music journalist extraordinaire, and I had a poster of 98 Degrees dressed as firefighters on my bedroom wall as a little boy. (Did I say "dressed"? Because what I actually mean is "undressed.") It's Thursday, and you know what that means — time for an extra-strength dose of Pop Think, no prescription necessary.

Up this week: the possible return of the boy band to domestic shores, which I'd call a cause for celebration. But after a decade largely devoid of cheesy boy band deliciousness, are Americans ready for another boy band invasion?

The Wanted is pop princess-approved! Credit: @britneyspears

After the boy band boom at the turn of the millennium, when groups like Hanson, Backstreet Boys, and *NSYNC ruled the airwaves, things have gone relatively quiet on the boy band front -- at least Stateside, with the occasional exception of all-male pop-punk and emo outfits such as Good Charlotte and Fall Out Boy, and Disney tween pop megastars like the Jonas Brothers.

But overseas, the boy band phenomenon never really went away. In the U.K., Westlife and Take That continued to enjoy massive success throughout the '90s, and more recent discoveries such as JLS, One Direction, and The Wanted just keep the boy band relevant with hook-laden singles and endearingly goofy dance moves. (Is it just me or is there something like, intrinsically comical about a group of hot guys dancing in unison? Even if it's visually mesmerizing, I often find myself laughing at the sheer ridiculousness of dudes with chiseled jawlines and ripped abs dancing to a four-on-the-floor beat, their bodies in perfect synchronicity.)

Record labels seem to think that the United States is ready for a big boy band return -- or at least they're gambling on it, with news of new groups launching every day. Former *NSYNC member Lance Bass is mentoring a new boy band Heart2Heart, whose 2Ge+her-like video for their first single, "Facebook Official," walks a VERY fine line between parody and sincerity. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga super-producer RedOne has launched his own boy band venture as well called Midnight Red. Five meticulously coiffed dudes in skinny jeans belt out dance-pop bangers with names like "One Club At A Time." (Whether or not the club can handle Midnight Red remains to be seen.)

The most promising boy band on the horizon for Americans, though, has to be The Wanted, who have carved out a serious niche in the U.K. market with devastatingly catchy pop and an image that seems carefully calculated to project just the right balance of masculinity and sensitivity. It works, too. They're as convincing singing lovelorn ballads like "Heart Vacancy" as they are at the helm of synth-fueled house-pop such as "Lightning."

+ Read more about the return of boy bands after the jump.

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Tags Backstreet-Boys, Fall Out Boy, Good Charlotte, Hanson, Jonas Brothers, NSync, Pop Think, Take That, The Wanted, Westlife

Credit: WireImage

You know what they say: There's someone out there for everyone. And what if Good Charlotte's Benji Madden's "someone" is... Kathy Griffin? What if, people?!

Benji Madden and Kathy Griffin posed for what looks like an innocent photo at Nylon magazine's "Young Hollywood Issue" party, but we're kind of wondering if there's more than just photo posing going on here. Maybe we're jumping to conclusions, but Kathy Griffin is looking suspiciously happy in this pic (we can spot a wry grin from a mile away). And is it just us or does Benji's face seem to be saying, "I'm so glad to be taking this photo with the love of my life right now." Seriously! Do these two have a secret they're not telling us?!

It's possible that it's our huge crush on Benji Madden that has us looking deeper into this photo than necessary, but stranger things have happened, y'all -- Jay-Z and Gwyneth Paltrow are BFFs, remember?

Tags Benji Madden, Good Charlotte, Kathy Griffin

Credit: Getty Images

Hopefully, you haven't forgotten about the tragic events that recently rattled Japan because Katy Perry sure hasn't, seeing as she's participating in an auction where the money raised goes directly toward the Red Cross’s earthquake and tsunami aid efforts. So what's she auctioning off? It was just reported by Ace Showbiz that Katy's anted up her cupcake trampoline, which was used on the California Dreams Tour, and has already bypassed $1,600 in bids.

In addition, Katy's labelmates Chris Martin (of Coldplay) and Lady Antebellum have donated a limited-edition Viva La Vida jacket and signed acoustic guitar, respectively. 30 Seconds To Mars, The Chemical Brothers and Good Charlotte have also contributed backstage tickets to their upcoming concerts, which is awesomely generous.

Putting all those great auctions aside, how is a cupcake trampoline not being purchased for a bajillion dollars? Not only is the money going to an extremely worthy and important cause, but it's a CUPCAKE TRAMPOLINE... and Katy Perry has jumped on it!! In other words: Place your bids, people!

+ Participate in the EMI Family 4 Japan Auction

Tags 30 Seconds To Mars, Chris Martin, Coldplay, Good Charlotte, Katy Perry, Lady Antebellum, The Chemical Brothers

(Credit: Getty Images)

If you grew up in the '90s, chances are you wanted desperately to compete on the Nickelodeon game show "Family Double Dare." Since the dudes of Good Charlotte never got the chance back in the day, they decided to live out their fantasy and re-create the show (down to the last detail) for their new video "Last Night." Seriously guys, it's Nostalgia City up in here.

Benji Madden and Co. went to great lengths to make their "Family Double Dare" homage look as authentic as possible -- they nailed the on-set advertisements, the "Pie Cam," and they even filmed the clip with a camera from the actual 1990s.  And those awful hideous stonewashed jeans? What a find! Also deserving a tip of the hat -- those '90s haircuts. So Zack Morris chic.

But the best part about the "Last Night" video could be the fact that Good Charlotte actually convinced Marc Summers -- yes, THE Marc Summers the original host of "Family Double Dare" -- to not only reprise his role as MC, but to also LIP-SYNCH TO GOOD CHARLOTTE. Umm, can we get "#MarcSummersFTW" trending on Twitter right now, please?

+ Check out Good Charlotte's "Last Night" video.

Tags Benji Madden, Good Charlotte, Videos

(Credit: Samir Hussein/Getty Images)

Decked out in all white and further perfecting its sleek electro-rock sound, Good Charlotte has unveiled the video for "Like It's Her Birthday," from the group's upcoming "Cardiology" album. Bottom line, in the "Like It's Her Birthday" video, Benji Madden gets done dirty by his girlfriend, and in a rather duplicitous fashion to boot.

Seems Benji gets a bad feeling when he sees his significant other dressed up for a night on the tiles, even though she claims she only has a "meeting." His unease is proved to be valid when he happens upon his girlfriend at a club where the only meeting she's attending is the one between her mouth and some shots. Busted! Apparently the girl is partying, like it's her birthday, no less, much to the chagrin of the band.

One interesting note about the clip: The video features the Good Charlotte boys performing inside of a glass cube-like structure in a blacked-out room. It's not unlike the crazy, moving stage/cube found in Battles' awesome "Atlas" video.

Check out Good Charlotte's music video for "Like It's Her Birthday" below.

Tags Battles, Good Charlotte, Joel-Madden, video

We've been keeping track of All Time Low all this month on "Posted" as they cross the country on the Bamboozle Roadshow. Also checking in with us? Their tourmates, Forever The Sickest Kids. Check out this tour blog that Kyle Burns sent us. And get more behind-the-scenes footage from Bamboozle, along with tweets, photos and videos at Posted.mtv.com.

Thankfully this blog is here! It's hard to keep up with everyone around the word in 140 letters or less at a time! (twitter love)

The tour has been going GREAT! This is by far the best tour ever put together, in my eyes. All the bands are amazing and have great dudes to hang with. It is especially awesome to be able to share the stage with two of my all-time favorite bands: Good Charlotte and Third Eye Blind! We have been able to play amazing venues as well. I still get antsy every time I stand on the stage and look out into such massive amphitheaters and huge ballrooms!

One thing I like about this tour is that, while we play shows every night, we are still piecing together our upcoming album, The Weekend: Saturday! We have our hometown producer on the road with us right now recording even more songs for the album.

As I sit right now, I'm in the dressing room backstage being anxious because we are playing a BRAND SPANKING NEW SONG today at the show in Detroit! First time ever. And it might or might not be a song you have heard

Anyways, enjoy the random attached pictures from behind the scenes on the tour.

-- Kyle, Forever The Sickest Kids

+ Check out more photos of Forever The Sickest Kids on tour after the jump.

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Tags Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Posted, Third Eye Blind

All Time Low frontman Alex Gaskarth has been keeping us posted on all the crazy performances -- and crazier offstage antics -- while the band is out on the Bamboozle Roadshow and keeping MTV updated all this month on POSTED. Lucky for all you Hustlers out there, Alex has recently checked in from the road, regaling us with stories about rain, partying and even a wedding. (Spoiler: It's not who you think!) Check his musings and a bunch of ATL goodies below!

By Alex Gaskarth

What's up, party people! We’re out on the Bamboozle Roadshow right now. The shows are going great, and we’re having so much fun on this trip. We’re getting to play and hang out with some of our idols. It's pretty UNREAL! Good Charlotte and Third Eye Blind! Not to mention we're out again with our boys, Boys Like Girls, who we’ve missed hanging out with. We toured with them back in 2008 and haven’t really crossed paths with them since.

The shows have been great. We’ve made it halfway across the country, and now we’re making our way back to the East Coast. We’re currently in the Midwest. It looks like it's going to pour today, and the show is outside. So far we have lucked out and haven’t really dealt with much rain, but I think our luck just ran out.

At the moment, Jack is asleep in the back lounge after a long night of partying with 3EB, Zack is getting tattooed in the front lounge and I'm just hanging out watching him get inked. Rian, unfortunately, isn’t here. He had to fly home for his brother's wedding this weekend. (Congrats, Chase!)

That's it for now. Keep checking in to MTV Posted for more candid videos, pictures and blogs. I know we have a lot of videos and stuff online, but this stuff is going to be completely raw with no editing. Just some straight-up backstage footage from the tour.

If we haven’t come around yet, hope to see you on the tour!

Xoxo,

Alex

+ Keep up to date on All Time Low's every move with MTV Posted.

+ Check out more All Time Low photos after the jump.

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Tags All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, Good Charlotte, Jack Barakat, Posted, Rian Dawson, Third Eye Blind, Zack Merrick

Cady Groves might look like your typical American Apparel pinup girl, but this Oklahoma native is more interested in heartfelt rock songs than tri-blend pocket jumpsuits. (Sorry, Dov Charney.)

When asked to describe her sound, Groves has said, "If Miranda Lambert, Paramore, The Dixie Chicks and Taylor Swift all had a less-talented baby -- that would be me." We can't say we disagree with the comparisons -- but we'd fight her about the "less-talented" part because lady can sing sweeter than honey, and her introspective lyrics remind us of a young Alanis Morissette.

If you missed Groves when she opened up for Buzzworthy faves like Never Shout Never and The Ready Set, catch her on the Bamboozle Roadshow this summer because she'll be performing alongside All Time Low and Good Charlotte.

Check out the videos for "Real Like Me" and "One In The Same" below. Cady Groves' The Life Of A Pirate EP is out now.

Tags Alanis Morissette, All Time Low, Cady Groves, Good Charlotte, Miranda Lambert, Never Shout Never, Paramore, Taylor Swift, The Buzz On, The Dixie Chicks, The Ready Set

(Credit: Benji Madden's Twitter)

When I first heard Good Charlotte's Benji Madden was set to box against former MTV VJ Riki Rachtman, my first thought was, "HUH?" followed by "WTF??" Followed, finally, by "AWESOME." Benji and Riki fought last Friday in Las Vegas, and Benji Madden knocked out the "Headbangers Ball" figurehead in 1 minute and 40 seconds. In other words, Rachtman got served!

If Benji's itching to get back in the ring anytime soon, I can think of plenty of people I'd love to see him go toe-to-toe with, including the following potential human punching bags. More Madden boxing buddies after the jump!

(Credit: Charley Gallay/WireImage)

Trace Cyrus: Now that Metro Station is no longer together, Trace has plenty of time to hit the jump and bulk up. Hell, who am I kidding? This guy weighs 90 pounds soaking wet. A fight between him and Madden wouldn't be a civil match -- it'd be an emo bloodbath.

Read more...

Tags Benji Madden, Good Charlotte, Jessica Simpson, John Mayer, Kanye West, Metro Station, Trace Cyrus

All Time Low frontman Alex Gaskarth (Photo credit: Gary Wolstenholme / Redferns)

The Bamboozle concert brand is slowly taking over the nation. First, there's the original Bamboozle Festival in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which takes place May 1-2. Then, to make sure the West Coast didn't feel neglected, the fest started Bamboozle Left in Irvine, California, which goes down this March 27-28. Plus, this year marks the first Midwest version of the series, which is happening in Chicago on May 15.

Finally, in case you don't live in any of those three areas, there's always the traveling Bamboozle Roadshow, which is a month-long summer tour featuring headliners like All Time Low, Boys Like Girls, LMFAO and Third Eye Blind. If your brain didn't already explode from all that pop-rock goodness, then hold on to your beanies because the Roadshow will also feature a rotating stable of support bands in each city, including Good Charlotte, Hellogoodbye, Hanson, Forever The Sickest Kids, Cartel and more.

The tour's pre-sale will run from Tuesday, March 2nd at 10 a.m. local time through Friday, March 5th at 10 p.m. local time. Tickets will then be available to the general public starting Saturday, March 6th at 10 a.m. local time.

Check out Bamboozle Roadshow tour dates after the jump. Read more...

Tags Alex Gaskarth, All Time Low, Bamboozle, Boys Like Girls, Cartel, Forever The Sickest Kids, Good Charlotte, Hanson, Hellogoodbye, LMFAO, Third Eye Blind