Joel Madden has come a long way since his Good Charlotte days—and it shows in how much he had to say in our interview.

I am sure, though, that you’ll be left hanging by this  Q&A, so here’s a splendid idea: why don’t you grab a copy of our music issue for the full story?-SEREENA

First of, why pick a title of a children’s book as your and your bro’s band name? What did that book mean for you?

The book actually had no significance to me growing up. We literally found it at the first place we had band practice, and it seemed like a good name. We were 15.

Where is Good Charlotte now? Can you describe to us your mental state as a band in 2010?

Good Charlotte is better than ever. We have taken the last few years off. We need to regroup and reconsider what we were doing as a band. And we all needed to spend sometime on our families. It was good time away.

What’s the difference between punk rocker Joel Madden and DJ Joel Madden? When and where can we usually see the two?

Well, the rock-and-roll me is purely on stage, and on tour. I enjoy making music and meeting GC fans. I love preforming and touring. The DJ in me is purely a fan of music, and of making people dance and have a good time. No matter what kind of music they like, it doesn’t matter. They don’t have to be a fan of me, or my band. In the club, everyone is there to get away from life for a minute and have fun with their friends. All I want to do is have a good time and make sure I rock the party.

We heard you walked out of an interview in Australia last year. In your opinion, what are the lines that interviewers should never cross?

I think it’s just about mutual respect for each other as human beings. I respect all people, and try to be a decent guy. If someone is trying to make me a party to something disrespectful to someone I don’t know and I’m not comfortable with it, i gotta bounce! Really wasn’t a big deal, I just felt it wasn’t for me, and there was nothing clever I could say.

You once said in an interview that the torment you experienced from your high school peers inspire much of your songs’ lyrics. Is it still true today? If you could meet them today face to face, what would you say to them?

I have no hard feelings to anyone. I feel I have a really blessed life and I really got no grudges. I’m a happy dude.

Interview by RAYRAE, photo by knockedupcelebs