Artist Friendly with Joel Madden - Pete Wentz

Episode Date: April 5, 2023

This week on Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Fall Out Boy bassist/lyricist Pete Wentz.  Fresh off the release of their incredible eighth studio album, So Much (For) Stardust, the Fall Out Boy member stopped by the podcast before the band head out on their So Much For (Tour) Dust run this summer with Bring Me The Horizon, Alkaline Trio, Games We Play, and others.  Together, the pair delve into Fall Out Boy’s past records, their writing process, how being in a band feels a lot like a marriage, and more. ------- Listen to their Artist Friendly conversation on ⁠⁠Spotify.⁠ ------- Follow Artist Friendly! IG: @artist.friendly TikTok: @artist.friendly YouTube: youtube.com/@artist.friendly ------- Host: Joel Madden, @joelmadden Executive Producers: Joel Madden, Benji Madden, Jillian King Producers: Josh Madden, Joey Simmrin, Janice Leary Visual Producer/Editor: Ryan Schaefer Audio Producer/Composer: Nick Gray Music/Theme Composer: Nick Gray Cover Art/Design: Ryan Schaefer Additional Contributors: Anna Zanes, Neville Hardman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, what's up? I'm Joel Madden. This is artist friendly from Alternative Press. And this week, I'm talking to Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy. Dude, I'm so stoked to talk to you. I'm stoked to talk to you. I guess, like, for me, we'll start with Fall Out Boy, because the new record is out.

It's going to be out anyways. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. I feel like Fall Out Boy, it might be one of the only band, that successfully navigated the times through, from when you think about your first record to now, and think about how long you guys have been putting out relevant music. I'll say with each record you've had a song that was relevant to the time.

You had a, whether it was a successful single on like the charts, or it was a song we all knew that, There was a, there's been like a through line with like your guys' music with Fall Out Boy as a brand as a band as a thing that I haven't seen. When you think about where we all came from, we kind of all came from similar, the same scene. It's really hard to name another band that has traversed time the way you guys have. Yeah. I feel like there's, there probably are. I mean, I thought about it the other day

when I was like kind of trying to explain where were we? We're in Berlin and we were talking about we put out when we came back, because we took a little break a couple years and we came back with a record called Save Rock and Roll and then a record called American Beauty and it was just a weird time, like it was a hostile time to bands in pop culture.

You know what I mean? There just weren't a lot. It was like kind of like if you are a band, so we just had to find all these ways to kind of like It was like EDM. EDM had its moment in a really good way. It was something that came up. And we were there too at the beginning in LA. There was all this stuff happening with the partisan stuff.

But yes, it was impossible to be in a band at that time. But you guys didn't do an EDM record during that time. You made a rock record. Yeah. We just tried. You know what I mean? But I think about it like, I was trying to explain it. I was like it was a little bit like I've been watching Last of Us or whatever.

And I was like it was a little bit like Last of Us where you were just like, surviving you know what I mean you were like I hope the big zombie doesn't jump out at us or whatever and then we put out this record um we put out an album called mania and I think that that was the most like when I go back and I listen to it now I'm like we were frustrated you know what I mean and it like you can hear it in the music you know like it feels angry frustrated like it was like and that was the first record we put out where there were like there weren't gatekeepers right So it was like, you're like, this is the single. And people are like, no, no, no, no, this is the single.

And I was like, oh, this is a cool. This is like, for people like us that like love music and love different genres of music, it's like the perfect time, you know, because it's like you can kind of do anything and it might work. You know what I mean? And so I think this is the first record where we were able to, we were just like more free again. You know what I mean? It was like we could just do kind of exactly what we wanted. The thing that I kind of see, though, because when I think about save rock and roll, even mania, which I was, I, I, like, felt that frustration in the record.

But I also felt like, I don't know, man, like you guys, you guys, I don't think people just see a band and they go, oh, that must be cool. That must be nice. They don't know how hard it is to keep the thing, the heartbeat, right, beating. Right. Because what you're up against, it's not the band. I mean, it is the band. Like, it is a marriage that you have to stay together. And you guys have done that, which is an accomplishment for any band to be together

for a long time and stay together. It's like being married a long time is why we all celebrate it. Yep. Because we see most fail. Totally. Totally. Totally. And anyone that's been in a band or that's been married never gives anyone else any slack for

breaking up because you understand. that what you're against. Difficult. It's just difficult having people all living together and sharing lives. And the challenges of being in a band and then going through and traversing time and eras and coming from the early 2000s to now, it's a different world. Completely. And you've had to go through the death of analog, the death of music as a product, to streaming,

to now all the different versions of... of how you have a career and how you put your music out and to be able to go through all of that. I guess my question is, and me and Benj have talked about this about you guys all the time about as an example of what's possible for people who want to stay together and want to do it. And from when I look at the band from the outside,

this is a big rock band that started in a basement and has gone on the whole journey all the way around and I wonder how much of that is instinct and how much of that is decision making or maybe it's both. Yeah, I mean, I think it's both. You know, like I call, you know, I'll text you, get advice from you. I text a lot of people that I think are really smart to get advice from or, you know, whatever. I always feel like when in doubt you have to trust your gut, like your first instinct, you know. I also have like a couple of friends where I'm like, they never pick the right single so I'm like I always kind of ask them what their opinion is to just rule something out you know

you know yeah um smart but uh yeah I mean I think it's a lot of instinct and it's a lot of like the world is changing super fast music changes twice as fast as that and I feel like it's just got to be authentic you know like it feels like if you're not into doing the thing you're doing it reads you know what I mean or it's like it's a hard thing to keep up you know what I mean like It's hard to fake it for so long. You can't do that. So I always like trust the authenticity. And like even if it's not going to be big that like it's just something that's true.

So it's like important to follow the truth. And then I think that within the band, especially like with me and Patrick, there's like a little, because I don't know how it is with you and Benji. I think feel like you guys are a little more like in sync or like I don't know. You seem like you always are. We're like two. We're like a pair. Yeah, yeah, totally. Like a pair of socks.

Totally. Like, we compliment each other. Totally. His strengths are my weaknesses. Totally. It like really fits together. So me and Patrick, I think his, it's the strength, his strengths are my weaknesses. That's totally true.

But like we also, there's like a, like he only cares about certain things. Like he really only cares about the music and the melody. And I really only care about like the visuals and the lyrics. And so they're like at a constant. they're like constantly conflicting with each other. And when we get it right, we get it really right. And when we get it wrong, I'm like, yeah, it was a little, like one of us kind of outweighed the other one.

You know what I mean? Yeah, he's kind of a freaky talented. He's super talented, super artist, you know what I mean? Like he kind of like, like, we'll talk about things. And sometimes I'm like, dude, that makes like no sense, but he only has like artist's brain, which I really, really appreciate. And then, yeah, I mean, I think that that being at odds with each. It's like a little oil and water in a good way, I think, when we get it right.

Have you guys ever created without each other for fallout way? We've never created without each other for fallout boy. We've created without each other just like on other stuff. Right. There's lots of times when I'm like writing with somebody or something and I'm like, ah, like we just don't think the same way. You know what I mean? And it's weird. And it feels weird. You know what I mean? Like I know that I have like a, like I must have eaten like too many like lead paint when I was little or something. I, like, describe things a little weird, you know what I mean?

And he picks up on it. Like, he always gets what I'm putting down? And sometimes the producer or something is like, what are you talking about? And I'm like, it's like, if these two movies were combined and then you do, you know, like or whatever. And it's like, yeah, that's not lead chips, though. That's like some wiring thing. Yeah, something weird.

Yeah, something. Some, like, probably like really smart thing, though. Maybe. I don't know. Probably means you're really smart. But Patrick is kind of like freaky, talented. He's, in my opinion, one of the best, you know, when you think about the era where we all come from in, at least in the early starts of our careers. He is, to me, one of the most talented singer-songwriters that, you know, I think he gets credit, but I don't think he always gets enough credit because he's really almost like a jazz.

Yeah. He gets, he gets credit, but he like doesn't get, like, on some certain, I don't know what it is. Like maybe it's on some level or something, like where it's like he should, like to me, he should be compared with these other singers kind of or whatever. He can hang with the best of them. Yeah. And he doesn't really get that. But like, he's also humble.

You know what I mean? As time goes and he's humble. And it's, I think that people are still shocked that that voice comes out of him. You know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah. He's, he's, I think he cares less about being a star. He cares more about the, the composure of a song.

the melody. He's a soulful guy. And I've gotten to work with him once, I think. We long time ago, like some songwriting thing, I forget what it was, but I was just struck by how he's the real deal. Yeah, totally. It's not some, like he's not put on or anything. He's lived in. Yeah, yeah, totally. Like, he would be a starving musician playing in like a blues bar. He says it all the time. If he had to. Yeah, he's like, this is, I would just be doing a different version of this or something. Yeah. That's what I see. When I see him, I always think. But I do think that when you think about the quality of the music for Fallout Boy,

I think, and I feel this way about my band, but that's because it's my band and I love it. But I feel like sometimes we got grouped into music that real serious music people don't take seriously. And if you break the music apart, you could compete with the best of them. And there's things about the music that's brilliant. I think Fall Out Boy has had that, like, the music itself has always stood up. And you could take that music and put it into orchestral. You could take it and do all kinds of things with it. And it would live up to being really good.

And I think the interesting thing for me that, you know, you have Patrick who's, like, I just think, like I said, one of the most talented of our generation and still doing it. And then you have you who I've always seen as, it's really interesting, like how many bass players from a band are kind of also a front man. There is a few. But also, you don't sing. Yeah. But you write the lyrics and you bring the concepts and you have these, like, so you really

are kind of like a designer, poet. And a songwriter for sure, I'm not taking that away. But like, like, let's break out of songwriting and like talk about all the other. other talents that go into that of what you do. It's like designing, it's concept, it's writing, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, there's a part of, like, there's a thing to, you know, yeah, yeah, there's like, it's, you, you, you come to expect it. Um, and then I, but then I get to peek into your real life, so I get to

see like, oh, this is a person who's, I think, driven by visual, you love art, you love artists, you love finding new artists, driven by, I think, the style of something that captivates at least your imagination. And then I know there's probably a world in your head where stories or something are always swirling just by reading your lyrics and seeing your song titles. There's got to be a world that you're living in all the time that you're walking around with some kind of information always turning. Totally.

And I can only imagine, like, what is that like to? live in that. I mean, you get it out every few years when your songs come out. But in between, you're stuck with your brain. Yeah, totally. And I'll, like, explain it. Like, I'll go over, like, an idea at my house.

My, like, family's like, sure. Okay, dad. Totally. Yeah, I mean, I think that, you know, sometimes when we get in the room with a producer or something, they're like, well, you do this and you do that.

And I'm like, well, I don't really do that. You know, like, it's like, it's like the, the roles are so, um, probably like not traditional and not that it's like odd when it's with anybody except Patrick most of the time, at least songwriting, because it's like, I feel like I could like, I have like a totally like dope idea in my head and I like, and I don't know how to paint or something. You know what I mean? It's like a really weird. You need someone to paint it for you.

Yeah. Yeah. But I like know exactly, you know what I mean? And like, so it's like really, you know, a blessing. It's like, it's like a once in a million like serendipity or something like that you ran into somebody like when you're like, you know, I'm 20, he's 17 or 21, he's 17 or whatever. Like that's kind of crazy. You know what I mean? And when did you guys meet? We met in like 2002, 2001 maybe. 2001, maybe. Do you think it's possible that you're. brains were just forming around this, this idea that you could make music at the same time. And they like somehow, they fused kind of together and they like formed and developed together and that you guys develop those muscles together. Therefore, like the muscles have like memory and they, they kind of move together even though you're two different organisms.

There's like proof scientifically that things can can react together. And like there is, I think, something about like being. at this certain spot in our development with anything. And we form our kind of understanding of something around those developmental years. It's possible that the both of you learned it together, therefore you like have this. I think there, I've never thought of it in that way, but I think that there is the possibility of that. And it is in the way that like now it's so fast.

Like when we're in the studio, like we don't really, like we can do it so quick with each other, like that it's like we, it's like a shared language. that like is just, like, it's the closest thing non-twinns would have or something. You know what I mean? Like, it's like where like we, yeah, like we get like, I immediately know the vibe. You know what I mean? Like he doesn't have to really say anything and we can just do that stuff like really, really quick now.

And like we've also like removed the ego from it on that level, which did take time. You know, it's like when you're first doing it, it's like mad and you're like, you know what I mean? Young bucks. Totally. Just out there trying to kill it. Totally. And now it's like, yeah, it's like the ego is removed. It's like trying to like, I always think about like the red wings in the 90s. They, or maybe it was the late 80s. They imported these Russian players and basically like no one could beat them for like three years because they play the style of hockey called in service of the puck. So your only job is to move the puck to the next guy or whatever. You know what I mean? Like you're you don't, you work for the puck. And I think about that like in terms of like the art, you know. And it's like we've we've set it. it for a long time, but it feels like this album is the first one we were able to really be like, oh, you could play that the best. You could, oh, like, you handle, you know what I mean,

which is cool. Are you guys best friends? Definitely. Cool. That's nice. Yeah. It's also like one of those weird ones where like sometimes we can just be hanging out, like we can hang out and we don't have to be talking. I don't know. It's like, you know, the kind of thing we're like, we don't actually have to have like conversation going to do anything. Yeah. We can also not talk for six months and still be Totally. And you pick up right where it was. That to me is a best friend. You can not see him for a year and you could see each other and like nothing's changed because there's this understanding that like we have autonomy from one another. Your happiness does not depend on me. But my happiness is your happiness.

Totally. And your happiness is my happiness. So I believe that like those are the best relationships where I don't feel beholding to you if I don't check in with you all the time. You know, and I think that there are relationships where we have to do that. I get. it. And it's appropriate sometimes. But like a friend, I always feel like, is we can not talk for a year or two years. And I could see you. And that's like, feels so good. We picked it right where we left off. Everyone's happy. And there's zero. It's like really light. Totally. Not heavy. You know. You should write a book. I don't know what it would be about. I don't know. Like a Joelisms. You know? Because it's not just on like the, like I'm sure that people who are

listener or watching? I don't know how people, do people watch mostly podcasts now? Yeah, well, there's video, like, clips. So whatever. However you're experiencing the podcast. I don't really like YouTube. I don't like the whole episodes being up. We're going back and forth on that right now because I don't like people watching me for that long. Right. I'm just weird about it, but I don't mind listening. Yeah, yeah. Honestly, singing stuff. But, like, anyways, I do feel like that this show is like a nice chance to have conversations that I love having with people. But that's what I'm saying is like it's not like who you are.

I feel like people probably think is just on the podcast, but like you actually like deliver gems like this like in like text and stuff. Yeah. You do. I love. Yeah, you do. You like are very good at it. That's why you should write a book.

I love talking to people that I actually think it comes from a need to want people. I think growing up and going going through my youth with really not. a lot of friends. In my head, I had a ton of friends. I thought everyone, like, I thought everyone's going to love me. I was like, they're all going to love me. When we go to school and everyone's going to love me. And I have Benj, so we were always playing together.

So in our world, it felt like we had friends. And when we went out into the world, and we were in like a weird kind of sheltered home, and it was, it was, that's a whole other episode. But, yeah, my mom. wasn't really like letting us go out she was super worried about like she was very religious and she was worried about us experiencing the world very you know that in a secular way and um and which i understand where that comes from you know parents want to protect you from the world uh because it is a tough place but uh also growing up in the middle of nowhere there wasn't a lot of people right

um certainly now living in la night and day from my childhood but i think going to into the world, I wanted to make friends, and I wanted to make friends with everybody. And I thought everyone would be your friend. I just thought, that's, everything's, you could do that. You could just be friends with everyone. It's not how it works. You don't realize the complexity of people, and they've all been through stuff. And they're, uh, so I think going through school with not a lot of friends was hard.

And when I got into the world as an adult with the band, again, I think I was naive enough to go, Everyone's going to love it. We're going to make it and everyone's going to just be stoked. We're going to have all these friends. And then I had the experience again of like the cynicism of, you know, there's one side of success where you have all the success that you've worked and chased and you wanted and you thought that was going to solve all your pain and, you know, all your problems. And it does some, you know, financially and things like that.

but the emotional stuff is something you just have to work on. Self-esteem, it's all the things. And I think... I call that the, you know, in Empire Strikes Back when, like, Luke is going into the cave to like... Yeah. And, like, Yoda's like, like, you don't need to bring in your lightsaber. And, like, he's like, I'm bringing it, you know, like,

but, like, Yoda knows, like, you are who you are when you cross it in the cave. You don't need the light. Like, you only fight what you bring in, you know? And it's... Yeah. I think about that in the same way as, like, with going through, like, I don't know, like the fame vortex or band getting big or whatever, like who you are before you went in, like you're not going to fill any voids.

You know what I mean? Yeah, no holes are getting filled. Nothing gets better. Like this award, this plaque doesn't fill it. The next day you're like, you're empty if you don't have some real substance. And listen, I think that like you're a great example of someone I know personally, that, you know, I know you personally, so I have an insight into your real life and you, look, being around entertainment for 20-some years, you get to see all the cautionary tales.

We've both seen it. Yes. It's a real thing. And then you see people who are actually building families and navigating real life. And like, we're raising teenagers. That's a whole other thing. But, like, you're navigating real life. best you can and you're a real human. And that's different sometimes than some of the, like the

cautionary tale is, is like build a walls around me where no one can get in and I'll have, you know, I kind of insulate myself from the world so I don't have to deal with reality because I never healed the part of me that was broken in the beginning. Totally. And that's, I totally agree with you. Like any kind of success, money, fame, whatever you want to call it, will absolutely, magnify your problems, your interpersonal problems, your pain, your suffering. It'll expose your flaws. It'll also magnify your greatest qualities if you let it. If you want to project that out to the world, it's not all bad. Like I think I was raised to think people that had money were bad. Fame was bad. Everything was bad. I get the idea like

your parents want to protect you from disappointment or any of the things that, if you don't get the good things in life. I actually don't think anything's good or bad. I think it's what you make of it. So money can be good. It can be bad. Fame can be good. It can be bad. And then there's things you have to manage in between with all of it. But I think you're someone who I, who has seen it all. Like not just fallout boy, but your life through the years has been projected out there. You know, mine too, we've been through it and you can become bitter or you can roll through it.

And like, I've seen you just navigate it with a lot of resilience and a lot of like goodwill. And it feels like a positive attitude you've kept through the world. Yeah. I mean, because I feel like, especially having kids, like being bitter is not the answer. You know what I mean? Like I had friends who had like bitter parents or like who. were like pissed or like it didn't work out or whatever you know and i just don't you just start this cycle that i think can be so generational you know what i mean like where you like

instill that in someone else you know and it's like pass it on you know what i mean and like yeah the world is tough the world can be great some in some ways um if you're lucky enough to be i don't know have the right access to the right education right access whatever the world is what you make of it I mean in those cases, you know, and I think that, like, I want, I want my kids to, um, know that they're part of the world and they're part of a world that they should be trying to change and make a better place, you know, um, but yeah, I mean, like, I feel like, um, when we hang out or, you know, like, whatever, like, it's just always great when I'm like, oh, yeah, that's like a real guy that I can like talk about, like, being a dad with or, like,

I don't know, or like, you don't even really, like, with the dad stuff, you don't even really need to talk about them. I mean, you just know what you're going through. You're like, I know. And you're still kind of in the trenches. Yeah. I'm a little out of, like, once you have teenagers, it's a whole other thing. But you are out of the trenches of like that like always tired, never sleeping, always drained, like what it is to raise young kids.

It's hard work. It is physical. Like, it's physical. And you're a super engaged dad. I feel like our generation of fathers is the most engaged that, that, like, like, probably in the history of the world, our generation of these, like, the last 20 years,

I think, like, fatherhood has become something that we can talk about, mental health, something we can talk about, our emotional experience, our emotional life is something we can talk about. It's all wrapped up together, but I feel like it's a different, like, our dads were from a different generation. Totally.

And they were like just, it was just rigid, you know what I mean? Put food on the table? Yeah. Cater roof over your head? Yeah. Punish you. Yeah. And that was it.

Yeah. And they weren't like ever supposed to like show their emotional side. They just weren't, it was just like not. It was how it was. Yeah. It was built differently. God bless them. I mean, I actually think that most of I, well, I'll say from my perspective, I feel like a lot of times I question my, how manly am I.

I wrestle with it a little bit because my dad was such a tough guy. Right. And all the, all my uncles and all the. the man figures around when I was young were such tough guys. And that's all they ever knew. And now I think we are a much more emotionally kind of in tune with ourselves. And we share with me and my friends. We talk about like, I'm really feeling sad about, you know.

I mean, we're meant to evolve. You know what I mean? You know, you are. It's a trip, though. But I think it's like, I mean, I really. really love it. I love being able to talk about my experience with a guy like you and compare notes. Totally. I think it makes us better. I think I also admire all my friends, I admire them for something. I admire something they're doing in the world, whether it's your career, which I do. Also,

you have a family. You've been able to navigate that. I think with like you do it gracefully. And I look out in the world and look at people that are doing things gracefully. and I go, man, I want to learn how to dance like that. You know? Yeah. I want those moves. You're pretty groovy, though, man. You got the moves.

I can groove. You're pretty groovy. You got the moves. You know, I try to groove, but I'll be honest with the family, it's all Nicole. She just runs a good chip and I just go along and do this. Yeah, but I'll be like pulling into the neighborhood on like a Sunday and you're like, we just got back from San Diego all weekend for baseball. And I'm like, got it.

It's dedication. Yeah, totally. You got to be there. Yeah, weekend warrior, you know. You got to go. And with that stuff, too, man, like, you're just, you know it. You're just driving in the car with a, you know, 13-year-old. They don't say anything.

Yeah, yeah. They're just yes and no. Yeah. But I just like being in the car with them. Yeah. I'm happy. Totally. You know.

How much has the family life helped your music life? Or has it taken you away from you? Like, where would you say? it's helped it and would you say it's been all I mean I would say that my family has in the best way possible allowed me to step away from music in a way because it finally gave me something that I feel like I was always chasing you know I have to be honest to this day even when we put out a good Charlotte record I'm nervous and I really want people to like it and I really want it to do well totally we all just it tears me apart totally for that little period of time

And my family was the first relief I ever had from feeling like that was my net worth was all wrapped up in this. Like my self-esteem was all wrapped up in this idea that this had to be the best and it had to succeed. And I think my family relieved me from feeling that way. And it actually reshaped my relationship that I have with the band in a really good way. Awesome. But it took like 10 years. Yeah. I mean, to me, what it's done, I think,

recently is like, well, especially the pandemic. So the pandemic happened. And I was like, I don't even know how much I want to like leave my house or leave. You know, like I just felt like had really good time with my family. So what it made it, we've talked about this the other day is that like it made it so like the record has to be something we believe in enough to leave the house to leave the house. and to leave and go promote it or go on tour. Like, because it's like the time away is too valuable that like to do it for like something

that we don't care about. It's just like not worth it. So I think this particular era, it like sharpened the art a little bit, you know? Right. Because like we had, you know, like, I was like, dude, I don't want to like it to be like whatever stuff. And then like feel like when we're away, like you're on the plane, you're at the airport or whatever and you're like, why am I here? You know what I mean?

No minute is wasted. It costs you way. too much to be away. Time is like the most precious thing, you know? It can't, yeah, you can't leave for the money. It's like you have to leave for like something that you really believe in because being home is way more valuable to you. And the only way you would go out there and really spend your time promoting something

is if it was worth, if it meant everything to you. I totally get that. I feel the same way, actually. that's why we were saying when you were like are you guys going to make a record i was like yes but man it's got to be special for us to go out there and do that because it is such a sacrifice the world's waiting for it i think i don't know i don't know if they are dude i think they are i think i think that people like good charlotte i think we have like a positive like affection with i think it's like a good relationship with the world and music i think that we

have a lot of love for like all of it I think we'll make another record for sure I just don't know what it's gonna I just don't know what it's gonna sound like I don't know totally because I don't want to do the past and I definitely don't want to capitalize on like

on you know I know that there's this like new wave of like music and I don't think it's a rehash of pop punk I don't I think people say that because they can't relate it to anything and it's like it is this stuff is cyclical, but there's always new, it's new versions of it. It's just like, I don't think Machine Gun Kelly is rehashing Pop Punk. No, I agree. I think he loves the kind of music, but he's not just making,

I think he's touching on influences that like he loves. But when I met him over a decade ago, he was talking the same talk. He loved those bands. And he always wanted to make the kind of music he's making from my experience of him. And I, when he came out with his music and this wave have come up of all these bands. I kind of knew he was going to do, like, I could see, it was natural for me to see him do that. I don't think it's a rehash of the scene. And I don't think it's anything an old band can capitalize on. I think it's, I actually think we have to really go inside of ourselves and create art that we think is special. Yeah. And put it out in the world. And it's like the Madden Brothers record, the lost record. Like, we made that, I love that.

I love that record. And like, no one really got it. They got it. in Australia. You got it. I got it. And we pulled it down and it doesn't live anywhere because we were like, you know what? We made that for ourselves. Maybe we'll put it out one day for like people who want to hear it. But like it was the best feeling though because it really felt like it was for us. And I feel like that was an exercise in learning how to like care about something enough to not need it to live out in the world and to just keep it. And I think it's certainly that record if we put it out great but i think it was just that moment where we said no we're gonna take it back and make it ours and then i think we took that to good charlotte and that's kind of now how we feel

we feel like we're this is ours and we'll share it when we think it's ready right and maybe that's like maybe i mean we're gonna work on music and see like i'm we're messing around you know they're waiting i'm telling you. I think, I always think about it in terms of like, because, you know, there's always new waves that are, you know, remixes, updates of the, you know, because that's what it is. You know, it cycles and you add your stuff to the thing, you know, whatever. But like, you know, someone brought up, like, you know, when we were young was happening, a machine on Kelly, and they were like, you should just do, you know, sugar going down in part two. And I was like, dude, that is, like, absolutely what we should not do. Right. It won't sound right. We're different people.

And it'll ruin the first one. Yeah. You know, I mean. First one's perfect. Yeah. And you know what I mean? And so like I thought about it. I always think about it in the way of like it should be adjacent to what like when we were young and Michigan and Kelly.

Because we can't like, like you said, it's a whole new generation and we're like 20 years past that. But like I think about it in terms of like when us and like my chem first came and I think in Green Day. Did you guys come around the same time? Right. And Green Day was putting out a record. And I always thought like they could have just put out of.

a record that kind of like aped what we were doing, but instead they put out American Idiot, which was this thing that reminded everyone, like, it was like, oh, Green Day. They, like, was the band that put out Duky, you know what I mean? And it was, like, adjacent to what we were doing. But, like, at the same time, it was like, it reminded the world of, like, what Green Day was. That's kind of your guys is. And that's what we thought about with the record, you know what I mean? It's, like, make, it's interesting because Green Day's done not really well, too.

They've just, like, always put out the Green Day record. Totally. In the era, in the era, they put out the Green Day record, which is like they can play the same festivals as the band, you know, the other bands or whatever, but they never felt like they're like trying to be something that they weren't, you know what I mean? Yeah, and American Idiot obviously is a huge record, but you don't look at Green Day's catalog and go like, oh, which, like, they all kind of just feel like Green Day records. So you're like, oh, that was their big record, that record. But you see, I don't know, I think it's like true. That makes a lot of sense to me. You guys toured with them. Was it good? It was awesome. It was a little crazy. Okay, so the first, okay, so we got pitched the tour, right? And it was a little crazy because it was like you really had to manage your ego.

Like you really had to be like, if we're going into this, like we're going to try to make like a big rock tour. Yeah, like a big statement. Yeah, and that means like you can't be like fighting over the ad mat. You can't like because the whole thing is going to come off the, if we start fighting about one thing, we're going to fight about everything. You know what I mean? And so that was, we got over that hump pretty easily. And then COVID happened and stuff was delayed. And then we went on tour, like this big tour that was like so celebratory.

And then we got COVID and then we didn't hang out with each other at all. Right. It was all cool. And it was like we're going to be, you know, like this is this big moment. And we should be, it should be like this. And then we got COVID. And it was like, oh, no, now we're all locked down. so we didn't hang out at all.

And then it was cool that we were able to do a second leg in Europe because it kind of like eased a little bit. And so we got to hang out and we got to see like, oh, like this is like what kind of what makes Green Day tick. As much as you could see, like we got to kind of like look under the hook. Yeah, totally a little bit and see. What's it like? Yeah, which is really cool.

And we grew up on those bands. So it's like amazing. It was Weezer. Yeah, yeah. So like, just cool to like. Yeah. Would you guys ever tour with Mike M? I think that would be awesome.

We talked about it like, I don't even know if we talked about it. We talked about it like 15 years ago. I think it would be amazing. I mean, hey, guys. I love that band. Yeah, they're awesome. I've always loved that band. That's another like band, I think, that is unapologetically true to.

how they feel. Totally. I think all the decisions they've made are, and I think that them, these last runs of shows they've had, I'm such a huge fan of the band, and them personally as like, I see, like,

they are very authentic. Like, I think, you know, Mikey is very authentic. You know, we're your friends with Mikey. I'm friends with friends with him. Gerard's very authentic to, like, how he feels, and you can just feel him

making decisions that he feels, he cares about. Almost no better world creator. Definitely like, no better world creator in rock music than Gerard. Like, it's just like when he goes all in on a thing, I mean, I've seen it with the records. And I think you've seen it like, because I see pictures of him on stage where he's like,

you know, inhabiting different characters. And I'm like, I mean, like, he just create, he creates these entire worlds that are like so, I mean, you saw it with the show on Netflix or whatever, but like, probably the best at it to me. Yeah. I think, I think he's just, yeah, he's extremely special. but I also think that like I would love to hear another record for them. I think, you know, they would, I'm sure I have no information if they're going to make one or not.

I don't know. But I'm just saying, like, I would love to hear one because it feels like they're, they came back into the world. And it's not nostalgia, dude. It's a big rock band. Yeah. that have timeless songs. The thing about Fall Out Boy that I see with your music when you listen, if you go on Spotify and you listen to like,

this is Fall Out Boy, you have all the songs. You can't necessarily, you can hear the eras, but they can play out of order and they all stand up with each other. Even the early stuff has its place. I mean, maybe the production's not as on the level of whatever.

Totally. It's not like the Neil Avron production on the first, know, whatever the first record was before the Neal record. Yeah, take the Strew Grave. Right, yeah, totally. It's got its place with the rest of the music because the lyrics and the, and look, it's like hearing someone's early work. It's always going to feel special.

And there's room for it to live in the, there's a place in the movie for it. But the thing about the new music that I think when I noticed from the first, the first release, from the love from the other side. The arrangement of it feels super, like, movie score mature. Totally. Is that Patrick playing the piano? Yeah, for sure.

Oh, wow. Yeah. I mean, and I think he thinks, you know, he has been scoring, so, like, he thinks in kind of movie score terms now. But I also think that, like, we, a lot of times, like, our references, will be more like cinematic stuff.

So it's like that's kind of what the, that's like what the, when we're in the airport, where we're waiting for, you know, when we're backstage, like what we're talking about is like movies and debating and,

you know, whatever. And so like, I think we just like let some of that naturally come into the record, this record a little bit more. Does he deliver music to you and you hear it and go, oh, yeah, this is dope?

Or do you deliver lyrics to him? And he goes, oh, I can write to this. It's like a little bit of both. I'll send him words and then he'll send back music. And I can always tell if he's, you know, like. She's enthusiastic or not. Yeah, you can tell, you know, it's like when somebody opens a present that they really actually wanted or didn't. Yeah.

So like, or like, oh, cool. Where's this from? Maybe I can return it and get something I want. So I can always tell that. And I think he felt. really freed by the idea that like in whatever we're calling it like that algorithm era the TikTok era whatever we want to call it we're in yeah he felt free because he was basically like given a mandate by the band like it doesn't need to be like three minutes and 30 seconds it doesn't

need to have a chorus it doesn't need to it doesn't you know like it should be what you feel and I think he took that as like like license to kill a little bit you know in a good way you know. Do you guys feel like, well, do you feel like you're, do you feel like you've cracked the code on like how to do this and sustain it and have a life? That's a good question. Or are you still trying to find the balance of that? Like, do you still get caught up in moments? Like, I know you were just out of town. I don't know when you got back. Yeah. Because you're always kind of coming and going. Yeah. Especially ramping up an album. Joel does actually know. I do know. I do. We live near We live next to each other.

But also, like, I check in sometimes to see, like, oh, are you in town? Are you out of town? You know, you, it's kind of good to know if, like, your family's there and you're not there. Or, like... That's sweet. See? You know, like, it's good to know. You know, it's like, it's, it's, it's, I personally know when I leave, I'm a little anxious about my wife and kids being there without me just because I'm protective.

Yeah. We live in a really safe neighborhood. But still, it's just my instinct. Yeah. And I also know that like if I go and do Inkmaster, which is like six weeks of being away, like it's come home sometimes. But it's really kind of hit or miss if I, I'm just like kind of anxious the whole time. Yeah. And I'm a little, you know, more than six weeks.

I don't think would be sustainable. I think six weeks is the limit that I could do. And it tore as long as than six weeks. Yeah, I mean, I feel really okay about saying no to certain opportunities now just because there's time with my family and certain things where I'm like, it's just, it doesn't really matter. It's not worth it. At the same time, I have like an appreciation that we're like lucky enough to do this as a job

and go around the world. And it's like something we dreamed of when we were like, I mean, before. we started the band you dreamed of like this kind of stuff and so like I appreciate that too you know and try to come up with a balance but there's definitely times where I'm like I kind of feel like I got it wrong you know what I mean me too you know and it is what it is yeah I'm always asking my I'm always asking Benj you know he he's got a young he's got his his daughter's three but I always question am I good dad I can't tell if I'm getting this right if I'm I mean I think I'm getting more right than wrong.

Right. I think that's actually the math we have to do. Totally. If we can get more right than wrong, if we get 80% right, I think is like great. Totally. And then like have a therapist ready when they get old enough. I think therapy is great. You know what I mean?

Yeah, get them ready. I feel like you got like a therapist ready the way that like LeBron's got. Here's your car keys. Here's the therapist. You're ready to go into the world. I feel like, you know, that also like some of the tough stuff with the kids, like, as long as you're like still digging and getting to the like root of it and like the truth of it and like the love that's there and talking about it or whatever, like it's good. You know, I mean, even the bad, the hard stuff, not bad stuff. The hard stuff is still good. It's like, it's hard, but it's good, you know.

I always think like out, I always think about like, I don't know. When we, when we, when we, when we, we. have these conversations, I guess the whole thing I hope to get out of conversations that we're sharing with the world, obviously, right, is that people are listening who needs to relate to people that they already relate to. Right. So, like, you have all these people out there that relate to your music. And they know a lot about you, too, obviously, over the years you've shared. But there are, there is something about questioning.

if you're a good dad or a good partner or a good person that makes you kind of inherently a better person. Totally. I think everybody's asking those questions. Like, I ask those questions, but then, like, beyond that, like, I feel like, I don't know. I've been thinking about, like, crazy, like, mortality stuff lately and just, like, weird stuff. I think about, like, every September, I think about, like, dang, like, my kids look

like I feel like I looked and my parents, like look like my grandparents. And that means I probably like look like my parents. And it's like a weird. That's a trip. You know, and my therapist was like, yeah, because like it's matriculation, like when people are graduating and moving on. That's like when people actually feel the time going by. Not like New Year's, not January 1st, which is random.

You know what I mean? It's benchmark moments. Yeah. Graduating school, starting a new year. Yeah. And then sometimes in some ways it feels like, like when I was, you know, early 20s or whatever, it was like it felt like time went so slow. when I couldn't get places fast enough.

And now it's just like I see time like working against me sometimes, like where I'm like, oh, like, you know, like your 14-year-old would be like 18 in like a blink. You know what I mean? Like it's like it's just all going so fast. And it's like, you know, the quicksand all of a sudden starts going super fast. Yeah. I think the thing I've been saying lately, me and Benjamin saying it together, like let's slow it down because I feel you.

In my 20s, I couldn't accomplish things. fast enough. And by the way, it made me sloppy. It made me, I think I was super anxious. I really wanted to run away from, I was still like, I think you zero to 18, you're formed. And then you leave the house and you go out in the world and you start trying to make it. I mean, that's, you know, what we did anyways. And we're carrying all this baggage on all this kind of just like old, outdated or wrong information. Yeah. About how to navigate the world or what the world is. And then we spend our 20s figuring out who we are. I had all kinds of things to figure out.

And then by the time I got the 30 and I started really working on myself, that was when I really started like, oh, I can grow. Yeah. Started going to therapy, started looking for answers, healthier way to live. You know, at the same time, we have these kids. I think the first half of my 30s, I was really like digging in doing the work, but I wasn't getting it all right. So I think it was my second half of my 30s where I started to get a little momentum and like really figure some things out and feel like I was growing. But I couldn't get there fast enough. And now I'm at, you know, in my 40s and my kids are older.

I wish I could go back. Totally. When I, when they were babies, I was like, I can't wait until they can walk and I can take them to the park. And then when they're old enough to go to the park, I'm like, I can't wait until they're big enough to join a sports team. Yeah. Or we can go to sushi and they'll be the, you know, it's like. You're like, no, no. But then it just doesn't slow down.

Yeah. Whole. So anytime I meet parents that are having kids for the first time, I'm like, yo, I know I'm going to sound like everyone else. But it flies by, savor it, hold on to it, hug them, rock them, do whatever you can because you'll wish you could go back. Totally. And that's why you can make those decisions around touring and opportunities and music because you're like, yo, if I leave for a month. It's like a whole month out of. You know what I mean?

Yeah. It's like... And they can come out there for two weeks in the middle. It's not the same. It's not a good place for kids. The road is... It's cool for kids to be able to come, and we certainly have done it,

and we'll continue to do it if we travel, especially if we tour. And I know you do it, but it's not going to be the same. You don't get the same time with them. It's a double life. And it's not in the ecosystem. You know what I mean?

It's cool because they can see, like, oh, this is what you're doing, you know, whatever. This is where you are or whatever. But, like, yeah, It's not the ecosystem that you're like family existence. Yeah, it's not conducive to their success. Yeah.

It's to yours. Yeah. And it's a family effort, right? But like, you have, it's a, at this stage, you could say, I could say the same thing when I see, um, binge in cam, live in their life, supporting each other, you know, me and Nicole are going through supporting each other. When somebody takes on a big tour or a job or something, the whole family's doing it. Yes.

Whether they're with you out there the whole time or not, they're all going through it with you so that you can be out there doing it. And I think that's also something like people don't realize, like, it's not something anyone come, you don't complain about it. No, and I think also like, to me, like the life back home, you know, when I was just in Europe, whatever,

like, like, Megan will have to be like superhero shit. You know what I mean? Because it's like, it's just a lot because you're doing it by yourself. You know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah, and so, yeah, and you have to have somebody who's, like, down to do that and be like, you know, like, this, you know. And so, yeah, on that level, it's very, it's like, me and her have had a lot of conversations. Like, this exact same thing you were talking about is, like, we're all in it.

You know what I mean? Like, we all sign up for the tour. I know you're really into art, too. Mm-hmm. Any favorite artists right now? I love this guy. I think he's, I think his name's Heidi on. Hidion maybe.

He's dope. He's from Brooklyn. And he does these like weird like medieval mixed media prints that also have like trucks and Lamborghinis in them. I like this guy.

Spencer Lewis a lot. He's downtown L.A. and he does these like I don't know. He like paints on these things It looks like potato sacks or something like that, you know, whatever. You know, I like what I like. You like what you like.

You know, like it's like one of those things like where everyone just... I like Omar Rashid. I don't know. Oh, my God. He's the best. You'll love him. Really? We have similar taste, though.

That's why I always ask you because everybody you've ever gotten into, I've also gotten into them. Or I've also been like way behind you on people where you got there where you could actually afford to buy a piece. Yeah. And then they've just blown up and it's like impossible to get a piece. You have to compete with. everyone to get these, which it's not really about the value of the pieces.

For me, it's about being there early. There's something very thrilling about finding something that not a lot of other people know about. And then like holding it and believing in it. And then it gets big and you're like, I was right. Yeah. I knew he was special. Yeah.

And part of me feels special for seeing that. You know, I think that's like my attitude towards, like, even with music when I find an artist that I'm like, oh, my God, there's special. special. They make such good, like, look how talented they are. And, and then years later, they become, like, something special. And you're like, I knew he was, I knew I was right about him. I get so much out of that experience. I actually never sold a piece of art. I just haven't, like, I don't even know how to do that, really. But, uh, Josh can help you. Yeah. Yeah. I was like, Josh, are you sold all my art? I'm going minimalist now.

I'm selling everything and I'm going to wear a robe. Totally. I, uh, the other thing that I really wanted to ask about today on the little list of things I had, it was funny, I talked to binge to and I was like, I get to talk to Pete and actually, like, have a conversation with him about fallout boy, which we have over the years talked about fallout boy and talked about all your stuff. I don't know that I always ask you every question I want to ask. I think I edit myself when we're,

when we're hanging out or whatever because like it you know you know how it is but like i think that you have and i think fallout boy and you have probably one of the one of the careers i admire in like are from like the world we came from right because i really think that like i never wanted to be held to anything i always wanted to grow out of i always want to grow bigger and go further and try to like take it to the limit of whatever I can do with whatever I'm doing. And I always feel like you guys did that really well. But like to me and you you guys started in, when did you start in 2001, 2002? Early 2000s.

So we were just a few years ahead of you. We were like 96 we started. So it wasn't that much actually time. But like a little, but in a weird way a lot of time because like the 90s to the 2000s was like this weird chasm. You know what I mean? Like things changed so much. Yeah.

We were definitely a 90s band when we started. and we came into the 2000s. That's when we had our kind of like mainstream success. But like, it's interesting with Fall Out Boy, were you, how old were you when you started? Did you have another band before it? I had so many bands before it. So you were like a band, you wanted to be in a band.

I was in all these like super, super heavy bands. Right, like hardcore. Hardcore bands. And Fall Out Boy was like the one we did just, for like fun. Right. Which of course, you know what I mean?

Of course that's the one that you're doing like 20 years later because it's like, it was like, let's do something that's like not the other thing. Let's do something that's like just fun for us to do.

Yeah. Like a lot, it was like, so weirdo, like that works out like that. Totally, right? Yeah, because it's really good. Really,

it feels purposeful. Yeah. It doesn't feel like, oh, let's just have some fun and try these songs. But I always think about it like when any sports I'm playing or something,

like my best swing, my best whatever, is when I'm free, when I feel like I can just, when I let it go and I'm not thinking about all the other stuff. And I feel like anytime the band, and probably like life decisions I made have been correct, I feel free and they're like easy, breezy because there's not like a restriction on it. You know what I mean?

And I think that that's what it was. Like we definitely grinded, you know, but like it was like there was kind of no rules on the like songwriting side. But you wanted to make it. We wanted to make it. Yeah. I mean,

I think we originally were just like, let's just whatever. And then like when people besides just our friends were like, oh cool. Then we were like, okay, now we're going to grind. You know what I mean? And then we just grinded.

And when you started 2001, 2002, when would you say that you like had your first moment where you were like, was it 2004? Or you had your moment like, oh wow this is success see like in 2004 or whatever

we were still like this band that like every kid knew but like no adult knew right so it was like this weird thing like because we were just like kind of shared on mp3.com and like what you were like an indie band

yeah and the shows would be big and the fire marshal would show up and shut the shows down or whatever but like like in the adult world of like gatekeepers and stuff they were like, what is this? You guys look weird. You guys don't play well a lot. You know, like it was like...

And then we put our first major label record out and no one played, no radio station played it. And then we made like a weird video with this like... We just made a weird video. Like we were like... We basically were like, we're going to take any treatment that isn't like... Pool party in the backyard.

People fall in the pool. You know, because that's like the only treatment we got and so like we did this really weird video. Yeah, it was like a, it was like good charlotta or some 41 video or something. Like that was the time. It was the time. Everyone's like, let's make these guys look cute and let's make the, the videos seem like a pool party.

Yeah, it was the thing. Like that was the vibe. It was the vibe. Like it was like sign more pop punk. Yeah. And I was. You guys were never pop punk really. And we were just like, this won't like us doing this will not work, will not be

believable. Right. So then we made the weird video. It went up to your. because of our fan base and then radio just had to play it's crazy t rl like you guys are you guys were there yeah and you're here now and so much has had to change to get to where we are now but it's just crazy when you say t rl it takes me right back to a time when i remember all the videos i mean we were a part of it like the the shininess of the videos and the like the

Times Square and the house parties. It was like screaming. I can't hear anything. Yeah. Crazy. Yeah. Crazy. Crazy.

And great to have been there. Would never go back. Totally. I was talking to somebody about this the other day. We had maybe one year where it was like the super famous band, like where you like literally couldn't leave the hotel and like you go in through the kitchen and whatever. Yeah. Would never do it for more than a year.

Would never. It was, it's just. Like, listen, it's very cool. It's very cool to experience. But it's, like, not a life. Like, when I look at, like, the K-pop bands and I just, like, feel for it. Like, I just feel the pain of it. Yeah, I feel like, like, I do know.

I get it. You know what I mean? Like, it's like watching something that everyone else is going. Isn't that great? And you're, and I understand the concept of why someone would think that's great. Yeah. But there's so much that comes with it in a, like, same thing. We had a, we had our moment where it was like, you couldn't go anywhere.

You couldn't get in a hotel. Like, you had to sneak in places. There's definitely like a loneliness to it. It's lonely and it's weird and it's fast moving. And it's not like you're moving slow and you're enjoying it. It's not like you're slowly tasting food or you're like on like a stroll. Yeah. It's like this fast-moving, full of weirdness, full of like, and I think that like it,

the only reason I'm glad I experienced it is so that I know what I don't want. Totally. And I think also to be able to have empathy for people when I think I didn't before because I thought like, oh, just give it everything to me. Give me all the money. Give me all the fame. And I'm nothing, so I need everything. Right.

And then I realized, like, that was just me. not feeling like I was worth anything. So I needed everything. And I wanted it all now. And I just worked for it. And then I realized like that was my, my self-esteem. Now, also, like, take that out of it. Because it's not always about your trauma.

Like, there is a part of me as an artist that wants validation to make things that other people like because there's a joy in that. Like, it's like making a meal for someone. Like, oh, they like it. that feels really good in my soul to see someone enjoy something. Yeah. And you're putting joy into the world. Yeah.

And certainly, like, you guys are the same. You have this entire fan base of people that, like, you have a very big cross-section. I see it anyways. You have a cross-section of fans who relate to the art who go, this makes me feel heard or seen. This makes me feel like good about life. This helps my mental health. Totally. And there is something about making art.

for that reason too, that we also did feel very strongly about putting something into the world that helped this certain group of fans we had that really struggled with. Like, they had bad home lives and they had shit they were going through. Yeah, and like mental health and like something that you can like put on and here. There's someone else going through something. It might not be the exact same thing I'm going through, but it's like someone else going through a thing, you know. And to relate. Yeah.

And it helps you too. But then the other side of it is. is like all of the shiny stuff, the money, the fame, the this, the that, that, that, that, like that you think you want because you think it's going to make, like you said earlier, you think it's going to fill the hole, you think it's going to fix everything, and then you get on the other side of it and you realize like it actually made it worse, and now I need to really go figure this out. And that's what I feel like good Charlotte really saved my life in that sense of like,

it took me on the ride. I got on the other side of that crazy ride and realized it didn't fix anything. Now I got to go find an answer. answer and that's when I really started working on myself and doing all the things that were good for me. Right. And that's when I became, I think, the person that I am today, which is like, of course, the guy from Good Charlotte to a lot of people. Yeah.

You're like, yeah, that's me. I mean, definitely me. But I'm older now. And there is more to me than actually the music, actually a lot more to me. I think about all these different categories where people have to take chances that they're not sure about. and how hard it is to take that first step when you don't have all these people around you cheering you on. And I think music is a big soundtrack.

For sure. I mean, and I think also, like, to me, I think about, like, and, you know, I talk to, you know, kids that are in bands and stuff. Like, one of the big things, and it's your band, too, and a lot of the bands that came kind of from, I think, where we came from, There wasn't some, you know, talent scout there that was like, putting this thing together or whatever. You know, like, it's just, like, grubby punk rock kids that just, you know,

and to me, like, if we could do it, it's like literal proof than anyone could do it. You know what I mean? You know what I mean? And like, I hope people see that. I hope people see. And that doesn't, you don't got to apply that to just being in a band. Like, you can apply that to, you know, going to college or, you know, playing sports or making art or making movies or whatever.

Like, you have to dream it. Like, you have to picture it. And it's unfortunate that there's all these obstacles in the way and people that intentionally or unintentionally put obstacles in the way. But part of, you know, making it is like finding ways to kind of break through those and finding ways to just like have that like little extra gas in the tank. And like, I hope our songs are a part of it. I hope your songs are a part of it.

You know, I hope, like, what you do here is a part of it. You know, like, I think it's, you know, an artist's responsibility to increase joy in the world, you know. And, you know, like, the world is obviously complicated. You know, like, to me, it's like feels like it's on edge lately a lot. Yeah, it feels like it's, like ready to blow and people, you know, are filming each other or getting in fun. You know, like, just, like, kind of crazy stuff or whatever. but like I think as artists, it's our job, our responsibility more so to increase the joy. You know what I mean?

Like I think that life is short, life is long. There's definitely both. And like experiencing joy and following who you are is super important. So I'm an amen. And like my music, my hair changes with me and has to be able to be able to continue my rhythm. For so, Potion Nine of Sebastian Professional, has all what my hair needs.

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for a euro at month on Shopify. coms bar records. Yeah, I agree. I think that's kind of like

become the, that's something it's at least something I really think about. I think you're really right

about what I think is becoming resilient. I believe the universe will never put an obstacle in front of you that you can't overcome, but part of the level up is to overcome it. And then once you have that skill, you move on to the next level. And it's like a video game. I've always seen it that way of like each obstacle is it's up to me to overcome it. Now, having a support system, people, you know, that are helping me, rooting me on and then, you know, being motivated, by other people's success.

I've always been, like, I've always been inspired by other people's success in figuring out, like, how they did it. And that's always helped me, because there's always, like, wisdom and looking at other people's success. And it brings me back to your, I don't know, dude,

your life always just looks like a success to me. It's cool to see. I appreciate that, man. There's a, like, as you know, there's like a long line of failures that happen to make the success happen, you know, whatever. No one sees those. Yeah. We don't remember those anyways.

We all have them. Yeah. But you know how it is. And it takes a village. You have a great partner. And your band is obviously, it seems like really great partners. All really, really nice, gracious guys. They've always been like cool.

It's really nice, actually, when you see a group. of guys who you're feels good when you guys win. I always feel good when you guys win. That's awesome, man. Same. I would say also one of the things we got asked the other day was like what was our biggest,

like what was the biggest success we had or what was the biggest milestone? And to me, it's like shooting into that vortex as a band and just coming out the other side. Like just surviving the whole thing. You know what I mean? Yeah.

Surviving. the whole thing. You know what I mean? Because like got a lot of friends and other artists that just didn't, you know, because it's just, it's difficult. It's difficult. It's, it's so difficult. And it's not in a complaining way.

It's not so, it's so difficult to keep your sanity when you have to exist thinking only about yourself and your success to make it. And it's such a dog-eat-eat. dog kind of like it feels like world of like of the world period it's like to succeed it's tough and then when you succeed it's tough because you're getting beat up the whole time everywhere you turn in every direction yeah you're facing your you're faced with all these kinds of

things and I think that like getting to the other side of it like you said when I see you and you have a family and you you all all the whole band by the way I look at and I go oh they survived that race that you have to run to and somehow you found a balance that I think is like it's like it's dad's shit it's like oh look he's taking care of business he's taking care of the kids he's taking care of his wife he's taking care of his family he's taking care of and he's still out there when I see dads doing it and getting the balance right because I get to see behind the curtain that's why so I get to see your real life is it's a real life we're all dealing with stress.

Right. We all got kids, you know, like throwing shit and being kids. Yeah. But you handle it. You go out in the world. You, you, and you keep it together. That to me is like, I think that's what we wanted to grow up to be. Like, what do you think the legacy of Fall Out Boy is?

Good question, man. To me, um, The two things I want to always think about in terms of legacy are it's really important to, like, you know, other bands, obviously like you guys and Green Day blink, like, kicked the doors down and bands before that kicked the door down, you know. But, like, you got to, like, widen the path for the artists coming behind you and for the culture that's coming behind you, you know, like, I think it's important. and then I've always thought about it in terms of like, to me, like Metallica, like the ultimate, the ultimate with like a band like Metallica is like,

you go like, what does that band sound like? Metallica just sounds like Metallica. You know what I mean? Like they look like Metallica. You know what I mean? Like their shirts look like Metallica shirts. You know what I mean? Like the ultimate thing is like when your band is just the descriptor.

You know what I mean? Like that's your place in history, you know? And I think to get to that point would be, cool. You guys are there. Maybe. Definitely I could name in a good way, too, because I hear bands all the time. I sent you one that I found that band Nightlife from Baltimore.

They're dope. But they sound like very, they sound like they come from the Fallout Boy, like the genre. Like to me, there's like a genre of this like melodic, big rock that it has flavors of all this stuff. I think there's something about Patrick that there's a lot of flavor in there of like something like jazzy, solely R&B. Solie R&B to it that like is unique to you guys and all the bands that have come behind you guys. You could say panic and then you could say there's a bunch of bands that you could go down the line. This is not an insult to any of them.

I'm fans. No, totally. And this band I, this band that I found in Baltimore is in. is in that line, I think, of like, this really soulful R&B, but big rock songs. And it's, I can't think of one before Fallout Boy that Fall Out Boy sounds like. But I can think of a bunch behind Fall Out Boy that have a Fallout Boy, you know, they're remissing of. It sounds very, it sounds in the world, it's a world.

And so I think you guys sound like Fallout Boy. I appreciate that. I do. I don't know. I don't know. But you know what I mean? But that's the goal. Of course.

When you said it, I thought, do we sound like ourselves? Yeah, totally. But not as much as you guys sound like yourselves. I think we do, but not as much as you guys sound like yourselves. Yeah. I can find other songs. You just know what I mean. I know.

It's like you want to be able to like, that is. That just is what it is. You know what I mean? That's real. That's a really good way to put it. now I'm thinking about our, I'm like, now I really want to do that too. You've done it to you, man. Trust me. It's, it's, it's cool.

Well, thanks, dude. Thanks, man. Appreciate it. Thank you for listening to Artist Friendly this week. Hope you enjoyed it. We'll see you next time. This car only take premium gas. I love my engine. If I'm not smoking on gas, I'm smoking up. If that's my kind, I don't want no bad.

times I don't want to have bad