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Their father left on Christmas Eve when he and Benji were 16, which is mentioned in "Little Things," Good Charlotte's first single, and has influenced much of their music. Benji and Joel got the name of the band from a book called Good Charlotte, by Carol Beach York. Benji was always blamed for Joel's misdeeds because he was a trouble maker. Since Joel and Benji were twins they would switch places, which usually didn't help them out much. Benji and Joel were tormented by their peers throughout their time at La Plata High because they were considered "freaks," which inspired them to write "The Anthem", the second single from the album The Young and the Hopeless. Joel admits that he couldn't sing a note when the band first started out, but over the years his dulcet tones have taken the modern punk rock world by storm. He collects crucifixes, and wears a promise ring his mother gave him for Christmas when he promised to remain a virgin until he wed.