The Goo Goo Dolls, Buffalo’s most influential young rock band, is breaking up its original lineup after nearly a decade together. And the timing couldn’t be worse.
The band is scheduled to release a national album and single in March for Warner Bros. Records. George Tutuska, drummer for the band, says he has been forced out of the trio. Remaining members Johnny Rzeznik and Robby Takac — both guitarists — intend to continue the group, and a replacement drummer has yet to be named.
The split is causing shock waves on the Buffalo music scene.
The Goo Goo Dolls are one of the few local acts to record for a major national label and still live in the city.
They have been together since 1986, and the new album represents a crucial point in the band’s career that may determine the Goo Goo Dolls’ future as a national act.
“I’m still shocked,” a crestfallen Tutuska said in an interview with The Buffalo News this weekend.
“I didn’t leave of my own accord. Anyone who knows the band is aware of what’s going on. I put the last 10 years of my life into that band, and it really hurts. That’s all I can say.”
There has been a long-simmering dispute among the group. It had apparently been building over the past year and came to a boil this month, when Tutuska reportedly was told to leave.
“We just had differences that could not be settled,” Rzeznik said. “We’ve had a lot of heartaches and frustrations. We’ve had some good times, too, but we just couldn’t go on like this.”
Takac agreed.
“There were problems, internally, within the group,” he said. “We had a lot of uncomfortable feelings that we encountered when we all got together in the recording studio. I think a lot of it is due to the fact we’ve been together for so long.”
The split comes with the future looking bright for the band. Chris Mundy of Rolling Stone wrote in 1993 that stardom is “close at hand” for the Goo Goo Dolls. Rocker Paul Westerburg said the Dolls “have a great future.”
A Warner Bros. spokesman said, “We think the new album has a chance to be the biggest one this band has made.”
It took eight years for the Goo Goo Dolls to reach this point, and that’s an eternity for a rock band to stay together.
The Goo Goo Dolls started playing in local clubs in 1986 and won a huge following with their blue-collar, hard-driving sound. In 1989, the band produced an independent album, “Goo Goo Dolls,” that established it as one of Buffalo’s most original groups.
The Goos signed with Metal Blade Records, a subsidiary of Warner’s, and released two critically acclaimed albums, “Jed” (1989) and “Hold Me Up” (1992).
In 1993, the Goo Goo Dolls moved to the major label and released “Superstar Car Wash” for Warner. publications such as Rolling Stone, the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times raved about the album, but it failed to make a dent nationally.
Many of the Goos’ longtime fans criticized the album for being too soft and pop-oriented. Rzeznik later complained that Warner Bros. made the band change producers on the record, and decided who would produce the video. Warner Bros. also selected the first single, “We Are the Normal,” an introspective soft number instead of the band’s trademark thrash pop sound.
The failure of “Superstar” to become a big hit apparently created a tense atmosphere for the band members while they were working on the new album. Sources close to the band say there have been a number of clashes in the recording studio and ongoing battles over “differences” among group members over music and lyrics.
“The last album caused a lot of tension,” a record industry source said. “That has put more pressure on all of them for the new album. It’s a shame, because it’s a great record.”
The album, called “A Boy Named Goo,” features a much harder sound and deeper lyrics than the last one. It was produced by Lou Giordano, who has worked with such national acts as Sugar, the Smithereens and Husker Du.
The first single to be released next month is “The Only One.”
The band’s change in status could hurt the new album. The Goo Goo Dolls will have to tour and promote the album with a new lineup. Rzeznik is determined to succeed.
“We’re still really passionate about our music,” Rzeznik said. “Me and Robby are going to go on, and the label is supporting the album. We love music, and that’s the most important thing.”
Takac said: “We haven’t given up on the record. We’ll do whatever we have to to make it work. If it becomes a big hit, all of us, including George, can make money.”
The Goo Goo Dolls’ last public appearance was a New Year’s Eve show at Blind Mellons.
“It was was an emotional night for all of us,” Rzeznik said.
Both Rzeznik and Takac were in a somber mood as they talked about the split.
“We’re not happy about what happened. It has cast a dark shadow over everything, but we have to keep going,” Rzeznik said. “I wish George nothing but the best.”
Takac said the band has yet to begin its search for a drummer.
“This has all just happened. We haven’t had a chance to resolve anything,” he said. “We’re not out to dis George or anything. I know he’s not happy, but this was probably the best thing for all of us.”
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