Within a 24-hour time period last week, the Goo Goo Dolls went from a 50-member audience to a venue packed with 8,000 screaming fans. They appreciate all size crowds, but …
“I could definitely acquire a taste for large crowds,” said Goo Goo guitarist Johnny Rzeznik during a tour stop outside of the now-infamous Waco, Texas.
The Buffalo, N.Y.-based band -Rzeznik, bassist Robby Takac and drummer George Tutuska – was trying to log the last bit of an almost 2,000-mile trip and stopped for a breather. Even after six years of this, road trips don’t get easier.
“I believe traveling screws with you molecularly. You never get used to it,” said Rzeznik.
A little whining aside, he’s pretty happy with how the tour is going. He’d be happier if the Goos could sell a few more albums, though.
It took two years to get “Superstar Car Wash” out after making “Hold Me Up.”
“We had to fight with the record label, fight with our manager, fight with each other, but I’m happy with the end result,” he said.
The album, produced on Warner Bros.’ Metal Blade label, is a collection of pulsating punk pop.
No, it isn’t something you listened to and grew out of in high school. It’s what happens when late-20s guys deftly carry some of that old angst into present day and add some fine musicianship.
The thrash-laced effort received high marks from Spin and Rolling Stone, although band members feel better when doing it live.
So they tour. Rzeznik even looks forward to seeing ol’ Virginny.
“I really dig the South. It has a certain feel about it and the scenery is some of the most beautiful in the country,” he said.
The interview meandered away from music and geography and into other things going on in Rzeznik’s head.
A sample:
On groupies and such: “Monogamy is a challenge. I’m the only one married. My wife, Laurie, is totally great. She’s totally an un-rock ‘n’ roll girl, which is cool. Everybody is pretty committed to the people they have back home.”
On keeping up with world issues while touring: “I get my daily dose of negativity from CNN. It tends to slap me in the face a lot.”
On national issues: “I have a real problem with the way elderly and poor people are treated in this country.”
On industry’s treatment of consumers: “It makes sense to take care of the people who buy your products. It’s like giving a fan your autograph, you know? Yeah, I get sick of drunk people getting in my face, but it doesn’t happen all the time.”
On his favorite music: “I like Sam I Am from San Francisco and I like Irving Berlin. You don’t know a song until you’ve heard Irving Berlin.”
Temple Of Goo - The rarest Goo Goo Dolls releases, for real Goo fans only 