The Q&A session gets a sequel. Bailey chimes in!

A few days ago we published a Q&A session between me (blog’s creator) and one of our contributors Sean Hampson. Make sure to read it before continuing.

After the post had been published, I asked another contributor, Bailey, if she wanted to chime and and answer the questions that were featured in the aforementioned post. She accepted the challenge.

Before we dive into it, don’t forget to check both Bailey’s and Sean’s dedicated category for a listing of all their contributions, such as pictures, live shows, trivia, etc… Keep in mind that the majority of the stuff you’ve seen published in here comes from them.

In a nutshell, the Q&A session is simply a list of questions proposed to our contributors in order to have the readers know a little more about them, especially in relation to what they generally think about the Goo Goo Dolls. In today’s case, I took the questions which were originally asked in the first Q&A and forwarded them to Bailey.

Bailey also wrote a little introduction before we got down to business, which is the following:

Yes, I do agree with Sean on a lot of things. When you actually can tell it’s the three Dolls actually playing the music, singing it, you know exactly what it’s about because it’s pretty obvious, it’s beautiful. Oh, I also wanted to say (totally forgot), a band the Goo Goos convinced me to listen to are the Replacements. I love them! I’d say if you wanted to listen to something by them, my personal favorites are “Left of the dial” “Alex Chilton” “Androgynous” “When It Began” and “Can’t Hardly Wait”. . .and since you’re obviously kind of familiar with the punk style, you’d probably like “If Only You Were Lonely”. It strongly reminds me of “James Dean”, actually.
If you want me to do the “trivia” (if you will) I’ll be happy to. Ha I might get a bit wordy (as I always do)…I’m a writer, that’s kinda what I do.
So, let me see if I can remember the questions…

And now let’s get started.

• HOW DID YOU DISCOVER THE BAND AND WHAT GOT YOU HOOKED UP TO IT?

Bailey: Ok, how did I discover the band. Man, it seemed so long ago, but man I remember it so well. This seems kind of basic, but the first song I fell in love with was “Name”. I thank my dad for introducing that to me. He played it one time, and I heard it and thought, “that man’s voice is gorgeous!” I had just been getting into more alternative music at the time, so that song hit me pretty hard. I wouldn’t say that’s really what convinced me to listen to more, though. I was familiar with the band name, but never really knew anything else they had written, didn’t know any of their names. My parents weren’t really “band” people, if you will, so I’m pretty sure they had no idea either. Anyway, one day, I heard “Broadway” on the radio, and I will tell you, that was literally love at first hear! I loved that song. Regardless of if it was a Dolls song or not, I would’ve fallen in love, though. I didn’t think it was by them at first because John’s voice sounded so different. I distinctly remember thinking the lines “see the young man sitting in the old man’s bar waiting for his turn to die” sounded really really cool.

I feel like at that point, I knew they were special. I believe I went through and listened to all of “Boy”. Starting with “Ain’t That Unusual” for some reason. Liked that song, too.

Actually, now that I’m thinking about this, the first thing I EVER heard was “I’m Still Here” by John Rzeznik. Had no idea he had anything to do with the Goo Goos at the time, but I liked the movie “Treasure Planet” (I grew up watching that as a kid), so I guess it’s kind of similar to Temple of Goo and “I’m Awake Now”. I’m not exactly sure how I figured out that John was the Goo Goo lead singer, but I did, and it kind of shocked me. I remember listening to Name and then I’m still here and realizing it was the same guy singing it (haha). I was maybe 12, 13 when I figured that out, I think. I’ll admit it, when I realized who Johnny was, I was (yes) part of the group of girls with the fattest crush on the guy. (!!)

• WHICH SONG DO YOU THINK HAS A SPECIAL MEANING IN RELATION TO YOUR LIFE?

Bailey: Man, there’s a couple different ones I could say here. Probably “Hate This Place” because the lyrics kind of remind me of a friend, and of myself in some ways. Also, “Two Days In February” because it reflects love, and the ending of. I don’t want to say that’s “my” song, because that’s BS, but I feel like it reflects relationships I’ve been in, even with just friends. Oh, I can’t forget, “We Are The Normal.” I don’t want to get too personal, but the lines “Just the same, you know I like the rain” and “it’s a beautiful life, and I’ve got it in my sights” represent me so well.

• WORST SONG THE BAND EVER WROTE?

Bailey: Haha old song, probably “Hardsores” or “Up Yours”. Man, I love both of those songs, but the lyrics do not make sense whatsoever! New song, um, “Save Me From Myself”. No offense, but I can not stand that song. I listened to it when “Chaos” came out, and that was the only time I did. I don’t like how John’s voice sounds, the mix is too “basic pop”. The lyrics are fine, but I don’t like how it was performed.

• THE ONE SONG BOTH FANS AND NON-FANS SHOULD LISTEN TO, AND WHY?

Bailey: Hmm, that’s a tough question. I’d say probably “Black Balloon” or “Name” and definitely something from SSCW or HMU. DUTG is more common ground for people who aren’t really into the “rock” genre, but if they are, I’d definitely pull out “Boy” or “SSCW”.

• YOU ARE A DIRECTOR WITH UNLIMITED BUDGET AT YOUR DISPOSAL. PICK A SONG AND CREATE A VIDEO FOR IT

Bailey: Oh, I’m getting so many ideas, but I think I’ll stick to one of my favorites. “Two Days In February”. When I first listened to it and figured out who it was about, I started forming ideas of what would’ve been done if they released it as a single. So, the song opens up to the Goo Goos playing on the side of a street in maybe Buffalo? Or California because that’s what the song is about. I like the videos where they’d be in Buffalo. So, they would probably be on Elmwood Avenue, where they used to live, playing live. We get some film of a young woman walking down the street. Maybe separate shots of John standing on a bridge. Or the classic, watching for the girl. More shots of the Dolls playing. Johnny has a guitar case open next to them, and people put money in. Cars drive by, just to fit the aesthetic of the recording. During the solo, all three Dolls walk around town where they would hang out. The end would probably feature a bit of film of John walking away from the girl to signify him letting her go.

• DESCRIBE THE PERFECT ALBUM YOU’D WANT THE BAND TO RECORD

Bailey: Oh, man. I wouldn’t want it to be completely punk, because it would sound stupid if an aging John and Robby came together and went around headbanging in a studio, you know? But I’d like to hear something with the same kind of sound as Gutterflower or Superstar Car Wash. More mature, but also kind of naïve. Maybe it’s just me, but I like it with that darker knifes edge they put in A Boy Named Goo and Dizzy. Lots of that. I don’t want a depressing record, but some angst to it. I’d want them to write about real life experiences, not just a broad, vague topic. And maybe if they came back together with George or Mike and just played as a three piece again. No keyboards, no strings, no covers. Just raw goo.

• HOW MANY CONCERTS DID YOU ATTEND?

Bailey: I’ve sadly only had the opportunity to attend one so far. That was last year, August 30th, 2022 in Houston, TX. It was a long drive but it was so worth it! The goos were on their first tour since Covid, and they really seemed to have a lot of energy. Especially Robby! He was bouncing around the stage like he always did, sporting purple hair and socks! My favorite songs they performed that night were Black Balloon, Big Machine and Broadway.

• DESCRIBE SOMETHING YOU LIKE AND SOMETHING YOU DON’T LIKE ABOUT THE BAND

Bailey: Ok, well what I like is that they write songs that actually mean something. And they put on great shows and really know how to make you laugh! You really never get bored with a record or a performance from the early years, I’ll tell you that! I also feel like they were kind of the “rebellious” band for say, and that’s what makes them special.

What I don’t like: that the totally unjustly fired George and Mike…and that they fell into the mainstream fame road and lost the integrity of their music. Also, I really don’t like what they’ve done to Robby’s music. He was born to sing punk, not pop. I also feel like John’s fallen victim to all the fame. All his plastic surgery etc. ruined his looks.

• HAVE YOU INTRODUCED THE BAND TO YOUR FRIENDS? HOW DID THEY REACT?

Bailey: Many of my friends in high school knew I liked the band. They knew Iris, and most of them enjoyed the song, but it never really went any further than that. I remember listening to Here Is Gone with one of my friends one time and she really liked it. I don’t think the problem was that they didn’t like the band, it was more like no one knew anything besides Iris. Kinda sad, isn’t it? I did introduce the music to my family, and most of them enjoyed the music. My younger sister’s favorite songs are “We Are The Normal”, and “Fallin’ Down” because I used to listen to Superstar Car Wash with her all the time. (I used to turn my CD player up really loud and we’d sing the songs together) I also remember watching the “WATN” music video with her and she told me John’s hair looked really good heh. So if that answers the question, I figure at least I’ve turned one person to Goo.

• WHAT IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE SONG?

Bailey: My favorite song…oh man it changes at least once a week. I’m a very musically inclined person, so whatever mood I’m in at the time, that’s what my favorite songs will be. This week, I’d say “Cuz You’re Gone” “Here Is Gone” “Dizzy” and “Two Days In February”. Some of my favorite non Goo songs are probably Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen and “when it began” by the Replacements. I like all those songs for different reasons, but I’d say I love Cuz You’re Gone mainly for the end part—when John and Robby are singing in harmony. Gives me chills, man.

• YOU’VE GOT THE DELOREAN TO GO BACK IN TIME. WHAT LIVE ERA OF THE BAND DO YOU WISH YOU COULD SEE THE MOST?

Bailey: That’s actually a tough question, because I want to see a bit of everything. Probably I’d go to a show or two in the SSCW era because they had the best set lists ever! Plus, they were an amazing live band. That or Hold Me Up. Also for similar reasons. They were (for the most part) sober, and their shows were entertaining and fun. Honestly though, seeing a show in 1998 would be amazing too!

• WHEN WAS THE MOMENT YOU FELT THAT THE BAND HAD MADE A SHARP LEFT TURN INTO MAIN STREAM POP MUSIC?

Bailey: Sigh, Let Love In. I honestly think after their performance in Buffalo in 2004, it all changed. I’m not saying LLI was a bad record, because it’s really not, but I just feel like that’s when the Dolls lost their fire.

• WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF GOO GOO DOLLS MEMORABILIA THAT YOU OWN?

Bailey: Well, I own two t-shirts, one of Dizzy Up The Girl and one from the concert I saw them at last year. (I’ll attach a picture) also, a set of two collages I made a while back. If you’ll notice, I put little snippets of song lyrics on it too. I count that as a collectible mostly because it was a combination of all the rare pictures I’d had at the time (sadly, all I’d had was a cutoff of that “dead milkman” ad then) As you know, I’ve made quite a few digital collages, this being a physical one, I think on a 22×28 board. I don’t really remember anymore, but they’re pretty big. I got the idea from a 2000s blog I found a long time ago some kid had done.

• WHAT’S THE ONE PIECE OF GOO GOO DOLLS MEMORABILIA, MERCH, OR MUSIC DO YOU WISH YOU OWNED?

Bailey: A superstar car wash tour shirt! I saw one once and it looked really cool. Also, a full video performance of live At Sheas 1999, and live At the Rocker Room 1987. Oh, and if anyone ever finds it, the No Way Out music video.

• WHAT OTHER BANDS DID YOU START LISTENING TO BECAUSE OF, OR INSPIRED BY, GOO GOO DOLLS?

Bailey: Well, I’d say a main one would be The Replacements. I really dig the sound of their music, and it’s true, Paul Westerberg sounds pretty similar to Johnny. I started listening to them because of the obvious: We Are The Normal. Also, Gene Loves Jezebel, because Robby kept making references to Johnny looking like the lead singer (Michael Aston I believe). I actually like them, too. They’re more of a 90s British new wave band, for those who are interested in that genre. Also, specific songs, “Don’t Fear The Reaper” (for the obvious), 8675309 (although I already knew the song) also for obvious reasons. “Ballroom Blitz” (by Sweet) too. Oh, I also started listening to a little bit of Soul Asylum because I’d heard they opened up for them on tour. Those are the main ones, which I mainly listened to because they made references to them and such. Oh, just to make another comment on Sean’s paragraph on this, I believe I have actually listened to Samiam at some point.

• OF ALL THE BALLADS THEY’VE DONE, WHAT WOULD YOU CONSIDER THEIR BEST OVERALL?

Bailey: Black Balloon or Iris. I mean, I know Iris is kind of basic, but it really is an amazing song. I like the solo especially. I mean, the lines “when everything feels like the movies, yeah you bleed just to know you’re alive” Is crazy good. Black Balloon is also incredible. The lyrics are just unreal. “Always someone’s prayer” “and angels fall without you there” “a thousand other boys could never reach you, how could I have been the one?” The subject matter is pretty dark, but then again, all their songs have a sort of edge to them. Like I said before, I feel like that makes them special. Also, I’ll make another mention of this…Two Days. The lines “I’m sorry I ain’t there with you but you ain’t here with me” and “don’t get me wrong I’m not impressed with you no more” really stand out to me. As another Goo fan put it, that song is very deceptively simple, which I feel was the intent.

• WHAT WAS THE LAST GOO GOO DOLLS ALBUM YOU ACTUALLY PURCHASED?

Bailey: Live At the Academy! Love that thing to death. I’ve already listened to it all the way through multiple times. Before that I think it was “Ego opinion art and commerce” which is also really neat, especially the remixes of Superstar Car Wash.

• WHAT WOULD BE THE TOP PRIORITY BOOTLEG TO FIND THAT YOU DON’T ALREADY HAVE?

Bailey: I mean, I only really have digital bootlegs, if that even counts as one, but if I could get my hands on Live at Sheas in 1999 or the Rocker Room, that would be amazing!

• WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG SANG BY JOHNNY AND ROBBY TOGETHER?

Bailey: Hey. I really really just like everything about it, it’s fun, catchy, the guitars sound amazing! Robby and John’s voices are incredible. It was the perfect example of their sound during the HMU era. I also really dig the lyrics of String Of lies, so that one’s up there too. Pretty much every duet they’ve sung I liked, so it’s a wonder they didn’t do more.

• THIS IS THE IMPORTANT ONE… ANYTIME, ANY ERA, WHAT IS YOUR POWER SET REQUEST LIST FOR THEM?

Bailey: Geez, man, Sean’s was incredible. I think I’d like them to open up with “Just the way you are” “hey” and like “Out of sight” or something like that. I’d like them to play “Ain’t That Unusual” and maybe “so far away” since I have never ever heard them play those live. Bring back two days and James Dean! Also, throwing Road To Salinas, Different Light and Livin In A Hut in would be incredible! If they played any covers, definitely 8675309 and King Of The Road (haha) they play those really well. Anything from SSCW and ABNG though would make me happy! I don’t really have anything specific for a set list, as you can tell. If I really planned it out, covers would be at the end, everything else dispersed throughout.

Bailey also attached to her email pictures of her t-shirts and some collages she created, which you can see below:

Thanks Bailey for participating to this little project. If any other contributor feels like providing their answers as well, just let us know.