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While it's true that success too often breeds complacency, for the Goo Goo
Dolls it's only served to bring them closer to the fundamentals of
their long-term partnership. "We never really bought in to the
whole rock star myth," John continues, before adding with a laugh,
"Well, we might have 'rented in' for a weekend here and there, but
in the end it always comes back to the music. For us, success - real
success - is one song at a time."
That's the way it has always been for the Goo Goo
Dolls. From their earliest days on the rough-and-tumble Northeast
music scene through years of playing according to bassist Robby Takac -
"every one night stand in America, twice," through their
obligatory stint in the indie records realm, the band have combined an
unerring instinct for original and authentic music with a hardcore work
ethic that is nothing short of inspirational.
It
was that mix of talent and sweat equity that paid off with the 1998
release of "Dizzy
Up The Girl," a breakthrough in every sense of the word, with
worldwide sales approaching six million and counting and a string of
smash singles including the epochal "Iris," as well as
"Slide," "Black Balloon" and the title track. Together, Dizzy's hits have racked up an historic one million radio
spins to date. Two solid years of international touring followed the
album's release and, while the band and its fans could be forgiven for
concluding that the Goo Goo Dolls had finally
"arrived," it was that restless urge to turn the next creative
corner that kept the trio cranking.
It was in the fall of 2001 that John and Robby, along
with drummer Mike Malinin and producer Rob Cavallo (the man behind the
boards for "Dizzy
Up The Girl") began assembling the elements of a new album.
"Of course, our success was a factor going in," asserts John.
"How could it not be? We worked our asses off to get to this place,
and we didn't want to disappoint ourselves or our fans. But more than
that, we wanted to see where the music would take us. We had been living
in a fishbowl for three years, and it felt good to get back to
basics."
"I think, if there's a theme to these songs, it
is about being honest with yourself and with others, and seeking out
those who will return the favor," John ventures. "Our
experiences over the past three years have taught us to appreciate
friendship, love and loyalty…those basic human values. When we're
writing about characters we've encountered and scenes we've survived,
it's that need for connection that comes through and hopefully everyone
can relate to that. Otherwise, you're just talking to yourself."
The Goo Goo Dolls are --
- Johnny Rzeznik - guitar, vocals, songwriter
- Robby Takac - bass, vocals, song writer
- Mike Malinin - drummer
Notable songs include --
- Naked
- Fallin' Down
- We Are the Normal
- Slide
- Iris
- Name
- Lucky Star
- Up Yours
- All Eyes on Me
- Flat Top
The Goo Goo Dolls may be available for your next special event!
For booking information, click
HERE!
Genre: ..Rock 1, ..Rock 2
Styles:
..Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
..Post-Grunge
..Alternative Pop/Rock
..Hard RockYears active:
..80s, ..90s, ..00s
Formed: ..in New York
..in
Buffalo
in 1986
Born:
Johnny Rzeznik
Dec 5, 1965
Robby Takac
Sep 30, 1964
Mike Malinin
Oct 10, 1967
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