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        Goo Goo Dolls >> Goo Goo Dolls >> Older & Wiser John Rzeznik leads GGDs ...
        
(Message started by: Shannon on Jul 16^th, 2010, 12:49pm)

Title: Older & Wiser John Rzeznik leads GGDs ...
Post by Shannon on Jul 16^th, 2010, 12:49pm

Older and maybe wiser John Rzeznik leads the Goo Goo Dolls back on the road

Published: Friday, July 16, 2010

By John Benson
[email protected]

Goo Goo Dolls singer-guitarist John Rzeznik is well aware of his alternative band's image. In fact, from a stylistic standpoint, that's the impetus behind the group's next album, "Something for the Rest of Us," due in late August.

"We're sort of known for our ballads, and that's something we do," said Rzeznik, calling from a tour stop in Arkansas. "I'm not ashamed for that, but a lot of people have this impression of us as being very soft, mellow, acoustic band. And it's like there's a lot of material that's really more rock-oriented. I just hope it gets to see more light."

So far getting the spotlight is the new album's lead single, "Home," an uptempo affair that Rzeznik describes as the band's first straight-ahead rocker that went to radio in a long time. For diehard fans of the act, this upbeat sound is nothing new; however, those same folks are going to show their age when they talk about the old Goo Goo Dolls days prior to the Buffalo-based band's breakout 1995 album, "A Boy Named Goo."

Rzeznik is excited about the Goo Goo Dolls' tour, which comes to Northeast Ohio for a show Saturday at the Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City, because the group is digging into 1993's "Superstar Carwash" for the underrated tune "We are the Normal." In fact, the singer said hearing "We Are the Normal" on Cleveland's WMMS-FM 100.7 was the first time heard one of the band's song's on the radio.

"It's really cool to go back as far as �Superstar Carwash,' " Rzeznik said.

"As for the material on the albums before that, people say to me, �Why don't you play stuff off your first two records?' And I always say, �Well, it's for the same reason I don't play with G.I. Joe dolls anymore.' I'm grown up, and it seems kind of silly playing a song called �Livin' in a Hut.' "

The band's songs Rzeznik can relate to are hits "Name," "Naked," "Iris," "Slide" and "Dizzy." The 44-year-old realizes those tunes turned this relatively obscure punk-leaning band into an adult-contemporary, platinum and headlining act. The singer also admits his younger self wouldn't be a fan of his progression.

"Oh forget it � I was such an indie-rock-music snob when I was growing up," Rzeznik said. "I really didn't like Led Zeppelin until I was like 30, and then I listened and was like, �Holy (expletive), this music is insane.'."

Albeit from a hair-metal rocking beginning, the evolution of Bon Jovi into soccer mom act is similar to the Goo Goo Dolls transformation.

"I wish we were on the level of Bon Jovi," Rzeznik said. "We opened for those guys on one of their tours, and man, the guy brings it every night. I was never a Bon Jovi fan, either. But when you see it live, you're like, �Holy crap.' Whether you like it or not, you have to admit it was an event. With us, I'm just happy whenever somebody shows up to see us play."

http://news-herald.com/articles/2010/07/16/life/nh2724339.txt