And the Band Plays On

InterviewJuly 22, 2011Press of Atlantic City

Singer and guitarist John Rzeznik, after fronting the Goo Goo Dolls for 25 years, has a simple formula for staying relevant. "We tour as much as possible," says Rzeznik, who appears with the band Saturday, July 23, at Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City.

"No matter what happens with the record industry, that's where we do really well. And that's still the best way to connect with the people that like your band."

Unlike most bands who hit their commercial stride early in their careers, these alternative rockers from Buffalo, N.Y., didn't really connect with the mainstream until the late '90s, with their chart-topping single, "Iris."

They have since tallied a series of hits, including "Slide," "Black Balloon," "Here Is Gone" and "Better Days," while keeping their place on radio.

Ahead of the Goo Goo Dolls' A.C. date, Rzeznik talks about the band's staying power, the challenges of the music business and why it's all worth it once he hits the stage every night.

Question: On your latest album, "Something for the Rest of Us" (Warner Bros.), the major theme is the uncertainty of the world. Is there any uncertainty about you and co-founder and bassist Robbie Takac staying together after 25 years?

Answer: I think our band will always be together in some way, shape or form. We're working on a new record right now. We want to be ready to go again. We still get our songs played on the radio, and still do well on tour, so why break up?

We learned over the years to control our egos, and we can either hang separately or together.

Q: How are you dealing with the continuing uncertainty in the music business?

A: It's one of those situations where you're like, "There's nothing I can do about it. Let them worry about it. I have my own world. I'm blessed enough to be able to keep working."

Q: But you're still on a big label. Is that working out for you?

A: As far as record deals go, it's pretty decent. There's good people there.

I'm going to say this because it's the absolute truth: The problem with the record business is that everyone at the top is too … greedy.

I'm lucky. I don't work with any of those people. The only reason they make millions of dollars a year is the artists make them that money. It's sad to see really great bands out there that can't get a break from their record company.

Q: Since you're still making new music, how do you stay true to your sound and keep things fresh?

A: I'm always trying to find a new way to bend it in some way. It's been a lot of fun. I'm writing songs with a bunch of different writers. It's a real learning experience.

I sit there with another songwriter, and we're collaborating on another piece of music. I think, "I never would have thought to do it that way." I'm expanding my own palette of ideas and tricks, so it's a great thing.

Q: For your live show, are you sticking by the tried-and-true arrangements or going for a change up?

A: I've got a lot of freedom in my day job. We're starting to bend the songs in slightly different versions. It's not going to be jazz or anything. We're pushing songs to make them unique live - you can't get this on an album.

Q: Sounds like the live shows are what make your "day job" work?

A: When you hit that stage, it's like, "All right, all the bets are off" - all the compromises are irrelevant, all the finagling and haggling is done.

It's always great to play songs people recognize. You hear people screaming. Wow, that's a rush.

Opening for the Goo Goo Dolls is singer-songwriter Michelle Branch ("Everywhere," "Are You Happy Now?"), who in September will release a new album called "West Coast Time" (Sticks N' Stones/Reprise).

Movie magic

For Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik, writing songs for the big screen has proven to be a rewarding yet humbling experience.

The band is represented on the "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" (left) soundtrack with "All That You Are," a song co-written by Rzeznik, and also had a track in the first "Transformers" movie.

One of the band's biggest hits, "Iris," was first released on the soundtrack to "City of Angels," before being included on the band's "Dizzy Up The Girl" album.

"It's interesting when you're working on a film. It's like you're a part of this giant machine, and you're this tiny little piece of it, and it's humbling," Rzeznik says. "Some dude in an office somewhere can go, 'Nah,' and you've worked on something for a month."

Still, Rzeznik hopes one day to write all the music for a movie.

"That's on the bucket list - I want to score a film," he says.

Goo Goo Dolls with opener Michelle Branch

WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday, July 23

WHERE: Showroom, Tropicana Casino and Resort, Atlantic City

HOW MUCH: Tickets, priced at $45, $65, $85 and $100, are available at Tropicana's box office or www.pressofatlanticcity.com/tickets

WEBSITE:www.googoodolls.com

Related