Goo Goo Dolls are unplugged at Wharton

InterviewApril 17, 2014Lansing State Journal

While many late-’90s, early 2000s music fans were tuning into the bubblegum pop of Britney Spears or hard rock/rap rage of Korn, a new breed of rock acts were working their way into the music history books.

Melodic rockers that mixed rock, pop and alternative jetted to the top of the charts, selling millions of albums and concert tickets along the way.

Goo Goo Dolls were at the head of the pack with memorable songs such as “Iris,” “Name,” “Black Balloon,” “Big Machine” and “Slide.”

Bass player and founding member Robby Takac says it’s impossible to compare that time to what the music industry looks like today.

“The music industry is nothing like what it was when we started,” he said. “The Internet has affected our lives in general drastically, and it did a real number on the music industry.

“A lot of people are able to enjoy many different kinds of music now, more than before, and it’s changed the landscape of how the business works and how artists survive.”

Today, Takac and frontman John Rzeznik still are going strong. Goo Goo Dolls’ tenth studio album, 2013’s “Magnetic,” debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart.

The guys have kept busy on the road, too. Last year, they co-headlined a blockbuster tour with Matchbox 20. This summer, they’re touring amphitheaters with Daughtry and Plain White T’s.

Goo Goo Dolls perform a special, acoustic show — dubbed “The Otis Midnight Sessions” — on Wednesday at the Wharton Center in East Lansing. The show is sold out, but the band will be back in Michigan in July, bringing their plugged-in rock show to DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston.

Before the gig, Takac spoke with us about what it’s like making music with Goo Goo Dolls for 25-plus years and what makes “Magnetic” stand out from the rest of the band’s catalog.

Q: What’s it like performing and writing music with Johnny for so long?

A: It’s all I’ve ever done, really! Like with any other relationship, you have great days and weird days. It all depends on your relationship and making sure everybody is happy. We’ve known each other since we were kids, and the longer you know somebody, the longer you’re learning about them, and the better you get at that relationship.

Q: Let’s talk about your latest studio album, “Magnetic.” How is this album different from the Goo Goo Dolls’ previous releases?

A: It’s our latest record in a long string of records. We worked with a lot of different producers on this record, and I think it made for a pretty varied record, and it’s probably more varied than most of the albums in the past. It’s a cool way to make a record. There’s less pressure then when you’re sitting there with one guy who has 10 or 15 songs. You can take it one song at a time, complete a thought and move on.

Q: Where did you get the idea for this acoustic tour?

A: John (Rzeznik, singer) thought it would be a great idea to try. He’s been talking about it for years. We had never really done a full tour like this; we’ve done a few shows, but we’ve never gone out on the road to perform acoustically. All the ducks fell in a row this time. We’re super excited.

Q: What selection of music will you play at Wharton?

A: It’s pretty cool, because we’re pulling out some really old stuff. We’re playing some songs we haven’t played in 15 years. It’s all pretty broken down, with no electric instruments at all. We’ll also break out some of our less embarrassing stories throughout the years.

Q: So, this will be in a “story tellers” format?

A: Yeah, because once we get going, you can’t get us to stop talking! (Laughs) I’m sure there will be a story or two.

Q: What’s next for Goo Goo Dolls?

A: It’s going to be more of the same. It’s great that after all these years we can keep doing what we do and keep moving forward. It’s what Goo Goo Dolls do!

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