Robby
when we play Buffalo. And outside of
that, it’s grown into a bunch of educational programming throughout the
Goo Dolls in 1987), we recorded it in a
couple of weeks at midnight sessions,
when there was nobody else in the studio. And then we set out to do the next
record, and I remember even then having conversations with John, like, “Oh,
man – are we gong too far? Are we
doing stuff we shouldn’t be doing?” But
our mantra was always, “Well, if we
don’t do this, we’re going to be really
angry about it when it’s all over. So let’s
make the changes we feel like we need
to make with the band, and we’ll see
where the chips land.” And that’s pretty much been our philosophy since the
11•2016
year, and we’ve got an amazing board
of directors that keep an eye on that
stuff, and some educational committees
that make things happen here in town,
And we do instrument drives and summer camps for kids – just cool, fun stuff
here in town. Quite honestly, if it
weren’t for a few folks here who are
passionate about it, I don’t know if I
could do it all because I’m gone so
much. But they really hold it together
for us.
IE: After huge power-ballad hits like
“Name” and “Iris,” people forget what
a frenetic punk rock band you guys were
in the beginning.
RT: Our first little punk rock record (Goo
beginning. So from record to record, it’s
not an insane leap. But if you start 30
years ago and listen to our first record,
and then listen to Boxes, obviously
something has happened during that
time – there’s been a progression. So
we’ve gotten the chance to do what a lot
of bands don’t get to do – spend 30
years figuring out just what we’re going
to do next. But I think it’s worked out
pretty good for us.
Appearing 11/9 at Genesee Theatre
Waukegan.
12 illinoisentertainer.com november 2016
Tom Lanham
L to R, Rzeznik, Malnin, Tekac - Goo Goo Dolls , circa 1989