Feb 02 2025 51 mins 26
John Rzeznik and Robbie Takac of The Goo Goo Dolls discuss their early punk rock roots, record labels, writing unexpected mega-hits, their harrowing plane crash, vinyl reissues and lots more.
Topics Include:
- John recently recovered from pneumonia and multiple hand surgeries
- Goo Goo Dolls were heavily influenced by punk rock
- They listened extensively to The Replacements and Hüsker Dü
- Band started by renting VFW halls for shows
- First record cost $750 on Mercenary Records
- They signed contracts despite lawyer's warning not to
- Metal Blade discovers and signs band
- Learned touring lessons watching mistakes of other bands
- Being rejected by their favourite labels – SST & Twin Tone
- Band's sound evolved away from early punk style
- "Name" unexpectedly became their first big hit
- Legal issues followed success of "A Boy Named Goo"
- John retreated to LA hotel during difficult period
- "Iris" and the "City of Angels" soundtrack
- "Iris" released year before "Dizzy Up The Girl"
- Taylor Swift later covered "Iris"
- Survived plane crash in Sicily during USO tour
- Pilot attempted landing multiple times in storm
- Band got drunk to fly home next day
- John took up skydiving to overcome flying fear
- Initially feared appearing on Howard Stern's show
- Relationship with Stern's show improved over time
- John doesn't collect vinyl or music memorabilia
- Robbie runs Good Charamel Records label
- John collects vintage recording equipment instead
- Band criticizes Spotify's payment model
- Few B-sides exist because John discards incomplete songs
- Covered Lime Spiders song – will be on upcoming release
- Record store clerks were important musical mentors
- “A Boy Named Goo” 30th anniversary edition coming
- Australian tour planned for February
- Playing seven Australian cities on upcoming tour
- John grew up on greatest hits albums
- Learned to appreciate Led Zeppelin at age 50
Tickets and vinyl available here!
Commercial free, high resolution verion of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide
Listen on Apple: https://apple.co/2Y6ORU0
Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/36qhlc8
