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HOME : NEWS : STORY ARTISTS A to Z Goo Goo Dolls Make a Name For A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R Themselves S T U V W X Y Z Goo Goo The story of the Goo Goo Dolls is Dolls Search not a fairy tale. Not by any means. A to Z

Home Sure, it's got humble beginnings Main CD Reviews in a working class town. It's got Articles the Prince Charming character, Biography Contests played by a KROQ program Buy MP3s Cover Story director, who lifts them out of Buy CDs Games obscurity. It's got the hit that puts Discography Message Boards them on the charts after years of Links MP3 & More hard work. But no detail of the tale is sexy or Message Boards spectacular. It's all a touch above average, never Photos News quite vaulting to a new height. To hear front man Trivia Photos Johnny Rzeznik tell it, the story is more like a text Clubs RS Radio book. Tix & Tours Videos Rockers take note, he's got a lot to teach. Webcasts Rzeznik, and current bandmates bassist Robby News Gn'R Plan New Takac and drummer are a three-piece Years Return BUY rock machine. They don't try to hide it and they MP3s don't want to be anything but a rock band. It's a Digital Music Bloodhound Gang CDs formula that finally worked for them. Cancel Idaho Show Due to SERVICES Success does not come overnight for the vast Contact Us Police Pressure Newsletter majority of bands. It took almost a decade before Tools & Help the Goo Goo Dolls had a real hit single in 1995's U2 Remembers "Name," from their fifth , . the Ramones in They were on the road for much of that time. "It took New York so long for that record [Name] to break. We played more than 400 shows on that album," Rzeznik said Sisqo, Destiny's from his home in Buffalo. Child Win Big at the Billboard When it broke, it didn't signal some drastic change MAGAZINE Music Awards Subscribe in their career on stage. "We were opening for Bush Renew (I can't believe we did that). Nobody knew who we Really Randoms: Back Issues were until we played that song. Then everybody Beck, A Perfect Gifts stopped throwing shoes at us for a second, but as Circle Customer Service soon as Name was over they started throwing shoes again." Moby, Weezer to Play KROQ Email Our Editors "You guys like Bush," Rzeznik joked. "I should Acoustic RS Events throw something back." Affiliate Program Christmas

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Email This URL Nor have continued success with "Long Way Down" Backstreet Boys from the movie Twister and "Lazy Eye" off the SPECIAL OFFERS Hold Off Beatles Click here for High Batman and Robin soundtrack changed life off the for Second Week School Photos of Celebs stage. "I live in the same town. I moved up the street a little bit. My life is ruled by a dog," Click to Swap CDs News Search Win a Palm Pilot comments Rzeznik, not about his wife Laurie, but his golden lab Chloe. "Every morning I get up and I Apply for an Aria Visa have to mop up a puddle of pee." Click Here

Click to sync MP3's On all Rzeznik cautions younger bands to keep everything your devices! in perspective and take it slow. A bad decision can costs years of pain -- and legal problems. "You have Win a 2001 VW Beetle Click Here! to be patient and you have to have faith in what you do. If one A&R guy comes knocking on your door, five more will follow."

The Goo Goo Dolls just wrapped up a nasty lawsuit with their first label, Metal Blade which taught them something they wish they had known at the outset. "You have to have proper legal advice before you decide to try and make your living playing . Don't ask a divorce lawyer for advice about the music industry. Get yourself an ENTERTAINMENT lawyer. (caps left in at Rzeznik's request)."

But after all the hardship of the real rock n roll lifestyle... the one lived on a tour bus playing state fairs to pay the rent ... Rzeznik still has faith. "There are a lot of great bands that will never get their chance to be heard because of the way the industry is set up and that's just the way with everything. But I really, really... I gotta believe that if you're talented, if you're really talented and you really put forth the effort you're gonna do well. You might not be Bono, but you'll do well."

That's the approach Rzeznik himself takes. "If I take my guitar and write a good song and mean it, there's always a place for it."

But he's been around to learn that there is no permanency in this business. That place might not always be at the top of the charts. As he and the rest of the Goo Goo Dolls work in the studio on their next album (target date spring '98) they're being realistic about the expectations. Rzeznik says he's not out to write another 'Name' but he's "perfectly aware that the road ahead is paved littered with the carcasses of bands who had one big record and then BOOM!"

But they're going to keep going. Once the album is out it'll be back on the road for them. In the meantime they still play gigs around, to pay the bills. "I keep my toiletry bag parked on the side of http://www.rollingstone.com/sections/news/text/newsarticle.asp?afl=&NewsID=5231&LookUpString=210 Page 2 of 3 RollingStone.com: Goo Goo Dolls 11/2/01 10:01 AM

the vanity. I haven't hung my tooth brush up yet," said Rzeznik.

If they keep on the track they're on, the next chapter should be a positive one. It will still remain a hard road for these rockers, even now that they've got their Name.

MATT CARMICHAEL

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