We recently interviews the members of the rock group The Goo Goo Dolls-singer guitarist Johnny Rzeznik, Bass player Robby Takac and drummer Mike Malinin. Their cd Dizzy Up Teh Girl produced two hit singles "Iris" & "Slide". They allowed us to do the interview on their bus, it was neat.
Q: How did you get the name Goo Goo Dolls?
Robby: We found it in a comic book. At the time we were a really loud, fast band. Now I'm a 34-year-old Goo Goo Doll and it's weird.
Q: How did your band get together?
Johnny: We met eachother in college. We just kept at it. I guess that's how you get anything you want, just keep doing it even if you don't succeed. Hopefully some will start paying you for it.
Q: When you first performed how did it feel?
Johnny: It felt like we were making new friends. It was alot of fun to hang out and play music with people that I had things in common with.
Robby: Well I was scared, I felt like Superman. It was like a club that we had put together.
Q: What took you so long to make it to the top?
Johnny: It was a slow build. Each record sold a few more copies, but they were never a commercial success, but then we had a hit with "Name" in 1995 and then the soundtrack of City Of Angles got popular, then we recorded Dizzy Up The Girl.
Q: How was it touring with the Rolling Stones?
Mike: It's fun, especially when Mick Jagger walks into your dressing room and starts hanging out.
Q: How do you feel when you hear "Iris" or "Slide" being played on a radio station?
Johnny: I get happy, then turn it off.
Rooby: Yeah, you don't want to be caught driving around listening to your own band.
Q: How does it feel to have fans love you?
Johnny: It feels good. It's nice to be appreciated for what you do, but people only know one part of you, and that's what they know about you. I don't think they actually love me, I think they love what I do and there's a big difference.
Q: Do you have any advice for kids that want to because professinal musicians?
Johnny: You have to find music that you like, find an instrument that you like to play and that you can connect with, and you have to stick to it. Don't listen to anyone that might criticize you and tell you that you aren't going to make it. As long as you love what you're doing, and it makes you feel good, do it. That's all that matters.