Apparently opening for the Rolling Stones presents the same financial demands as going to see them. "As soon as we figured out how we were going to pay for it," said Goo Goo Dolls bassist Robby Takac, laughing, "that's about when we said yeas we'd be interested." Of course, the Buffalo rockers and recent Grammy nominees, who open the Stones' Fleet Center shows on Monday and Tuesday, were talking logistics, not the tour's $300 ticket prices. Then again, Takac said, "I'll probably have to stand, too." All kidding aside, Takac, calling from Los Angeles, said that opening for the Stones is "an honor just like the Grammys were. When it comes right down to it, you never think you're going to have a chance like that. Wehn it finally happens, I'm sure it's going to be really exciting." Unfortunatly, the rock trio, who open six shows for the Stones, had to settle for the honor of their three Grammy nods. Their sweeping hit ballad "Iris," from both "City Of Angels" soundtrack and their current album "Dizzy Up The Girl," recognized in the Record, Song and Group Pop catagories, failed to score a trophy. But they took it in stride with lead singer-lead guitarist Johnny Rzeznik spotted at post-show parties sporting a T-shirt inscribed, "I was nominated for three Grammys and all I got was this lousy T-shirt." Said Takac, "The synopsis of the day for me was we did probably 40 interviews on the way down the carpet and everyone asked about our suits, and I think maybe two people asked us about our songs." "Ultimately, it's pretty cheesy. The cool thing about it is the people who votedare in the music industry and that feels pretty cool, especially after all this time for people to tip their hat." All this time is right. 1998 was a breakthough year for the trio-which includes drummer Mike Malinin0with "Dizzy" going platinum and spawning top 10 hits such as "Iris" and "Slide." But the group has been sloggoing it out since 1986 hitting their first major peak 10 years later with the acoustic ballad "Named" in 1996. "I think there's (a) perception among a lot of people that we've made one record," said Takac of 'Dizzy." In fact, teh group has cut five previous records of their tuneful garage pop and culled a healthy following for their turbulent live shows. They could even teach the Rolling Stones a thing or two about touring. "We cicled the entire world in 28 days, Los Angeles to Los Angeles" said Takac of their recent whirlwind schedule. "We did Europe for two and a half weeks and Japan for six days and Australian for five, New Zealand for one and then we were back home to try on our suits and go to the Grammy's." Although they'ver suffered some grief at the hands of longtime fans who see the group's progression from their earlier, thrashier rock style to more refined, orchestral textures of "Iris" Takac can't be bothered. 'People freak out when you change your shoes," he said of die-hard fans crying sellout. "It's just bizarre, sometimes I wonder how someone like Madonna gets away with changing her style all the time. Everyone seems to sort of forgive her for it. I guess everyone anticipated it. I think with rock bands people are always afraid that you're going to turn into a bunch of (whimps) or you're going to go too far in one direction and ruin the rock vibe for them." But those are small worries for the band that Takac said is "buiser than we've ever, ever been." He doesn't picture the Goo Goo Dolls still kicking out the jams in their 50's, however. "I don't think so. I don't know about retirement but I'm sure I'll be doing something differently at that point. There's nothing more annoying than a 50-year-old rock guy." Like say the Rolling Stones? He laughs when replying, "You know they're different, they have formaldehyde of some sort." The Goo Goo Dolls open for the Rolling Stones at the FleetCenter Monday and Tuesday. Both shows are sold out.
By: Sarah Rodman