From the Vaults at Brainchild- We talk to the Goo Goo Dolls

"Name" had been one of last summer's mega-hits, making the Goo Goo Dolls one of rock's most exciting new artists, right? Wrong. The band had been touring almost non-stop for nine years prior to their breakout last year. The band is not bitter about the long road to stardom. "If it would've happened when I was 19, when I started the band, I probably would've been dead. The best times have been since we started touring for this album," said Johnny Rzeznik, singer-guitarist in an interview with Brainchild.

With "A Boy Named Goo," the band's fifth full length album, the band has finally found the success that escaped them for years. The band had a good base of fans from their previous albums and tours with such bands as the Replacements and Soul Asylum, but it wasn't until this album that the Goo Goo Dolls became household names."As much as it makes it a little easier when you're together for a long time, there's a lot of baggage that comes along as well," said bassist Robby Takac from a hotel in Tennessee.

The Buffalo trio is now trying to achieve a new goal. "Everything is about having 'the song' now," explains Takac. "We're trying desperately to avoid that rock and roll graveyard of one hit wonders." Takac reflected upon today's music industry, which has produced more than it's share of buzz bin bands who have simply faded out. "It's not as career oriented anymore. I think a lot of people just want to make their money and get out of the business," said Takac. "We're in it for the long haul."

Although the band expected success with their previous album, 1993's "Superstar Car Wash," the sudden rise of "Name" was less than expected. "To be honest, the success of 'Name' totally surprised me," laughed Takac, "I mean, you wish for it to happen, but when it finally does it blows you away." The song's success has been partially credited to high school and college age listeners being able to relate to lyrics like "You grew up way too fast/Now there's nothing to believe/And reruns all become our history." Singer Rzeznik explains."Every single feeling is so intense, every moment means everything when you're younger. When you get to be older, out of sheer necessity, you become slightly numb to a lot of the world around you." Rzeznik, who had just celebrated his birthday the night prior to the interview, went on to say "I think as you get older, the world loses it's sheen pretty quickly once you get into the real world. That's what 'Name' is about- thinking back to the time that was."

The band followed up "Name" with the single "Naked," which is more about Rzeznik's own confrontation with his soul. As opposed to the acoustic stylings of "Name," "Naked" is a brutal guitar rocker about "being naked inside your fear." Takac, who also sings in the band, says the trio seeks to broaden it's fan base even further in the future. "I know that there's two different kinds of people out there. People whose lives revolve around music and people who just hear it," said Takac. "We try to relate to everyone."