Wow. I wrote this almost 3 years ago during my freshman year at college (which explains the room mate situation) and I just thought I would share it with you. I've been working on a post about how the Goo Goo Dolls have evolved over the years in terms of their music and so I thought it would be fun to just to throw this one up. Enjoy!
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Hello everyone. Looks like I'm back. I took a bit of a break there at the beginning of the term, well deserved, and now here I am, getting ready to move out! Ah! Wait, that's not for a couple weeks yet. Anyways, back on track.
It seems like lately my room mate has decided that she's going "punk". I don't know about you, but a white, middle class, sorority girl sporting a CBGB's shirt has about as much right to call herself "punk" as I do dreading my hair and calling myself a rasta. *horrid Jamaican accent* Isn't that right mon? Ok ok, I'll back off. The other day I was listening to (in my opinion) the best band of all time: the Goo Goo Dolls. But not one of their current cds, I'm talking about the classic, 1980's releases. So while rocking out to a rousing chorus of "Road to Salinas", my room mate pipes in and says, "wow, these guys are so punk!" I swear I wanted to punch myself in the face. She hardly even gives the band the time of day, but then, when she hears that they could be in any way tied to the punk persona, she immediatley thinks they're cool. And that's what bothers me.
Frankly the fact that she judged the band by only listening to their current stuff is not that shocking, because most people don't even know that the Goos have been around since the mid 80's. It really is something to be appreciated that a group like them, who have been through so much in their careers could still be around today. However, much like cockroaches and Cher, I believe the Goos are going to be with us for a long time to come. God bless them.
What gives them this incredible longevity? I think it can be attributed to two people. John Rzeznik, the guitar man, and Robby Takac, the bass man. These two have seen each other through the darkest of times, and their professional and private relationship with each other is something that most people could only dream of having with any individual on this planet. But wait, there's a third member of the band, you say? Of course. How could I have forgotten Mike Malinin, the amazing man in control of the skins of the Goos? Fear not, I have not forgotten him.
But first, lets talk a little about the boys as musicians. I think it's safe to say that they are not the greatest that will ever play their chosen instruments, but, together, they have created music that is definitely one of a kind. John is an amazing, self taught guitarist. And his writing reflects that raw energy that he has from honing and earning his craft on his own. Guitar players around the world know what I'm talking about, because John writes in a key that is his alone. He seems to completely disregard the rules of song writing that so many others trod before him. And that rocks.
With John's guitar skills we can move over to his partner in crime, little Robby with his bass. Like John, Robby plays with a style that is his own, and he shows little mercy to himself as he throws himself about a stage, completely engrossed and lost in his playing. There are few bass players in the world who get as into it as he does. Robby is of the few who know how important his job as a bassist is. He knows that he provides that rich, dark, base for the guitar work to sit on. Without proper support the whole thing would fall apart. (I know this because I played tuba throughout my years and have had the pleasure of experiencing this first hand). And Robby knows this about his instrument, but he doesn't let it go to his head. He also prefers to play barefoot because he wants to be able to feel the music all the way through his body and down to his bones. And that rocks.
Now here we come to Mike. I told you I wouldn't forget. Mike is actually the second man to fill the drummer seat in the band. The first being George Tutuska who formed the band with John and Robby in 1985 but who departed 10 years later. One thing that you notice immediatley about Mike is that he doesn't seem to say much. In any interview that comes out, Mike definitely has the least amount of talk time among the three. But the thing is, Mike doesn't have to talk to let the world know that he's awesome. He simply sits behind his drums, and his hands and feet do the talking for him. No one can disagree when you say that Mike is an awesomely amazing drummer. And if they do, they obviously haven't heard him very well. Mike has this amazing way of owning his drums, and when you watch him, you know that a master is at work. And that rocks.
Not only do the Goos have talent and chemistry, but they've got work ethic like no other. They've been known to tour for two straight years, without even thinking twice. Well, they probably did think twice, but you wouldn't know it from them. They give their all for every performance, every appearance, and every encounter with fans because they know how much they mean to the legions of those who love them. I know that before I have spouted the praises and bewilderment on fans of Clay Aiken, saying that he's got a great fan base. But when it comes to those who are self proclaimed Goobers, there is no other fan that even comes close in comparison. The Goos elcite such an emotional response from their fans that it's impossible for us not to respond with anything except our undying love. The songs that have been written by this band touch something in, and mean something to, anyone who listens to them. It doesn't matter if you are a Goober or not. Everyone can find something in their lyrics that they can relate to. And that is an amazing feat. I know that their are thousands, possibly millions, out there who (myself included) owe the Goos our life. They have helped so many in dark times, that they deserve a medal. But, failing that, we give them our deepest thanks and gratitude, showering them with our appreciation and love every chance that we get.
We Goobers may not be as mobile or "freak-out-ish" as fans of other groups, but we do have something very special. While we adore our band, we know that they adore us right back. It's a love-love relationship that gives us all something to connect with. Fans of the Goos have also jumped on the band wagon of many important causes, forming their own groups, such as the Goo Goo Dolls Fans For Peace group that is very active, and many people participating in Rock the Vote and other such groups that are geared at making change in politics by getting people to take their responsibilities as voters more seriously. And that rocks.
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