The Goo Goo Dolls interview with Robby Takac
Sometimes you've got to go home to find yourself. A sentiment that runs deep and rings true for The Goo Goo Dolls who spent the long cold winter of 2005 recording their 8th album, Let Love In.
With tours and acclaim worldwide, sold out shows, non profit participation and the remembrance of where they came from, GGD have left a mark that has graced the hearts of many. A few weeks back, Robby Takac called into AAM to talk about the summer tour, the new release and yup, you guessed it... Myspace...
AAM: Let Love In just dropped a couple months ago, how are you feeling about its success so far?
RT: I think that ya know after being in this band for the amount of time I’ve been in it, I’ve realized that were not the type of band whose record comes out of the gate and sells 100,000 copies, that’s not the type of band we are, we move forward, at this point as weird as it sounds, I feel hey we got a new record out lets go out and do it! We just got back from Europe and sold about 12,000 tickets in London, all the shows sold out...
AAM: Looks like the recording process was therapeutic and inspirational. Does any moment stick out where you knew without a doubt going back home to record was the right move for you guys to make?
RT: We tried to put ourselves in a place where were going to make an honest statement as people about where the band is at. The fog of the industry so far and the people who are solely concerned with what your progress is going to be like say ‘over the next 6 wks’, well to be honest we feel its best to stay away from that... So we went and set up shop in the Mansonic ballroom and it was just super... Ultimately I really believe when you are making a record you have to trust that other person you bring into the mix and that’s what makes it work.
AAM: You guys are gearing up to tour with the Counting Crows, have you guys shared a bill before and whose choice was it to have them as support?
RT: There are 3 bands, not sure what the opening band is the like, but we will be out all summer. We have played on bills with CC before and we had a couple ideas this time around so we moved forward with that. The Counting Crows are one of the bands that go out in the summer, and we figure it’s a notoriously good time for shows in the summer, they have a lot of song writing background and we felt it was a compatible bill.
AAM: The band is doing a lot of promo in support of the new album, any shows or moments that are especially memorable to you so far?
RT: Playing the Brigston Academy sold out in London was a huge thing, 2 nights in a row was a blast! We’ve been having a great time in Europe, our promo tour in the states was 6 wks, I feel right now, the tour is just getting started.
AAM: I noticed you have a personal Myspace page. What are your thoughts on My space? Do you think it’s a good way to stay connected with your fans?
RT: I think its amazing, just like regular life when you do this for a living, you have to filter things out, it’s become a great way for bands and people as well to do that. We are living in a culture of fear, people are scared to meet other people, I think as far as networking goes and being able to stay in touch, it’s a great way to reach out to people.
AAM: I know you are married, what’s it like being away from your wife when you are on the road? Does she stay home or join you?
RT: I met my wife while I was touring, she was in Japan, we kept in touch over the years, she’s very independent and self motivated, we found a very harmonious relationship. I am very happy about it.
AAM: When you guys are in your writing process, did you find the inspiration just came to you or was it actually an album you had to sit down and really put some time and thought into?
RT: I think the inspiration for the record in general is more having a sort of a document kind of explaining what’s gone on in our lives since the last record. For us it’s just the next series of documents, explanations, excuses, whatever it takes to get the next record out there...
AAM: Did you ever think you’d be at the level of success you are it and is it any different than you thought it would be?
RT: Absolutely different, I was from the school of Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones, they all had castles, I don’t! I don’t know what happened! Everything is different, you want to be on TV, you get on TV, you realize nothing is what it seems, the walls are 1 inch thick and you can stick your finger through them. I still wake up every morning and feel blessed, that I’m actually in a band that for whatever the reason, we’ve been able to survive over the years...
AAM: Leave your fans with one thought...
RT: Id like to mention we are working on this tour with a place called USA Harvest and they collect canned goods for local homeless shelters. We raised about 1 million meals last tour and this year we are looking to do more. Please bring some non perishable food items from your cupboard to the tour and help someone else out! Stan Curtis, who heads this up is a great guy! He makes sure everything gets to right place and food is given out that night or the next day. I hope everyone comes out and has a blast at the shows!
Interview by Noele Shannon
