I recently crossed off one of my lifetime ambitions, I got to see the Goo Goo Dolls play a set at the O2 wireless festival on Sunday and they rocked or as Tukac put it 'Played great rock you can dance to'. 
As I grew up in Singapore and Malaysia, the influence on my music tastes were not that diverse considering that whatever talent or inspiration you were given was whatever their radio stations fed you. Having said that, i stumbled across the Goo around 1995 when 'Name' was receiving enough airplay and hype in the States to warrant the local pop radio station to play it late at night along with 'Peaches' by the Presidents of the USA and 'Hey man,nice shot' by Filter. It started a non specified legion of music fans with a liking for the genre 'Alternative Music' which had many levels but broken down simply to music that was alternative for the current style of the generation. On hearing 'Name' i was hooked, the opening acoustic arpeggiated intro created an image of lonely optimism that transcends the whole song all the way to the crescendo mini solo where Johnny Rzeniks guitar skills are subtly shown. Since then I have avidly followed their music as 'Dizzy up the girl', 'Gutterflower' and 'Let Love In' have never disappointed but always deepened my liking of the band and what they stand for. I have always had an affinity for college radio music, being that you identify it as a time when everything is possible and life can be anything you want it to be,Plus it stands for a time when jobs,mortgages,rent and other 'adult' problems are so distant.
As I grew up in Singapore and Malaysia, the influence on my music tastes were not that diverse considering that whatever talent or inspiration you were given was whatever their radio stations fed you. Having said that, i stumbled across the Goo around 1995 when 'Name' was receiving enough airplay and hype in the States to warrant the local pop radio station to play it late at night along with 'Peaches' by the Presidents of the USA and 'Hey man,nice shot' by Filter. It started a non specified legion of music fans with a liking for the genre 'Alternative Music' which had many levels but broken down simply to music that was alternative for the current style of the generation. On hearing 'Name' i was hooked, the opening acoustic arpeggiated intro created an image of lonely optimism that transcends the whole song all the way to the crescendo mini solo where Johnny Rzeniks guitar skills are subtly shown. Since then I have avidly followed their music as 'Dizzy up the girl', 'Gutterflower' and 'Let Love In' have never disappointed but always deepened my liking of the band and what they stand for. I have always had an affinity for college radio music, being that you identify it as a time when everything is possible and life can be anything you want it to be,Plus it stands for a time when jobs,mortgages,rent and other 'adult' problems are so distant. The Goos create great radio music and epitomise alternative rock in the late 90s as'Iris'(the one song everybody knows) dominated the airwaves along with 'Slide' and 'Black Balloon'. On Sunday they rocked the stage with the above hits among others such as 'Broadway' 'Stay with you' and 'Let Love in'. The crowd braving the impending thunderstorm sang in delight to all the hits as Johnny and Robbie reeled of their best stuff and even showcased a new song which smacks of 'Better Days' so should be a hit with Goo fans.
All in all, it was a great day out, the counting crows were on the bill as well but after seeing the Goos I was shattered as the set ended with the Grey sky looming ever ominous and Johnny taking a break for the last verse of 'Iris' for the crowd to sing in unison which led to a crescendo of lights and music and Johnny running over to thank the fans. The Goos sing about love, loss and hope though as always, music is interpreted by the individual but in years to come I hope that The Goo Goo Dolls can be recognised as more than just a college radio band or as a replacement for 'The Replacements' as they are so much more than that, they are a great rock band. Johnny's lyrics aswell as his voice sound out a greater meaning for the band, but it doesn't really matter what happens as they have influenced my musical life for the better and the chance to see them live is indescribable. Rock On.
All in all, it was a great day out, the counting crows were on the bill as well but after seeing the Goos I was shattered as the set ended with the Grey sky looming ever ominous and Johnny taking a break for the last verse of 'Iris' for the crowd to sing in unison which led to a crescendo of lights and music and Johnny running over to thank the fans. The Goos sing about love, loss and hope though as always, music is interpreted by the individual but in years to come I hope that The Goo Goo Dolls can be recognised as more than just a college radio band or as a replacement for 'The Replacements' as they are so much more than that, they are a great rock band. Johnny's lyrics aswell as his voice sound out a greater meaning for the band, but it doesn't really matter what happens as they have influenced my musical life for the better and the chance to see them live is indescribable. Rock On.
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