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Triest
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A Goo Goo Doll takes exception
« on: Sep 1st, 2006, 8:53am » |
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Rock Music Menu: A Goo Goo Doll takes exception
By MICHAEL CHRISTOPHER
09/01/2006
Last week was a bit atypical of the reader response I normally receive when trashing a band. You might recall the condemnation given to Goo Goo Dolls, who played at the Tweeter Center Friday with another middle of the road pop act, Counting Crows.
Bassist and Goo Goo Dolls co-founder Robby Takac wrote in to let me know I was "A silly, silly man" for my portrayal of his band.
In all honesty, it’s pretty hard to knock the guy, because as a sometime singer and songwriter for the group, he is responsible for some of its only redeeming songs in recent years, including "Smash," and especially the ultra catchy "January Friend" from 1998’s "Dizzy Up the Girl."
In ensuing e-mail exchanges, he was a pretty good sport, and seemed to be genuinely offended by the barbs directed at Goo Goo Dolls, calling it "gratuitous bashing" and thanking me for "making us feel like losers."
Apparently I’m the one who lost out, as Takac pointed out 18,000 strong showed up to support the group and "had a great time" on the Camden Waterfront.
He also sarcastically expressed gratitude for my "Saving anyone else’s evening~who may have been on the fence about coming out and supporting some cool music they really enjoy."
I wonder if maybe more people might’ve shown up for the show had they not had to spend the $30 basically to access the official Goo Goo Doll Web site, and show they are true devotees of the band and join the "Inner Machine" fan club. This isn’t one of your typical, get some cool stuff thing either. If you want to have any interaction whatsoever with fellow admirers of these guys, you need to shell out the bucks for a year subscription for exclusive content - like a message board; something most artists offer for free (though tour mates Counting Crows aren’t one of them).
Quite an interesting option when you consider this is one of those bands who supposedly are all about its fans.Oh that’s right; upon joining the club, you can always register for a chance to meet members of the band when they come to your town.
It’s just one more aspect that points to aging not so gracefully, especially when your demographic becomes the audience who makes time each week for the VH-1 Top 20 Countdown, one that can afford to dispense income for an opportunity to read a band member’s tour diary.
Let me save you some cash, as this is what a standard entry might read: "Played (insert random town) tonight, crowd was the best, they really had a good time. We always love playing here.[Insert random bandmember’s name] had the sniffles last night -- that’s why he couldn’t make the meet and greet after the concert, and was truly bummed out about it. Looking forward to tomorrow night’s show and seeing all of you out there. Thanks for the support!"
There’s obviously better ways to drop 30 bucks.
Takac told me to think twice about saying this in public, and I did, but it’s true; I’d rather be "silly, silly man" than be in a silly, silly band.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17138273&BRD=1675&PAG= 461&dept_id=18179&rfi=6
Stay True & Rock On!
Triest
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| « Last Edit: Sep 1st, 2006, 8:57am by Triest » |
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Silvergirl
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Re: A Goo Goo Doll takes exception
« Reply #1 on: Sep 1st, 2006, 9:01am » |
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ooh this guy is such a putz!
grrrr this guy seriously needs to get a real job
what a real credit to his craft (sarcastic)
T~
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YoursGOOLY
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Re: A Goo Goo Doll takes exception
« Reply #2 on: Sep 1st, 2006, 9:34am » |
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 Here was my reply to him:
So you never mentioned how you spend your $30? Perhaps you could apply it toward a journalism class. The Goo Goo Dolls have more talent in their pinky finger than you have in your whole body...Speaking of fingers, can you guess which one I have for chosen for you?
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Shannon
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Re: A Goo Goo Doll takes exception
« Reply #3 on: Sep 1st, 2006, 9:49am » |
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Way to go Robby for taking action and saying something!
This guy is definitely an idiot! 
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| « Last Edit: Sep 1st, 2006, 9:51am by Shannon » |
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nmf016
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Re: A Goo Goo Doll takes exception
« Reply #4 on: Sep 1st, 2006, 1:49pm » |
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The article Robby would have most likely been responding to is:
Quote:Upcoming Shows
It's revenge of the late '90s mid-tempo rock tonight with the double-bill of Counting Crows and Goo Goo Dolls at the Tweeter Center.
Hmm ... which fish in the barrel gets shot first? Opener Goo Goo Dolls are the most susceptible, because they come off as so fake. Here's a band who built up a small but loyal following on the punk/indie rock scene before unexpectedly hitting it big with the smash "Name" in 1995.
The song, with it impassioned vocals over heavy-handed acoustic strumming marked a farewell to stinking vans that breakdown regularly and hello to spacious tour buses and the world of pop stardom.
The funniest part of it all is hearing singer Johnny Rzeznik whining about how dark his depression got when he got writer's block trying to come up with a hit single follow-up to "Name." What he was basically admitting to is not being able to write a sappy ballad - because that's not the type of music Goo Goo Dolls write. He found a cash cow, but was having trouble feeding it.
Eventually, Rzeznik came up with the hit "Iris" for the bad Meg Ryan movie "City of Angels." Since then, these one-time Replacements wannabes have traded in its style, original fans and true song craft for something irresistible to soccer moms everywhere: the earnest pop ballad.
And whenever Rzeznik gets a bit of the old writer's block, he can always pillage another worn out piece of cheese like he did earlier this year, covering Supertramp's tired chestnut "Give a Little Bit."
At least Counting Crows can never be called "sell-outs," with his are-they-aren't-they-real dreads, Adam Duritz and those other guys since day one have made hit after hit featuring something that sounds like a whiny Van Morrison sending odes to lost loves, cold winter months and rain kings. Perfect music for a "Friends" episode, which is probably why the singer dated not just Rachel but Monica, too.
Unfortunately, these birds are committing the classic blunder in touring continuously without a record to promote. The only crows that can do that are Black Crowes. Recently, a "best of" was put out (way before its time), followed by a live release; so come on now - at what point does a band do nothing but tour on past triumphs? It's been four years already. The hardcore fans all have the live souvenir, take some time off the road and get cracking on something new.
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From reading both articles I must say I'm on the fence about how I feel about it all. I think the critic did some really pointless bashing and I think some of his points don't follow through (He criticizes the band for charging $30 for the member site, which might make those fans unable to attend the concerts, but then says their demographic has shifted from the ultra cool hipster people to soccer moms with money to spend). I also think it's unfortunate that this critic has now written 2 articles about the Goos because they were playing a local concert, but didn't actually attend the concert or review it. He has spent much less time being a 'rock critic' than just talking about the history or business choices the band has made in these articles.
At the same time, though I question some of the critic's continuity and complete understanding of the features of the IM, I do agree with the criticism of it. I don't think my opinions are validated by this critic, but it's nice to see someone outside of the Goo community who understands the huge mistake I think the Goos have made by making a paid fansite.
As for Robby, I wish he wouldn't take such things so personally. This is not the first time he has mentioned his annoyance over criticism. I'm sure it gets old to hear overwhelming criticism so frequently and from the article it seems like he responded to it with some grace, but isn't it enough to convince yourself that 18,000 people's opinions don't agree with this guy? Also, a person who so openly criticizes the government, etc, on his very popular public blog should be able to take a little. I'm not saying he doesn't have a right to respond, but I don't see why he seems to be so shocked that criticism, whether valid or not, exists.
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Christina
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Re: A Goo Goo Doll takes exception
« Reply #5 on: Sep 2nd, 2006, 7:10pm » |
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on Sep 1st, 2006, 1:49pm, the red o wrote:
As for Robby, I wish he wouldn't take such things so personally. This is not the first time he has mentioned his annoyance over criticism. I'm sure it gets old to hear overwhelming criticism so frequently and from the article it seems like he responded to it with some grace, but isn't it enough to convince yourself that 18,000 people's opinions don't agree with this guy? Also, a person who so openly criticizes the government, etc, on his very popular public blog should be able to take a little. I'm not saying he doesn't have a right to respond, but I don't see why he seems to be so shocked that criticism, whether valid or not, exists. |
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I haven't had the time to read the article(s), though I glanced over the first one in this thread and this is what struck me, too. It just seems really bizarre that Robby is taking everything critics say so personally all of a sudden... he's been in a band for 20 years now, and a highly criticized one at that. He's never (publicly) gone off on a critic before, and yet he's done it at least twice since this album came out. Why?? Don't get me wrong, he's got every right to be angered/frustrated/disappointed/etc., but to confront somebody about it in a slightly snippy manner ("you're a silly, silly man"? Trying to make the writer take back his opinion by pulling the "thanks for making me feel like poo" card?) is not what I would've expected from somebody that's been able to ignore critics for so long. It's pretty immature, IMO.
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surfergirlnj
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fu7mc6eoflRe: A Goo Goo Doll takes exception
« Reply #6 on: Sep 2nd, 2006, 10:06pm » |
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This was my reply to this critic:
I am sure by now you are getting bombarded with emails blasting you about your recent review of the Goo Goo Dolls concert at the Tweeter Center on Friday night.
I was one of the 18,000 people that attended the Goo Goo Dolls concert. I actually took my 17 year old niece for her birthday (we are also both Counting Crows fans). We had 6 row seats, Robby's side of the stage and I beg to differ with your review of the concert.
I am not a teeny bopper, nor am I an obsessed fan. I am a professional retail installation manager for the #1 card company in the country, so I consider myself a very intelligent and creative person. I have listened to the Goo Goo Dolls for years, as I have the Counting Crows, and I enjoyed the concert very much, as did my niece. I was disappointed in the Crows, though, because after the energy of the Goo's, it was a little hard to get into the melancholy music of the Crows. I
I am also not anyone who would normally join anyone's fan club, but I did join Inner Machine. I enjoy logging on and reading the blog , looking at the pics they post, and chuckling at some of the very creative comments that fans post (you might get some insight about them and the people who follow their music --the gamut seems to run from the very young to the very old.). If you were at the concert than you saw the age diversity of the audience, something you don't see at many rock shows.
The Goo's have aged gracefully and they should be proud of the fact that they keep their personal lives personal, and respect and protect, those that are near and dear to them. There are way to many pompous ass rock stars out there, nowadays, who parade their lives around in every tabloid and trash magazine that will listen. This band is not about that and never has been.
Your job wanted post could read: Dumb Ass Loser Critic, with big chip on shoulder who despises, aging gracefully, rock bands whose demographic audience ranges from the young to the middle aged, looking for my next band, that I really know nothing about, to talk sh*t about!!!
It was worth spending $30.00 bucks just to see this thread and be able to tell you to get a guitar, take some lessons, write some songs, find some friends (if you have any), start a band, get a fan club, and call me to write a review of your first gig.
Take a hike!!!!!
surfergirl
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Shannon
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Re: fu7mc6eoflRe: A Goo Goo Doll takes exception
« Reply #7 on: Sep 3rd, 2006, 1:24am » |
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on Sep 2nd, 2006, 10:06pm, surfergirlnj wrote:This was my reply to this critic:
I am sure by now you are getting bombarded with emails blasting you about your recent review of the Goo Goo Dolls concert at the Tweeter Center on Friday night.
I was one of the 18,000 people that attended the Goo Goo Dolls concert. I actually took my 17 year old niece for her birthday (we are also both Counting Crows fans). We had 6 row seats, Robby's side of the stage and I beg to differ with your review of the concert.
I am not a teeny bopper, nor am I an obsessed fan. I am a professional retail installation manager for the #1 card company in the country, so I consider myself a very intelligent and creative person. I have listened to the Goo Goo Dolls for years, as I have the Counting Crows, and I enjoyed the concert very much, as did my niece. I was disappointed in the Crows, though, because after the energy of the Goo's, it was a little hard to get into the melancholy music of the Crows. I
I am also not anyone who would normally join anyone's fan club, but I did join Inner Machine. I enjoy logging on and reading the blog , looking at the pics they post, and chuckling at some of the very creative comments that fans post (you might get some insight about them and the people who follow their music --the gamut seems to run from the very young to the very old.). If you were at the concert than you saw the age diversity of the audience, something you don't see at many rock shows.
The Goo's have aged gracefully and they should be proud of the fact that they keep their personal lives personal, and respect and protect, those that are near and dear to them. There are way to many pompous ass rock stars out there, nowadays, who parade their lives around in every tabloid and trash magazine that will listen. This band is not about that and never has been.
Your job wanted post could read: Dumb Ass Loser Critic, with big chip on shoulder who despises, aging gracefully, rock bands whose demographic audience ranges from the young to the middle aged, looking for my next band, that I really know nothing about, to talk sh*t about!!!
It was worth spending $30.00 bucks just to see this thread and be able to tell you to get a guitar, take some lessons, write some songs, find some friends (if you have any), start a band, get a fan club, and call me to write a review of your first gig.
Take a hike!!!!!
surfergirl
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Love it!
Welcome to the board surfergirlnj.
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nmf016
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Re: A Goo Goo Doll takes exception
« Reply #9 on: Sep 3rd, 2006, 12:20pm » |
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This is why email is evil. In the time of phones and snail mail, either someone would have to get the balls to call and actually speak to the other person, or actual letters would have to be sent and by the time the letter reached no one would remember what they were bickering about in the first place.
::Tries to decide which one to email::
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