Opening acts add more local flavor 
11/26/99
The Goo Goo Dolls have long made a commitment to local music, and will 
do so once more when they return home this week. 
"We spent a lot of time playing the bars and scrapping for money, so we 
know how tough it is," Robby Takac said. 

That's why the Buffalo band decided to do something special for local 
musicians when the Goos play three consecutive sold-out nights at Shea's 
Performing Arts Center: Each night a local act will open for them. 

Scott Carpenter will open Wednesday's show; Velour will play on Thursday 
and the Goos' old friend and former recording studio partner Lance 
Diamond will kick off next Friday's concert. 

Carpenter, with his intelligent brand of rock with the Real McCoys, is a 
veteran of the local scene and one of its most enduring performers. 

Velour is a rising young band led by songwriter/singer Evan Laettner. 
The group is scheduled to release a new CD next month. 

Diamond is a member of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and known for his 
energetic stage style and passion for R&B music. He recorded a couple of 
tracks previously with the Goo Goo Dolls, including a cover of the 
Rolling Stones' "Bitch" and Prince's "I Can Never Take the Place of Your 
Man." 

- Anthony Violanti