Goo Goo Dolls' new album examines lack of connections

After turning 50, it’s hard to be a boy named Goo.

So when John Rzeznik, 53, writes songs today, they're not trademark Goo Goo Dolls songs.

“I don't go by that rule anymore. I thought about that maybe 20 years ago. I had this hit, ‘Iris,’ and everybody was like, ‘That's awesome! You've got to write another “Iris”!’ No, I don’t. I’ve done that,” he said, speaking by phone from Austin, Texas, where the band was scheduled to perform a concert.

“I don't worry about being a Goo Goo Doll anymore. I just write music that I really enjoy. And then I hope like hell that everybody else likes it.”

Vocalist and guitarist Rzeznik and vocalist and bassist Robbie Takac make up the core of the band, which will be performing on Wednesday at the Palace Theatre. Along with a rolling cast of other members, they've been together since the 1980s, when the Goo Goo Dolls started as a punk-influenced band in Buffalo.

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For the past few albums, Rzeznik has taken on the role of principal songwriter, although Takac also contributes songs. These days, songwriting is where his heart is.

“As long as being a songwriter is more important than being a singer,” he said, “then I think the balance is right for me.”

The Goo Goo Dolls released a new album, “Miracle Pill,” in September, and longtime fans might be surprised to see how relatively minor a role that guitar plays, compared with past albums.

“There are other interesting instruments out there,” Rzeznik said.

“I'm especially fascinated by voices.”

For this album, he worked extensively with gospel singers.

“It's unbelievable how talented they were,” he said. “They're so far above where I'm at, just the vocabulary they have musically.”

He also collaborated with other songwriters.

“I like getting together and seeing what I do through their lens. Sometimes it's really good, and sometimes it's not. If it's not, it's ‘Thank you very much, this was an interesting afternoon, but I'm out of here.’”

Notable among his collaborators was Sam Hollander, who co-wrote the title track of the new album.

“He's amazing, man. That guy's from another planet.”

To Rzeznik, the album is about “connections, or the lack of connections.”

“I think we're all becoming more isolated. What's wrong with getting off your sofa, getting in the car, going to the grocery story, buying all your groceries, and driving home and putting them away? I love getting out of my house. I have a little kid now. We go to the playground, run around, walk the dog, be together.”

During shows, songs from the new album will show up, but so will the more familiar ones.

“I say to myself, ‘These people pay money to see you play a bunch of songs. So make sure you play the songs they want to hear. Try to keep it like this might be the last time you ever do a show,’” he said.

“Live music to me is one of the last ways that people are connecting to other people, in groups, and being human beings. It's hot, it's sweaty, you're smashed up against people, it's loud, everybody's singing along. And people need that. We're pack animals.”

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At a glance

Who: Goo Goo Dolls

Where: Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St.

Contact: 614-469-0939, www.capa.com

Showtime: 8 p.m. Wednesday

Admission: $39.50 to $79.50

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