Goo Goo Dolls’ frontman John Rzeznik has a lot to say these days.
With a new album on the way and a summer tour that’ll find the band playing alongside fellow alt-rock veterans Train at Tanglewood’s Koussevitzky Music Shed on Monday, Aug. 5, Rzeznik said he’s adamant that the past five years rank among the band’s best.
But more than that, Rzeznik – a prolific songwriter who first topped the charts roughly 25 years ago with “Name” – said the past half-decade ranks among his own personal best, too.
“When I gave up being a miserable drunk, I started to understand how lucky I was and how grateful I was for the people in my life and the life I've been given.” said Rzeznik.
This was 2014, the singer said. And the band's output has followed suit, including 2016's full-length, “Boxes,” a trio of EP's that include two live performances and single “Miracle Pill,” released in June, foreshadowing the release of a new album.
“I read this thing awhile back. Compare yourself to who you were yesterday. Not who somebody else is today,” he said. “We've definitely gotten better over the last five years. We've stepped our game up as far as being better live. The band is amazing right now, the best lineup we've ever had.”
All things considered, according to Rzeznik, audiences can expect a performance this summer that finds the band inspired to put on the best show possible and deliver on every expectation an audience may have.
“It's a delicate art. You definitely stick to what people know. But you do a few things for yourself, because you think it's fun or that the audience may like it. The set has been great, it's flowing really well, and Pat [Monahan] from Train is such a nice guy. It's been a great tour so far.”
Rzeznik said that those good feelings recently extended themselves into the studio, where the band recently completed “Miracle Pill,” the band's 12th full-length.
“We've been working hard, you know? We've been putting out a lot of material, not wasting a lot of time between albums. We were averaging an album every three, four years. I don't know why, we just got done with the last album and tour and as soon as it was done, I said to myself, 'I want to get in the studio right away.'”
In doing so, Rzeznik said he found himself pushed by his bandmates to step up his own game, too.
“I want to be surrounded by people who are better than me, to be honest with you. That's how you grow, learn, write better music; that's how you become a better performer,” he said. “At first you're a little bit intimidated and then you're inspired.”
According to Rzeznik, that inspiration can come in other places, too.
“I just want to say something that connects to people. Sometimes I worry that the words don't matter as much as a beat or a light show, or whatever. I wonder about that,” he said. “It's a good feeling when somebody drops you a note, or gives you a hug in the airport, and says they love this song. When you can occupy a tiny little space in somebody's life, it means something. It's a beautiful thing,” he said.
The Goo Goo Dolls and Train will appear at Tanglewood’s Koussevitzky Music Shed on Monday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $32. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.bso.org/Performance/Detail/101125