RNW:
And it makes the project more interesting for the consumer too, the music
fans.
Robby:
"Well we have this bizarre concept of trying to make good albums.
I don’t think a lot of people do that any more. I know that sounds
ridiculous, I don’t think that no one does, but I think a lot of people
just write a bunch of songs and hope they have those two that are going
to sell records for them. And I don’t think we’ve ever really felt
that way. We’ve always tried to make sure that our records have gone
enough interesting places that you could sit and listen to 40 minutes worth
of music, which is really difficult I think, sort of."
RNW:
If its all the same, it would be really difficult.
Robby:
"You know, in this day and age, like I said, most of . . . I don’t want
to offend any bands."
RNW:
Do you want me to stop the tape (laugh)?
Robby:
"No, you’ll get what I’m saying. Like most bands have a couple of
songs that are sort of unique from the record and very, very produced and
very calculated. And the rest of the record seems to be full of one
sort of music. That’s what I’ve noticed, so those records get boring,
you know? You want to take people on a - not to sound pretentious,
too pretentious anyway - you want to take people on sort of a trip through
your record. A journey through your record so it remains interesting
as does a book or a movie."
RNW:
Right, because your character and a little bit of who you are is going
to be reflected in what you are putting out anyway.
Robby:
"Exactly."
RNW:
So you’re kind of telling them your story or someone else’s story?
Robby:
"Exactly."
RNW:
Okay, next question: Lilly says "I’ve heard you say that you would
change the band’s name if you could. What would you change it to?"
Robby:
"I would change it to something other than Goo Goo Dolls."
RNW:
I liked Sex Maggots (the band's first name) myself, but that’s me, I don’t
know.
Robby:
"I think that’s the only thing that we could have named it that was like,
worse, actually. You know, I mean we did take a step up.
Not too much but you know, we jumped up on the curb."
RNW:
I don’t know, I think that shakes people up. There’s something to
be said about that.
Robby:
"Yeah, well it did back then, I’ll tell ya."
RNW:
Jonie wants to know why it took so long for you to catch on in the mainstream.
Robby:
"I think in the first few records we made, they weren’t records that could
have worked in the mainstream. Actually these last three records
we made, I don’t think could have existed in the mainstream that existed
when we were putting out our earlier records. I think we just sort
of came around to where radio was coming around to, completely coincidentally,
trust me."
RNW:
The mainstream is pretty much a moving target though, isn’t it?
Robby:
"Yeah, you can’t really say I’m going to do this sort of thing and I’m
pretty sure it’s going to be successful, when it comes to the sort of world
we try to live within, musically. You know, we’re just making records,
guitar records."
RNW:
"I don’t think hooks and singles really come into the song writing process,
am I right?"
Robby:
"Well, the hooks do. The hooks always have, but singles, we never
wanted to pick a song on a record and say 'okay, we’re going to work on
these two songs as singles.' Then you tend to deny a lot of the record.
Songs that we put together for records in the past and we never thought
would be singles became singles. Like, what’s a good example?
Like "Long Way Down." We never, ever thought that would
be a single. But it ends up being one, interestingly enough.
Cool song, but who would have known that radio would have played it?"
RNW:
You never know . . .
Robby:
"Exactly, that’s my point I guess. All you can do is do what you
do, and do it as well as you can."
RNW:
Amanda says: "I’m sure a lot of things have changed for you since
you became so successful. What do you miss most about being a regular
guy from Buffalo?"
Robby:
"I guess the thing I miss the most is, like I said, being able to have
some stability. I’m not complaining, because I think that’s a really
rude thing to do when you are blessed with life like we have, but I will
say that I think the thing I miss the most is being able to have that sort
of physical relationship with people and your things, and your community
and circle of friends and stuff like that. I think that’s probably
the toughest part. All the traveling."
RNW:
Having a house and a dog?
Robby:
"Yeah, just the things that make you you."
RNW:
Summer softball league and such?
Robby:
"Yeah, or whatever. Like, its funny, I carry a suitcase that I only
use on days off. It’s just full of the stuff I need to be me.
It’s cool. I have all my little toys and all my little things that
I like to have around my house and now I’ll take that suitcase and drop
it in my new living room and on I go."
RNW:
Just a couple questions of my own now Robby - I’ve noticed that the last
two times I have seen your shows the ticket prices have been really reasonable,
allowing younger fans to participate a lot more. Has this been a
conscious effort on the part of the band?
Robby:
"Yeah, we never wanted to make things too expensive so obviously kids couldn’t
come in. But I think that along with Levi’s helping us out in the
summer and MP3 helping us out on this trip, we’ve been able to keep the
ticket prices down and still bring a big rock show to town."
RNW:
You’re pretty much unique in that respect.
Robby:
"You want to try to keep things reasonable and we do our best to do that."
RNW:
Tell me about this toy drive you are doing on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of December.
Robby:
"Sure, we’re collecting toys for three days and you get a signed 8x10 if
you bring a wrapped toy (to one of these concerts in Buffalo, NY).
Once we collect all the toys, we’re going to leave half of them in the
city of Buffalo for some kids there and then we’re going to, the Navy has
offered to take half of them to Bosnia with us and we can help out some
kids there who are probably in a pretty bizarre situation right now.
I would imagine it would be tough to be a kid over there right now."
RNW:
Absolutely. Well, I know you need to be going. I will be there
tonight at the show.
Robby:
"Cool, do you have passes and stuff?"
RNW:
Well, I have interviews and I’m going to be photographing a couple sets.
Robby:
"Okay, so you’ll be back here."
RNW:
So, I’ll be hanging out and I have a little gift (a book) to bring you
for taking the time to talk with me this afternoon. I'll find you.
Robby:
"Oh, no problem. I’m the short guy with the red hair."
RNW:
Yeah, you’re the one I can never get a good shot of. Every time I
photograph you, you look like a sheep dog with your hair hanging in your
eyes.
Robby:
"That’s groovy, that’s just the way I like it!"
RNW:
Okay, see ya.
Robby:
"Later dude."
RNW:
Thanks, bye.
And there you have
it . . . just another groovy day in the Rock n World!
Fan Speak? Please
leave your comments about this feature.
Fan Speak:
Posted by Maria:
Robby is so amazing....this article really captures the true him!!!
Posted by Amy:
wow. i never knew robby was that sweet! on the outside he looks kinda... nine-inch-naily... but he's not! he collects pezz! that rulez. so does robby. i'm glad there's an interview with just robby. usually it's all johnny... i like him 2, but... p.s. robby is NOT QUEER. or not too bad anyway. :o)
Posted by Jennie:
I WANT TO MARRY JOHN, ROBBY AND MIKE! I WILL MARRY THEM ALL AT ONCE! IT COULD BE FUN! Love ya guys -- YOU ROCK!
Posted by Robby:
cant Erin Im queer
Posted by KimFrank40@hotmail.com:
Robby everything you say is so f*ckin' cute! You rock! Keep doing what you're doing.
Posted by Erin:
Will You Marry Me Robby Takac?
Posted by Lauren:
I liked it, but I wish you'd have an interveiw with John Rzeznik...
Posted by GOO GOO DOLLS ARE FAGS :
.
Posted by mary:
i love you john rzeznik
Posted by punkprincess:
i think that was a great interview and like the idea of him singing in a video
Posted by metallica7:
holy shyt...their are Goo Goo Dolls fans. I'll be damned
Posted by Livewire: That was a wonderful
interview. Thanx. Would you be able to get and Interview with John Rzeznik
though?? GOO GOO DOLLS RULE!!
Posted
by virus: i love robby and
this was a great interview. i would have liked to know if he might take
a step up to lead singer duties, maybe just for one video. that would be
dope. thanks...virus
Robby:
"Exactly, that’s my point I guess. All you can do is do what you
do, and do it as well as you can."
