The Goo Goo Dolls take center stage at DTE Energy Music Theatre this Sunday night.
The infamous trio is on their summer tour entertaining fans with hits from previous albums as well as sharing songs from their ninth album, ‘Something for the Rest of Us,? in stores on August 31.
‘We have songs we feel are necessary to play every night,? said bassist Robby Takac in a phone interview, July 12. ‘Songs that hold a place in people’s hearts. We have newer songs as well we have worked into the set from the new record.?
It’s the first time the band has gone on tour before releasing an album and to the band’s surprise – fans knew the songs.
‘The internet has really changed how people consume music,? Takac noted. ‘We are out there playing songs we haven’t released yet and people are singing the words back to us. It was pretty amazing the first few times it happened.?
Though the internet has caused trouble with songs being downloaded before they hit the stores – the band has gained notoriety.
‘We had a very difficult time for a lot of years in Europe,? Takac admitted. ‘Once the internet started getting more prevalent we started to gain more popularity.?
‘Something for the Rest of Us? is the follow-up to their 2006 album, ‘Let Love In.?
Lead singer and guitarist Johnny Rzeznik’s songwriting and the band take a look at issues that have become a part of many people’s everyday lives.
‘With times being what they are right now. We were sort of forced to take a look at our economy and the social disparity happening these days between classes,? said Takac. ‘Politically and socially it’s a pretty weird time in this country with a lot of unanswered questions. For a long time people were able to look to their community leaders, churches, peers for answers. Generally there was someone there who had one. The questions are more and more prevailent and the answers are less and less obvious. It takes a bit of a toll on people’s pysches sometimes.?
Rzeznik and Takac began the Goo Goo Dolls in 1986 and drummer Mike Malinen joined 15 years ago.
‘It’s been like a rollercoaster,? said Takac. ‘After all this time we are pretty darn lucky from having each other to play with to having a group of people who have connected with the music we have released over the years,? he said. ‘It enables us to go out summer after summer and still have a great time, have people sing a long and have people celebrate with us.?
Fans going to the show are welcomed to bring non-perishable canned goods for U.S.A. Harvest, an organization dear to the Goo Goo Dolls? hearts.
‘We have been working with them for 10 years,? said Takac. ‘We have raised 9-10 million meals during those years. We have local organizations in every city that come in, collect the food and give back as quickly as the next day.?
The fan bringing in the most has a chance to meet the Goo Goo Dolls, have a photo taken with them and go back stage.
The Goo Goo Dolls perform this Sunday at DTE Energy Music Theatre with special guests Switchfoot and The Spilled Canvas.
Tickets are $25 for lawn and $29.50-$75 for pavilion seats, available at DTE or The Palace of Auburn Hills box offices. Call 248-377-0100 or visit www.PalaceNet.com.