In celebration of the Goo Goo Dolls' newest album, Chaos in Bloom, Johnny Rzeznik and the band are hitting the road and performing their biggest hits at amphitheaters across the country.
While the Goo Goo Dolls have played in iconic indoor venues, the band's favorite places may just be outside. "Everybody likes to have a night out during the summer and listen to live music," Johnny said. "I think it's something that really brings people together and highlights the similarities that we all have, rather than the differences which are being thrown in our faces constantly."
After spending more than 30 years on the road, Johnny can't help but notice some differences during his recent tours. "You start to realize, ‘Oh my god, I'm three years older. Ow, my shoulder. Ow, my foot,'" he joked. "All that stuff that people think goes on backstage and behind the scenes...no! It's just a lot of sleep and icing yourself down."
While Johnny spends more time resting in between tour stops, that doesn't mean there isn't some time for fun.
For the Chaos in Bloom tour, the band partnered with the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation to raise awareness about the charity. "The organization helps kids escape violence and bad situations at home and provides someplace safe to go and to get the education that they deserve," Johnny said. "I don't know if I'm superstitious, but when you add that component to the tour, it just makes everything feel better."
During a recent tour stop at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, Tenn., the Goo Goo Dolls received a special visitor from a four-legged friend. Have you met Doug The Pug?
After the coronavirus pandemic put a pause on touring for nearly three years, Johnny shared the moment that brought him the most joy was reuniting with the crew. "I think it's when you first get together and you see everybody after not seeing them for a few months," he said. "It just feels like I belong here."