Speaking with Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls

By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
December 27, 2002

Goo Goo Dolls, Alice Peacock, Luce
9 p.m. Tuesday
House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn
Sold OutRobby Takac isn’t the type of guy to be late for an interview. But on this day, his road manager calls to say he’ll be delayed. It’s not that he’s sleeping off a hangover or is out wandering somewhere and can’t be found. Rather, he’s out shopping. For luggage.

“I know, what kind of rock star excuse is that, right?” says Takac, bassist, singer and co-founder of the Goo Goo Dolls. “All the handles on my suitcases pulled off at the same time and our tour bus is leaving us tomorrow and we’ll be flying from concert to concert. So I have to have suitcases to carry all my stuff.”

Takac and the Goo Goo Dolls will perform New Year’s Eve at House of Blues. The concert will be broadcast live at 9 p.m. on WTMX-FM (101.9).

Since founding the group almost 17 years ago with singer/guitarist John Rzeznik, Takac has watched as the Goos went from anonymity to stardom. Back in Buffalo, N.Y., the group’s live shows were more punk than pop. And while Rzeznik’s songs have been the ones embraced by radio, it’s Takac’s that quite often are the most exhilarating live.

Still, the live shows favor Rzeznik’s material, and Takac has no one but himself to blame for that. He writes out the set lists.

“There are certain songs we need to do, and certain songs we like to do, and then there are songs we try to squeeze in if we have time. After all these years, there’s not much room left, so I try to spread it out enough so you get a taste of everything. As far at the ratio goes, I think John does a few more things, so in the big picture, that’s how it’s going to be reflected in the set list.”

HERE’S WHAT ELSE TAKAC HAD TO SAY:Holiday shopping: I’m not a good shopper and [didn’t get] anything bought early. My huge issue was buying luggage, and that was only because I had to have it.

The state of music today: Music is pretty stale right now and there’s a whole world out there waiting for something to happen.

Fine art: I collect Pez dispensers. I have over 900 from all the decades. I usually get the ones that are about $60 or $70, but I have a few that cost $500. That’s my limit, though.

Impulse shopping: I’m a sucker for records. I was walking down the street today [in San Antonio] and found a place called Alamo Records. I walk in and what do I see? The owner happens to be a Pez dealer and I was able to add to my collection.

Fans: Our fans are really great, even the ones who throw Pez at me. John doesn’t get mad about it because our fans have pretty good aim. We’ve been standing in the same spots for the past 15 years. They know who to throw them at.

Pez obsessed?: [Laughs.] Maybe just a little. I have a dream of opening a Pez store one day. I’d like to move to a warm spot, kick back with my computer, write some songs and talk about Pez …

Marriage: My wife, Myoko, and I have been married for 1-1/2 years now. We met in Japan six or seven years ago. A friend of hers was a fan of ours and she just tagged along for the heck of it. She speaks English now. I speak enough Japanese to get served a beer.

On clean living: I don’t drink much anymore. I’ve been living smarter. I just stopped being a ding-dong and realized that I’m 38 years old now and have a certain responsibility that I owe to myself if I want to be around for a while.

Workout routine: I’m not a gym guy. I try to walk a lot and get some cardio in, but I’ve never been a treadmill type of guy.

Last movie you saw: “Jackass.” It’s just a bunch of dorks running around peeing on each other with a bunch of irreverent weirdos. “Bowling for Columbine” was also really good.

Film you’re looking forward to seeing: I’ve been told numerous times to go see “The Ring.” I also heard “Lord of the Rings” was good but I haven’t seen it yet. I read all the books a long time ago, though.

The last word on Chicago: Home away from home.