Last night was the first time the power balladeering/power pop stars Goo Goo Dolls (read our recent interview with them here) had played in Victoria for about 200 years (okay, since 1988), so it was no surprise that I was surrounded by women of varying ages (okay, mainly middle-aged) singing along to every word of the band’s tunes.
Well, every word of the Bon Jovi-an rockers and 2pm dishwashing ballads, that is; when the band played their faster, power-pop tunes, it was to the enjoyment of exactly three people in the seemingly packed Royal Theatre.
But I had the first of a couple epiphanies watching bassist Robby Takac bounce around doing his punk-rock goblin thing during those power-pop tunes: his songs always pale on the band’s albums, but live, they shine, with the power of early Soul Asylum and Replacements coming through in the ragged melodies and trashy sound. I came away from the concert with a new respect for his sometimes seemingly tossed-off punk songs and their purpose in the band.
I had another epiphany, and I had it while the band was playing insane ultra hit “Iris” (interestingly, when the band started the popular song, there was a reaction from the audience that, for a split second, sounded like disappointment… but I think it was just amazement, that this was actually happening in little Victoria, and no one knew how to react).
At first, I was readjusting myself in my chair, thinking two things: one, I’ve heard this song so many times (and, hey, it’s a good song): heard it while watching TV in the ’90s, heard it while sitting around aimless in coffee shops in the ’00s, heard it while squeezing avocados in the grocery store with my kids by side in the ’10s. I’ve just heard that song so many times, I don’t know if I can stand to hear it one more time, even live. Two, I don’t know if I can stand having the chorus of women around me sing the song (slightly off-key, natch).
Also, it’s a depressing song. What do I do when they’re playing it? I played some mean leg drums during the power pop songs, do I do that? (I ended up sitting with my hands clasped, which seems wholly inappropriate, but whatever. I was alone, it’s a sappy ballad, you tell me what to do.)
Anyway, right, the women. Up until that point, I was surprised that I didn’t find their singing along annoying; rather, I was kind of enjoying it. Let’s face it, there’s a lot of nostalgia surrounding bands like this at this point, and hearing these women sing along was charming. I wonder what was happening in their lives when they first heard “Slide,” “Naked,” or “Broadway” (all great tunes the band played tonight)? I know what was happening in mine. And suddenly, life came full circle and the power of music hit me for the millionth time and I got up and sung along at the top of my lungs to “Iris” with all the middle-aged women.
No, wait, that didn’t happen. Hmm. But I did sit there, bit of a sore neck from the position I was sitting in and bit of a sore back from life and a bit too much on my mind and suddenly the sound of the women singing along, pure joy in their voice, to a rather miserable and lonely song, was the best sound in the world to me. They were using “Iris” to live life and to love life, and I loved life then, too.
A solo performance of “Can’t Let It Go” from injured (that’s what the headline refers to; get your mind out of the gutter) singer/guitarist I-know-it’s-easier-to-spell-but-stop-calling-me-Jon-Bon-Jovi Johnny Rzeznik was a highlight: despite limping on stage due to having a bum foot (he had to sit for the whole show, which put a bit of a damper on proceedings; to be honest, you could tell he wasn’t too happy about it either) and a voice that ain’t what it used to be (c’mon, I ain’t what I used to be 15 years ago, either; you seen my slouch lately?), Rzeznik put his all into this number. But I do look forward to the band returning to town when the guy can actually stand up. And I hope the chorus of women fans joins me.
Also, I hope they play “Name” next time. One of the band’s biggest, and earliest, hits, it was odd they didn’t play it. Sure, it’s a sappy power ballad and I just listened to it 10 minutes ago and I’ve heard it so many times in my life it basically went in one ear and out the other, but, still. To the band’s credit, they spent a lot of time on newer material, and while the audience patiently waited to hear the hits, I was happy the guys were playing what they wanted to.
Openers Autumn’s Cannon may have a horrible name that is impossible to remember but they did a great job of warming up the crowd with their no-nonsense and fun take on classic rock. It was fun watching these guys; you could almost tell it was something special, that all-too-rare feeling you get watching a band that is working together so perfectly and is just excited to get their tunes out to people. With a sound that harkened back to the ‘70s, it went over well with those who find their pepper peppered with salt, which, at a Goo Goo Dolls show in a theatre in 2014, is not insignificant.
Leaving the theatre and stumbling out into the streets to face another rainy Victoria night, I was happy. Sometimes over time, songs turn into soundtracks for weighing produce at the grocery store while staving off incredible ennui as the weight of the world threatens to crush you; sometimes they come back to life in totally unexpected ways.
And sometimes that happens with the help of a chorus of off-key women singing along, turning the songs into something new altogether, something which you never thought you’d love the sound of.
Hey everybody, thanks for reading this. Just to clarify, I loved the show, and I loved seeing and hearing the joy all around me. My apologies if anything came across as hurtful when I was just trying to get across how happy everyone, myself included, was. The only person I was making fun of in the story was myself, not the band’s audience or the band themselves. Also, just a quick note about the dishwashing comment: I was using that as an example of something I feel is a draining task and time of day in my own experience.
Greg Pratt, editor-in-chief
This was forwarded to me by a friend who questioned my enjoyment of the show. Your article was not reflective of the concert and I am not sure if you realised that there were just as many males singing and jiggling too to all the songs but does it only count if they are standing up and doing it? The audience was very mixed, I was sat next to a boy that was clearly in his late teens and in front of a group of 20 somethings. There were some sound issues and you could not hear Robby until this was fixed on his last song and the audience was gracious enough to not let on. Johnny was still able to captivate a crowd as I am sure he did all those years ago.
Autumn Cannon were clearly a new band and striving to pave their way and made an impression but it was far from perfect. They do have a future and I would like to see where their path leads them.
Finally the epic Iris, everyone around me raucously joined in and belted their hearts out to the song. I noted that you neglected to mention that the audience almost prevented Johnny from finishing the song as they were cheering so hard.
Perhaps next time a little more thought or perspective to say these were your opinions and invite others to comment rather reviewing it as the opinions of all in the first place.
I am one of those out-of-tune middle aged women who somehow find a connection with the music of the Goo Goo Dolls. And,surprise! middle aged women still have fears, angst, dreams, aspirations, and highs and lows..just as young fresh faced teenage girls do. The fact that this band has been around for 25 years and can still remain relevant and connect to their audience is the reason their sound still resonates with a variety of age groups. There must be a reason that they have been on the Adult Contemporary Chart 10 times. Perhaps it is because the lyrics and music relate to more than just women, perhaps the music relates to the human experience.
Regarding “Iris”, the reason for the so called sound of “disappointment” was because this song signals the end of the concert, and we “don’t want to go home right now”. As far as calling it a sappy ballad, by definition a ballad is a sentimental or romantic song. “Iris” represents the universal sense of longing and the need to be recognized that we all have as human beings. No wonder this song won’t go away. Far from being depressing, as you say, this song gives hope.
I suppose the sound of this band does not resonate with you, and that’s fine. It’s a beautiful world that way, but this band has been around for a long time because apparently they resonate with very many people around the world. Far from being a Bon-Jovi wannabe, John Rzeznik is a talented and gifted songwriter that has won awards and continues to be a force in the industry.
I think you need to quit trying to be clever and witty, and write a review that actually has some bearing on the performance instead of reviewing the makeup of the audience.
I hope you got something out of the performance, as it sounds like you may have, and I am sorry for your ennui. I hope the music of the Goo Goo Dolls will help you through it,as it has for me, while I live my middle aged life washing dishes at 2 p.m.
I would like to comment on the review of The Goo Goo Dolls show.
Firstly, as a “middle aged woman” I am insulted that the writer implies the ability of women my age to judge good music is suspect. We listen to and enjoy a wide range of music, not just “sappy power ballads” and a Goo Goo Dolls song hardly fits in that category. The lyrics are strong and resonate with a wide range of the population, women AND men, which is why they have 3 songs in Billboard top 100 songs of the past 20 years (no other band has multiple songs on that list)….all in the top 25 with Iris being #1. …hardly 2pm dishwashing stats (a Neanderthal comment if I’ve ever heard one). To compare them to Bon Jovi is insulting IMO, although I enjoy their music as well, let’s face it, the lyrics are somewhat lacking in depth.
While Magnetic has not enjoyed the popularity of Dizzy Up the Girl, that speaks more to the fact that record labels and radio stations promote youth and cuteness rather than actual musical talent.
The writer sounds like a “middle aged man” trying to sound “current” by making fun of a band that is still making relevant new music after 28 years.
What an unpleasant, inaccurate review. Boo, hiss!