Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox Twenty to come to Atlanta

InterviewJuly 31, 2013Gwinnet Daily Post

ATLANTA — Want to transport back to the ’90s? This weekend, you can.

Rock groups Matchbox Twenty and Goo Goo Dolls stop by Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood for a blast from the past — plus some newer hits.

The two kicked off their tour at the end of June, and Goo Goo Dolls front man and guitarist Johnny Rzeznik is still getting used to being on the road.

“I’m still getting my sea-legs back,” he said with a laugh. “It’s only been a few weeks and I’m a little overwhelmed and tired.”

But the tour is going well, according to Rzeznik.

“So far it’s been going really fantastic — the crowds have been great,” he said. “They’ve been big and great.”

He and the band (bassist Robby Takac and drummer Mike Malinin) haven’t joined the tour as a reunion — the Goo Goo Dolls are playing some tunes off its new album “Magnetic,” which was released June 11.

“The title came from my manager calling to ask me for a title for the album and to try to use one word,” Rzeznik said. “It was the first thing that came to mind”

This New York singer co-wrote most of the songs on the album and he found inspiration everywhere.

“A lot of the inspiration just came from every day life and working with other people,” he said. “I was inspired by people who would tell me how things sound honestly.”

So far, the fans have responded positively to “Magnetic.”

"'Rebel Beat’ has done really well,” Rzeznik said. “‘Come to Me’ is everyone’s favorite though.”

For all of you hardcore fans, the group plans to play many of its No. 1 hits.

“We’re playing as many of the hits as we can,” Rzeznik said. “It’s a good mix of it — we’re trying to keep the energy high.”

Matchbox Twenty has sold more than 30 million records worldwide and won the 2004 People’s Choice Award for “Favorite Musical Group.”

Goo Goo Dolls have sold millions of albums worldwide with 14 Top 10 radio hits, more than any other artist in the history of the Hot AC format. “Iris” spent close to a year on the Billboard charts and held the No. 1 position for 17 consecutive weeks.

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