November 12, 1998
Phoenix, Toronto, Nov 11, 1998

TORONTO -- "You can't swim in the pool without splashing someone in the eyes sometimes."

That was Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik, on stage at the Phoenix Tuesday night, pooh-poohing the criticism his band gets for "selling out" and achieving major mainstream success.

But really the veteran Buffalo trio have been big time since their hit single Name ascended the Top 40 in 1995. Three years later, it's hard to believe anyone still cares that The Goo Goo Dolls gave up 10 years of indie cult status to grasp the brass ring.

The Goos appeared to be exactly where they wanted to be Tuesday: In front of over 1,100 fans.

Their song Iris was a summer smash, and current album Dizzy Up The Girl has spawned the follow-up hit, Slide.

But the band were still free to enjoy their sweaty club element, even if they pulled up to the Phoenix in a grand tour bus instead of a beater van.

Rzeznik, bassist Robby Takac, drummer Mike Malinin, and an auxilary guitarist and keyboardist straddled that nebulous line between rock dogs and rock gods and plowed ahead power-pop style.

Bic-flick ballads aside, the tough, melodic numbers like Naked, January Friend -- which benefited from bassist Robby Takac's shredded vocals -- and Broadway worked best.

Then again, maybe it just took a while to get used to how much Rzeznik is looking like Jon Bon Jovi these days with his rock idol coif and buff build.

Hey, if the leather pants fit, wear 'em.