Beach Goo

Last night I made my yearly pilgrimage to Jones Beach Theater for a concert. I lucked out this time. Not only did we go see one of my favorite bands, but the opener and the weather were outstanding.

We were a little late getting to the parking lot to tailgate, and it looked as if a lot of other people were late as well. We actually managed to park close to the beachside snackbar and restrooms. I popped open the cooler and we had our little pre-concert picnic. Others had small bar-b-ques going and you could smell the charcoal all around.

The GooGooDolls Street Team works with food banks at every show they play and the local fan club had set up a table and tent outside the entry way where they were collecting non-perishable food items for Island Harvest. I was hoping to get to speak with someone before the show and ask how it was going. Sadly, the radio station that had talked about the food drive didn't mention they would only be maning it from 4 pm - 7 pm. I walked up to the table at a very late 7:20 pm. I left the bag next to a few others under the table and hoped they would find their rightful place helping those who need it.

I have noticed two things about the crowd that goes to Goo Goo Dolls concerts. 1) They are very eclectic, young and old. 2) They're really friendly. I have met so many nice people at their concerts. Far more than any other band that we continue to seek out.

Perhaps because as the band members age, so do their fans. Oh, certainly there was that occassionally whiff of pot coming through the audience that took me back to my youth, but for the most part it was an over 30 crowd standing and singing along.

I was truly angry at myself for missing Spill Canvas. I had no idea they were the appetizer to the show. I love their song "Love Me Back" and rushed to my seat when I heard it playing from the stage. Shame. I should have heard their entire set.

SwitchFoot was excellent and really knew how to spark the crowd. Well, the crowd that wasn't still tail-gating in the parking lot. Those who chose not to hit their seats until 9 pm really missed out on a great show. Here's one of their songs.



Now, there were no hand-made rhinestone signs this time for Johnny. And I think he really missed it. Hilliary will have to get another one to him next time she sees him.

But he is an energetic showman that brought out every emotion a human can muster. We sang, we danced, we laughed, we hurt and we remembered. His lyrics are thought provoking and the blend of old and new songs did well to keep the crowd involved. As dark and painful as some of Johnny's lyrics can be, he has an angelic smile that speaks to the crowd. These are men that truly enjoy what they do.



Johnny thanked the crowd "for keeping us alive for fifteen years." That is a long road for a rock band. But they give back at every turn they can. They are more than just a rock band and marketing machine. They connect in ways that many other musicians do not. It's a far more personal level.

So personal that my husband remarked that Robbie was wearing the same outfit he wore when we saw them in Hampton Beach, NH on April 15th. And probably the same socks too.



I wish I was a little closer for this. But I was happy to be in Orchestra G with my little camera taking footage of the Nikon big screens. You can hear everyone singing along to almost every song they do. This is a band that speaks to the heart of of their audience. They thanked us. I'd like to thank them.

Goo Goo Dolls Hampton Beach Casino 4-15-10

One of the most amazing venues to see a concert with one of the most energic, talented bands you can find.

A great big "THANK YOU!" not only to Johnny Reznick and the boys from The Goo Goo Dolls for a wonderful performance, but also to those other patrons around us that made the night very special.

To Hillary and Jennifer, the two beautiful women in front of us who have followed Johnny twice before. Hillary painstakingly made a sign for Reznick their prior meeting that he has in his studio. This time she spent hours with rhinestones, a gluegun and a toothpick designing a new "Johnny" sign with the newest Goo Goo Dolls logo on it.

As soon as Reznick saw it, he leaned over to grab it from her. He joked about turning it into the largest pair of eye-glasses since Elton John's. Hillary was all smiles and her friend Jennifer was happy she recieved the recognition she deserved. I hope the band invited her backstage after the show. She truly deserved it.

To Debra, Ken and their beautiful daughter and friend in matching hand-painted tee shirts, THANK YOU for watching out for Dan and I. They too enjoy shows at the Hampton Beach Casino, but they don't have to travel as far as we do to get there. But they were very good about maintaining order so close to the stage. When some rude patrons tried to muscle their way in front of us, Debra very nicely but sternly told them, NO WAY as we had been standing in the same spot since 7 pm and they had no right to get in front of us. She was right, they moved on and from there on in, it was the best show I have seen.

Even the group Rocket Summer that opened the show wasn't horrible. Deb's daughter and her friend spent a good amount of time (and a lot of Ken's money) up at the souvenier stand.

Drinks at Hampton beach are far cheaper than we from New York are used to, but getting to the bar and back when it's general admission is a little tough -- as Dan found out the hard way. Some young punk even stuck his foot out and made him spill a little of my (not bad for only $5.75) red wine on a woman's fleece. Dan apologized vehemently and then turned his attention to the culprit who was being a dick. No punches were thrown, but if looks could kill -- Dan would have won.

Again, thanks to everyone for a very special night.

**Note: Funniest line of the night for me? Dan leaning down to tell me "Robbie's in his socks." What? Yep. Robbie played the entire concert in his black socks. Also of note, the band was staying at the same hotel we did. When we arrived on Thursday, we spent a good hour stalking their tour bus from our window -- like 16 year olds. (No offense to my daughter -- the 16-year-old.)