Goo Goo Dolls
Lifehouse
Greek Theater, Los Angeles
June 17th

Only a few days into a new tour, The Goo Goo Dolls and second-billed Lifehouse packed the Greek Theater in Los Angeles on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 17th, for performances anchored on tuneful but often rocking songs for grown-ups. Under the stars, inside the tree-lined outdoor venue–one of the best concert sites in L.A., hands-down–there was some definite summer-time magic at work.

While some might called both groups today’s middle-of-the-road, it’s still tougher than most “adult contemporary” sounds these days, while also remaining tuneful and direct from the heart…and the passion is genuine too.

It’s been more than 15 years since singer/guitarist John Rzeznik and his founding brother-in-Goo bassist/singer Robby Takac have been in the alt/punk camp, and that’s just fine. With drummer Mike Malinin on board since ‘95 and officially rounding out the trio in ‘98, the band has created a great body of work, and yes some damn catchy and lasting hit songs too.

Playing with a tour guitarist and keyboardist as a quintet, the group’s 90-minute set was filled with audience favorites and a few semi-ancient Goo-wise gems too. The band kicked off with the racing “Long Way Down”, followed by the churning “Big Machine” and gliding slide.

Though there were a couple of lulls between a number or two, Rzeznik just said they were still getting into the tour mode, though he didn’t have to apologize for anything. Takac made the most of his vocal spotlights, including back-to-back blasts of his songs “Lucky Star” and “January Friend”.

During “Black Balloon”, dozens of large, ebony balloons went sailing and then bouncing about the sold-out venue. The band pulled out “All Eyes On Me” and hit a peak with the semi-acoustic anthem, “Name”.

The group’s new ballad, “Before It’s Too Late” for the upcoming “Transformers” film, sounded like another radio hit, and the self-effacing Rzeznik joked about how, when first shown a clip of two giant robots beating the crap out of each other, he was game to write a raging rocker for it, and then, of course, learning the producers wanted a love theme, was still up to the task.

A trio of songs from the band’s current album, “Let Love In”, came off less glossy than on record with more bite, especially “Stay With You” and the title song, while the promise of rising ballad “Better Days” rang true. The main set finished with the band’s biggest hit, “Iris”, as the crowd sang the refrain during the epic rock waltz.

The Goos are offering fans a chance to vote on which songs they want to hear during the tour, so the group is likely to swap out a few tunes night to night, though this show was a fine mix of those hits and less-mainstream but equally engaging songs.

Second-billed Lifehouse previewed songs from its new album, “Who Were Are”, including the driving single, “First Time”, which fit in well with hits such as the tension-and-release of “Hanging on a Moment” and one of the top prom/wedding songs of the past few years, “You and I” (another pop-rock waltz, hmmm…).

Frontman singer/guitarist Jason Wade isn’t quite the showman but has a rich, sonourous voice (think of a more expressive Pete Yorn–a duet might be interesting). Lifehouse was just the right match for The Goo Goo Dolls, both bands likely already sharing much of the same audience.

The night’s opener was new Universal/Republic roosty pop artist Colbie Caillat.

Another Greek show by Goos, originally set for this Tuesday, June 19th, has been moved to September 9th as the first of a series of concerts to aid Griffith Park in recovering from fires earlier this year that burned 800 acres of the country’s largest city park, whose attractions include the Greek. In fact, the flames came dangerously close to the venue. All June 19th tickets will be honored on the new date, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Griffith Park Recovery Fund, launched by Nederlander Concerts, which runs the Greek.

Also notable is The Goo Goo Dolls’ continued partnership with American Harvest, encouraging concert-goers to bring canned food for collection and distribution to those in need nationwide.

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