Few fans know that when they first formed in Buffalo, NY in 1985, The Goo Goo Dolls were a rough and tumble punk band. When then lead singer Robby Takac left and guitarist John Rzeznik stepped into the role, their sound began to push in a less aggressive direction. By the time the group released their breakthrough album A Boy Named Goo in 1995, they had evolved into an adult alternative band with an unapologetic bent towards introspective ballads. That format would continue to serve them for years to come as they continued writing and touring well into the ‘10s.