Bush has stretched towards the top of popular music, as evidenced by their appearance in Salt Lake City's largest concert venue - the Delta Center - on May 2.
Along with the headliners will be two bands who are on the ladder they hope will lead them to Bushlike-levels of popularity.The Goo Goo Dolls, while gathering critical acclaim for the alternative mix, are presumably on the road to reach a new audience and convert them to Goo. The band has taken the slow but steady climb to stardom, originally starting in Buffalo, New York.
The gradual climb has taken nearly a decade for the band with six major releases to their credit. They have also managed to land a song on a soundtrack and to do a Rolling Stone cover for the 1994 "No Alternative" compilation album.
The road from Buffalo to Salt Lake City started in 1987 when they released the independent, imaginatively titled "Goo Goo Dolls." They reached a larger audience through the club scene and garnered critical acclaim and started to build momentum. Los Angeles-based Metal Blade Records signed the Goo boys and released "Jed" in 1988. Soon they were showered with critical acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone and the Los Angeles Times.
Warner stepped in and released the 1991 "Hold Me Up" under a deal with Metal Blade. Supporting touring ensued as well as work on a new disc. "Superstar Car Wash" marked a jump forward in popularity and preluded the newest effort "A Boy Named Goo."
"This is who we really are," said guitarist-vocalist Johny Rzeznik. "This is what we sound like to ourselves."
No Doubt, is sitting on little lower rung of the pop scene, but they may be quickly rising. Spurred on by the success of their single "Just A Girl," they are quickly becoming a sound and a look easily recognized.
The eclectic collection of punk, ska and pop is fronted by platinum blonde beauty Gwen Stefani. MTV has given Stefani plenty of on-air exposure, and her visual appeal has gotten the band a toehold in the popular music scene.
The foursome labels themselves as new wave, generally associated with a happy pop sound. Even during their serious moments, they never loose this gleeful edge. Borrowing from Cyndi Lauper's wardrobe, they also seem to have taken a bit of her '80s attitude.
The band began with Stefani and her brother tapping into the music scene in California. The original singer committed suicide, forcing Stefani to take the mike and No Doubt marched on.
Reaching a new audience will be beneficial to No Doubt and the Goos; it will also benefit Salt Lake music fans who have a shot to appraise some growing musical talents.
Note: If the Utah Jazz defeat Portland in the fist round of the NBA playoffs, the May 2 show will be moved to May 3 to accommodate the Jazz.