Johnny Rzeznik, the frontman of New York rock band Goo Goo Dolls, has given up drinking and gained a new outlook on life. The rockstar opened up for the first time about his alcohol dependency and how his choice to quit has had a significantly positive effect on the band's musical sound and identity.

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With the band's upcoming album, 'Magnetic', due to be a more upbeat and joyful album than their previous 'Something For the Rest of Us', Rzeznik spoke to 'CNN' about the effects of his drinking, saying: "I quit drinking. And that lightened up my perspective on the world quite a bit... I think our last album was kind of a bummer. But the only way out is to go through, so that was going through. And now we're out on the other end."

He continued to discuss: "It's a strange thing to even talk about because it's such a clichéd thing. You're having trouble with alcohol and you're depressed. The whole world is depressed and has problems with alcohol, so it's just a question of whether you decide to do something about it or not. But when I was down in it completely, I was the most selfish, self-pitying person that I knew - and my life was amazing."

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Supposedly, the effects of Rzeznik's clean slate have helped his relationship with bassist Robby Takac and drummer Mike Malinin from the band grow. He explained this by saying: "A lot of bands have friction. We just keep ours covered up really well. I've learned over the past two, three years that it's very important to say you're sorry. Admit you're wrong as soon as you can, if you are wrong. And try to be magnanimous when you're right."