Goose Members Talk Band History, Drinking, Drugs & More With Bert Kreischer

Comedian Bert Kreischer released the 600th episode of his Bertcast podcast featuring an interview with Goose guitarist Rick Mitarotonda, multi-instrumentalist Peter Anspach and drummer Ben Atkind. The wide-ranging conversation was recorded backstage before the band’s October 6, 2023 concert at Red Rocks, the second of two consecutive sold-out Goose shows at the famed Colorado venue.

Kreischer has long championed Goose and even titled the episode “Red Rocks with My Favorite Band Goose.” Mitarotonda, Anspach and Atkind started by discussing how the group’s career took off in 2019 and has been on the rise ever since. The comedian explained what he loves about Goose and how “So Ready” was the song that he uses to introduce people to the band. Rick spoke about the genesis of “So Ready,” which was inspired by their Connecticut friend Jeff Enborg.

Talk turned to the origins of Goose and how his time in pre-Goose group Vasudo was a formative experience for Mitarotonda. Rick shared the story of the band’s name, which comes from kitchen lingo used at a taco restaurant where Mitarotonda worked at in Fort Collins, Colorado. “It was a dumb thing that was said all the time and I thought it was really funny,” the guitarist said. “Now I don’t think it’s funny anymore.”

Atkind revealed thought was given to changing the band’s name many times. “It was almost Maverick,” Anspach chimed in. However, the members feel it was fate Goose stuck as their name.

Bert Kreischer went on to ask about magical moments in Goose’s past. Both Atkind and Anspach mentioned the first time Peter jammed with Goose to “see if he was going to be the guy” was a special experience. “I think Rick has a voice memo recording of it,” Peter noted. Discussion of Peter’s ambition for marketing Goose followed.

Next up was talk of drinking and drugs. The Goose guys take it relatively easy these days but Atkind said he used to go on stage “so stoned” in his early days. “Sometimes I’ll have a hit of a joint pre-show,” Anspach said. Mitarotonda then told the tale of Goose getting pulled over by the police in Indiana a few years back. Peter revealed to the cops he had a joint in his backpack which led to Atkind’s arrest. “Peter should’ve shut his mouth,” Ben said. Thankfully, the cops didn’t realize the extent of what Ben had on him and Goose was able to make it to the next show in Covington, Kentucky. “I think we played a pretty cool show. I definitely felt pretty badass showing up after that,” Atkind added.

Other topics discussed were musical influences, how Goose creates their setlists, what the musicians do on their time off, the podcasts they listen to and whether the age of the album is over. Listen to Goose’s appearance on Bertcast below:

Goose makes their Hampton Coliseum debut next weekend with Goosemas concerts in Hampton, Virginia on Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9.