In 2013, pop punk sweethearts The Dollyrots reproduced. But their new baby didn’t slow them down: they just brought him on tour. Thus the title of their upcoming live CD/DVD, Family Vacation: Live in the Los Angeles.
Released on March 11, 2016, Family Vacation is a concert film with a companion live album that captures The Dollyrots on their 2015 summer tour with long-time roadmates Bowling For Soup. It’s 40 minutes of pure rock frenzy, harnessed by filmmaker Ian MacLeod and delivered as both a video/audio download and deluxe double disc set.
The term “family” not only describes singer/bassist Kelly Ogden, guitarist Luis Cabezas, and their baby River, but also the extended family of Dollyrots fans, who supported the creation of this live CD/DVD by crowdfunding it on PledgeMusic. Those who contributed to the project received the film and album weeks before the public street date, and were also privy to some special extras, including a bonus studio EP and exclusive memorabilia. As Kelly puts it, “There are a lot of fans who might never get out to a Dollyrots show in the flesh, so we did our best to bring the experience to them. The only things missing are the ringing ears and sweaty hugs…but other than that I think we nailed it!”
Since their formation 15 years ago, The Dollyrtos have played over a thousand shows and released five studio albums, but Family Vacation is their first ever official live record. After releasing material on both Lookout! Records and Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records, the band decided to go completely independent for their last few releases, and 2014’s Barefoot and Pregnant (released through the band’s own label, Arrested Youth Records) enjoyed a #7 debut on Billboard’s Heatseekers Chart. They hope their fans will similarly embrace Family Vacation, which comes on the heels of multiple US tours in 2015 and a three-week tour of the United Kingdom with Bowling For Soup this past February.
Screaming, staying up all night, and vomiting everywhere: Family Vacation shows that punk rock and parenting aren’t so different after all. And it stands as proof that just because you grow up doesn’t mean you have to stop being awesome.
Coming After You
The Dollyrots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do you hear me, this one's for you
You wrote me off but surprise I'm back, yeah
Watch out coz...
She's the one, the girl
Who hides behind her curls
And they think that she's weird
The clothes she wears
The scene kids stare
And that jerk just threw gum in her hair
Ned was such a punk
And he always gets beat up
By the roy-rage crap
He's "will it ever stop?"
Make him throw me around
Took his mohawk down
Almost didn't notice
That he almost drowned, well
So done with playing nice yeah
Do you hear me, this one's for you
You wrote me off but surprise I'm back, yeah
Watch out coz, I'm coming after you
Wa-oh yeah, do you hear me
I'm coming after you
Coming after, coming after
I'm coming after, coming after
Wo you!
So they wanna stop us
Thinking it'll be easy
Think that we won't fight back
Just because they're winning
Coz I'm on way you better run
The time is now and I am saying
So done with playing nice yeah
Do you hear me, this one's for you
You wrote me off but surprise I'm back, yeah
Watch out coz, I'm coming after you
So done with playing nice yeah
Do you hear me, this one's for you
You wrote me off but surprise I'm back, yeah
Watch out coz, I'm coming after, wo, you
The song "Coming After You" by The Dollyrots is a powerful and empowering anthem about standing up for oneself and fighting back against those who have wronged us. The lyrics indicate that the singer has been mistreated by someone and has decided they've had enough of being nice and accommodating. They declare that they are "coming after" the person who has done them wrong.
The song tells the story of two outcasts who don't fit in with the popular crowd. The first verse is about a girl who is judged for the way she looks and dresses. Despite her efforts to fit in, she is still ridiculed and even physically attacked by others. The second verse is about a punk named Ned who is similarly ostracized and frequently beaten up. The two characters are outsiders who are mistreated by others who don't understand them.
The chorus is a strong declaration that the singer is no longer going to be a pushover. They assert their power and their intention to confront those who have wronged them. The repeated refrain "I'm coming after you" is a bold statement of defiance, indicating the singer's refusal to be a victim any longer.
Overall, "Coming After You" is a powerful and catchy punk rock song that encourages listeners to stand up for themselves and fight back against those who would try to bring them down.
Line by Line Meaning
So done with playing nice yeah
I am no longer going to be polite or pretend that everything is okay
Do you hear me, this one's for you
This message is directed at you specifically
You wrote me off but surprise I'm back, yeah
I know you thought you were rid of me, but I'm still here and not going anywhere
Watch out coz...
Be cautious, because I am about to take action
She's the one, the girl
This is a story about a certain girl
Who hides behind her curls
She is shy and tries to conceal herself
And they think that she's weird
Other people view her as strange or different
But there's nothing she can do about
She can't change who she is or how she looks
The clothes she wears
Her clothing choices make her stand out even more
The scene kids stare
People in her peer group are looking at her disapprovingly
And that jerk just threw gum in her hair
Someone just acted cruelly towards her
Ned was such a punk
There is another character in this story, named Ned
And he always gets beat up
Ned is frequently the victim of physical attacks
By the roy-rage crap
He is being targeted by a group of angry bullies
He's "will it ever stop?"
Ned is feeling defeated and wondering if the abuse will ever end
Make him throw me around
The artist is allowing Ned to physically overpower and harm them
Took his mohawk down
The artist retaliated against Ned by damaging his punk hairstyle
Almost didn't notice
The singer almost didn't see that Ned was struggling in some way
That he almost drowned, well
It is revealed that Ned was in danger of drowning
Wa-oh yeah, do you hear me
This is a repeated exclamation, indicating a sense of urgency and anger
I'm coming after you
The artist is planning to take action against the person they are addressing
So they wanna stop us
This verse transitions to a more general message, as opposed to specific examples
Thinking it'll be easy
The oppressors believe they can quickly and easily defeat the resistance
Think that we won't fight back
The oppressors underestimate the determination and strength of the resistance
Just because they're winning
The oppressors feel confident due to their current control and success
Coz I'm on way you better run
The singer is heading towards the opposition and they should be afraid
The time is now and I am saying
The moment for action has arrived and the singer is making a clear statement
Watch out coz, I'm coming after, wo, you
This is a final warning to the person being addressed, indicating the artist's determination to take action
Contributed by Caroline W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.