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.
New College
The Dollyrots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Streaking through the party showing off her underwear, Yeah.
Keeps dancing, no quitting, chewing on the candy necklace,
soaked because she’s sweating.
Silence is a dealer. Sort of hippie with a bag
that’s filled and overflowing with his special kind of shwag, Yeah.
He’s way too deep in it. Always getting asked
And though you tell me that I’m the one
I know you shouldn’t be taking me home alone because
I’m gonna get you, get you, get you, get you what you need
Get you, get you, get you, get you so tell me
you’ll be my Sid again and I’ll be Nancy Spungen
Josh sits on the bench and smoking seven packs a day.
He’s just an alcoholic but he’s got a lot to say and
keeps filling and turning. Blue so in the morning
he can’t eat because he’s hurling.
Julia spent all her money powdering her nose.
She’s not letting go. She’s stripping, at Pleasures
for her upper habits that her tiny scale will measure.
The Dollyrots's song New College is a raw and energetic track that offers a glimpse into the lives of college students living on the edge. The first verse introduces us to Katherine, a young woman who is living on her own terms. She is an "E head" with blue hair and is the life of the party. Katherine is shown streaking through the party, showing off her underwear and chewing on her candy necklace. She is living in the moment, dancing and sweating, and not quitting. Katherine is living life on her own terms and is not afraid to embrace her individuality.
The second verse introduces us to Silence, who is portrayed as a dealer. He is a sort of hippie with a bag that is overflowing with his "special kind of shwag." Silence is always getting asked for his stash and can never finish. He is so deep into his world that he has lost touch with reality. The chorus brings the focus back to the singer, who is expressing his desire to be with someone. He knows that he should not be taken home alone, but he wants to be that person who can provide what the other person needs. The verses offer a glimpse into the lives of college students who are living on the edge, trying to find themselves and their place in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Katherine’s in her own world she’s an E head with blue hair.
Katherine is lost in her own world with blue hair due to her excessive use of ecstasy.
Streaking through the party showing off her underwear, Yeah.
Katherine is flaunting her underwear while running around the party in a drug-fueled state.
Keeps dancing, no quitting, chewing on the candy necklace,
soaked because she’s sweating.
Katherine continues to dance non-stop while chewing on a candy necklace and drenched in sweat due to drug use.
Silence is a dealer. Sort of hippie with a bag
that’s filled and overflowing with his special kind of shwag, Yeah.
There is a drug dealer at the party who is a hippie and carries a bag full of his own supply.
He’s way too deep in it. Always getting asked
so he can never ever finish.
The drug dealer is constantly being asked for drugs, making it difficult for him to ever finish selling his supply.
And though you tell me that I’m the one
I know you shouldn’t be taking me home alone because
I’m gonna get you, get you, get you, get you what you need
Get you, get you, get you, get you so tell me
you’ll be my Sid again and I’ll be Nancy Spungen
The singer knows they shouldn't go home alone with someone despite that person's romantic interest. They intend to provide that person with drugs and want to recreate the tumultuous relationship between Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen.
Josh sits on the bench and smoking seven packs a day.
He’s just an alcoholic but he’s got a lot to say and
keeps filling and turning. Blue so in the morning
he can’t eat because he’s hurling.
Josh is a heavy smoker and alcoholic who talks a lot but is ultimately plagued by sickness the next morning, making it difficult for him to eat.
Julia spent all her money powdering her nose.
She’s not letting go. She’s stripping, at Pleasures
for her upper habits that her tiny scale will measure.
Julia has spent all her money on cocaine and is now working as a stripper at a place called Pleasures to afford her drug habit.
Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
David Wise
I love the way the dollyrots seem to have a lot of fun doing what they do. I do like this song.
JOHN BRADLEY
Talk to them after a show, they are even nicer in person
tonyarose21
Not gonna lie, that Sid and Nancy line makes me smile. <3
cmwright
Love this song!
Ian Israel
Seen 'em live when the Vans Warped Tour came to my hometown of Charleston,South Carolina.Great show and they're really cool people.:) check 'em out Peeps,you won't be disappointed.
CandyBarCrunch
love it! its cool how they mentioned Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungeon (Sex Pistols are my fav band)
parser9
New College represent! Alum 98, and It still blows my mind when I see the Dollyrots pop up in the "real world." I kinda wish this song had more to do with NC though... then again maybe not... :)
Dirk Yarborough
This band is GREAT and I'm OLD. Girl bands kick ass. Can't imagine what you're thinking.
jlotus100
Wow. I went to this vid because I hadn't heard the song in a while and now all the haters have come out. Go Dollyrots!
Shauna Garrett
i met these and got them to sign my shirt they rock