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.
Promised Call
The Dollyrots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Had myself a veggie dog and said
Don't stop, Don't stop
Don't rot so pretty stop and say...
Slept through that buzzing sound
My schedule's turned around because
Don't stop, Don't stop
Spit sink I really think
That I might not see you again
Because waiting up is not worthwhile
Waiting for that
Promised call from you
That promised call from you
That promised call from you...
Spend my time at the store
That's open twenty-four and
I bought,I bought
A lot of semi-permanent
Hair dyes and magazines
Burned eyes and gasoline 'cause
Don't stop, Don't stop
Don't stop until I hear you ring
The Dollyrots’ song “Promised Call” is a catchy punk-rock tune that tells a story of waiting for a phone call that was promised but never came. The lyrics describe the singer's day, who wakes up early, has a vegetarian hot dog, and waits for the expected call, only to realize that it may never happen. The song is relatable, especially to those who have been stood up or disappointed by an unfulfilled promise.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's situation. The singer is stuck in a rut waiting for the promised call, and their life has come to a halt. They are seen spending time at a store that's open 24 hours, buying semi-permanent hair dyes and magazines, and filling up on gasoline. The use of everyday items like these emphasizes the tediousness and monotony of waiting for something that may never happen.
The song has an upbeat, fun sound that contrasts with its underlying melancholic message. The chorus uses the repetition of the phrase "promised call from you" to convey the singer's frustration and disappointment. The song is a straightforward and witty take on the classic trope of waiting for someone who fails to show up or keep their promise.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke up about five o'clock
I woke up early in the morning.
Had myself a veggie dog and said
I ate a vegetarian hot dog and thought to myself.
Don't stop, Don't stop
I encouraged myself to keep going and not give up.
Don't rot so pretty stop and say...
I reminded myself to not let myself decay while waiting for something good to happen.
Slept through that buzzing sound
I overslept and missed my alarm.
My schedule's turned around because
My daily routine is messed up because of oversleeping.
Don't stop, Don't stop
I continued to encourage myself to not give up.
Don't stop until I hear the ring
I won't stop waiting for someone's phone call until it comes.
Spit sink I really think
I am currently at the dentist's office.
That I might not see you again
I am worried that I may never see someone I care about again.
Because waiting up is not worthwhile
Staying up late waiting for someone is not worth the exhaustion and disappointment.
Waiting for that
I am eagerly anticipating something - in this case, a phone call.
Promised call from you
I am waiting for someone in particular to call me back.
That promised call from you
The call I am waiting for is from a specific person.
That promised call from you...
I am still waiting for that one important phone call.
Spend my time at the store
I am passing time at the store because I have nothing else to do.
That's open twenty-four and
The store is open 24 hours a day.
I bought,I bought
I shopped for several things.
A lot of semi-permanent
I bought many items that are not permanent.
Hair dyes and magazines
I bought hair coloring products and some reading material.
Burned eyes and gasoline 'cause
My eyes are tired, and I also bought gasoline for my car.
Don't stop, Don't stop
I repeated the same encouragement to myself to not stop.
Don't stop until I hear you ring
I will continue to wait for someone's phone call until I hear it.
Contributed by Cole E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.