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.
Rock Control
The Dollyrots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is not rock & roll, it's rock control
Oh, oh, uh-oh...
Look to your left and to your right
And find someone to hold
This is what we like to do
Make like you're so fascinated
Like it's gonna blow
Like your brain is caffenated
Totally implode
Oh just try to scream along
This is not rock & roll, it's rock control
Oh, oh, uh-oh...
Give it up, give it up, that's right
Coz there's no use holding in
Check, test, pushing back and forth
Lose control and sink right in
Feel the pulse and other bodies
Breathing all that sweat
You wanted something you can feel
That's what you're gonna get
Oh just try to scream along
This is not rock & roll, it's rock control
Oh, oh, oh...
What you've got, you've got on leashes
What you've got, come on, release it
Oh just try to scream along
This is not rock & roll, it's rock control
The lyrics of The Dollyrots' song Rock Control have an interesting meaning that can be interpreted in a few ways. The song seems to be about letting go of control and fully immersing oneself in the experience of a rock concert or musical event. The lines "Just before we lose control" and "Lose control and sink right in" suggest that the band is encouraging the audience to let go of their inhibitions and allow themselves to get swept up in the energy of the moment.
The phrases "This is not rock & roll, it's rock control" and "What you've got, you've got on leashes, what you've got, come on, release it" seem to be referencing societal expectations or personal limitations that prevent people from fully embracing their rock and roll spirit. The chorus of "Oh, oh, uh-oh" and "Oh, oh, oh" could be seen as a primal scream or a release of pent-up energy.
Overall, Rock Control is a song that encourages listeners to let go of their inhibitions and embrace their inner rock and roller.
Line by Line Meaning
Just try to scream along
Encouraging the listener to participate actively by singing along and expressing their passion for rock music
This is not rock & roll, it's rock control
This song is not just about playing rock music, but about harnessing the energy of rock music to let go of inhibitions and feel free
Look to your left and to your right
Suggesting that the listener should connect with others who share their love for rock music
And find someone to hold
Encouraging the listener to seek comfort and connection with others through the shared experience of rock music
This is what we like to do
Highlighting the joy and passion that comes from participating in rock music
Just before we lose control
Acknowledging that participating in rock music can sometimes lead to losing control, but framing it as a positive experience
Make like you're so fascinated
Encouraging the listener to act as if they're completely engrossed and captivated by the experience, in order to fully immerse themselves in the moment
Like it's gonna blow
Suggesting that the energy and excitement of rock music is so intense, it feels like it could explode at any moment
Like your brain is caffenated
Comparing the energy and buzz of rock music to the effects of caffeine on the brain
Totally implode
Conveying the idea of letting go completely, and allowing oneself to be consumed by the energy of rock music
Give it up, give it up, that's right
Encouraging the listener to let go of their inhibitions and fully embrace the experience
Coz there's no use holding in
Suggesting that suppressing one's passion for rock music is pointless and unfulfilling
Check, test, pushing back and forth
Describing the physicality of participating in rock music, and the way that it involves pushing one's body to the limit
Lose control and sink right in
Emphasizing the idea of letting go completely and fully surrendering to the energy of rock music
Feel the pulse and other bodies
Highlighting the physical and emotional connection that can be felt through participating in rock music with others
Breathing all that sweat
Describing the intense physicality of being fully immersed in rock music, and the way that it can lead to sweating and heavy breathing
You wanted something you can feel
Acknowledging that the appeal of rock music lies in its ability to create a visceral, emotional experience for the listener
That's what you're gonna get
Promising that the experience of participating in rock music will deliver on its emotional and physical promise
What you've got, you've got on leashes
Suggesting that the things that hold us back or constrain us in life are like leashes that can be shed through the power of rock music
What you've got, come on, release it
Encouraging the listener to let go of their inhibitions and fears, and allow themselves to be fully present in the moment of rocking out
This is not rock & roll, it's rock control
Reiterating the main theme of the song, that rock music has the power to allow us to shed our inhibitions and feel free and emotionally connected to others
Contributed by Bailey F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vanni Ash
love it!:)
calcmandan
great song.
Electricman
My new ring tone
catralala
amazing! :D
paulinap
@mjw9363 lol no, but that's a thing I love about The Dollyrots. They have the old school spirit ;)
jonathan brady
Can't wait to see you today in Birmingham
chrisradano
@mjw9363 As a teenager in the early 1980's, IMO it was a down period in Rock & Roll. In many ways the newer Rock is BETTER. But, most people never hear this music because somewhere along the line large corporate fat cats decided to no longer market Rock + Roll.