2006 was the year I was introduced to The
DollyRots. The female fronted trio reminded me of a
cross between the Donnas and Veruca Salt, and was in a
tiny tent stage in the middle of the 12th Annual Warped
Tour. Little did I know it at the time, but 2006 was a big
year for the group too. That tour was the same year that
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts were on the tour. Lead
singer and bass player Kelly Ogden got up the nerve to
give a copy of their tracks to Miss Jett. Shortly
afterwards, the band was signed to Blackheart records,
Jett's record label. Now the band is touring to promote
their second release Because I'm Awesome.
So what's it like having an eighties rock goddess as a
boss? "It's amazing. She's always been someone that
I've kind of looked up to and to have her stamp of
approval," explains Ogden. However, Ogden explains
that most of the tracks on Because I'm Awesome were
already being demoed and, therefore, are not heavily
influenced by Jett. "I think this next record will have
more of her influence."
"Her (Jett) and Kenny Laguna, her longtime manager
and band member, as well," continues drummer Chris
Black, "had to a lot to do with the little added things that
we did after pretty much everything was laid down.
They had ideas on ear candy."
Black was responsible for the idea behind the band's
American Idol themed music video for the single
"Because I'm Awesome." "Originally, I had wanted to do
it from the beginning audition process all the way to the
end where you are on a stage and people are voting you
off, but we realized that would be impossible to do with
DollyRots. The female fronted trio reminded me of a
cross between the Donnas and Veruca Salt, and was in a
tiny tent stage in the middle of the 12th Annual Warped
Tour. Little did I know it at the time, but 2006 was a big
year for the group too. That tour was the same year that
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts were on the tour. Lead
singer and bass player Kelly Ogden got up the nerve to
give a copy of their tracks to Miss Jett. Shortly
afterwards, the band was signed to Blackheart records,
Jett's record label. Now the band is touring to promote
their second release Because I'm Awesome.
So what's it like having an eighties rock goddess as a
boss? "It's amazing. She's always been someone that
I've kind of looked up to and to have her stamp of
approval," explains Ogden. However, Ogden explains
that most of the tracks on Because I'm Awesome were
already being demoed and, therefore, are not heavily
influenced by Jett. "I think this next record will have
more of her influence."
"Her (Jett) and Kenny Laguna, her longtime manager
and band member, as well," continues drummer Chris
Black, "had to a lot to do with the little added things that
we did after pretty much everything was laid down.
They had ideas on ear candy."
Black was responsible for the idea behind the band's
American Idol themed music video for the single
"Because I'm Awesome." "Originally, I had wanted to do
it from the beginning audition process all the way to the
end where you are on a stage and people are voting you
off, but we realized that would be impossible to do with
our budget," confesses Black. Instead they whittled it
down to just the audition portion of the show. "All we
needed was one room in a hotel conference center and
we could film the whole thing there," explains guitarist
Luis Cabezas. "It only took one day." When asked their
opinion on the world's obsession with reality TV, Black
rebuts with a simple question, "Have you seen the movie
Idiocracy?" Idicocracy is a Mike Judge comedy where in
the future people have bred themselves to near mental
retardation. Ogden does, however, have reality show she
enjoys, "It's not even a guilty pleasure…Hell's Kitchen. I
love that show!"
Ogden has one favorite thing about Warped Tour too,
"Port-O-Potties: The Great Equalizer. They are my least
favorite and most favorite thing because no matter how
cool you are, you still have to shit on them." The band is
on Warped again this year, and now, with previous
experience under their belt, they have some words of
wisdom for new bands who are trying to conquer the
sweltering heat and constant travel of the tour. "Sun
block, water…you're going to get really tired and try not
to lose your temper with each other," advises Ogden.
"The elements make it really hard to stay cool, both
literally and figuratively. Try and remember why you like
your band mates."
down to just the audition portion of the show. "All we
needed was one room in a hotel conference center and
we could film the whole thing there," explains guitarist
Luis Cabezas. "It only took one day." When asked their
opinion on the world's obsession with reality TV, Black
rebuts with a simple question, "Have you seen the movie
Idiocracy?" Idicocracy is a Mike Judge comedy where in
the future people have bred themselves to near mental
retardation. Ogden does, however, have reality show she
enjoys, "It's not even a guilty pleasure…Hell's Kitchen. I
love that show!"
Ogden has one favorite thing about Warped Tour too,
"Port-O-Potties: The Great Equalizer. They are my least
favorite and most favorite thing because no matter how
cool you are, you still have to shit on them." The band is
on Warped again this year, and now, with previous
experience under their belt, they have some words of
wisdom for new bands who are trying to conquer the
sweltering heat and constant travel of the tour. "Sun
block, water…you're going to get really tired and try not
to lose your temper with each other," advises Ogden.
"The elements make it really hard to stay cool, both
literally and figuratively. Try and remember why you like
your band mates."
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