LA.CityZine brings you bratty yet infectious punk rock band, The Dollyrots, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. As they say in their bio, they are one girl and two boys. Long time friends Kelly Ogden (bass/vox) and Luis Cabezas (guitar/vox) decided that all their experiences together since the 8th grade might sound good if they were disguised in a punk rock attitude and addictive pop sound. With that thought in mind and some unfortunate political history, the two started playing shows all over the west coast and met Chris Black (drums) along the way.

Their music has been featured in numerous television shows and the band, themselves, were even featured in a Kohl’s commercial with their song, “Because I’m Awesome.” Avril Lavigne could only wish she could be this obnoxious and sound as good at the same time. With clever lyrics and catchy hooks, you can’t help but want to be on The Dollyrots’ side with anything. They know what they’re saying and they don’t care if you like it or not. On their latest album, also titled Because I’m Awesome and released by Blackheart Records, they churn out witty and energetic tracks.

Although The Dollyrots may identify themselves as punks, this doesn’t mean they’re unfriendly. They’re actually needy. Of course, for your friendship, but most of the time for floors and showers at your place while they’re on tour. Along with their mascot, Sniffy, they have been taking on the world with the help of others. They’ll be more than glad to hang out but this might mean they’ll be taking up living room space. Making friends during a tour is a forte of theirs, so go to their show on Thursday, June 26th - 8:00pm at Safari Sam’s and get your chance for new camaraderie! Also, check out this interview below with LA.CityZine and The Dollyrots’ bassist, Kelly Ogden. You’ll be clued in on her experiences with Joan Jett, how popular Sniffy was on MySpace, and her opinions on the best burritos.

Could you give a brief description of your music?

It’s like the Ramones, Bikini Kill, and 60’s bubblegum pop music mixed in one.

How many fans do you have on MySpace? How many of them do you actually know?

21539 fans - all of them real requests. No auto friend adder for us! We also talk to a lot of them
answer our own myspace inbox. We may have met half of these peeps on tour so far.

So you have a mascot. Tell us about Sniffy, the rat. I think she has more MySpace friends than some of my friends.

Ha! We got Sniffy while on tour with The Groovie Ghoulies a few years ago. Sniffy passed away a few weeks ago but not before visiting 48 states, flying on at least 6 commercial flights, and converting lots of skeptics into rat lovers!

I read that you guys decided to start a band and do what you love after you found out Bush won the 2000 election. Can you explain the theory behind this?

We thought he was going to ruin the world and that our time on the planet was limited. We were kind of right. And we’re not out of the woods just yet.

Do you prefer gearing up for a tour or coming home for a tour?

Getting ready for tour is SO HARD! Figuring out bills while we’re away, mail, packing, ordering the right amount of merch, sending posters out, doing press, saying goodbye to friends for months at a time
. But one of my favorite parts of tour is the drive out of LA. It’s such a relief
 we’re all together and if we forgot something, well, it’s too late to go back. Coming home always seems to happen when I feel like I can’t do another day on the road eating fast food, lugging gear, waiting around, drinking too much, wearing dirty clothes
 you know? There are virtues to both.

Your song, “Because I’m Awesome, ” was featured in a Kohl’s commercial as well as numerous TV shows. What do you think of this new concept of TV as the new radio?

It’s great. It takes out the whole payola thing (I think) so that means it’s just the right songs for the right place. It’s more true to life. We get to “play” for so many people through TV. It allows us to reach people who don’t listen to the station we’re on, go to shows or read music magazines.

If you could play a different instrument in your band, what would it be?

Drums! I really want to learn. I can play guitar but I think the physical aspect of drums and singing would be a major rush.

Where do you see your music in 10 years?

It will have evolved. I’m not sure how. Hopefully in a cool way like Bjork, U2 or Joan Jett and not so much like Madonna or Gwen Stefani. We want to stick to our rock and punky roots while maybe going for something extra thoughtful.

What would be the best compliment someone could give you about your music and why?

Whenever someone says that it’s because of our band that they decided to pick up an instrument or start their own band. This tends to apply most intensely when younger girls show up at shows or send us messages telling us how our music has inspired them to learn music. When we help turn the tables and get females on the other side of the guitar pedals.

What’s it like touring with Joan Jett?

Playing shows with Joan makes you realize how huge her influence really is; her audience encompasses every single type of person you could ever imagine and they love her. It makes you want to write songs that speak to people with something close to that much power and passion. And she always takes time to meet her fans and show them how much she appreciates them. Basically, she’s the coolest.

What’s the best piece of advice someone has every given you and did you take notice?

When I was a kid my Mom worked nights, but before I left for school every morning she’d get home and make sure to tell me to “not forget to have fun”. I tell myself the same thing every time we’re about to go on stage. It’s important to work hard but not get so caught up in taking yourself or the situation so seriously that it stops making you or others happy.

What would be the best piece of advice you could give someone trying to break into the music business?

To stick to your guns. Don’t follow trends, especially things you hear on the radio or other big media because chances are that trend is already tapped out by the time it reaches the masses. Stick to your own personal style and eventually people will come around and give you your niche. It only takes 1% of 1% of everyone in the U.S. liking you to mean you have a following!

Dead or alive. What 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?

It goes without saying, but Joan Jett is definitely in there. Best sing-along songs ever. After that I’d go with Nirvana, The Clash, Le Tigre, and, just for a change of pace, Cyndi Lauper.

What’s your favorite song to play live and why?

At this point, probably “My Best Friend’s Hot”. We’re getting some radio play across the country on that one right now, so it tends to be one people know right off the bat. “Because I’m Awesome” runs a close second.

If you could rid the world of one song, what would it be?

I’d have to go with “Take On Me” by A-Ha. It brings back horrible memories of the 80’s and my delinquent baby sitters slacking off on the job and making out with their boyfriends.

Who would you like to see open for one of your shows?

We met a cool band called The Action Design on Warped Tour a couple days ago. We also like a band from L.A. called Killola. Or maybe an Irish folk band so I could dance like a banshee before our set.

Where is your favorite place to see a band play in LA?

It’s gotta be a toss-up between Safari Sam’s and the Troubadour; they’re both the perfect size and have nice rock & roll-ish atmospheres.

What’s your favorite LA radio station and/or DJ? Why?

I’d have to go with Indie 103 as the station; they play a lot of bands we listen to on the road and have also really supported our music. As far as a DJ goes, however, we owe so much to Rodney Bingenheimer. He was the first in L.A. to play us, along with basically every other important band of the last 30 years. We were so happy when he got his star on the Walk of Fame last year.

Do you support any local charities? If so, who? If not, would you like to?

We do fund-raising shows when we can but other than that, not really. I was really involved in cool volunteer opportunities when I was younger… Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society and tons of vet and human hospitals. We’ve inquired about doing some Habitat for Humanity work in New Orleans next time we go through. It’s just hard to commit to things since we never know where we’re going to be. I think we’ve been in LA a whole 3 weeks this year!

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Baking. And then eating the delicious treats! I have a sweet cobbler recipe and I’m fond of strawberry cake too! If you meant musically I would have to say
 Miley Cyrus. The songwriting is incredible and that smokey voice! She sounds like a whisky guzzling 2 pack a day smoking thirty-something!

What’s the best cure for a hangover?

Propel, Gatorade or pedialyte. Downing at least 5 glasses of water before falling asleep doesn’t hurt either!

What would be your perfect LA day?

Waking up late, going to the Fairfax swap meet, Ethiopian food for lunch, driving down to the Coast for margaritas, heading back to the city for a rock show or band practice, and ending up at a house party with friends until the wee hours of the morning. Add vodka. Repeat.

What are the three things you could not live without?

My music family, my friend family, and my family family.

Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.

I really like to crochet and make crafty things. Most people don’t get to see me do “girl stuff”, but when I’m not being in a band I really like to be artistic in other ways.

Bonus Question: Where is the best place to get a burrito in LA?

Definitely El Gran Burrito at the corner of Vermont and Santa Monica! Get their Burrito Mojado; they’ve got the best salsa bar ever. Try the hot carrots and tomatoes too!

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