The other day I recognized The Dollyrots‘ music filling the air at my local Blockbuster. Oh, there’s the song, “Because I’m Awesome” adding flavor to yet another movie, I thought. In this case, a movie preview/trailer. The Los Angeles-based band’s been getting lots of play over the last year or so. Movie and TV show soundtracks, commercials, and videos. All this after hooking up with legendary Rock icon, Joan Jett and her Blackheart Records label.
Couldn’t happen to a nicer group of people. So nice, in fact, that after a long day and a set at Emo’s in Austin, guitarist, Luis Cabezas offered up the band’s services as my “posse” (volunteering to hang with me while I waited for my ride at the lately not-so-safe after-hours 6th and Red River location). I gave the crew hugs and sent them on their way. Way to treat a photographer, though.
Singer, Kelly Ogden, contacted me earlier that day to invite me to the “green room” for what would become a fun photo shoot. When I arrived, she was putting on her makeup and deciding what to wear. Chris Black (drummer) wandered in with some food. Then a couple of film/videographers, who were traveling with the band, came in to tape anything that was going on.
Amongst the travel bags and other items I noticed a cute little dog. “That’s Quito,” said Kelly. We made sure he got in on some of the pictures. Luis came in and after everyone was ready, we put together a quick shoot.
The following interview was done just a few days ago:
Chris, Luis, and Kelly
You have a new single out, “Bad Reputation,” a Joan Jett song. She must really like how you do what you do, to let you cover one of her signature hits. How did getting to record it come about?
Chris: Kevin Lyman who runs the Warped tour was producing a movie, Endless Bummer, and wanted Warped bands to cover hits from the 80’s.
Kelly: We were asked to do a Joan song for the movie soundtrack. She’s in it! And I fought so hard to convince everyone to let us do “Bad Reputation.” That song is to me what I think “Because I’m Awesome” is to a lot of our fans. But tougher and without the sarcasm. That song and “Rebel Girl” by Bikini Kill are my favorite scream-along-songs.
Luis: Basically, it was a 1-day session in L.A. at a studio called Seedy Underbelly. Same studio where we recorded about half of “Because I’m Awesome”. We kept the track the exact same speed as the original: 209 bpm. We heard back from Joan’s manager Kenny later that week with a text saying “Joan really likes your version of her song.” Obviously, this was really, really nice to hear. High praise.
How did you hook up with Joan in the first place, and end up on her label, Blackheart Records?
Chris: Kelly got ballsy one day on warped and handed her our EP (soon to be “Because I’m Awesome”). Lookout records had announced that they wouldn’t be putting any new records out for a while (since Green Day pulled their catalog) so we needed a new home. I think Kelly knew she had to do what she had to do!
Kelly: We played Warped Tour in 2005 when Joan was on the tour. She was really cool and would hang out, so on our 2nd to last day I finally forced myself to give her our CD and introduce myself. This took a lot of “pumping up” and repeating “Stop being such a pussy!” in my head.
Luis: Basically, the record was 90% finished up by the time Kelly handed it to Joan, and everyone at her label fell in love with it. After being left label-less with Lookout’s demise this was really nice to hear.
What’s Joan like as the head of a label (to you as a band)? No, REALLY, what’s she like?
Kelly: It’s like having the coolest, most bad ass older sister who knows exactly how it feels to do what you’re trying to do. She’s pretty sweet too.
Luis: She gives me kisses on the lips when we see each other. She’s hot.
Chris: She’s super supportive and like a well of information. Imagine being able to have a Queen of Rock and Roll as a consultant! She’s funny and sweet as hell!
Your new album is coming out early next year. Should we expect any changes in the sound?
Kelly: It’s less pop polished and more rock n’ roll. It’s a little more deliberate and parts of it might make you squirm, in a good way. We did whatever we wanted without caring about what genre we’re supposed to fit into or who would be listening. If you liked the last two you’ll like it. It’s that but better. The songs are amazing.
Chris: Definitely more raw and it shows a maturity we’ve gained from all the touring and promoting of “Because I’m Awesome”. It’s more straight forward rock n’ roll!
Do you like being in the studio? What’s your process like?
Kelly: Being in the studio is always a challenge. This time more than ever because we had a little more time and wanted it to be just right. I feel like being in the studio is when I grow the most as a musician. It’s also nice to have an excuse to drink whisky any time of day. The whisky is how I like to “warm-up my voice.” And the rest is just play it till it hurts. Literally. Bloody.
Luis: We reversed the normal recording process on this record for many of the songs; recording bass, guitars, and lots of the vocals first, followed by drums. It’s an unconventional way to cut a record, but it allowed us more freedom in terms of arrangements and making everything really tight.
Chris: Love the studio. The combination of electricity and creativity make it like summer camp. You’re feeling this cool thing come together and spending all this time cooped up together having no concept of time. You have to adjust to real life when you finally walk out of there. It takes a lot out of you.
So, how’s Quito? How’d you find him again?
Chris: Quito is the Cheagle with a plan. He’s sassy, he’s frassy, he’s a dope little man!
Kelly: Quito is the best dog ever. I got him from a shelter last Halloween. My only complaint is that he loves me too much and freaks out when I leave. Even for two minutes. It must suck for him. But what can I say? I’m just that lovable. Ha!
Luis: We recorded a hip hop song about him called “Count ‘Em Up Quito”. It’s dope.
Do you find yourselves in a weird situation where you’ve had lots of success and exposure, but aren’t big, rich rock stars yet? I think lots of people figure, once you’re signed and get songs in movies and commercials, you’re living the easy life.
Chris: Absolutely. Rock n’ roll is mostly a blue collar job these days. I think we’re constantly balancing on the edge of having to rejoin the “real world”. Personally, I feel like it’s only gonna get better though. We’re not that far from the carrot on the end of the stick!
Kelly: Yes. It’s really lame. People think my reality is really different from what it is. I still live in the same apartment I moved into when I moved to LA, steal wi-fi from a neighbor, use public transportation, and bring my own booze to bars. AND I’m really smart with my money. People don’t realize how many people it takes to make “The Dollyrots” work. The money gets split into a lot of pieces. But it’s my only “job” and I love it.
Luis: Even though we’re not wealthy by any means, I’m grateful every day to not have to wake up and go work for the Man.
Worst fear? Biggest Dream?
Kelly: Worst fear: a job I’m not passionate about. Biggest dream: to continue putting “musician” as my occupation on tax forms until I die.
Chris: Worst fear: 9-5 in a cubicle. Biggest dream: Making records for as long as I choose to without worrying about bills!
Luis: Worst fear is the coming 2012 Apocalypse. Biggest dream is the coming 2012 Apocalypse.
Anything else you’d like to talk about that I forgot to ask about?
Chris: I like to eat Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream on top of warm brownies so much it’s a wonder I don’t weigh 400 lbs!
Kelly: Chris is a junk food junkie. We might have to do an intervention some day. We’ll make sure it’s really embarrassing and made into a TV show. I kid. We really all love each other. Most of the time. Oh yeah, I almost forgot… you’re going to LOVE the new record.
