For over 20 years, The Dollyrots have been a shining example of how to mix raw punk energy with catchy, bubblegum melodies, all while living life entirely on their terms. Fronted by bassist and vocalist Kelly Ogden and guitarist Luis Cabezas, this power duo has built a legacy of anthemic tunes, relentless touring, and an unwavering DIY ethos. But what sets them apart isn’t just their music—it’s their ability to balance the chaos of punk rock with raising kids that are now old enough to take the stage on their own. The band has released eight studio albums and played over two thousand shows since their 2004 debut on legendary punk label Lookout! Records. The next two albums came out through Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records, followed by several DIY, fan-funded releases and a current alliance with Wicket Cool Records. Long a staple in rotation on Sirius/XM’s Little Steven’s Underground Garage, the band’s consistent output perked up the ears of Wicked Cool founder Stevie Van Zandt. “Their songwriting has reached a consistent level of greatness,” he says. The Dollyrots’ sound stays rooted in the sharp hooks of classic pop punk. Growing up together in Florida, followed by a decade-long stint in Los Angeles, the band emerged from the L.A. punk scene with a style that blends humor, heart, and high-energy. Their anthem “Because I’m Awesome” has enjoyed over 2.6 million streams on Spotify while becoming a rallying cry for sarcastic self-confidence. Whether they’re singing about awkward crushes or the everyday chaos of life, their songs always deliver a sense of fun and relatability, reminding listeners not to take life—or themselves—too seriously. The band is no stranger to success, hitting the Billboard Heatseekers and Independent Albums charts several times and featured in movies and TV shows including “Nimona”, “Billions”, “The Price Is Right” along with classics such as “Easy A” and “CSI:NY”. Their most recent album, Night Owls, is co-Produced by longtime collaborator John Fields (Jimmy Eat World, All Time Low, Meet Me At the Altar) and features multiple tracks receiving heavy rotation on Sirius/XM and featured on NPRs New Music Friday and Spotify’s New In Punk Playlists, along with many more. Kelly and Luis aren’t just bandmates; they’re life partners who’ve taken their shared love of music and turned it into a family affair. Their two kids, River and Daisy, have grown up on the road, trading playgrounds for green rooms and bedtime stories for soundchecks. Instead of seeing family life as a limitation, Kelly and Luis have woven it into the fabric of their music and lifestyle. Their kids often make mid-show cameos on stage and can sometimes be spotted at the merch table helping fans pick out t-shirts, or popping up in behind-the-scenes tour videos. The family vibe is infectious, making Dollyrots shows feel less like a concert and more like a reunion with your fun, rock n roll cousins. This unconventional lifestyle has added a unique layer to The Dollyrots’ identity. They’ve become a symbol of what it means to balance ambition and creativity with family life. Their fans—many of whom are now parents themselves—find inspiration in how Kelly and Luis have stayed true to their punk roots while embracing parenthood with open arms. The band’s influence has also extended to the radio, where Kelly has held down the position of morning show DJ since 2019 on Sirius/XM Channel 21 The Underground Garage. The Kelly Ogden Program plays the best of garage, punk, and rock, airing every weekday morning with a bonus Friday night show. She can also be heard on their sister station Sirius 721, and shares a side project with Bowling For Soup frontman Jaret Reddick called Jaret and Kelly. Always active on the live circuit, the band is gearing up for extensive 2025 tour plans including both U.S. and overseas runs. This will coincide with a new release coming in the Spring just on the heels of deluxe vinyl reissues of their seminal LPs “Eat My Heart Out” and “Barefoot & Pregnant” in February through Wicked Cool/The Orchard. Though their lives have evolved, The Dollyrots’ music remains as vibrant and youthful as ever. Their DIY approach has also allowed them to stay connected to their audience and build a loyal community that feels more like an extended family. Their fans have watched them grow from scrappy up-and-comers to seasoned musicians and parents, and that connection makes their music hit even harder. They show that you don’t have to give up your passions or your identity to raise a family and prove that punk rock isn’t just about rebellion—it’s about creating your own path and sticking to it, no matter what. With a little bubblegum and mischief on the side.

THE VON TRAMPS are an American rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2015. The group is fronted by guitarist/vocalist Jenna Enemy and features Chelsea Oxborough on guitar and Krissandra Anfinson on bass. The band emerged from the Minneapolis underground punk scene and first gained notoriety for their high-energy live shows and irreverent behavior. he Von Tramps have an eclectic style offering a new take on the Minneapolis underground sound which combines sludgy Ramones-esk punk tunes with cheeky lyrics and introduces a new wave of rude girl ska.

The year was 2006. The day was no different than any other Fall Day in Normal, IL. Five guys got together for the first time in a cramped basement to start what can be described as a true underdog story that they only slightly remember. Fueled by Admiral Nelson and a desire to write uninhibited Party Punk The band started playing house parties, winning numerous local battle of the bands and the hearts of every college kid they played in front of. To them this was success, they wanted to drink for free, and play one hell of a party every night. However, in the back of their minds they knew there was a great big world out there and if they ever wanted their brand of debauchery to reach the masses they’d have to expand on their college circuit. In the Spring of 2009 frontman Jason Fein was surfing the world wide web, for what he still refuses to speak of, but in doing so he stumbled upon an International Battle of the bands. The winner of this contest got to play one of the main stages at SummerFest in Milwaukee, opening up for Blues Traveler and Tom Petty. Jason, not thinking much of it, decided for the hell of it he would enter their latest single “Runaway Mexico” into the contest. He didn’t even tell his band he did so for the first couple weeks. After all, there were 776 other bands across the world in this contest and they were just a small time College band. After the second week of being in the contest the band had climbed from the bottom to the 223rd spot. Thinking this was news worthy for his band mates he decided to mention it at that point. Within a month, the band had reached the top 50, two months, the top 10 and by the end of the first round the band had over 100,000 votes and was firmly locked in the number two spot. The top 4 bands went on to the final round which was three weeks of the world voting on their favorite band based on their entire catalog. Still, forever the underdogs the band knocked off three other more experienced bands to put them from a college basement band to playing the biggest Music Festival in the world.

Sweetie is a Chicago-based lipstick punk band with a femme fatale ferocity and a French attitude, thanks to frontwoman Birdy Vee, who blends her francophone background with her fervor for punk and drag. Voted a Top 5 Punk Band in the Chicago Reader two years in a row, Sweetie commands the stage at punk and drag shows alike, including venues such as The Green Mill, The Egyptian Theatre, Reggie’s, Beat Kitchen, The Forge, Cobra Lounge, Last Rites, Liar’s Club, and Metro. Their debut album, Bad Thing, Sweet Thing, was released in 2020, and is soon to be followed by their second album La Vie En Rouge, set for release in June 2025. Festival appearances include Motoblot, War On Xmas, Elgin Pride and Hands Off Our Fest, organized by frontwoman Birdy Vee to showcase fellow femme-fronted bands.  The three-piece has shared the stage with touring acts such as The Lawrence Arms, Suzi Moon, The Soapgirls, Koffin Kats, The Dollyrots, Sorry Mom, Hayley and the Crushers, and Soraia. In the past, Sweetie held a residency as the house band for T-Time at the Comedy Shrine, a queer comedy and drag variety show. They currently hold a residency as the house band for The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Egyptian Theater in DeKalb, IL. They have also collaborated extensively within the drag community, playing at Dragzilla, Nightcaps, and Witchorama.