Interview with Varsity Brawlers co-captain RAZORSLUT - Oct. 3 bout on sale now

Photo by Charlie "Shutterthug" ChuOn Oct. 3, the Varsity Brawlers face their biggest challenge against the reigning champions, the Tough Cookies. A true Cinderella story, the Brawlers have surprised fans by nearly defeating the Sirens, then fighting for a victory against the Fight Crew. With their last game of their memorable season drawing near, we spoke with team co-captain RAZORSLUT, a longtime veteran of the LADD, to get her thoughts on her team's dream run. GET YOUR TICKETS TO SEE THE VARSITY BRAWLERS' LAST GAME OF THE SEASON AGAINST THE TOUGH COOKIES NOW AT WWW.DERBYDOLLS.COM/LA

Q: How long have you been with the L.A. Derby Dolls and how did you first find out about the league?
RS: I have been with the league since Nov 2003. One night I went with retired skater Hadda Bad Day to a roller disco party, and while we there, she said "Hey you can skate a little". She mentioned that she had just started playing Roller Derby and I should go with her. I reluctantly agreed to go to a practice (coincidentally the same night she brought Tawdry Tempest). After my first practice and my first big hit, I was sold that there was nothing more perfect in the world for me to be doing.

Q: The Varsity Brawlers are coming off a major victory against a hard-fighting Fight Crew, a serious accomplishment for a first-season team. Given that you lost your debut by 55 points to the Swarm, then battled to nearly upseat the Sirens, how have you and Long Island Lolita maintained this momentum and how are you keeping your heads together given your success?
RS: Our team has worked so hard, and learned to enjoy playing together so much, we really focus on team building and having a great time while we work our little tails off. We have such a great team where everyone contributes in their own way. Girls like Eire Vengeance bring in such great ideas and drills, Tae Kwon Ho keeps us cracking up with her off track antics, Lucky amazes us with her fancy footwork, its really amazing to have a team that supports each other. Teamwork is the secret.....shhh don't tell the other teams that!

Q: Describe the Varsity Brawlers in 5 words or less.
RS: (This is really hard ) Teamwork, Pretty, Tenacious, Relentless, Stealthy

Q: As a longtime veteran, how has the league evolved in the several years you've been involved? How are the Varsity Brawlers different from your first team, the (now disbanded) Trust Fund Terrors?
RS: Originally I was a member of Fight Crew, back in the early days we played in a pillow factory next to Chinatown. Everything was so new then; it was a great moment in derby, there were only a handful of other leagues at the time. We really had to rely on each other to build everything, including the track. Then Broadzilla got pregnant, and she was the Captain of the Trust Fund Terrors. I was chosen to be the new cappy. When ACDG (Angel City Derby Girls) formed, we lost some skaters, and the league needed one team to disband, The Trust Fund Terrors volunteered. Fast forward to being drafted to the Brawlers. This team is so refreshing, and fun. Its amazing to see how the sport has evolved and how being surrounded by a team of girls with new ideas is so exciting. I know the future holds great things for the Brawlers and I am so lucky to be a part of that.

Q: After such a successful debut, what are your plans for the Brawlers to continue their meteoric rise in 2010?
RS: My plan for the Brawlers is lots of work on the track, and lots of team bonding time. The more time we spend together the better the team plays together. 2010 will see the Brawlers staying pretty and kicking ass.