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.

L.A. DERBY DOLLS SHOW WORLD HOW TO ‘WHIP IT’ IN UPCOMING DREW BARRYMORE AND ELLEN PAGE FILM

Skaters Served As Writers, Co-Stars, Trainers for Feature Film Opening Oct. 2
 
LOS ANGELES – Sept. 24, 2009 – FOX Searchlight’s upcoming feature film, WHIP IT (Oct. 2 national release), stars such luminaries as Drew Barrymore, Ellen Page, Kristen Wiig and Juliette Lewis but the real star of the film is the sport of roller derby.  The L.A. Derby Dolls, Southern California’s premiere all-female, banked track roller derby league, are proud to represent the sport and its spirit of being your own hero with its participation in the film.

SoCal fans can catch WHIP IT on the big screen upon release on Oct. 2, and then visit the home of the L.A. Derby Dolls, the Doll Factory, for a live bout on Oct. 3 that will feature two of the film’s co-stars, Iron Maiven and Krissy Krash, when their team, the Tough Cookies, battle the Varsity Brawlers.

Screenwriter Shauna Cross adapted her own book and based much of the film on her experiences with the L.A. Derby Dolls (LADD), whom she skated with as an original member of the Sirens for three years as “Maggie Mayhem.” 

WHIP IT co-stars LADD skaters Kristen “Krissy Krash” Adolfi and Rachel “Iron Maiven” Piplica as the silent but deadly Manson Sisters, teammates on Page’s character’s team, the Hurl Scouts. Adolfi and Piplica are teammates on LADD’s Tough Cookies, on whom the film’s fictionalized Hurl Scouts are based. 

The film’s actresses were trained by Alex “Axles of Evil” Cohen, a popular KPCC radio host and LADD skater who also acted as a consultant for the film.  Other trainers for the film include Jennifer “Kasey Bomber” Barbee and Erin “Myna Threat” Smith, both former LADD skaters. Barbee and Cohen are currently writing a book titled DOWN AND DERBY: AN INSIDER'S GUIDE TO ROLLER DERBY (Soft Skull Press: 2010) which documents the sport’s history in all its do-it-yourself glory.

Adolfi and Piplica have kept busy since making their feature film debut. Piplica is the captain of the Tough Cookies, and as a respected production manager for Lucky 13 Apparel, is launching her own company creating custom roller derby uniforms for leagues, called Iron Doll Clothing.  Adolfi, captain of the LADD’s all-star team, is a health and nutrition coach.

In addition, the banked track featured in WHIP IT was built and designed by Kitten Traxx’s Bitchy Kitten, the architect behind LADD’s track.  While there are more than 400 flat track leagues nationwide, there are only five banked track leagues. The thrilling slopes of the banked track create the ultimate spectator sport, but are costly to house. 

Interview with Tough Cookies co-captain GORI SPELLING - Oct. 3 bout on sale now

Get to know...the Tough Cookies. Reigning champions, the Tough Cookies are led by Iron Maiven and Gori Spelling. One of the top jammers in the league, Gori is known for her athletic abilities, positive attitude and being the only skater who can properly rock a mohawk. Gori talks to us about the pressures of being champions and how the Cookies will take down the Varsity Brawlers. See the two teams LIVE on Saturday, OCTOBER 3. Get your tickets now at www.derbydolls.com/la

Q: How long have you been a skater and how did you become involved with the L.A. Derby Dolls?
GS: I went to my first fresh meat practice in September of 2006. I had been looking for something athletic to do and came across an online ad for a derby league. I did some searching online and found the LA Derby Dolls. I had never seen a bout before, but I could tell from the web site that this was the sport for me. I had previously been on an ice hockey team and did a lot of ‘aggressive inline skating’ during my high school years, so derby seemed like a great next step!

Q: What skaters past and present do you admire?
GS: My derby hero is Iron Maiven. She does so much for the league and is so good at all of it. She also has a full time job and I just have no idea how she fits it all in. Maiven is such a positive, fun leader and I hope she skates forever!

Q: You and your teammate, Laguna Beyatch, are one of the most formidable 1-2 combinations in the league. Are the two of you ever competitive with one another? How do you continue to drive each other?
GS: I don’t feel competitive with her at all on the track. We really work together and support each other…and we usually plan in advance to wear matchey outfits at practice…so I guess that’s our secret. Laguna and I got drafted to the Tough Cookies at the same time and we’ve just been BFFs since! We do get competitive when it comes to shopping though!

Q: The Tough Cookies have a personality all their own in the league, and have earned the reputation as not only the "fun team," but as one of the most strategic and intelligent teams. Tell us how you and captain Iron Maiven maintain high standards for the team and develop the chemistry that is your secret to success.
GS: As a team, we are really tight. We hang out together outside of practice quite a bit and I think that helps a lot to how fluid we can be on the track. Maiven always has new drills for us to try, new videos for us to learn from and she always keeps it fun.

Q: As reigning champions, do you feel pressure to repeat? How do you feel about the dominance of the Swarm who are currently 3-0?
GS: I think any team that was last year’s champions would feel pressure to repeat. The nice thing about playing the Swarm last is that we’ve been able to watch our other home teams skate against them and evaluate what works and what doesn’t.

Q: The Varsity Brawlers are coming off a major win (in addition to a huge near-upset of the Sirens), a serious feat for a first-season team. Given what a roll they are on, how will you combat their style?
GS: Trash-talking Long Island Lolita is my personal combat tactic.

Q: For being a self-professed "Diva Jammer," you are remarkably humble and lowkey both on and off the track. What exactly do you do to earn such a reputation as a Diva Jammer?
GS: Yeah, good point. ;) I am probably the least ‘Diva’ of the ‘Diva Jammers’ at the moment. I have vanity ‘Diva Jammer’ license plates though…doesn’t that count for anything? Are you suggesting I act out a bit? Do you want me to throw my iPhone at you?

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L.A. DERBY DOLLS BANKED TRACK ROLLER DERBY ACTION ON OCTOBER 3 PREPARES FANS FOR RELEASE OF DREW BARRYMORE’S “WHIP IT”

Undefeated Champions Tough Cookies Prepare to “Whip It” Good To First-Season Varsity Brawlers; Tickets On Sale Now For Saturday, October 3 Event

LOS ANGELES – The L.A. Derby Dolls (www.derbydolls.com/la), Southern California’s premiere all-female, banked track roller derby league, anticipate the chance to demonstrate the thrill of the spill to new and seasoned derby fans as the Tough Cookies take on the Varsity Brawlers on Sat., Oct. 3 at the Doll Factory (1910 Temple Street, Los Angeles CA 90026).  This event threatens to be a fierce and competitive bout as it arrives on the heels of the much anticipated movie, “Whip It,” directed by and starring Drew Barrymore.

The 2008 champions, the Tough Cookies, under the brute leadership of captains Iron Maiven and Gori Spelling, are currently undefeated and with the quickness and agility they’ve been exhibiting they have no plans to let this title slip away. Their aggressive, no-holds barred approach to scoring points establishes them as a formidable opponent. The team also features co-stars from the film “Whip It,” Iron Maiven and Krissy Krash.

The new gals on the block, Varsity Brawlers, have done their homework over the summer break and are coming off a huge win against the Fight Crew, a major feat for a first season team.  Led by captains Long Island Lolita and Razorslut, the outstanding and outlandish women in purple have proven their mettle. This tenacious team is known for their teamwork and heart.

The energy at the Doll Factory is at an all-time high.  With roller derby exploding onto the big screen, these two teams have the guts and the glory to show Southern California that not even Hollywood could script anything as exciting as roller derby.

The youthful and vibrant band, Kitten, will perform at halftime, with DJ Kasey Bomber supplying the tunes. Derby Dolls events offer a full range of entertainment off the track, with the Vendor Village featuring art, jewelry and clothes, food from Garage Pizza and Hot Dog on a Stick, and beer from Tecate and Alex’s Bar.

Tickets are now available to purchase at http://www.derbydolls.com/la. General admission tickets are $17 online and $20.00 at the door; VIP tickets are $40.00. The Doll Factory is located at 1910 Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90026 (between Alvarado and Union). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and closes at half time. General parking is available for $8 at Silver Lake Medical Center, 1711 West Temple (near the intersection of Temple and Union), one block east of the Doll Factory. This is a 21 and over event, featuring beer and wine. Please have your ID, leave your cameras/recording devices at home, and note that all concessions and most vendors accept cash only.