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2008/08/30
hey world, i'm going to be going on tour with my boyfriend's band Black Ships in the fall. I'm going to try and hook up with derby folk along the way. if i can't come practice, you should try to make it out to the show! ..if you enjoy very, VERY, loud music. oct 15, miami, fl oct 15 - miami, fl oct 16 - orlando, fl oct 17 - tallahassee, fl oct 18 - birmginham, al @ cave 9 oct 19 - nasville, tn @ the muse oct 20 - tupelo, ms @ lifeblood skateshop w/ conspirator oct 21 - oklahoma city, ok oct 22 - dallas, tx oct 23 - austin, tx oct 24 - anthony, nm @ the mainstreet project w/ shangalang, god equals genocide oct 25 - albuquerque, nm oct 26 - phoenix, az oct 27 - tucson, az @ the living room w/ holy dose oct 28 - san diego, ca pct 29, san diego yeah!!! Labels: tour, vacation
Hell on Wheels - Download or own iton DVD
Message: For Immediate Release: HELL ON WHEELS, the ultimate roller-derby documentary comes to IndiePixFilms.com
-Available September 30th on the net for download or shipping
-Feature-length documentary hailed by critics and roller-derby -Directed by Bob Ray, with original music by …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead -Up to 80 national roller derby leagues set to screen the film -Note to Editors: Review Copy available -Filmmakers Bob Ray & Werner Campbell available for interviews
New York, US - 21 August, 2008 – Hell on Wheels – the roller-derby documentary that is taking the massively popular all-girl roller derby scene by storm – will be released on DVD and download by IndiePix on September 30th.
Along with the film's release, IndiePix films will partner with director Bob Ray and producer Werner Campbell to organize a series of screenings at roller derby leagues and competitions around the country. The first of these was a raucous celebration at Las Vegas’ national RollerCon convention on August 1st.
HELL ON WHEELS is the true tale of a group of hard-hitting Austin, Texas women who resurrect the sport or roller derby, only to find internal strife ripping the fledgling organization apart. Two leagues emerge from the clash and, in four short years, the two Texas leagues overcame all obstacles to revel in undreamed of success. Riding a wave of international acclaim, the Lonestar Rollergirls and the Texas Rollergirls launch a roller derby revival, inspiring hundreds of other leagues to start up across the globe.
Over 300 leagues are now operating in the US, Canada, Europe and as far away as New Zealand, Australia and Japan. Shot over a five-year period by Bob Ray and Werner Campbell, Hell on Wheels was edited by award winning editor Conor O’Neill (Murderball, Word Wars, Air Guitar Nation) and features an original score by …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead and the music of Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, Grupo Fantasma, Suplecs, Alice Donut, Nashville Pussy and more.
Film Threat’s founder, Chris Gore, calls the film "an epic doc. . .fast, fun, and inspiring," while Ain’t It Cool News raves “the story is extremely compelling, sometimes laugh-out-loud outrageous and above all inspiring.” After premiering at South by Southwest in 2007, HELL ON WHEELS went on to play dozens of festivals all over the world, including STARZ Denver International Film Festival, CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival, Rhode Island International Film Festival, Victoria Film Festival, Big Sky Documentary Festival, ResFest (Sao Paulo), Perth International Film Festival, and LadyFest Manchester with sold out screenings at Brooklyn Academy of Music and a full house screening at the storied American Cinematheque in Los Angeles.
[sic NIA CAPPS:] And don't forget the screening at Montreal's Beast of the East in April 2008!
Danielle DiGiacomo, Director of Documentary Acquisitions at IndiePix Films, was attracted to its “perfect blend of high-stakes competition film, compelling characters, rock n’ roll attitude, and the heartfelt narrative of independent women learning to be successful entrepreneurs. It really does have something for everyone.”
Bob Ray “IndiePix has been exceedingly active and crafty in finding new ways to have important films seen by wide audiences, they are absolutely artist-friendly and it turns out that they’re good folks to boot. We’re ecstatic to be a part of their great family of films.”Werner Campbell “Working w/ IndiePix has been a great experience! It's fantastic to work with a distributor in the Independent Film biz that really cares about the filmmakers and understands what is needed to get help get our film out to the masses.
The film will be available as a two-disk set (with TONS of extras, and three audio commentary tracks: filmmaker’s track with Bob Ray & Werner Campbell, Lonestar Rollergirls track featuring She-E-Os, and Texas Rollergirls track with league managers) from the IndiePix website www.indiepix.net priced from $24.95. Note to Editors: Free editorial review sample If you would like to review Hell on Wheels, send an email to jason@indiepix.net and IndiePix will send you a free copy via DVD or emailed directly to your PC.
About IndiePixIndiePix is the world’s leading distributor of critically acclaimed and hard-to-find independent films. The company was set up in 2005 by Bob Alexander and Barnet Lieberman to break down barriers between film-makers and audiences in the global film community through the creation of a world leading shop and online service dedicated to making independent films available to the film community. It is committed to supporting the independent film industry and encouraging the production of more movies – giving 60 per cent of the revenue from each purchase straight to the film-maker.
Danielle DiGiacomo Director, Documentary Acquisitions Tel: 212-684-2333
Louise Sambells
The PressOffice – PR for IndiePix Tel:+44(0)1780 721433
I did a mini-review from the Beast of the East, and I was sad that there wasn't enough roller derby in the movie, and that the leagues splitting was caused by power trips. But mostly that it was clear that the girls were practicing fight moves and such because my league was hardcore against anything faked or not 100% real.
But after thinking about it, I'd like to see this movie again, but not at a drunken party screeening, but somewhere I can sit quietly and actually listen and watch what happens a little closer. And of course as a Derbyluvver, I have to own it! Labels: roller derby movie
2008/08/27
 Roxy is a close personal friend of mine, and I am happy to present her as the first featured Santa Cruz Rollergirl of the Week. Roxy has a heart of gold and is hands down one of the most amazing people I have ever met in my life, derby or not. She is a loving mother, a sexy wife and a talented and caring teammate.
Derby Name: Roxy ScarmichaelNumber: 6 Team(s): Beach Flat Betties/ All-Stars Position(s): Knock her downer Hometown: Santa Cruz/ (grew up in Cupertino) How did you learn about roller derby and how did you get started?Saw a poster in Starbucks- got a pair of skates, and showed up at the
Palladium ready to Roll!Why do you play roller derby?I have a lot of inner anger issues that I needed to get in touch with- plus
I have 2 teenage sons and I am currently going through a mid-life crisis-
guess it's better then being a cougar.What are your favorite two things about playing roller derby? Just 2 -Umm Raven and Heather, fun trips to Jamba Juice before practice- the nonstop
drama- the feeling of being an athlete and looking cute , and that I'm the
coolest mom on the block. Kind of a big deal.
How did you get your derby name?
My husband picked it out. It's from a Winona Ryder movie.
What roller derby skates and gear do you use?
Riddell Wicked's baby! and custom leopard print pads from Pro design
What skates make you drool?
The ones Johnny Depp wears in my dreams when he picks me for couples only
skate..
What else, besides play, do you do for your league?
Parent. Cupcake maker. Get free shit. :)
What was your worst injury from roller derby so far?
The huge hematoma that now lives on the side of by butthigh-
Pretty.
How hard is it for you to balance your derby and real life responsibilities?
I am good a multi-tasking- I can drive a car, drink coffee, talk on the
phones and put on lipstick and yell at my kids to stop fighting in the back
seat or I'm gunna pull this car over... all at the same time.
Where do you see the sport of roller derby in 5 years?
Hopefully on TV at the x games and still at the Santa Cruz Civic.
What is your theme song?
Oh something by The Maids of Honor I'm sure-
Or Thriller
What's your dream roller derby vacation/travel/trip?
To play in Seattle or Virginia so my family can see me play
What has been your best roller derby moment this season/ever?
Every time I lace up my skates and roll on the floor with you bitches.
Thanks Roxy!
2008/08/26
I heart Junior Derby
As may already know from my last post, I was recently in Seattle hanging out and skating with some of the Rat City Rollergirls. Wile E Peyote from Fast Girl Skates took excellent care of me and introduced me to some great ladies.
One of the most exciting parts of my trip was going to one of the Rat City and surrounding area's Derby Brats Practice! There were two groups of girls ages 6-9 and 10-18, with coaches from Rat City and Jet City Rollergirls (Snohomish County). The younger group "The Tootsy Rollers" were mostly learning how to skate and basic drills, while the older girls were practices more advanced drills and learning the basics of hitting.
Many of the girls from the older group were great skaters, super fast, and not to mention, bigger than me! They all had a great attitude and were excited to be there. I just wanted to highlight the fact that our generation of derby is creating a younger generation of stronger, faster, and scarier generation of derby players that will kick our asses in about five years (even sooner!). I just hope you're all prepared for this.
 The Seattle Derby Brats
Wile E's niece and I
Me helping coach the brats!
I wish my league could have derby brats. First we need to find practice space for ourselves!
Georgia W Tush
Labels: derby brats, jet city rollergirls, rat city rollergirls
Know When to Lace Up, Know When to Sit Out
 I think this an all too familiar topic for most derby girls. I recently suffered a knee contusion a week before my last bout for the SCRG Allstars against the Oakland Outlaws. It happened at a mixed skills practice. I was kinda bored and decided to start trying to invent a new hit or something. Basically I was fucking around and hurt myself. I have never had any previous problems with my knees before derby. My left one especially has never caused me any pain or proven to be anything but sturdy. But on that fateful Monday I didn't just land on it once, but twice trying to perfect some sort of crazy hit I had buzzing in my mind. I kept skating. I knew something was not right and by the time practice and I went to take off my skate, shooting pains like nothing I had previously experienced, radiated from my knee. I went home, iced, elevated and by morning I was swollen and couldn't walk. Lucky for me our team has the amazing Dr. Roitz, a sports doctor who treats us for a bargain. She assured me that if I came back to her office every day between then and the bout I would be able to play. The pressure was on. Four of our regular Allstars were out with injuries or were not going to play due to family trips and whatnot. Our roster was slowly dwindling and I felt like the hanging string. The week went on and I spent everyday on my lunch hour sitting under a laser at Dr. Roitz's office. I was healing fast and was able to play in the bout against Oakland. I'm glad for the experience, and as I stated in my previous post it was an amazing game to play in, but I definitely feel like playing in that game did set my healing back a little. I spent all last week off skates and last night attempted my first practice. I know that being off skates for one week is not a long time in the face of derby injuries, but to me one week out is one week missing out. To be totally honestly it was/is absolute mental torture. Not being able to do the simplest things because of a stupid MINOR knee injury is ripping at my ego. I couldn't even drop into a figure-4 fall - I didn't want to even try and risk it. I play with some amazing tough bitches. One of my teammates Brawley Parton suffered a partial PCL tear this season and was back skating with a bionic-woman like brace in no time. Part me feels like I'm letting everyone down while opening up my spot on the team. But I'm assured that's not the case and I'm letting my fears and insecurities get the best of me, letting it taking it's toll on my mental game. I know I will heal soon, and taking it easy is probably the best thing for the longevity of my derby career. I guess all I can do is think good thoughts and visualize a landing for that crazy hit I was trying nail that night. What do ya do? Hugs & Bruises, Raven Labels: injuries, Santa Cruz Rollergirls
2008/08/22
where am i?
i am finally starting to get tired from all of this traveling. i have never seen so much of the US in my whole life, and it's awesome! so where am i now you ask? Seattle! where was i last week? new york and long island! where will i be next? vancouver! the wackiest part of about this is that i don't have a job. luckily rollergirls and boys from all over the place seem to have kind hearts and hook me up. my team recently went to long island to play our first game against a WFTDA ranked travel team. this game was important, because it was one of our first opportunities to show the derby world what montreal roller derby is all about, and what we can do! after a game of hard hits from both sides, our team "the new skids on the block" won the game 165-75. long island claimed that they are the national derby after party champions, but montreal is always up for a challenge. although we had to leave that night, montreal made a short but sweet effort to show everyone that montreal are truly a bunch of maniacs. with a few canoe rides, crowd surfing, parking lot party, and the odd chant..montreal showed everyone that we are an afterparty force to be reckoned with. it also helps that we look ridiculous in our neon green with other neon accented uniforms. all in all, the long island ladies were super rad and we were even tempted to kidnap their beloved mascot, bane-ana. we had to make it back early sunday because the texas rollergirls' hotrod honeys were in town to train us. that was great, and it was cool to meet some of those ladies. especially since if it wasn't for them, we probably wouldn't be here right now. i would be in montreal with a job and some sort of lame hobby that does not involved 8 wheels, wacky adventures, and a whole lotta beer. oh, and of course training and derby! anyhoo, so shortly after my trip to the east coast i hopped on a plane..or three planes, and eventually landed in seattle. of course in order to get to seattle i first flew to chicago and denver for some strange reason. the rat city ladies were nice enough to let me join them at their practice. i mentally prepared myself for their endurance practice, but was surprised and relieved to find out it was a scrimmage night. unfortunetly for my stomach i decided to eat a giant burrito before practice, and felt barf-tastic the entire time. nonetheless, it was a blast and the rat city girls are awesome and took care of me. tonight i'm off to a derby brats practice, which i am very excited to check out! tomorrow i am going back to my homeland to play in the derby night in canada tournament in vancouver , BC, hosted by the terminal city rollergirls. we're sending 9 of our montreal skaters and borrowing two from rat city. i am very excited to finally play some western canadian teams to see where we are both at. montreal is hoping to make it to the final game, but we'll see how tough the western teams are going to play. at at rollercon, the western canadian team game me a black eye, so hopefully that wont happen again. so excited to hang out with these ladies! georgia w tush derby nomad Labels: derby night in canada, long island roller rebels, rat city rolelrgirls, terminal city rollergirls
2008/08/18
 Yeah you heard me. I'm an exuberant looser.
Saturday night the BADG Oakland Outlaws came down to battle the Santa Cruz Rollergirls on our home track at the Santa Cruz Civic. As some in the derby community may know SCRG is a 1st year team that has, if I may say, been tearin' it up.
We were so excited to play Oakland! And they were amazing players and super awesome people. I'm still in shock that I was skating around with players like Taxi Scab and other members who also play on the Bay Area Derby Girls All Star team. Girls who have been my derby heroes for some time now. At one point I looked into the audience and saw another one of my BADG All Star favs Demanda Riot and thought, "huh . . . I'm usually watching her play, not the other way around."
Their amazing game play and good sportswomanship brought the best out in our team. This was the kind of derby we had been wanting to play all season. Not to discredit other leagues that have come to play us, they been amazing competitors as well. But there was something about how the Outlaws played that made us play more as a complete team then ever before.
To top it off we were all having fun. No one was being a douche and everyone was just out there to play derby with their girls and have a good night.
The final score was something like 127-68 (I think) Oakland. We had held our own against these derby veterans and are better players for it.
We have had some crazy blowouts this season, and I think it was good for our team and our fans to take the loss. We know what we want to play like and what kind of players we want to be.
So I want to take this opportunity to say thank you to Oakland, you have truly raised the bar in my eyes and caused me to fulfilled some of my personal goals as a player.
Hugs and Bruises,
-Raven Von Kaos
Labels: Santa Cruz Rollergirls
2008/08/10
ok ok..a rollercon quickie
alright, here are some of my top rollercon moments of 2008!! and yes, in point form (of course). -getting to RC a day EARLY this time and drinking too many $2 beers next door -seeing all the awesome people i never get to see -party bus -montreal's annoying chanting that you all love/hate -chanting "montreal" and the canadian derby roundtable discussion..and everyone being annoyed, or confused. -getting matching wedding flasks with my derby wife -canoeing everybody..pictures to com eventually -watching cherry chainsaw teach workshops hungover/still drunk (gold) -getting locked out of my room for 45 mins at 7am and breaking a window and having to pay 200 bucks..wait that sucked!! -team party scrimmage..because it was a rad team -weasling my way onto team awesome for a 20 min game as "ivankin" -team eastern canada being victorious -leaving my snacks in the room window so i knew which room was mine -billy idol having the greatest night in his impersonating career -my sweet outfits -call girl trading cards -waking up with call girl trading cards stuck to my boobs the next morning -getting a black eye -the bartender remembering me from last year...yikes! -everyone being awesome -skating with condoleeza slice!! it was meant to be.. -being a drunk, as per usual -being impressed with ACDG's rowdy ways, and how cherrylicious has sweet ass shaking skillz (i must practice for next year) -charlotte bruise-a-lot and null ptr ref getting married for realz and going to a sketchy chapel -how dirty marty and justice feelgood marshall were always around -bane-ana being a champ! -when people bought me drinks -how i didnt have to wear pants -watching quadzilla skate -the purple moomoo lady and how i saw her at the airport and she made me put on her shoes -the eastern canadian connection in conclusion, rollercon was sweet! georgia w tush Labels: rollercon 2008
the era of bi-trackual derby, holla!
now that things are starting to FINALLY unwind in these parts, i will try to make more time to post on this thinger. i just came back from rollercon this week (BTW my sleeping schedule continues to be effed), and it was such a blast. i'd say even more of a blast than last year. i reconnected and met so many rad people over the week, it was great. i was also a challenge whore and got myself onto numerous challenges. more often than not, my challenges came out on top! (my teams are the ones on the left) derby or die vs rink rash...put up a good fight diapers vs depends...victorious! party vs straight edge...beer coming out the pores and still managed to come out on top team canada east vs west...east! east! east! team awesome vs team douchebag...being an awesome sub was totally awesome! all in all the week was a success, and managed to leave the con with only one black eye...  (me looking haggered at the airport after about 8 hrs) this year at rollercon gave the sense of much more derby love in the community. although i am all the way up north, it seems to me that there is much more respect and fusion of the variety of derby-tastic groups out there. all year i have been hearing about all types of derby gettin' together. i think the leaders in this step forward would have to be the wonderful ladies from the san diego derby dolls, a flat track and banked track league. they show the world that a league can train hard on all surfaces, while inviting others to skate on their track, and playing both types of public bouts the season. not to mention hosting the blood and thunder camp this year, allowing girls from all over to get training on the flat and banked track. in addition, the LA derby dolls hosted the first ever banked track tournament "battle of the bank" with both flat and banked track teams participating on the bank. team awesome, an allstar group compiled of flat track girls even gave the winning team LA derby dolls, some tough competition and showing that it's all about derby skills, not the surface! another cool thing to see this year is the fact that rollercon has even branched off into more non-wftda information, workshops, and fun. this year's conference had banked track round tables and information, men's derby, osda information, and i'm probably missing a few other things. it was really cool to see banked track skaters skating in the challenges, playing just as great as the flat track gals. all-in-all, it seems like the derby future will hopefully be full of much more r-e-s-p-e-c-t. and lastly, some shameless self promotion...check out these games!!! montreal roller derby vs long island roller rebels in long island, aug 16 montreal roller derby @ derby night in canada tournament, vancouver , BC, aug 23 montreal roller derby vs maine roller derby in portland, maine, sept 13...and it just so happens to be my bday sept 14th..yeah!!! that's it. georgia w tush
2008/08/08
Petition to add "Roller Derby Saved My Soul" by Uncle Leon and the Alibis to "Whip It" Soundtrack
Hey all you derby luvvers! I just signed this petition at the request of a Derby Luvver that forwarded it to me, and I think we should all jump on board. Remember when DerbyLuv interviewed Uncle Leon and the Alibis? Well if you don't, I just linked to it.... ha ha Well anyway, the petition is to alert Ms Drew Barrymore, the great mind behind "Whip It" the movie in progress, to use "Roller Derby Saved My Soul" in the soundtrack. Now, admit it... you may not be a 100% diehard fan of Uncle Leon and the Alibis (though I think I could be if we can get them to tour Canada) but if you are a rollergirl, a rollerguy, or involved in roller derby, you've heard it and like it. It describes what men love about it, and as a woman it still applies to how I feel about roller derby too. Plus, it's catchy, with a good beat and tune. Leon is a great guy by the way. So get just sign your name, email and comment here ( http://www.petitiononline.com/heydrew/) and see if we can't get her attention, and get this to all your friends too. Good luck, Uncle Leon and the Alibis! The petition is also linked from their site! ;) Labels: roller derby music, whip it
Boot Camp in Savannah, GA, and RollerCon
Hey, if you're in the Savannah, GA area and wanted to get to know roller derby - Check out the boot camp! It's being offered by the Savannah Derby Devils. For all of you current rollergirls, I bet you're still recovering from RollerCon 2008, right? I know a MTLRD ref, Tommy Toxic, that was marrying the MTL Roller Derby league he told me at the New Skidz vs HCRG game... but I haven't had anyone actually send me any RollerCon info to post, so sorry this year was quiet on that front. I did check out the forums from RollerCon 2008 and I saw that my friend Sour Cherry lost a skate - if you found it, let her know! And Penny Whistler of Toronto lost her camera Friday night. I can commiserate ladies, I just got my Street Drum Corps hoodie back after losing at the Beast of the East tournament after-party in April. My former leaguemate Iron Wrench found it, and my common-law derby wife Rue Bella (now a MTLRD cheerleader) kept it for me. After shelling out $35-45 (don't remember) on it a the Warped Tour 2007, I am happy to get it back. I wish them both luck with getting their gear back! Well, if you have a funny anecdote to share about RollerCon, you can always post it here. Just email me and I'll add your permission to post on Derby Luv. Or just send me the text and any photos to post! Later, Derby Luvvers! Nia Labels: rollercon 2008, training
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