So Uncle Leon and the Alibis - for the sake of any rollergirls or fans out there that don't know about you, can you tell us how you started, and talk to us about your music and style?
A lot of what we do is very much country music--in the Johnny Cash/Hank Williams honky-tonk sense. But I'm always hesitant to tell people we play "country music", because they immediately envision all kinds of slick, cheesy mainstream Nashville garbage, which we're definitely not. On the other hand, a lot of our more recent stuff--including the "Roller Derby Saved My Soul"
song--would be considered more straight-up rock'n'roll. Basically, we're a bunch of garage punk rockers playing honky tonk. The short answer that I always give is "Garage Country."
I've been writing songs and goofing off with various instruments since I was 13 years old. About ten years ago, I rediscovered a lot of country and rockabilly stuff that I had liked as a kid, and realized that, in a lot of ways, it was more "punk" than most of the punks I was hanging out with. The chord progressions were simple, the beats were heavy, and you could sing about just about anything you wanted to. I took a lot of inspiration from guys like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, the so-called outlaws who were really the first to try to bring country back to its raw and wild roots. Oh, and I had this weird low, warbly crooner voice that I'd kept hidden for most of my life, and it seemed to fit the genre perfectly. So I started just writing a bunch of songs, which were really just decent Johnny Cash ripoffs, but I never really performed them anywhere.
In 2000 I moved to New York City and, during my obligatory "broke as fuck in the most expensive city in America" phase, I played in the subway stations, singing Johnny Cash and Chuck Berry songs. I never thought anybody else in New York would ever be into this kind of music, until I walked into a bar in Brooklyn called Hank's Saloon, and discovered that there was this whole little community of people--mostly from other parts of America--who were really into classic country stuff. I performed solo for a while and then, in 2003, recruited Neil, one of the bartenders from Hank's, as my bass player. We've been going since then, with a couple lineup changes along the way and, as I said, rocking things out a little more. Another regular from Hank's named Charlie became my lead guitar player, and we've got a hot, talented woman named Sara playing drums. She's the one you hear at the beginning of the Roller Derby song.
Our Web site is www.uncleleon.com. And yes, we definitely have a myspace page, which has been the source of about 99% of the attention we've received. It's www.myspace.com/uncleleon
For those that know the song, who wrote and what inspired your "Roller Derby Saved My Soul" song? Are you or another band member really a fan of roller derby? If so, what's your favorite team and favorite Rollergirl if you have one?
I wrote "Roller Derby Saved My Soul", and then the band all came up with their distinct musical parts. I remember watching roller derby as a teenager in the mid '80s. For some reason, the L.A. T-Birds were always on ESPN in the morning. Then, about 2 years ago, I was down in Austin and my friend took me to one of their famed bouts. Needless to say, I was into it.
A year later, a woman I work with joined the Gotham Girls Roller Derby here in New York and became Sweet Sherry Pie, and that really got me into it. Through her, I met Corndog, who is working on a roller derby documentary. This got me thinking... "Hmm... if you're making a roller derby movie, then your movie is going to need a song..." I wrote "Roller Derby Saved My Soul" in like one morning, then went to the band with it, thinking, "There's no way they're going to want to do this. 'Go Go Rollergirl'? God, this is so dumb." We recorded it and, on a whim, I decided to put it up on our myspace page. Within a week, I'd received fan e-mail from teams in 46 states and 2 provinces.
I think the last time I checked, I'd heard from about 110 leagues, including England, Germany and Australia. Shows you what the hell I know.
As for favorites... I haven't been to enough out-of-town bouts to have a favorite team yet. I'll always have a thing for Austin, Texas because they were my first. And as a man who loves big, tough women, they've got a lot to offer. As for players, my heart will always belong to Sweet Sherry Pie, for getting me into this whole mess.
What are you doing right now? What's this I hear about a tour with roller derby events involved?
We're about to embark on our first tour. In fact, it's the band's first-ever trip out of New York City. We'll be spending the next two weeks criss-crossing the middle of America. And about half the events are roller derby-related. Either at bout afterparties, or special events set up by the local roller derby leagues. As a performer, it's a great situation to walk into: thanks to the rollergirls, the party's already organized and hopping--all we have to do is show up and play.
What's the tour schedule? Where can we check you out?
Most of the shows are in bars or smaller clubs, which is where we do our best work. Here's a rundown of where we'll be:
Friday, June 15 - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The PBR Rockabilly Riot with The Star Devils, Highway 13, and the Cocktail Shakers
Howlers Coyote Cafe, 4509 Liberty Ave. 9 pmSaturday, June 16 - Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne Derby Girls present the Backyard Beatdown featuring the Alpha Dollz vs. the Smokin' Guns We're playing the afterparty at Checkerz Bar and Grill, 1706 W. Till Rd. 11 pm
When we announced the tour, the Fort Wayne Derby Girls were the first ones to step up and offer us a show. I'm really grateful for that, and looking forward to finally meeting them in person.Sunday, June 17 - Rockford, Illinois
Rockford Rage Roller Derby presents the Rockabetty Riot featuring the Midwest Maulers vs. the Demolition Dolls We play the afterparty at Chubby Rain, 4210 Countryside Estates Dr., Poplar Grove, IL 8 pm
I love places like Rockford. They're not small towns, but they have to constantly exist in the shadow of larger cities nearby. Because of that, they always have this much more fun, no-bullshit attitude, and they're generally much more appreciative of anyone who bothers to come and play. I predict this will be a wild one.Monday, June 18 - St. Louis, Missouri
Cruisin' Route 66 Bar and Grill
7895 Watson Rd., St. Louis with Red Ass Jones and the Gold Bondsmen 9 pm I think I heard somewhere that the guy from Red Ass Jones has a wife in the Arch Rival Rollergirls, so if we're lucky maybe a few of them will drop by and say hi.Wednesday, June 20 - Lawrence, Kansas
Replay Lounge,
10th & Massachusetts, Lawrence with Dead Girls Ruin Everything 9pm This show is monumental for 3 reasons: 1. Our bass player, Neil, is from Kansas, so apparently half the state will be there to see him. 2. Neil's brother is in the other band. 3. I was in the Replay Lounge once, 12 years ago and, after 5 hours of pinball and about 23 pints, I looked around and said, "One day, I'll play this bar." What can I say, I like to dream big... Also, a couple of the ladies from the Kansas City Roller Warriors might make the trip out.Friday, June 22 - Chicago, Ilinois
Fizz Bar and Grill, 3220 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago
with Ten Hundred and German Beef Initiative 9pm
This show was set up by a guy who I've known since I was 12 years old. We're headlining, after a slick rock band and a comedic black metal act. I can't see what could possibly go wrong. Oh, and I haven't heard from many of the Windy City Rollers, but if you're out there, please drop by.Saturday, June 23 - Madison, Wisconsin
Mad Rollin' Dolls present Dairyland Dolls vs. Austin's Hot Rod Honeys
We play the afterparty at High Noon Saloon, 701A E. Washington Ave.
Pupy Costello & His Big City Honky Tonk and Brainerd 9:30 pm
If you know anything about roller derby, then you already know what a kickass bout this is going to be. When I tell derby girls that we're playing the Austin-Madison party, their eyes glaze over and they give me that look as if I'm about to go off to war and they may never see me again. I can't wait!Sunday, June 24 - Indianapolis, Indiana
Naptown Roller Girls Fan Appreciation Barbecue
Melody Inn , 3826 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis
with Mandy Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes 4:00 pm $2
The Naptown Roller Girls just finished up their first season, and now it's time to celebrate. Somehow, I'm going to drag myself up off the floor in Madison in time to show up and be a part of it. By all accounts, Mandy Marie is amazing live, and "Touretta Lynn" from Naptown has busted her ass to set up this party and include us. Also, living in New York, I'm going to really appreciate all the things I can't normally do in life, like grilling food and drinking outside.Tuesday, June 26 Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky
The Black 'n' Bluegrass Rollergirls present "Full-Contact Musical Chairs" with The Dull Boys
Southgate House, 24 E 3rd St., Newport, KY 8 pm
This is one of the bigger venues on the tour. Luckily, we'll have the Black 'n' Bluegrass girls there to fill the place. I'm not exactly sure what goes on during full-contact musical chairs, but it sounds like my kind of trouble. As an added bonus, most of my family is from the Cincinnnati area, so if you see a bunch of nice, respectable-looking people snapping pictures, go up and ask them where I went wrong.Thursday, June 28 - Richmond, Virginia
The Hollywood Grill, 626 China St
with Nancy and the Knockers
Did you ever meet one of those scrappy, badass women who just sweats rock'n'roll? That's Nancy. With luck, we'll get some of the River City Rollergirls and Richmond Derby Demons to show up.Friday, June 29 - Baltimore, Maryland
Mac's The Club 525 Eastern Blvd., Essex, MD
with The Degenerettes, Honeycreeper, and The Marksmen 9 pm
The final show of the tour! Which means that, by this point, we'll either be half-dead and not speaking to each other, or a tightly coiled, wild rollergirl-crazy rock'n'roll machine.I vote for the latter. Hopefully the Charm City Rollergirls will come by and help get the party started.
Do you have albums available? Can we pick them up at our local record store or where?
We just finished recording our second homemade album, creatively titled "Roller Derby Saved My Soul." For the next couple weeks, that CD is available for sale exclusively at our live shows.
After that, in July, it will become for sale online. The first album, "Drunk", is available for sale here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/uncleleonalibis
You can download free songs from both albums here: http://www.uncleleon.com/music_page
Also, on this tour, we're going to have a lot of merchandise for sale, including CDs, t-shirts, spaghetti-strap tops, and "Beer Train" beer koozies. We'll also be selling a bunch of special items created specifically for roller derby events. Besides the album (which features the song), we've got "Roller Derby Saved My Soul" pins, stickers, tank tops, and yes, limited-edition "Roller Derby Saved My Soul" underwear.
And last, would you come to Montreal, Quebec and play sometime for the MTLRD? Maybe we can have you at a fundraiser or 2008 season opener? :)
In the past six months, I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the number of people, from several different countries, who have asked us to come play for them. Right now, the only thing holding us back is money. I know that sounds really boring and crass, but it's the truth--and one that I think a lot of roller derby girls can relate to as well. We're all taking time off our day jobs to crowd into a borrowed van and spend our own money to do what we love best. If I had my way, I'd play every derby bout on the continent, every week of the year. But unfortunately, right now there's only so much time we can take off, and only so much distance we can cover. I'm not saying this to complain. I just want to let everyone out there know that, if we haven't made it to your town, it's ONLY because we haven't been able to afford the trip.... yet.
All that said, I've never been to Montreal and would love to go.
Any last comments, Leon?
I just want to send a huge, beer-soaked THANK YOU out to anyone out there who helped us put this crazy little tour together. Particularly all the roller derbies. Damn, you girls are organized!
It's no easy thing trying to make a party come together, and we appreciate all the work you've put into it.
Also, to anyone who makes it out to one of our shows: Don't be shy! I know we'll probably be all sweaty and smelly when you see us, but we'd love for you to come up and say hi. This trip was booked almost entirely by people who I've never seen except in a picture on a computer screen, and it means a hell of lot to actually meet all these folks in person.
Thanks to Leon of Uncle Leon and the Alibis For taking time out for Derby Luv, and for "Roller Derby Saved My Soul" - Roller Derby sure saved mine!
