Tag Archives: Derby

Derby derby derby derby rockin' everywhere

Everyone should go watch a roller derby game at some point, and I guarantee you will leave it slightly confused. The referees blow their whistles a lot and sometimes the jammers score points when they beat the blockers and sometimes they don’t…But at least if you turn to anyone sitting around you, they will gladly explain the rules and try to make you understand the latest play.

Besides not knowing what’s going on during a derby duel, WPRB had a hard time brainstorming music. The previous Friday, Molly and I did a derby show, where we asked people to call in and request what they thought “derby music” was. At the actual East Coast Derby Extravaganza in Feasterville, PA, we DJed outside by the pool (where everyone clustered after their games ie there were a lot of people there), blinding reaching for albums ranging from funk to electronica that we had played the night before. Here are some important things we learned from the experience at ECDX:

  1. A roller derby match requires almost as many referees and officials as it does players
  2. You can’t actually punch people during a roller derby match as presented in Drew Barrymore’s Whip It
  3. Any form of baggy clothing in a derby match is completely unacceptable while glitter is always an A+ choice
  4. You can buy roller-skate wheels in all colors
  5. Derby ladies are extremely tatted, pierced, helpful, and nice
  6. Derby ladies are my new fashion icons (think nouveau Americana, example: American flag denim vests, Urban Outfitters’ high-waisted shorts, and asymmetrical bathing suits)
  7. Bootsy Collins, The Wu-tang Clan, Justice, Tennis, Bassnectar, and the Noisettes are all acceptable things to play at derby tournaments (Note: One derby girl’s name was Bootsy Killins)
  8. No pair of shorts are too short
  9. There is always a helpful sound guy around
  10. Mixers never follow the plan ie we had some sound malfunctions.

Next year, I hope that WPRB participates again, but instead of just DJing, I think we should form a team. Email me at derby@wprb.com if interested. (Just kidding, that’s a fake address, but still…I kinda want to wear skates and spandex and wham some girls to the ground.)

WPRB + This Saturday = Derby?

Devoida Mercy? Ginger Vitis? Rollanya Asse? Must be derby.

This upcoming weekend, the Philly Roller Girls will host the 2012 East Coast Derby Extravaganza (ECDX), where 1000 skaters will compete on three rinks for three days. It is the event’s sixth anniversary, founded in 2007 and has grown to include 120+ leagues from eastern and northern United States.

Know what was also founded in 2007? The WPRB Fall Membership Drive! Know what that means? WPRB and ECDX were born together and practically made for each other. THUS, it was clearly necessary for us to reach out to the derby girls a few weeks ago and see how we could get involved.

SO, this Saturday, WPRB will join forces with the Philly Roller Girls and play some music at ECDX. What to expect? No idea, but we are on the quest for angry girl rock. (We hope we aren’t being too stereotypical.) If you have any suggestions for derby music, feel free to comment below.

To all Philadelphians interested in seeing angry females on skates can purchase tickets here. They come in daily, weekend, and bout rates. Also, here is an important link to generate your own derby name.