October 2011      

Name:  Malyss Heart
Number: Q</33 (Queen of Broken Hearts)
Nickname: Malyss
Team: La Rev

How long have you been skating?
I have been with Ass City since April 2011, but started derby May 2008, so on and off for about 3 ½ years.

What’s the origin of your name?
I LOVE Alice in Wonderland! So I wanted something that represented that love, but every name I wanted was taken. So I had to think really hard to find a name that still expressed my obsession and did not come too close to a name already on TwoEvils. I had just finished the Looking Glass Wars trilogy, which is a series based on an alternate world of Wonderland in which Alyss Heart is the heir to the throne of Wonderland and has to lead a war against her evil Aunt Red who believes she should be the queen. It is dark, intense and utterly twisted - right up my alley.

And your theme song?
I really love to play upbeat/dancy music on bout day. It gets me moving and keeps me from totally focusing on how nervous I could let myself get. A couple of my favorites are Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” and Pink’s “Raise Your Glass”! Playing these songs pump me up and helps me to harness my confidence in my ability to play a great game.

Why roller derby?
I grew up with 5 older brothers, so early on I learned to be tough. I did martial arts all through high school and college and I had two black belts, so when a friend of mine and I went to watch my first every roller derby game in Las Vegas, I fell in love with the sport and I figured I could handle the intensity. I didn’t realize at the time how roller derby would change my life. Since I have started skating, my confidence has greatly improved, I have made a new family of friends that I love dearly and life in general is much happier.

What drew you to Assassination City?
I moved back home from Vegas July 2010 and it was like starting all over again. The friends I grew up with had moved away or were busy. I spent the first year back working and staying home. I got so sick of it and knew I had to get back on my skates! A friend told me about Assassination City, so I checked out their website. Growing up in Dallas I have always had an interest in the JFK assassination conspiracy, so I loved that the league’s theme was inspired with the JFK history. I contacted recruitment, met Boom at a practice, and talked with some of the lovely Ass City skaters. Everyone was so nice and welcoming that I just knew this was my new derby home.

What is your worst injury?
My second official game as a Notorious VIP in Las Vegas I tripped by a fallen opposing skater and landed directly on my left knee. It was by far the worst pain I had ever felt in my life. Luckily, my mom, who is a nurse, was there in the audience to take care of me. I ended up having to take an 8 month leave of absence to let my knee heal, and I can still feel it at times if I don’t wear proper gear to protect that knee.

And your favorite derby moment so far?
Being named MVP of the Oct 10, 2011 Van Dammes vs. Segals mash up. I couldn’t believe it when Stoney posted on my facebook that I was MVP. It completely made my month! When I started roller derby, I had my doubts about my abilities as a skater, but with determination and perseverance I have been able to improve my game. I am still fairly new to derby, so it is exciting to see how far I have come in such a short time.

What advice would you give to women who want to play roller derby?
DO IT! It is by far the best decision I have ever made in my life. I have a new confidence in myself, my abilities and my self-image. Roller derby is empowering and it is such a positive atmosphere. If you have an interest in it, go watch a game, go watch a practice, meet with and talk to the skaters. Do not let anyone talk you out of it, and definitely do not talk yourself out of at least trying it. I found a sisterhood of amazing ladies that teach me more and more about myself each and every day. It is an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life and I look forward to the stories I will be able to tell my grandkids one day! :-)

  JULY 2011      

Name: SMASH WEDNESDAY

Number: #46 
Nickname: "Smash"

Team: Lone Star Assassins

How long have you been skating?

Almost two years. I started around September of 2009 and made it onto LSA that December

What is the origin of your name?

When I joined, I honestly came up with a ton of different names, most of which were incredibly lame. And then I thought of Smash Wednesday, as in Ash Wednesday, and I just loved it. No other name I could think of could compare.

And your theme song?

I tend to listen to a lot of rap when it's getting close to bout time, so "New Prince" by Childish Gambino is pretty fitting seeing as "Crown on the Ground" has been the Special Ops theme song for a little while now.

Why roller derby?

When I was growing up I was always in soccer or running track but then towards the end of high school and my first few years at college I wasn't involved in any sport and I missed it. Then after seeing roller derby, which was an entirely new sport to me, I just had to join.

What drew you to assassination city?

 My old roommate, Slayer Delilah, had talked about roller derby but had never seen a bout. So in the summer I got bored and looked around to see if there were any bouts nearby and I found Assassination City. I looked up the rules on wikipedia, made a friend go with me, and got instantly hooked. I got more friends to go the next month and a couple days later I joined with Slayer. Other interests besides roller derby? I just graduated with an RTVF degree and am a pretty big movie nerd. I love to edit videos and I've been creating the highlight and bout preview reels all season so far. I also love to bake and can make a mean banana bread.

What is your worst injury?

So far, knock on wood, nothing that a little rest can't heal. My injuries are probably what any derby girl deals with if they've been skating for any period of time: bad bruises, foot problems, and shoulder and rib pain.

And your favorite derby moment so far?

I've got two favs. First, our opening bout this season, the one where over 2,000 people showed up. I was working TABC at the doors and we kept running inside to see how big the crowd was getting. Then during our bout here was one moment where I got lead jammer and as soon as it was announced I heard the crowd cheering. It scared the crap out of me at the time because I'm usually just focused on what's going on in the game but hearing that many people cheer for you is something incredible. My second favorite is when me and some of my teammates went up to play for DLSS in Oklahoma. I think I got a lot closer to some of my favorite girls now and had so much fun, even through a brutal game and wrong turns. I'm a pretty shy person so all the trips I've taken for derby have let me grow a lot closer to the girls in the league.

What advice would you give to women who want to play roller derby?

Go for it. Go see a bout, go watch a practice, just get out there and try it. If you don't know how to skate, just strap on some quads and try. Don't be nervous or intimidated because all the women of the league are there to help you get better. The sport becomes so addicting and you gain a whole new family. I don't know that anyone in the league can imagine what their lives would be like without derby.

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  JUNE 2010                                 

Name: Stone Cold Jane Austen

Nickname: "Stoney"

Number: 3:16

Team: The Deadly Kennedys

How long have you been skating?

I joined Assassination City in August of 2009, so almost a year.  Like many of us, I skated as a kid all the time - but when I started with ACRD, I hadn't put skates on for about 22 years.  Amazingly, the fundamentals of skating came back to me fairly quickly.  This will be my first season with the league and the Deadly Kennedys and I couldn't be more excited!

What is the origin of your name?

I majored in English in college, and really wanted a name that personified my love for literature but that also sounded a little tough.  I wasn't that good at coming up with names on my own, so I held a contest on somethingawful.com.  There were about 400 submissions, and I picked out 10 that I really liked and then made up a poll.  About 1800 people voted, and "Stone Cold Jane Austen" ran away with the majority of the votes.  Oddly enough, the person that submitted the name is a referee for another derby league in Idaho, and is now a fan of Assassination City!  I love my name, and it has given me a chance to revisit the glory days of the great Stone Cold Steve Austin.  I think the juxtaposition between the famed wrestler and a British novelist is pretty awesome.

And your theme song?

It would be really hard to pick just one, but I think it has to be "I Ain't No Joke" by Eric B. and Rakim.  That song really makes me focused and ready to literally and figuratively rumble.

Why roller derby?

I was recovering from surgery about 5 years ago when I saw a Real Sports piece on HBO about the league in Austin.  I thought to myself that it was something that looked so raw and powerful that I had to try it.  It took me another 4 years to work up the courage to actually join.  I went to a bout last July and was instantly hooked.  I knew that this was something I had to do to prove to myself that I really could play a sport and be active.  I don't think I knew at that moment how much dedication and determination it would take, but once I was in, I was in it for real.  I love every practice, even when I feel like my legs are going to fall off and I've fallen down so many times I can barely get back up.  It's a sport that requires tenacity, and I guess I proved to myself that I am nothing if not tenacious.

What drew you to Assassination City?

I met the talented and beautiful Gloria Vanderbitch through a mutual friend, and she continued to pester me (lovingly) about joining Assassination City.  There was really no other choice for me as I am a huge JFK conspiracy buff.  Oliver Stone's movie is my go-to flick whenever I'm in a bad mood...I know it doesn't seem like that's a "cheery" movie, but for some reason it just really makes me more appreciative of the history associated with my city and makes me question things...I am a firm believer in questioning, as it leads to more knowledge.  Knowledge really is power.

Other interests besides roller derby?

I love to cook - especially anything Italian.  I write, and love to dance whenever and wherever I can.  I was a dance minor in school and have taken all kinds of classes since then, including Flamenco and most recently, belly dancing from Assassination City's own, The Dixie Witch.  I am interested in all types of music and would love to learn to play guitar or bass.  Maybe one of these days I will finally take it up, but for right now, derby is my #1 focus.  I try to take a yoga class when I can to improve flexibility.

  

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  MAY 2010                                                                  

Name: The Dixie Witch

Number: #29

Team: Assassination City's Special Ops

How long have you been skating?

Why roller derby?
I used to stay home on Sundays with my Dad and watch roller derby on tv while my mom was at church.  Now I'm a derby girl and a Witch! Ha!

MCL sprain. 
And your favorite derby moment so far?