COVER STORY: Ready For War!

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Ready For War!
Derby Revolution of Bakersfield are ready to show their power in numbers! Catch their first local bout, Saturday, March 7 at Rollerama!


Above L to R: DRB's - Naughty Angel, Bonecrusher, Dezi Von Dropya, Dred Blocker

By Matt Munoz, Bakotopia Editor
Photos: Holly Carlyle Photography

Not every girl wants to be a tea party princess when they grow up.

If you need proof, look no further than the gals of Derby Revolution of Bakersfield, our city’s newest roller derby team.

Rising from the ashes of the now defunct Bakersfield Rollergirls team in ’08, these ladies would rather beat you down than offer tea and crumpets.

“I’m still a beast,” said Derby Revolution’s, Dred Blocker #33, 31, referring to an interview with Bakotopia last year, on her hard-hitting style on the track. “But this time it’s all about stepping out our comfort zone with a new mentality and being united”.

“United” is one of this team’s new mottos. For inquiring minds, allow us to make a long story short - the former Bakersfield Rollergirls team had run its course. According to some team members, a derby team’s average life-span is about two-years. More often than not, those who chose to stay active in the sport will start another team.

Enter the birth of team Derby Revolution – making their season debut on Saturday, March 7, at Rollerama 34th St., at 6pm.



“This year we’re looking forward to expanding this team”, explained Revolution team member Dezi Von Dropya #V8, 22, a 3-year veteran of the sport and former BRG. “Teams break off to form other teams all the time. It was bound to happen”.

Speaking of birth, Dropya also happens to be 7 months pregnant. Rolling around on skates with baby belly in tow, she looks forward to her return to the track in July. Lifting her arm, she shows me a large sized bruise she earned at a match around this time last year.


Above: Dezi Von Dropya

“It’s almost the anniversary of my dislocation”, she laughed of her still visible war wound. “It’ll be a year in April!”

Sure there are injuries, but doesn’t every sport?

Another DRB member, Tonka Toy #22, 38, would like to remind people that roller derby is no laughing matter – leave that to professional wrestling.


Above: Tonka Toy

“We’re a member of an actual sports league”, she said of derby’s national prominence.

“And I’ve been an athlete my whole life. This is full contact stuff”.

Tonka Toy’s excited involvement with the DRB’s extends from being a member of CSUB’s ‘89-92’ national championship women’s softball team.

“There just aren’t enough sports for women now”, she said. “I’m really looking forward to playing this season”.



If you’ve been following the local derby for the past 3 years, you might have an idea of how it works. But just in case, allow us to explain it again…

Five team members from each team meet on one of two types of circular tracks: a “flat” track or “bank” track. A “bank” track refers to the uneven track most familiar to TV roller derby of the ’70s, where skaters were flung over beams and into the seats. The “flat” track is exactly how it sounds - a flat, circular roller rink floor, with markings indicating boundaries - and where the DRB’s roll.

Each team of five is known as a “pack.” Each pack is divided into “pivots,” “blockers,” and “jammers.”



The referee’s whistle signals the start of the bout’s “jam”. As the teams commence rolling counter-clockwise, each team must follow strict rules of the bout, with “jam” formation being an important part of the sport.

The “jam” formation is like going to your battle station - each station requires that members stick to their post.

Scoring points in roller derby is like pressing the panic button in a shopping mall - you’ve got to think fast, and move even faster.

A roller derby “jam” is the designated two-minute moment of the bout when each team gets the chance to score points. Each bout consists of three, 20-minute periods.

“Jammers” are the only team players allowed to score and are guarded by “blockers,” who literally knock opponents out of the way to clear a path for the jammers to score points by lapping the pack and passing opposing “blockers” and “pivots.”


Above: Coach Cpl. Punisher

Sitting in at a recent practice, the girls are split into two groups – experienced and newbies. The experienced go through the basics, set up plays, going round and round a pylon designed track.

“Stop the jammers!” yelled Tonka Toy.


Above: Bonecrusher

Across the way, coach Tennessee Tornado #45, 47, who by day works as an RN paramedic in Bakersfield and as a singer in local band The Cogs, gets a group of skaters in line for conditioning. Small, tall, skinny and round – roller derby embraces all those interested, just keep in mind this is no Sunday skate in the park.

“Left, right, left, right, come on!” ordered coach Tornado to her group as they go through exercises along the rinks sidewalls.

Although not an active derby skater herself, Tornado sees her role as an important element to the success of the team.

“This isn’t for show”, she said smiling. “I get satisfaction from teaching others to succeed. I’ve been skating since the 3rd grade. I work with death and dying everyday, so this is a release – at least for a little while”.

Let’s not forget their other coach, Corporal Punisher #100%, 35, who happens to be male and all about respect and discipline. His wife, team member ImaBlowBya  #10, also with child at the moment stands by to cheer her team.


Above: Dred Blocker

“My wife was recruited by the BRGS’s in ’06”, he said. “I filmed their first match then started coaching after that”.

Like Tonka Toy, coach Punisher has roots in sports playing JC football at Moorpark College, as well as semi-pro football for two California teams.

“These are my girls, and you gotta give respect to get respect. I’m not here to boss around. We bounce ideas off each other”, he said.



From all walks of life they come to join – hairstylists, law enforcement, farmers (you heard right,) bakers, nurses, housewives and moms.

“We’re always recruiting,” said DRB member Bone Crusher #116, 31. “We really want this team to be family-oriented”.

As they have in the past, the girls of DRB plan on raising money for local organizations, and bring awareness to causes very important to them. The past November, the BRG’s hosted a match to raise money for Fresno rollergirl Marisol Nuñez, who suffered from cancer. After the match, the team had raised over $2,000 to help Nuñez with medical bills.


Above: Marisol Nunez

“We always like to give back to the community,” said Dred Blocker.

Building a new era of roller derby, and lots of good karma on their side, the DRB’s can’t wait to hit the track this season. They’d also like to give a final bump to the city to get out and support some hard-working ladies of sport.

“We don’t always get the city & community support, said Tonka Toy of Bakersfield’s reluctance to elevate female sports teams. “But if you came out to our matches, you’d see we have more people than most JAM games”!

www.derbyrevolution.com



PARTY WITH TEAM DERBY REVOLUTION ON ST. PATTY'S DAY!
(CLICK FLIER BELOW TO GET MORE INFO! WILD!)


Also printed in Bakotopia magazine, issue 49, 3-5-09