What's your jam?
by Undead Miss Red
Bout day is serious, and roller derby is as much a mental game as it is a physical challenge. With these two truths in mind, what do skaters listen to as they get ready to play? What is #smashtag hearing through her white wires while she walks around the Windy City Fieldhouse? Which tracks get Queefer Sutherland’s head where it needs to be to jump the apex in a tough jam?
For starters, both of these Outfit skaters have Ludacris on their playlists. Queefer stands by Sisquo’s “Thong Song” as a no-fail way to get pumped for a bout; #smashtag’s list goes in all directions from there. A few of her favorites include:
“Break Ya Neck” (Busta Rhymes)
“Bad Girls” (M.I.A.)
“Run the World” (Beyonce)
“All I Do is Win” (DJ Khaled, feat. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg...)
“Welcome to the Jungle” (Guns & Roses)
And any derby playlist would be remiss not to include “Fat Bottomed Girls,” by Queen. #smashtag has that one. So do I. And I’m willing to bet Matza Ball Breaker and Sneer and Loathing have it, too, after a recent away bout sing-a-long. But that’s a whole ‘nother story.
In keeping with high-energy camp and feel-good rock, The Champ keeps a playlist that goes well with her name.
“I like to listen to 70's and 80's sports movie jams,” says Champ, “So, specifically, The Rocky Soundtrack: ‘No Easy Way Out’ (Robert Tepper), ‘Eye of the Tiger’ (Survivor), ‘Rocky's Theme/Gonna Fly’ (Bill Conti). Then I switch to The Karate Kid soundtrack and a few songs from the Teen Wolf soundtrack. The theme here is ‘the underdog is triumphant.’ And then I like to listen to Hulk Hogan's theme song, ‘Real American.’” Champ, this might be the greatest bout day playlist ever. Or anyday playlist.
Pain Gwen loves her some Ke$ha before a bout -- that’s also on #smashtag’s big list -- and says, “I channel Ke$ha on game day” to “get pumped.” Anybody who has seen Pain Gwen on game day would agree that it’s working. Ivana Schoop also lists some fun pop songs -- Macklemore, as well as the obvious and awesome choice of Salt ‘N Pepa -- but then Schoopie’s playlist gets a little angrier, with Monster Magnet’s Powertrip album as her can’t-be-without choice for bout day.
And now we’re getting closer to what I need to hear, as well as a few other skaters. Maimy Winehouse needs Anthrax -- Among the Living, to be specific. Scream Printer looks to “The Mob Goes Wild,” by Clutch. And while I get the appeal of pop and hip-hop, my brain needs punk and metal, too. On my way to a bout, here in Chicago or on the road, I’m listening to “Thunder Kiss ‘65,” by White Zombie; “I Want It All,” by the Turbo ACs; “Rat Patrol,” by Naked Raygun; “Take ‘Em All,” by CockSparrer...and in case I start to forget how much fun roller derby really is, “Bikini Girls With Machine Guns,” by The Cramps is always close at hand.
Skaters -- both Outfit and elsewhere -- and any other athletes: What do YOU need to hear before you’re ready to go? Leave your favorite tracks or artists as a comment for this post. We want to know! And #smashtag might want to add it to her massive playlist....