Windy City Rollers all-star Sargentina talks tunes, thigh circumference, and hangover scrimmages

This interview appears in ALARM #40. Subscribe here to get your copy!

If you think of dudes and disco music when you think of roller skates, think again. Tough chicks are sweeping the nation with roller derby, a contact sport on skates that is more gladiator than glamorous — and they like it that way. We caught up with Chicago’s Alisa “Sargentina” DePedro, Windy City Rollers all-star. The hard-hitter took off her helmet and pads for ALARM to talk about hangover scrimmages and thigh circumference.

Kurt Braunohler

Funny Shit: Kurt Braunohler on his anti-game show, Bunk

This interview appears in ALARM #40. Subscribe here to get your copy!

Editor’s note: Since this interview was conducted, IFC canceled Bunk.

Kurt Braunohler looks like the enthusiastic dad next door teetering on the edge of sanity. And it’s all intentional — he wants to creep you out. His is the deranged humor reminiscent of long-time comedy partner Kristen Schaal, and in a blink, normalcy segues to unhinged comic surprises.

This summer, Braunohler launched an anti-game show on IFC called Bunk, where fellow comedians compete in inane challenges to win…nothing, essentially. But with categories such as “Shame That Puppy,” “Lie to a Child,” “Dong Swap,” and “Who Can Slap Gabe the Hardest?” you’ll wish that you could compete for an alien probing too.

Marnie Stern

Win a date with guitar shredder Marnie Stern

Men! Want a chance to hang out with someone who can run circles around you on the guitar? You’re in luck, because Kill Rock Stars and Motormouth Media are taking applications to go on a release-date date with guitar shredder Marnie Stern. (That would be on or around the release of The Chronicles of Marnia on 3/19/13.)

Go here for the full spiel, but the basics are below — and sorry, vegan guys, she requires a love of chicken wings. Fill out the questionnaire below, and if you’re chosen (and in the New York area), KRS will cover the costs.

Queens of Rock: Teri Gender Bender of Le Butcherettes

This interview appears in ALARM #40. Subscribe here to get your copy!

Le Butcherettes: Sin Sin SinLe Butcherettes: Sin Sin Sin (Sargent House, 5/10/11)

“Henry Don’t Got Love”

Le Butcherettes: “Henry Don’t Got Love”

Born and raised in Denver by Mexican and Spanish parents, Teresa Suaréz (known professionally as Teri Gender Bender) has, like many, a bicultural identity. Her garage-punk band Le Butcherettes — which began in Guadalajara, Mexico — is a product of that identity, particularly the differences in gender expectations that she has witnessed between the North American neighbors.