I’m going to admit it,  I was apprehensive.

I studied the rules, I sort of knew what to expect as far as the general activity, however, what I wasn’t expecting was about 600 people cheering on the Bang Bang Betties and the Mafia Mollies tonight at the Reno Roller Girls’ new location in the old Scolari’s market off of Lakeside.  The snow was coming down hard, with about three inches on the ground by the time we left.

The crowd was a sheer mixture, a real community event.  Generally speaking it was late twenty-somethings  and early thirty-somethings (I think I even saw what happens when some of the has-been music scene in Reno grows up and has kids…),  with the crowd (probably legally) split down the center:  Drinking side and non-drinking side.   The plain walls of the interior and stark fluorescent lighting overhead could have been a real mood-killer if it weren’t for the sheer focus of all 600 people and the two Reno roller derby teams bopping it out for a pretty gosh-darn good time.

The Bang Bang Betties barely eeked out a victory against the Mafia Mollies, with a score of 60 to 58.

There was food, there was drink, there was plenty of girl-on-girl fights, bashing, pushing, anger, joy and competition throughout the almost two-hour bout.   Funny enough, there was one young referee that seemed to get taken out by the girls as much as they were taking out each other.  And let me tell you, the sound of bare thighs on that painted oval track is NOT a pretty thing!  The oohs and ahhs of the crowd as girls faked each other out and sent the aggressor onto her chin, the coordinated blocks and the spills and chills had everyone’s devoted attention!

I think once it is established where pre-sale tickets will be available (I believe their location at 3380 Lakeside Court will have them), the Reno Roller Girls will be hosting some pretty good fun at $5 (presale) per ticket, because even with my wonderment of what to expect, the mix of families cheering on teams and individuals and people there for a good time made for a decent Saturday evening, one I plan on doing again in the future to get my Saturday night started off properly.

For a list of future bouts and to get more information, mosey on over here:

http://renorollergirls.com/

Reno is lucky to have something like this, and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you stop by for a bout sometime.

I’d like to extend a big THANK YOU to Trish of the Reno Roller Girls that invited God Hates Reno, who is out taking a break for a while, but is working hard to make sure the group and new location are getting off to a good start.   To all the girls, thanks for the hard work and good time!

Gay Rodeo

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They’re doing it again, those crazy boys that put together the band The Madorians are having another shin-dig, this time, with a mostly-new lineup mixed with some talented Reno favorites. The Madorians will be joined by Hopscotch Whiskey, Come Think, The I Knows!, The Humans and between sets you can sway to the grooves of DJ Gilt.

All happening February 27th at 7pm at the Studio on 4th (432 E 4th, Reno): An all ages gig!

In addition to the music, there will be face painting, and performance art by Dominique Palladino!

The Magical Mystery Show will be an art, performance and hang-out spectacle featuring some of Reno’s newest and greatest talent. If you liked The Electric Circus, you’ll love the Magical Mystery Show!

GR

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One of the best things in life is to get a random e-mail promoting something I would never have found out about just on my own.  I guess if you want to get really pedantic about it I am sort of finding out about it on my own, but this is no time for pedantry!

This is a time to tell all of you about Dessa, a singer-songwriter from Minneapolis, MN who is working her way around some of the cities of our beloved West this month, and will be stopping off in Reno for a show at Tonic Lounge on February 16 with Grieves, and fellow Doomtree artist P.O.S.

Dessa’s Badly Broken Code is big, classy music.  Solid beats with a blend of rapped and sung vocals over the top.  The rhymes are tight, the phrases turned with nice surprises.  And so it shall be at 9 PM at Tonic Lounge on February 16.

This will be an interesting show at least for the mix of acts.  Dessa and Grieves are actually opening for P.O.S.  P.O.S. is billed by the promoter as “teenage hardcore punk rocker grows up and becomes a critically acclaimed hip-hop rapper.”  His current album Never Better has some exemplary tracks like Goodbye (free MP3 download).

Finally rounding out the ticket is Brooklyn-based Grieves.  I am an instant fan and will leave you with this video which is a collaboration of Grieves and Type.

My Girlfriend Beats Me from Griff J on Vimeo.

Tonic’s Myspace claims “Huge bands in a small room is always the most fun.”  Tonic is definitely a small room, and these artists will do a fine job putting that claim to the test.  Music this good on a Tuesday is damn near unheard of.  Tonic’s Myspace also claims well drinks, beer and wine are 2 bucks all night on Tuesdays, which should help take a little of the edge off the cover charge.  Recommended.

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