Crimson Cobra: 25 Questions...

Dear Kansas City (KS & MO),

I like you.  Not only are you the birthplace of my cool friend Dr. Whitney and have a shit-ton of fountains, you contain some of the most passionate derby skaters in the country, if not THE WORLD (hyperbole much?)!!!!!

That is all.  Read this interview, you won't regret it.

Love,
BioniKate

P.S. Clearly my new job is affecting my brain...excuse this boring intro.

P.P.S. As always, I want to interview YOU!  Email me (address in 'About' section)!!

Name: Crimson Cobra
Number: 666


1. What league(s) are you/have you been affiliated with?

Cowtown Butchers
Kansas City Banked Beauties
Banked Beasts
Team MASTR

2. How long have you been skating (derby)?

This is my second season

3. How did you discover roller derby?

I was in a bad place in my life, deep into drugs, severely overweight, majorly depressed, paranoid and wondering if I should even be alive. Then my buddy Polish Hitman said, “hey, lets play men's roller derby.” I don’t know why I agreed, I’ve never been much of an athlete, I weighed 297 pounds, and the most activity I got was breaking up lines on a mirror and eating ice cream. We went to our first practice, watched it... I’ve never looked back. Roller derby gave me a second chance.

4. List your most notable derby injuries?

Broke my wrist in my second week... never told anyone:)

5. What was/is your oddest non-derby injury?

Marriage. It injured my soul. Heh:)

6. How did you select your derby name and number?

I was originally Allan Alpha, which was a name I used before derby... I had a Cobra Kai sticker on my helmet, and Jamalamadingdong of KCRW would skate up to me and lay a hit, and say “Cobra Cut”! So then the two of us jokingly would say we do the “Cobra cut” special move in bouts (it was just a regular hit). I was at Beat Me Halfway, and I ran into a St Louis Gatekeeper that I was a big fan of, but had never formally met. As I was introducing myself, he said “I know who you are, Allan Alpha, the nicest guy in Roller Derby, you got a rep” That day I changed my name. I wasn't going to be nice anymore. I was going to be the Crimson Cobra.

7. When not being a derby badass, what do you do for work (company can be kept anonymous)?

Communications Director... Boring

8. What are some derby names that you find particularly funny/clever?

Seahorses Forever

Photo by Heith Carnahan

Muhammad Falli (Crashes Clay)
Wheelzebub

9. What is your non-derby first name?

James

10. If you could have chosen your own non-derby name, what would it be?

Liam

11. What are your non-derby hobbies/activities/hidden talents?

I'm also a musician, my talent is very hidden HAHAHA! 

12. Do you collect anything, if so, what/why?

Vinyl (I download all music because I think bands are just phoning it in these days, if a band puts out a good album, I buy it on Vinyl to support them) I also collect smiles:)

13. What was your favorite Holiday or Birthday present received as a kid?

Nintendo Entertainment System

14. Who was the object of your most embarrassing teenage celebrity obsession?

Corey Feldman... I had to see all his movies. “Dream A Little Dream” was my favorite movie. I had a huge crush on Sara Buxton.

15. Which celebrity would you like to be friends with?

Nic Cage

Photo by Becky McCoy

16. Do you have Tattoos? What, where, and why?

One. It's an AA on my right arm. I got it because becoming Allan Alpha changed who I was. Now becoming Crimson Cobra has done that again... guess I need a new tattoo:)

17. What is something that most people don’t know, or would never guess about you?

Id rather read a comic book than drink a beer.

18. What movie(s) can you watch over and over and never get sick of?

Scott Pilgrim Vs The World
Attack The Block
Army of Darkness

19. I can't leave the house without...?

My phone and my pack of Stride.

Photo by Heith Carnahan

20. What would I find in your refrigerator right now?

Asparagus, Green Pepper, Shrimp, Yogurt, Oranges, Milk, Swai, Onion, half eaten turkey sandwich.

21. What is your most over-used word or phrase?

Awesome

22. What is the last book you've read?

Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk


23. Very first set of wheels?

77 Impala

Photo by Becky McCoy

24. What is the biggest life hurdle that you have overcome?

Being me:)

25. List 3 things that you plan to accomplish in 2012?

Never stop smiling
Play until the last second (in derby and life)
Be awesome