Cockleburr Slough
Cockleburr Slough (L-R): Sara Wolff/Roxy Horror (Violin), Steve 'Steam' Streumph (Guitar), Lane Kilgore (Guitar & Vocals), Cully Meier (Drums, back-up vocals), Justin Powers (Bass)
Cockleburr Slough
Fracture Interview with Sara Wolff/Roxy Horror
Photos courtesy of Cockleburr Slough
Posted Feb 13, 2009
Give us a little bio on yourself.
I was born and raised in the outskirts of St. Louis City. I spent my days as a straight A honor roll student and classical musician, and snuck out to go to punk, ska, and heavycore shows at night. I earned my going-out money by teaching violin lesions to younger kids, and classmates. I was a member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Missouri All State Orchestra, and finally the University of Missouri Philharmonic, when I moved to Columbia, Mo. to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering. I eventually switched majors, and completed a degree in Animal Sciences. I landed a secure “big girl” job with the university under the Office of Research, but after much drama and a failed marriage, I realized I had way too much free time to sit on my butt and feel sorry for myself. I started getting involved in the local music scene- booking shows, helping with the local online music network comomusic.com, and networking. I had several gigs as a guest spot with other bands, and a love for playing violin in a live rock band developed. I got together with a group of friends and played a birthday party. Over the next three years that band developed into my current band, Cockleburr Slough. I’m currently pursuing a degree in nursing and getting ready to start year number three of roller derby.
Tell us a little about Cockleburr Slough.
Cockleburr Slough (Lane Kilgore, vocals; Cully Meier, drums; Justin Powers, bass; Steve Streumph, lead guitar; Sara Wolff, fiddle-lin), was originally formed to play in a backyard for the 30th birthday party of our lead singer. We had no intentions of actually becoming a band- we just thought it’d be fun to put together some music for party- something a little different. At the time I was using my classical violin with a basic stick-on pickup, plugged into a PA. The crowd was overly impressed, and it was so much fun that we thought we’d start practicing more often and see if it developed into anything. Now, three years later, people are still asking us to come back and play for them. I still use the same fiddle but I’ve upgraded to a Laney A1 amp and have started to goof around with FX petals.
What kind of music do you play?
We’re a little bit garage and a little bit hillbilly, but you could probably sum it up as “alternative rock…” although I hate the term.
How long have you been a musician?
I’ve been a musician since I could walk and talk. I’ve been playing violin for going on 19 years. I grew up doing it, it’s part of me.
What do you love best about music?
It’s a complete, 100% escape from everyday life. Band practice is my favorite time of the week. It’s sacred. I get to play primadonna, and hang out with a bunch of guys who don’t care if I’m a raging know-it-all, classical snob. No one second guesses each other- no one bickers. We just do what we know how to do. When I need a break from reality at home I play Bach. My very favorite thing about music though, is its diversity. There’s something out there for every mood you could ever have or dream of having and more. Sometimes I put Beethoven’s 7th on my stereo and turn the volume way up, lay on the floor, and just absorb the sounds. I’d never get any housework done if I didn’t have punk rock to motivate me to move… The Cure is great pre-show, Joy Division while I’m riding my bike, Slayer for getting tattooed, Killing Joke, Radiohead, Static-X, The Pogues… you name it. I think every band I’ve ever listened to is organized by task in my brain.
How long have you been playing derby?
Two great friends and I founded the COMO Derby Dames two years ago, and we’re still going strong!
What’s your position?
Usually Pivot, although I also Jam and play other blocking positions with frequency.
How do you find the time to balance derby, music, and a living?
I’m also going to school full time, and I still volunteer with the music community and work with our local Humane Society (and therefore have the obligatory animals at home to go with it). I only sleep about four hours a night, and catch up on the weekends.
What’s your favorite thing about derby?
The teaching, the speed, and the physical exertion. I could care less about the public displays and bouts, I love playing the sport and scrimmaging. I love throwing blocks and knocking girls off their skates and having them come up and hug me and ask me to teach them how to do that after practice. I feel like through derby, and teaching derby, I can really make a huge impact on the lives of the women in this community. I appreciate the emotional healing it promotes, and the life skills it forces on people. I also enjoy the business aspect of it all. It’s one of the few things in this world that’s 100% ours, and there are a number of women in our league who, despite the daily trials and tribulations, couldn’t imagine our lives without it.
What kind of advice would you give other rollergirl hopefuls?
Two things:
1. Try not to start out with an antagonistic relationship. I know it’s difficult, since most of us come from alternative lifestyles and cultures, and don’t generally deal well with authority. However, the better your attitude, the less clouded your brain will be, and the more you’ll learn.
2. Do some cross training (other than roller skating) specifically to increase your cardiac output. Swimming, jogging, running, whatever. Even if you can just fit this in for 30 minutes twice a week, you’ll get less muscle cramping, you’ll sleep better, and your endurance will be much better. All of these things will allow you to think and react more clearly during a bout. Force, skill and strength will get you nowhere without a clear mind and a strong heart. Loosing weight is only a nice side effect- not the ultimate goal of cross-training. We often loose sight of the real purpose of training.
Anything you want our readers to know?
I would encourage anyone and everyone to break their normal routine reach out and be a part of something new that interests them, at least a couple times a year. Too many young people I know today are bogged down in the 9-5, or school. Mix it up a little, get involved in something that will put you slightly outside your comfort zone. You’ll have something new to look forward to and your mind, body and soul will benefit. Heck, if I hadn’t broken my comfort zone two years ago, over 100 women in mid-Missouri may never have gotten involved in roller derby.
I was born and raised in the outskirts of St. Louis City. I spent my days as a straight A honor roll student and classical musician, and snuck out to go to punk, ska, and heavycore shows at night. I earned my going-out money by teaching violin lesions to younger kids, and classmates. I was a member of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Missouri All State Orchestra, and finally the University of Missouri Philharmonic, when I moved to Columbia, Mo. to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering. I eventually switched majors, and completed a degree in Animal Sciences. I landed a secure “big girl” job with the university under the Office of Research, but after much drama and a failed marriage, I realized I had way too much free time to sit on my butt and feel sorry for myself. I started getting involved in the local music scene- booking shows, helping with the local online music network comomusic.com, and networking. I had several gigs as a guest spot with other bands, and a love for playing violin in a live rock band developed. I got together with a group of friends and played a birthday party. Over the next three years that band developed into my current band, Cockleburr Slough. I’m currently pursuing a degree in nursing and getting ready to start year number three of roller derby.
Tell us a little about Cockleburr Slough.
Cockleburr Slough (Lane Kilgore, vocals; Cully Meier, drums; Justin Powers, bass; Steve Streumph, lead guitar; Sara Wolff, fiddle-lin), was originally formed to play in a backyard for the 30th birthday party of our lead singer. We had no intentions of actually becoming a band- we just thought it’d be fun to put together some music for party- something a little different. At the time I was using my classical violin with a basic stick-on pickup, plugged into a PA. The crowd was overly impressed, and it was so much fun that we thought we’d start practicing more often and see if it developed into anything. Now, three years later, people are still asking us to come back and play for them. I still use the same fiddle but I’ve upgraded to a Laney A1 amp and have started to goof around with FX petals.
What kind of music do you play?
We’re a little bit garage and a little bit hillbilly, but you could probably sum it up as “alternative rock…” although I hate the term.
How long have you been a musician?
I’ve been a musician since I could walk and talk. I’ve been playing violin for going on 19 years. I grew up doing it, it’s part of me.
What do you love best about music?
It’s a complete, 100% escape from everyday life. Band practice is my favorite time of the week. It’s sacred. I get to play primadonna, and hang out with a bunch of guys who don’t care if I’m a raging know-it-all, classical snob. No one second guesses each other- no one bickers. We just do what we know how to do. When I need a break from reality at home I play Bach. My very favorite thing about music though, is its diversity. There’s something out there for every mood you could ever have or dream of having and more. Sometimes I put Beethoven’s 7th on my stereo and turn the volume way up, lay on the floor, and just absorb the sounds. I’d never get any housework done if I didn’t have punk rock to motivate me to move… The Cure is great pre-show, Joy Division while I’m riding my bike, Slayer for getting tattooed, Killing Joke, Radiohead, Static-X, The Pogues… you name it. I think every band I’ve ever listened to is organized by task in my brain.
How long have you been playing derby?
Two great friends and I founded the COMO Derby Dames two years ago, and we’re still going strong!
What’s your position?
Usually Pivot, although I also Jam and play other blocking positions with frequency.
How do you find the time to balance derby, music, and a living?
I’m also going to school full time, and I still volunteer with the music community and work with our local Humane Society (and therefore have the obligatory animals at home to go with it). I only sleep about four hours a night, and catch up on the weekends.
What’s your favorite thing about derby?
The teaching, the speed, and the physical exertion. I could care less about the public displays and bouts, I love playing the sport and scrimmaging. I love throwing blocks and knocking girls off their skates and having them come up and hug me and ask me to teach them how to do that after practice. I feel like through derby, and teaching derby, I can really make a huge impact on the lives of the women in this community. I appreciate the emotional healing it promotes, and the life skills it forces on people. I also enjoy the business aspect of it all. It’s one of the few things in this world that’s 100% ours, and there are a number of women in our league who, despite the daily trials and tribulations, couldn’t imagine our lives without it.
What kind of advice would you give other rollergirl hopefuls?
Two things:
1. Try not to start out with an antagonistic relationship. I know it’s difficult, since most of us come from alternative lifestyles and cultures, and don’t generally deal well with authority. However, the better your attitude, the less clouded your brain will be, and the more you’ll learn.
2. Do some cross training (other than roller skating) specifically to increase your cardiac output. Swimming, jogging, running, whatever. Even if you can just fit this in for 30 minutes twice a week, you’ll get less muscle cramping, you’ll sleep better, and your endurance will be much better. All of these things will allow you to think and react more clearly during a bout. Force, skill and strength will get you nowhere without a clear mind and a strong heart. Loosing weight is only a nice side effect- not the ultimate goal of cross-training. We often loose sight of the real purpose of training.
Anything you want our readers to know?
I would encourage anyone and everyone to break their normal routine reach out and be a part of something new that interests them, at least a couple times a year. Too many young people I know today are bogged down in the 9-5, or school. Mix it up a little, get involved in something that will put you slightly outside your comfort zone. You’ll have something new to look forward to and your mind, body and soul will benefit. Heck, if I hadn’t broken my comfort zone two years ago, over 100 women in mid-Missouri may never have gotten involved in roller derby.
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