ABOUT THE COMPANY

In the fall of 2006, I stepped into a grungy Brooklyn recording studio with my band, The Alibis, and recorded one song. Its title: “Roller Derby Saved My Soul.”

Originally, the song was intended as the soundtrack to a video for the local Gotham Girls Roller Derby league. But, on a whim, I posted it on my band’s Myspace page. Within two weeks, I had received e-mails from rollergirls in every state in America, as well as newfound fans in Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Germany, and Australia.

The song “Roller Derby Saved My Soul” has since been featured in broadcasts and documentaries, and still proudly serves as the unofficial theme music for countless roller derby bouts nationwide. (And, in case anybody wonders, I never charged any of them a penny for it.)

In the summer of 2007, to finance my band’s roller derby-based tour of the Midwest, I created the first “Roller Derby Saved My Soul” tank tops and underwear. The clothing sold out completely. Since then, I’ve continued to receive e-mails from rollergirls and fans around the world. And they always have one question: “Where can I get one of those shirts?”

Now, at last, I have an answer.

Eight Wheel Industries was founded in early 2009 with the sole purpose of providing “Roller Derby Saved My Soul” gear to the rollergirl community and their fans. This is not a big corporation, and it’s not affiliated with any other company, roller derby or otherwise. It's owned and operated by one guy—me. Any profit that gets made will go toward independently funding future Uncle Leon and the Alibis projects, as well as numerous roller derby sponsorship programs.

It’s a tiny operation, and I’m not sure how exactly it’s going to turn out, but I’m determined to have fun doing it, and maybe even make a few rollergirls happy in the process. I like to think that’s the kind of do-it-yourself attitude that anyone involved in a roller derby league can understand well.

Want to make a suggestion, inquire about sponsorships and advertising, or just tell me what you think? Please contact me directly. I'd love to hear from you.

Love,
Uncle Leon