Bif Naked "Superbeautifulmonster" Review:
Canada has brought us many wonderful things; bacon, hockey, and of course good music. Bif Naked has been rocking the Canada and U.S. airwaves for over a decade now and continues to crank out new records every few years. Bif recorded her first solo album in 1994 after being passed from indie band to indie band for several years. Her rock n' roll, "wild yet straight-edge" persona has helped her release three more albums and has won her millions of fans since 1994. Read More
Bif Naked Interview:
TCZ: Can you tell us what influenced you the most to pursue a music career?
Bif: I got into music by accident. I studied ballet for thirteen years. I wanted to be a Prima Ballerina until I was sixteen years old. Then I started to study theatre. I started university as a theatre major but met these musicians at school who needed a replacement singer for their punk band- so I joined them. Within a couple of weeks I had dropped out of university and went on tour. I have been on tour ever since.
TCZ: What was the first concert you ever attended and how did it influence you?
Bif: The first concert I ever saw was Iron Maiden on their "Powerslave" tour. Twisted Sister was opening and Dee Snider spit on my little sister and I in the fourth row! I will never forget how cool we thought that was!!! Hahahaha!!
TCZ: What are you're biggest influences in your music career today?
Bif: Today I just like singing. I love singing my little agro-love songs to anyone that will listen! My influences have everything to do with my live shows and the performance aspect of my work. The old cats I looked up to: SNFU, DOA, NO MEANS NO, BAD BRAINS, and MARIAH CAREY!
TCZ: What female musician has influenced you the most and why?
Bif: I would have to say that Gail Greenwood (from BELLY and L7 and BENNY SIZZLER) has been my greatest influence because she is the coolest rocker on the planet! She has been a straight edger her whole life and she rocks harder than any guy ya ever saw!!! She rules.
TCZ: How do you warm up before your performances mentally and physically?
Bif: I usually do some push ups and the whole band listens to Pantera before the show. Oh- and the guys drink.
TCZ: What is the hardest song for the band to perform live and why?
Bif: It is hard to sing the love song, LUCKY, because it almost makes me cry all the time and I cant look like a chump so I have to suck it up!! Hahahaha!
TCZ: Describe to us a day in the studio while recording "SuperBeautifulMonster".
Bif: Well. Scotty's drum takes take the length of every song. That's it! He is a one-take-perfect muthafucka! My singing always makes me nervous because I feel pretty self-concious but it is a good process. I prefer shows to studios, that's for sure!!!!!
TCZ: During your long and successful career, what are the biggest obstacles have you faced that your male counterparts would not?
Bif: The comments about the tits and ass. Hahahaha! There are no obstacles. Only opportunities to work harder.
TCZ: Tell us about composing the track "Funeral Of A Good Girl."
Bif: It's a tongue-in-cheek, cheeky song about the subconscious desire to blossom sexually whilst in the throngs of a loving committed relationship. Essentially, I am a total square..and this song is about pushing personal limitations I have placed upon myself. Its supposed to be funny, lyrically, though. Cause it's a funny subject.
TCZ: With so much new material to choose from, why did you decide to add the cover from Metallica, "Nothing Else Matters" to this disc and release it as a video?
Bif: Because METALLICA is my favorite band for soooo long, and because "Nothing Else Matters" is my favorite METALLICA song. Maybe I will do a Hank Williams cover, someday or a Selena cover. Hahahaha!
TCZ: The powerful track " Everyday" contains such a strong message about living every day of your life to the fullest. Did your own health issues inspire this song and were you experiencing any health crisis at the time you composed this song?
Bif: I have always had this attitude since I was a child, due to my philosophical parents and my own theology studies. Being diagnosed with a terminal heart condition came later. I still feel the same about death. It is the same as birth. It just is.
TCZ: You mentioned in an earlier interview you have studied Theology extensively over the years. How does that knowledge help you in your career today?
Bif: The study of theologies and philosophies makes me happy and feel centered. I am at peace when I am living in a mindful way. These types of beliefs benefit everyone in any job. I would feel the same about The Universe and life if I were a dishwasher or a singer or a nurse.
TCZ: Through you're website, blogs and other online resources you do a fabulous job of keeping your fans informed on what's going on with the band on and off stage. Do you feel this approach has contributed to the success of "SuperbeautifulMonster"?
Bif: I have always had a fortunate, happy relationship with my fans. They are loyal and loving and righteous. I am so happy everyone seems to like Superbeautifulmonster so much! I am so blessed.
TCZ: You recently completed a tour here in the USA. Tell us what show stands out the most in your mind and why?
Bif: Every single show was the best show ever! I can't pick just one!!! I loved everywhere!!! Although..Birmingham was cool.Odessa was cool..Syracuse was cool...Nashville was cool...Buffalo was cool....Lancaster was cool..Tulsa was cool...Minneapolis was cool...Charlotte was cool...and so on and so on and so on..I loved it all!
TCZ: Many reviews of this album have mentioned you have reached a level of maturity on this album they have not heard before. Do you agree with that and why?
Bif: Who knows? I take it as a compliment and am so flattered that people seem to think my songs are evolving. I hope I am a better singer on every record. And, I hope I am a better songwriter. I am definitely at a very different place in my emotional fragility, than I was when "Purge" was being recorded. I have been through a lot and feel like I have changed a lot, as a person. Perhaps that comes across in my writing, or in my delivery?
TCZ: What song does the band enjoy performing live the most and why?
Bif: I think we all like the opening of the show with, Yeah, You and into "The Question Song" and then "I Want" all in a row. It is extremely fun for us and the energy runs very, very high. Its so fuckin fun!
TCZ: If you had to pick one track off this album that you felt represented you and you're music most, which song would that be and why?
Bif: Definitely the song, "After a While" which is why I placed it at the very end of the record: I wanted it to be the last song everyone heard the impression everyone was left with the taste that was left in everyone's mouth. It is extremely self-depricating. Absolutely. It touches on pain and shame and longing and it was incredibly difficult to sing. An extremely emotional song for me- difficult to sing because I would feel the feelings I felt and I would choke.
TCZ: What was the first song you ever composed and can you tell us what it means to you today?
Bif: I can't remember the first song I ever composed. Seriously. I have been a writer of words and poetry since I was a little kid. Um ,I guess the first "song" I ever wrote and sang with a band was probably a Gorilla Gorilla song called, "Satan's Lament" and I think its still the greatest music ever! Hahahahahaha! The song was probably all of thirty seconds long. Those were the days!!!!
TCZ: How would you describe the attitude of today's music industry toward female artists and do you feel that attitude has changed at all in the last 15 years?
Bif: I think the music industry is full of women behind the scenes, at record companies and publicity companies and who are photographers and journalists and even MY tour manager is a woman. I think women are very relevant and powerful like no other time in history. Its pretty cool and there are no repercussions in this business that aren't simply a reflection of society as a whole.
TCZ: What advice would you give to an upcoming female artist/band today?
Bif: I always say the same thing cause I mean it: NEVER QUIT, NEVER CRY IN PUBLIC, AND KEEP FIGHTIN THE GOOD FIGHT!