Naked or leave it

>> A pleasant chat with the lady they call Bif

by LORRAINE CARPENTER

Her new album is Purge. Her not-so-new label is Her Majesty's Records. She's full of tattoos, hair dye and soymilk. She does extreme sports instead of drugs. She's a West Coast rock chick. She's on the main stage. And she sat down with the Mirror to discuss all things feminine.



Mirror: So what inspired you to sign Live on Release when they were 14?

Bif Naked: I was just so moved when I saw them play in that raw, organic state. They were rocking so fucking hard, they were devoid of self-consciousness. They were kicking my ass. Honestly, anyone can be in a band, have their shit together and go play shows, but those girls write songs all the time. I couldn't write songs that good when I was fuckin' 25. I'm such a fan. And it broke the door open for me to start really taking my label seriously. I've had the label since '94 and Live on Release is my first baby.

M: Do you try to shield them from the dangers of fame?

BN: Oh gosh no, I can't shield them from it just like they can't be with me in Shopper's Drug Mart when people follow me into the tampon aisle. You just have to deal with it. It's more difficult for them because they're in school and kids can be heartless little fuckers. Sometimes I try and lead by example. Like, they're all straight edge. Gail [Greenwood, formerly of Belly, L7], my bass player, has been my best friend for seven years, and she inspires me. If those girls being straight edge has anything to do with Gail or myself, I'm honoured.

M: You've said that you had a really hard time being feminine early in your career. How's that working for you now?

BN: I think--no matter what job I was in, if I was a dishwasher or a mom or a rocker--with every passing year, I feel better in my skin. I think that goes for a lot of women. And I try to encourage sisterhood because it's lacking in our culture. North American women are encouraged to compete and belittle and betray, and I'm trying to debunk the myth. I'm on a soapbox for a living, so I'm trying to use it wisely.

With Live on Release and Moonraker at Club Soda on Saturday, Sept. 15, 8pm, $15, all ages