PHOTOS by Coco & Kensington Photography)

BIF NAKED– It is as much an honor as it is my pleasure to forward you a few questions and thrilled to interview with you, 1 of Canada’s legendary Rock Stars, award-winning singer-songwriters, who is a celebrated actor, dancer, the Queen of Punk, who is a Motivational Public Speaker, Best Selling Author, Humanitarian, advocate, activist, and a Doctor to boot.  When it comes to can’t-live-without Canadian rockers — let alone female ones — you’d be hard-pressed to find a list that doesn’t include Bif Naked, a celebrated and notorious performer in music, TV, film, and dance, and a tireless advocate and Humanitarian. who was orphaned in India, emancipated by punk rock, and empowered by surviving breast cancer, kidney failure, heart surgery, divorce, and surviving as a Woman in The Entertainment Industry for twenty-five years.

Bif has transcended any and all obstacles placed in her path to become one of the world’smost unique, recognizable and beloved icons. It is because Bif is such a tremendous performer and musician, that she is able to seamlessly and successfully explore and record other mediums, like writing, painting, choreography, and of course- other genres of music. For over two decades, Bif has been an original “Straight-Edge” and Vegan, not utilizing alcohol, meat, dairy, poultry, or sea life. “I just want to live by example,” Bif states, “and encourage everyone to live compassionately and more fully, in happiness.” When asked about what her favorite pastimes are, she has only one answer: “Living Loudly.” When not on
rock tours around the World, Canada’s Queen of Punk splits her time between Paris, France, New Delhi, India, and her new home, Toronto.

The incomparable Queen of Punk’s latest release “Broke Into Your Car” is an infectiously raucous anthem in waiting. https://open.spotify.com/album/2sgQOHFhWwbTHnP0Td4fGk?si=qp-otj2ySE6P72ZmrCDEIA&dl_branch=1&nd=1 She’s performing at Peterborough’s The Venue on May 12!

And of course, she is one of the nicest, kindest people you’ll ever meet, and the author of the best-selling memoir about life, love, loss and triumph, I, Bificus. Bif Naked was born in secret to a teenager living in India, the product of a Canadian girl and a British boy, WAS adopted by missionaries and then moved to North America. She began what she recalls with ironic humor as a “charmed life.” Targeted by girl gangs and facing other abusive situations, she escaped this early life by joining a punk rock band and leaving on tour, where she married the drummer and hit a downward spiral.

Through it all, her creative personality and unstoppable humor were her weapons of self-defense. Bif showcased her life’s journey in tattoo ink across her body and, with her unique ability to transform her true-life stories into song lyrics, she found her voice as a solo artist, started her own record company and at twenty-three years of age became an international recording artist. Throughout her remarkable career, armed with her singular talent and instantly identifiable look, Bif would captivate the imagination of audiences and media alike, releasing nine albums and twenty-one videos. She embarked on seemingly endless international tours, several feature films and multiple television roles, only to be struck down with breast cancer at the age of 37. Bif would discover her passion for advocacy, as a triumphant survivor and someone who helps others first. This is Bif Naked’s story so far.

Bif Naked embodies the phrase “lived to tell the tale” and makes for a fascinating interview: orphaned, empowered, and inspired are just some of the reasons… Read below to see why Bif Naked transcended adversity to become one of the world’s most unique, creative and adored icons.

Canadian rock star, writer, and humanitarian, Bif Naked, uses art to push boundaries and stand up for what she believes in. It seems like Bif’s talents are never-ending, and all of her artwork stems from the experiences she has in her everyday life.

Welcome, Bif, to the Wire MEGAzine that has been on the music scene since 1989 as 1 of Canada’s longest running entertainment tabloids.   

DEB: Q. 1. Bif has been your nickname since the 8th grade, how did your stage name fully come to be?

BIF: “My stage name Bif Naked was kind of the punk rock stage name I got blessed with when I was around eighteen years old, when I started playing my first few professional shows. All the punk guys had cool stage names and I wanted my stage name to set me apart from the boys.“

DEB: Q. 2. When you first started, what sort of challenges did you face? There weren’t many Canadian female punk rock artists 30 years ago!

BIF: “In 1994 there weren’t many record labels in Canada interested in taking me on as a girl and as a tattooed outspoken punk girl. So we had to form our own record label and take it from there. My manager Peter was able to secure record deals in Europe and USA and globally and Canada finally came on board afterwards. It was a dream come true but we have always remained an independent record label and I’ve remained an independent artist.“

DEB: Q. 3. Bif, you are a legendary Canadian rock artist, a prolific writer and graphic artist, and have also developed a parallel career as an activist and humanitarian, as a long-time champion for women’s rights and the LGBTQ+ community, and other causes, you are a survivor of breast cancer survivor and have lent your voice to raise awareness and for treatment issues while recalling that moment you experienced as you returned to the stage after your bout with cancer. Your strength helps many believe you me, I had my own scare back in 2015 and I appreciate you for your inner core strength in giving hope and power to those women who need it the most, YOU ROCK! Your iconic punk rock prowess stands the test of time and is still going strong after 3 decades, you recently released “Broke Into Your Car,“ and “JIM” serving as prime previews into your forthcoming full-length offering, of your 11th album, CHAMPION which wastes no time revealing Canada’s ‘Princess of Everything’ remaining on your rightful throne, reigning rock supreme and as strong as ever. Can you share with your fans your unique songwriting process and tell us how these singles and the album all came to be?

BIF: “CHAMPION is what I consider some of my most meaningful work as it reunited Doug Fury with us as a songwriting team and as a producer. Peter and Doug have co written with me on many of my biggest songs like Spaceman and Tango Shoes and Moment Of Weakness for example, and there’s something about their music and riffs that brings the words out in me, that inspires my lyrics. It’s a great team and I love working with them.“

DEB: Q. 4. What is your physical and vocal health regimen like? For example, do you follow a certain type of diet and/or exercise a lot?

BIF: “I have been a vegan for twenty five years maybe more but I can’t remember anymore as it’s been half of my life. For a long time I was a raw food vegan meaning I didn’t eat cooked food really just fruits and veggies and then during cancer treatments I started eating cooked yams and rice so I guess they took away my raw food badge haha. I will always be vegan.“

DEB: Q. 5. You mentioned your tattoos being a sort of armor. What was your first tattoo and is there a story behind it?

BIF: “My first tattoo was the Eye of Horace of the All Seeing eye and it is really old haha. I only thought I would get one tattoo but so many symbols and words have great importance to me that I kept getting more.“

DEB: Q. 6. You have legendarily traveled the globe with the creme de la creme musicians throughout your career like Billy Idol, Sheryl Crow, and Snoop Dogg. What was the best advice you were administered by in 1994 when your career took flight almost 3 decades ago? What would you offer to artists just starting out in this confused, and unprecedented times?

BIF: “I would say to any artist NEVER GIVE UP and that is the truth because a career is long for an artist whether it’s painting or writing or music, sculpture whatever. It is not an easy life but it is fulfilling and enriching and just to be on that stage or have even one person come see your gallery show whatever the victory is no matter how small it is worth every struggle. Never stop. Never quit.“

DEB: Q. 7. Do things you experience and things you write about in your memoir, “I, Bificus”, seep into your songs in any way?

BIF: “Absolutely in fact we were able to have a Songs and Stories tour based on the stories in my book. I would read a story to the audience and then we would perform the song that was written about that story. Many of my stories are written about events of my life.“

DEB: Q. 8. Tell us more about your memoir “I, Bificus”. Your book.of poetry and your cartoon, RazorBlade Chewing Gum. What inspired you to write these? What kind of stories are in them?

BIF: “The stories in RazorBlade Chewing Gum, like I,Bificus, are definitely autobiographical ( although much of the poetry is a bit vague or thinly veiled in a way as the subject matter for some of the poems describe traumatic events) and like songs, the events of my life inform and shape and inspire my art.”

DEB: Q. 9. To capture BIF NAKED is like capturing an infinite measure, both a creative workbook and an authoritative musical reference. Your stage presence is profoundly moving and a pertinent one. Your perfected measurements of rhythm and supportive harmony, play a crucial role in defining the sound of Punk/New Wave. You are a valuable industry team player, with an all-around musical presence.  No matter how many shows you attend, it’s like your finger is on the pause button, truly never veering from their trademark sound we have come to adore all these years. Marching into a decade and a half of the 21st century, your music is still a notable household name showing no signs of slowing down.  Totally ensuring your nostalgic sound unions with your eager legions of fans worldwide, will forge strongly forward with a futuristic feel for years to come. You are regarded as Canada’s Queen of Punk and a vocal driving force who is recognized as 1 of the top innovators of the pop-punk sound, and you have paved the way for many female-driven artists inside this genre.  How does it feel to be revered as 1 of the world’s greatest acts that have stood the test of time, noted as the main influence in the lives of many? As well, how does it feel to be revered as a highlight inside the pop-punk scene, as a key musician in the development of punk music, especially in a predominantly male regarded industry? 

BIF: “Wow I am so deeply humbled by your words. Thank you. But of course I cite so many other innovative artists as mentors and leaders never myself. I feel like I was very lucky to be a songwriter at a young age and in the era of generation X if you will. I love performing and always will.“

DEB: Q. 10. How do you see your own celebrity? Also, what is your secret to musical longevity?

BIF: “I always say I’m only a celebrity in my kitchen, or to my dog. Haha. I say the secret to longevity is to never stop.”

DEB: Q. 11. Who would you say inspires you and your songwriting creativity the most, then and now?

BIF: “My own lived experiences and feelings have always seemed to permeate my writing and it has never changed. My experiences now are very similar to when I was a young girl: heartache and dreaming. Haha it never changes.”

DEB: Q. 12. When you look back 30 years, did you ever imagine that your career would unfold the way it has and that your songs would influence the world as they have?

BIF:”I never thought I would be alive past my thirties when I was starting out, as most of us punk girls believed strangely. Every year I live is a gift and every year I get to keep performing is a victory. I love life and I love singing and writing songs. It never gets old for me.“

DEB: Q. 13. Tell me a bit about the humanitarian efforts that you’re currently involved with?

BIF: “I always try and support people or organizations that I feel have been underserved, and have a real desire to help more in the areas of palliative care which I started volunteering in when I was going through my own breast cancer. I love people and animals and want to really support all types of different groups.“

Bif’s newest forthcoming album, CHAMPION couldn’t be more fitting for arguably one of the nation’s most recognized and beloved entertainment industry icons whose personal story provides endless inspiration. For the entirety of your prolific career — and interconnected in such a woven way only one of the country’s most unforgettable and inspiring women can accomplish — you have documented your journey in a deeply personal, highly relatable, and inclusive way, covering topics that allow your truths to be a source of empowerment for fans.

BIF: “I’m still fighting,” she says of the album, and career at large. “I’m still swinging as a legacy artist… An O.G.” BIf continues to say, “At this stage of the game, I am a CHAMPION.” As well, “I’ve never allowed myself to be limited, and the direction of this new album was from experimenting and being fearless. I’m excited by it, and fiercely proud of these tracks.”

Congratulations on all of your success thus far, enjoy your tour, especially in Peterborough, we love you here!! Thank you for your time and this outstanding interview.

Keep on keeping on as YOU TRULY ROCK! Cheers!

Visit and stay in tune with Bif Naked:

https://music.apple.com/ca/album/hot-box-girls-single/1372369358

https://open.spotify.com/artist/02odAcSXGSPTSO4P44Ztuw

https://herroyalmajestys.com/bif-naked/

https://twitter.com/bifnaked?lang=en

https://www.facebook.com/TheOneAndOnlyBif/

https://www.instagram.com/bifnakedofficial/?hl=en

https://soundcloud.com/user-596160579/bif-i-broke-into-your-car-last-night/s-FQ6JI