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Bif Naked

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Bif Naked
Naked performing live in 2006
Naked performing live in 2006
Background information
Birth nameBeth Nicole Torbert[1]
Also known asBeth Hopkins, Beth Walker, Beth Allen
Born (1971-06-15) June 15, 1971 (age 53)
New Delhi, Delhi, India
OriginWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
GenresAlternative rock, pop punk, EDM
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, producer, manager
InstrumentsVocals, synths
Years active1994–present
LabelsHer Royal Majesty
Websitebifnaked.com

Beth Nicole Torbert (born June 15, 1971) is a Canadian singer best known by her stage name Bif Naked. Between 1996 and 2016, she was among the top 150 selling Canadian artists in Canada.[2]

Early life and education

Bif Naked was born in New Delhi, India, on June 15, 1971, to teenage parents attending boarding school.[3] She was subsequently adopted by American missionaries.[4][3] She spent part of her childhood in Lexington, Kentucky,[5] where her father was a professor at the University of Kentucky. She went to Kelsey Elementary School in The Pas, Manitoba, for a couple of years.[5] After living for a time in Dauphin, Manitoba, her family eventually settled in Winnipeg.[6][7] She graduated from John Taylor Collegiate and studied theatre at the University of Winnipeg. After University, she began pursuing a career as a stand-up comic.[citation needed]

The name "Bif" started as a nickname based on the mispronunciation of her real name, Beth.[8]

Career

After spending several years singing with several underground bands, Bif Naked independently released a self-titled solo album, Bif Naked, in 1994,[5] and I Bificus in 1998. In 1999 she toured across Canada.[9]

Another solo album, Purge was released in 2001.[10] She also released a spoken word album called Okenspay Ordway: Things I Forgot To Tell Mommy. In 2005, after narrowing it down from over fifty songs, she released Superbeautifulmonster, which featured thirteen tracks. The Promise, which was recorded while Bif was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, was released in 2009 and was dedicated to her fans. The album featured tracks mixed by Juno Award winner Mike Fraser. In 2011, after doing acoustic sets on tour, Bif released an acoustic record on Her Royal Majesty's Records late-2013, featuring acoustic versions of her past songs as well as four previously unreleased tracks. The album is entitled BIF NAKED FOREVER: Acoustic Hits and Other Delights. Bif has also been involved on a side project, Jakkarta.[citation needed]

Prior to her solo career, Torbert played with punk bands Gorilla Gorilla and Chrome Dog. She has toured Europe, the United States, and Canada as a headlining act, and has performed on bills with: Snoop Dogg, Billy Idol, Dido, Devin Townsend, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Chrissie Hynde, Foo Fighters, The Cult, Prodigy, Smashing Pumpkins, Ministry, Green Day, and many more.

Bif's music has been featured in and on soundtracks for shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, Moonlight, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven, Ready To Rumble, The West Wing and Celebrity Deathmatch. She recorded a rendition of the Christmas classic, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" for MTV's Total Request Live CD MTV: TRL Christmas in 1999 and was also featured on the Ready to Rumble soundtrack with a cover of Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It". (which was additionally used as David Arquette's entrance theme while he was on WCW Monday Nitro[11]). The song "Dawn", taken from Purge, was featured in the film American Psycho 2, starring Mila Kunis and William Shatner.

She made a guest appearance in the song "Fucker", on Strapping Young Lad's album The New Black in 2006. Bif Naked has also made guest appearances with artists such as SNFU on the songs "One Last Loveshove" and "You Make Me Thick". She also appeared on the Dead Celebrity Status album Blood Music on the track titled "In This Day and Age". In 2011, she recorded a duet with Vancouver-based yogi and Nettwerk recording artist Will Blunderfield for the international version of his album Hallelujah.

Bif Naked has also appeared in music videos for other artists including: "Believe Me" and "Silver" by Moist and Liveonrelease's "Get with It." In 2009, she appeared in the video for Simple Plan's "Save You" near the end along with other people (such as Sharon Osbourne and René Angélil) who have survived or have been treated for cancer.

Aside from her music career, Bif has also pursued acting. In 1990, she appeared in the film Archangel, where she was credited as "Bif Torbert," playing a Russian soldier. In 1997, she played a liquor store manager in The Boys Club. She appeared in the television series Once a Thief in 1998, playing Nastassja Momomame. In 2000, she voiced the character Alison in the Daria movie, Is It Fall Yet?, playing a bisexual art camp attendee who attempts to seduce Jane Lane. She appeared in the Canadian indie films Lunch with Charles (2001) and Crossing (2005), the latter of which she recorded the song "My Greatest Masterpiece" for. She has done hosting work for the CBC Television series ZeD (becoming their first host in 2002), and for Bodog, hosting Bodog Fight in 2006 as well as a reality series chronicling the days leading up to her marriage with Vancouver Sun sports writer, Ian Walker, in 2007 called Bif Naked Bride.[12][13] She voiced the character Zoe Payne in the SSX video game series[14] and Sled Storm. In 2003, she made a cameo appearance in the zombie horror film The House of the Dead. That same year, she appeared as a judge of a fictitious reality show in the TV series Cold Squad. In 2006, she guest starred on an episode of The L Word, playing a character named Cynthia. In addition, Bif Naked has appeared as herself in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Crow: Stairway to Heaven and The Chris Isaak Show. Bif Naked also narrated the TV series That's Art?! (2012).[15]

In 2021, Bif appeared as a guest judge on an episode of the second season of Canada's Drag Race.[16]

Personal life

Bif Naked at the University of the Fraser Valley receiving an honorary degree in 2013

Bif Naked is heavily tattooed, getting her first tattoo (an Egyptian Eye of Horus) when she was sixteen years old. Her tattoos include a symbol of the Tao, Japanese writing, Buddhist poetry and images (such as the Bodhisattva), and Hindu imagery; she has stated on MTV that her favorite tattoo, on her left arm, reads "Survivor". Bif identifies as polyamorous and pansexual.[17]

Her first marriage, which lasted six months, was to her drummer Brett Hopkins in Gorilla Gorilla. She then married former Vancouver Sun sports writer Ian Walker in 2007; they divorced in 2011.[18]

In January 2008, she announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and underwent a lumpectomy and chemotherapy.[19]

Bif Naked spoke at the University of the Fraser Valley for International Women's Day on March 8, 2013, at the Abbotsford campus; it was announced she would be awarded an honorary doctorate from the university in June 2013.[20]

In 2015, she became engaged to Steve Allen, a friend of her former bandmate Jacen Ekstrom. They married on July 30, 2016.[21] Steve Allen and Bif separated in August 2022.

Bif is a vegan.[22]

Her memoir I Bificus was published by HarperCollins in 2016.[23]

Band membership

Current band members

  • Bif Naked – vocals, background vocals
  • Doug Fury – guitar
  • Chiko Misomali – drums, background vocals
  • Peter Karroll – bass

Past members

  • Steve Allen - Guitar
  • Ferdy Belland - Bass
  • Alley Artico – Guitar
  • Alex Arundel aka XFactor (aka Gene Poole, co-writer of "Chotee") – guitar
  • Kuryakin – synths and bass backup vocals
  • Corrine Culbertson CoCo – bass
  • Mike Sage – drums
  • Doug Fury (now in Scatterheart) – guitar, bass, co-writer and co-producer
  • Gail Greenwood (Belly/L7) – bass
  • Scotty McCarger – drums
  • Chris Crippin (Everything After/Hedley) – drums
  • Randy Black (Annihilator) – drums
  • Jacen Ekstrom (Neurosonic/CrashScene) – bass (deceased)
  • John Bates (Big John Bates) - guitar
  • Gillian Hanna – guitar (deceased)
  • Britt Black – guitar
  • Rich Priske – bass (deceased)
  • Scott Cooke – bass
  • Tim Smyth – bass
  • Greg Mark (Juno-nominated Vancouver psychedelic pop band Templar) – guitar
  • Sean Stubbs – drums
  • Adam (ATOM) Percy (Econoline Crush) – keyboards
  • Dan Yaremko (Econoline Crush)/(D.O.A.) – bass
  • Lamar Engel – (vocalist/musician for art rock band An Opiate for Angels) – bass
  • Dave Martone – bass
  • Gabe Cipes – bass
  • Joe Veltri – bass

Discography

Studio albums

EPs and compilations

Singles

Year Single Peak positions Album
CAN
[28]
1995 "Tell on You" — Bif Naked
"My Whole Life" —
"Everything"
1996 "Daddy's Getting Married" —
1998 "Spaceman" 2 I Bificus
"Chotee" 39
"Lucky" 11
1999 "Moment of Weakness" —
2000 "Twitch" — Another 5 Songs and a Poem
"We're Not Gonna Take It" —
2001 "I Love Myself Today" — Purge
2002 "Tango Shoes" —
2003 "Leader" —
"Choking on the Truth" —
"Rich and Filthy" — Essentially Naked
2004 "Back in the Day" —
2005 "Let Down" — Superbeautifulmonster
"Nothing Else Matters" —
2006 "Everyday" —
"The World Is Over" —
2007 "My Greatest Masterpiece" — Crossing – Soundtrack
2009 "Fuck You 2" — The Promise
"Sick" —
"King of Karma" —
2012 "So Happy I Could Die" — Bif Naked Forever: (Acoustic Hits & Other Delights)
2014 "The Only One" —
2018 "HEAVY"
(feat. Snake and the Chain) 		— Non-album single
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

  • "Everything" (1994)
  • "My Whole Life"
  • "Tell on You"
  • "Never Alone"
  • "Daddy's Getting Married" (directed by William Morrison 1996)
  • "Spaceman"
  • "Lucky" (co-directed by Peter Karroll)
  • "Moment of Weakness" (1999) (directed by Marcos Siega)
  • "We're Not Gonna Take It"
  • "Chotee"
  • "Twitch" (1999) (directed by Peter Karroll)
  • "I Love Myself Today"
  • "Tango Shoes" (directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9 / Chappie)
  • "Choking in the Truth" (directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9 / Chappie)
  • "Back in the Day" (co-directed by Peter Karroll)
  • "Rich and Filthy"
  • "Let Down" (directed by Peter Karroll)
  • "Nothing Else Matters"
  • "Everyday" (directed by Peter Karroll)
  • "My Greatest Masterpiece" (2007)
  • "Fuck You 2" (2009)
  • "Sick" (2009)
  • "King of Karma" (2009)
  • "Only One" 2016 directed by Coco Karroll
  • "Heavy" 2018 directed by Peter Karroll
  • "Jim" (2020)

See also

References

  1. ^ "ANY DAY NOW". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  2. ^ "NIELSEN MUSIC & BILLBOARD PRESENT CANADA 150 CHARTS" (PDF). bdsradio.com. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 2, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Bif Naked Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
  4. ^ "New tattoo and wedding vows for Bif Naked". CBC News. September 30, 2007. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  5. ^ a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 56. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
  6. ^ Dudley Saunders (December 1999). "A Blast Called Bif". Interview. Interview. Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. Retrieved September 10, 2006.
  7. ^ "Bif Naked". The Canadian Pop Encyclopedia. Jam!. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2008.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ "Interview With Bif Naked". ShaveMagazine.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
  9. ^ "BIF NAKED'S I BIFICUS GETS U.S. RELEASE!"[usurped]. Chart Attack, April 30, 1999
  10. ^ "CD REVIEWS: Bif Naked, System Of A Down, Zeke and many more"[usurped]. Chart Attack, September 4, 2001 By: Debbie Bento, Jenny Yuen
  11. ^ David Arquette Custom Titantron 2018, November 18, 2018, retrieved August 4, 2019
  12. ^ Sandra Sperounes, "Indie artists have a new home in ZeD," Edmonton Journal, March 22, 2002, pg. E.4.
  13. ^ Bodog bio for Bif Naked Archived August 29, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  14. ^ "Bif Naked (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  15. ^ "BIF NAKED". Feldman-agency.com. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  16. ^ Bianca Guzzo (November 12, 2021). "'Canada's Drag Race' Season 2 Episode 5 Recap: Bye Flop". In Magazine. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  17. ^ Hammett, Cait (July 16, 2001). "Is That a Mic Between Bif Naked's Legs?". Chart. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2008.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) [dead link‍]
  18. ^ "Bif Naked on surviving breast cancer and her... | Chatelaine.com". Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  19. ^ Kerry Gold (January 2008). "Bif Naked diagnosed with breast cancer". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
  20. ^ "UFV to give honorary degree to Canadian rocker Bif Naked | UFV TodayUFV Today". Blogs.ufv.ca. March 12, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  21. ^ "Bif Naked on finding new love, Pride and more!". New West Record. August 5, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  22. ^ "Bif’s Naked Truth". impactmagazine.ca. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  23. ^ "I, Bificus". CBC Books. CBC. July 18, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  24. ^ "Bif Naked Biography". MapleMusic. August 1999. Archived from the original on October 31, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  25. ^ "Gold & Platinum Certification – January 2009". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on December 15, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
  26. ^ "Gold & Platinum Certification – May 2003". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  27. ^ "New Bif Naked! So Happy I Could Die". nightMair Creative. October 1, 2012. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  28. ^ "Top Singles – Volume 67, No. 1, March 30, 1998". RPM. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
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