Bif Naked

Last updated

Bif Naked
Bif naked (cropped).jpg
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
Origin Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, producer, manager
InstrumentsVocals, synths
Years active1994–present
Labels
Website bifnaked.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] She charted #1 on Billboard Canada for the single Spaceman and was heavy rotation on MTV TRL for the video Moment of Weakness. The album I Bificus was multiplatinum internationally.

Contents

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 UFV Convocation 2013 23 (9039012714).jpg
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 in Gorilla Gorilla. She then married former Vancouver Sun sports writer 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 again. She was married for the third time on July 30, 2016. [21]

Bif is a vegan. [22]

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

Band membership

Current band members

Past members

Discography

Studio albums

EPs and compilations

Singles

YearSinglePeak positionsAlbum
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

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Econoline Crush</span> Canadian rock band

Econoline Crush is a Canadian rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia, formed in 1992. They have released five studio albums and two studio EPs, and are best known for their charting singles such as "You Don't Know What It's Like", "Home", "Surefire ", "All That You Are (X3)", "Make It Right", and "Dirty". They achieved platinum status with the 1997 album The Devil You Know and also received two Juno nominations, in 1995 for Purge and in 1998 for The Devil You Know.

Manitoba has produced much Canadian music, especially since the early 1960s.

LiveonRelease was a Canadian all-girl pop punk band from Vancouver formed 2000 and broke up in 2003. The name LiveonRelease originates from basketball jargon.

<i>I Bificus</i> 1998 studio album by Bif Naked

I Bificus is the third album by Canadian singer Bif Naked, released in 1998. It features her best known songs "Moment of Weakness," "Spaceman," "Lucky," and "Chotee."

<i>Purge</i> (Bif Naked album) 2001 studio album by Bif Naked

Purge is the fourth album by Canadian singer-songwriter Bif Naked, released in 2001. In 2002, the song "Dawn" was featured in the film American Psycho 2. The songs "Regular Guy" and "Tango Shoes" were featured in Project Gotham Racing 2. Meanwhile, "Leader" also appeared in SSX Tricky, where Bif Naked provided the voice for the character Zoe Payne.

<i>You Were Here</i> 2000 studio album by Sarah Harmer

You Were Here is an album by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer, released in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mudmen</span>

Mudmen are a Canadian Celtic rock band. They are best known for their singles "5 O'Clock", "Saturday", and "Drink and Fight" as well as their covers of Spirit of the West's "Home for a Rest" and AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top ".

<i>Superbeautifulmonster</i> 2005 studio album by Bif Naked

Superbeautifulmonster is the fourth studio album by Canadian singer Bif Naked, released in Canada on June 28, 2005, and in the US on September 20, 2005. The album's lead single, "Let Down", was a moderate hit in Canada, peaking at No. 20 on Canada's Rock chart.

<i>The Monkees Present</i> 1969 studio album by the Monkees

The Monkees Present is the eighth studio album by the American pop rock band the Monkees, released in 1969 by Colgems Records. It was the second Monkees album released after the departure of Peter Tork and the last to feature Michael Nesmith until 1996's Justus.

Her Royal Majesty's Records (HRMR) is a Canadian independent record label founded in Vancouver in 1995 by Bif Naked and Peter Karroll and managed by Peter Karroll. Originally HRM Records was created to be a home for Bif Naked's music after Plum Records folded up shop after the release of Bif Naked's self-titled release. Peter Karroll licensed Bif's songs to many major labels and did co-venture music projects including mixing and recording tracks for Films and Television. Peter Karroll co-wrote, produced and mixed many successful tracks including Platinum and Gold selling albums and singles with Bif Naked. In 2005 Peter Karroll merged the music label with Bodog to create Bodog Music and Bodog Entertainment. Her Royal Majesty's Records was the backbone of the Bodog entertainment juggernaut and combined with the Artist Management company TKO Entertainment Corp the Bodog Entertainment entity produced over 150 Network Television shows in the US and licensed in many countries. As well live events on In Demand and music television programing on the Fuse Network all contributed to the overall success of Bodog Entertainment. In 2008 the entertainment companies were unmerged and Peter Karroll moved forward more albums with Bif Naked and DMX the American rap / hip hop superstar. During the Bodog Era Peter signed and released the Legendary Hip Hop group the WuTang Clan. Thousands of Live events were produced with the Artists from HRMR / Bodog with them touring extensively on major festivals and tours such as Warped Tour, Family Values, Rock Am Ring, Rock Am Park, Hultsfred Festival Bif Naked's largest attendance in the headline position was 2011 in Cloverdale BC where she performed in front of 110,000 estimated audience.

Colette Marie Trudeau is a Canadian born Métis singer-songwriter, best known as a vocalist for the band LiveonRelease.

<i>Lets Get It Right the First Time</i> 1998 live album by SNFU

Let's Get It Right the First Time is a live album by Vancouver, British Columbia hardcore punk band SNFU. The album was released in 1998. Although the record was billed as a live album and reportedly recorded at The Starfish Room in Vancouver in late 1997, SNFU biographer Chris Walter notes that the album was tracked almost entirely in the recording studio.

Britt Black is a Canadian rock musician. Her song "Night Time" was included in the game Scarface: The World Is Yours soundtrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rymes with Orange</span> Canadian alternative rock band

Rymes with Orange is a Canadian alternative rock band which formed in 1991 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This independent band have released four albums: Peel (1992), Trapped in the Machine (1994), Crash (1999) and One More Mile (2003). They have had three Top 10 singles on Canadian Rock Radio, with sales of over 70,000 units worldwide, and have toured Canada, New Zealand, the U.S. and the U.K., all while maintaining independent status.

The Vincent Black Shadow is a Canadian alternative rock band that was signed to the Bodog record label in 2006 and to Beef Records in 2008. Originally consisting of Cassandra Ford on vocals, brothers Rob Kirkham on guitar, Anthony Kirkham on drums, and Chris Kirkham on bass, with Mary Ancheta on keyboards. As of 2010, Nikki Hurst replaced Ford as lead vocalist when Ford expressed interest in taking a break to go to school. The new line up however remained the same and Ford decided to work on other musical projects minus the Kirkham brothers. The name is derived from the motorcycle of the same name, the Vincent Black Shadow. Fears in the Water was first released on July 11, 2006, and their sophomore effort, El Monstruo, on September 15, 2008. Their latest creation, an EP entitled "The Finest Crime" was released via iTunes on Valentine's Day 2011.

<i>The Naked Brothers Band</i> (album) 2007 soundtrack album / Studio album by The Naked Brothers Band

The Naked Brothers Band is a soundtrack album by Nat and Alex Wolff for Season 1 of The Naked Brothers Band television series. The album was also released as a deluxe fanpack that includes a poster, lyrics and 2 bonus tracks.

<i>The Promise</i> (Bif Naked album) 2009 studio album by Bif Naked

The Promise is the sixth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Bif Naked, released in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Letter to God (song)</span> 2010 single by Hole

"Letter to God" is a song by alternative rock band Hole, written solely by music producer Linda Perry. The song was released as the band's sixteenth single, and third and final single from their fourth studio album Nobody's Daughter, on April 20, 2010, as a digital download. The song was featured in the short animated film, Dark Night Of The Soul, directed by Michael Mouris. It is the last single released by the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spaceman (Bif Naked song)</span> 1998 single by Bif Naked

"Spaceman" is the first single from Canadian singer Bif Naked's third album, I Bificus. The song peaked at #36 on Canada's RPM singles chart.

Randall "Randy" Steffes is a Canadian musician and manager. As a musician, he has played with Bif Naked's early band Gorilla Gorilla and the skate punk band SNFU. He has also worked as manager, tour manager, guitar technician, sound engineer, and additional musician for Green Day, Good Riddance, and The Real McKenzies.

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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 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)
  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.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.