I'm a big fan of Bif Naked's thoughtful (check out the moving 'Lucky') and motivating (listen to 'I Love Myself Today') music and I got the chance to ask the independent, tattoo-loving Canadian Rock Queen a few questions. Read on to find out about her inspiration, being straight edge, and not giving a fuck what anyone thinks!

Before becoming 'Bif Naked' you were in other bands. Why did you decide to leave and go solo?

I was in Jungle Milk, GorillaGorilla, and Chrome Dog. I became a solo artist because, if I wanted to write a song about my period, or about a boy...I was constantly getting told it "wasn’t representative of the band", or, if I had created a melody that used falsetto, or anything, I would get accused of "singing like a girl". I could only be a doormat for so long.

Your albums "I Bificus" and "Purge" have done well in Canada and the US; how did the recording experience differ between the two?

Obviously, I was almost four years older when we recorded PURGE (I, Bificus came out in Europe in 98...we recorded it in 96 and 97 and Purge came out in 2001) so, I was in a different place emotionally, as a songwriter and as a person. Plus, we recorded I,BIFICUS in a big fancy studio and we recorded PURGE mostly in our own studio. There are so many differences.

Why did you make the decision to become straight edge?

I made the decision to become straight edge because I quit drinking and drugging and smoking and all my friends and heros were already straight edge. I didn’t eat meat, anyway, and now I believe sexual promiscuity is equally as harmful to a human as drugs. Love is a drug.

How do you feel about being seen as a role model for women?

I don’t know what to think about being "seen as a role model for women". I simply live honestly and I tell it like it is. No topic is taboo- we need to break open the taboos our society has placed upon women. We need to be ourselves and be vocal about it and not give a fuck what anyone thinks. I guess I will say the things, because I am on a soapbox for a living, that a lot of women want to say but aren’t in a position to say it. I do, however, piss off a lot of people too.

Did you have any role models who you looked up to when you were growing up?

I loved my first ballet teacher. And Sophia Loren (ever since I was a little girl). Really.

Have you got any plans for playing any shows over here in the UK?

I would love to return to the UK!!!!!!!! We last played the Astoria in London in 96. I have been dying to get back to gig, ever since. I played all over the UK and Scotland and we even played in Wales. Tell your local promoters to bring us back!!!!!!!!!!!!

What do you draw inspiration from when writing lyrics?

Lyric writing can come from watching a blade of grass move in the breeze or it can come from a boy breaking my heart or it can come from the sheer joy I feel speeding in my car. It comes from anywhere and everywhere.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in their own band?

The only, most important thing I can try to impress upon a band or artist is NEVER EVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!! Like, never, man.

What have you got planned for 2004?

For 2004 we are just finishing our new record and tour, tour, tour, baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully, we will be in YOUR town sometime very soon!

Thanks a lot to Bif Naked for the interview! You can find more out about her by going to her website, www.bifnaked.com.