Among the number of beautifully drawn tattoos that cover much of Beth Torbert’s upper torso, the simple ‘Survivor’ inscription on her left bicep is her hands-down favourite.
Well it should be.
Diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2007 at age 37, the Canadian alt-rock singer and songwriter — known more widely by her stage name Bif Naked — underwent a lumpectomy and subsequent chemotherapy treatment.
But go further back and consider her early life: born secretly to a teen in India, rejected and tucked away in a mental hospital, and adopted by missionaries who brought her and her adopted sister to North America.
Physical and sexual abuse followed until she fled, joining a touring punk rock band, marrying the drummer, becoming pregnant, and then ending the pregnancy and the marriage before overdosing in a Vancouver drug den. She was not yet 21 years old.
“I got that (survivor) tattoo long before I was diagnosed with cancer,” says Torbert, adding, “Little did I know what was ahead.”
“You never know what each year is going to bring, good and bad,” she reflects. “Human beings are so resilient. It’s incredible to me and never ceases to amaze me. Everybody survives so much in their lives. I present myself as the chopping block and if it makes other laugh, well, I’m happy.”
On Wednesday, March 4th at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre (140 Charlotte St., Peterborough), Bif Naked brings her acoustic Songs And Stories 2020 tour to the stage, joined by her third husband, guitarist Steve “Snake” Allen, with Canadian-Italian singer, songwriter, and guitarist Frank Moyo opening.
Tickets to the 8 p.m. performance cost $30 and are available in person at the Market Hall box office, by phone at 705-749-1146, or online at markethall.org.
“I tell a lot of stories onstage about my first two husbands, so Snake drinks lots of wine and tries to get through the evening as best he can,” laughs Torbert, noting as well as performing new songs from her upcoming album Champions she’ll read excerpts from her 2016 memoir I, Bificus detailing her cancer journey.
“I get lot of people who are experiencing cancer, or their caregivers, coming to the show and we talk about it. It’s amazing. We laugh. We cry. It’s a rewarding show for me. I don’t do these types of tours very often, so this is something I’ve been looking forward to for some time.”
“I’m a people person. A lot of my fans grew up with me, so we are all now in our late 40s. We’re going through divorces and a number of different things, so I make fun of myself and my life and my 13 fiancés. It’s my favourite way to perform.”
As for Toronto-based Frank Moyo, whose debut EP Waves with its singles “OK Dolce” and “West End” is grabbing its share of attention, Torbert is thrilled he’s along for the ride.
“He’s a crooner with a sultry, soulful voice; a modern day Frank Sinatra, complete with the growing of tomatoes in his backyard.”
VIDEO: “Normally” – Frank Moyo (opening for Bif Naked)
After performing with a number of punk bands, Bif Naked embarked in earnest on a solo career with the 1996 release of her self-titled debut album. But it was her two follow-up albums — I Bificus (1998) and Purge (2001) — that pushed her to the forefront of the Canadian alt-rock music scene, with the singles “Spaceman”, “Chotee”, and “Lucky” bringing her commercial success and a legion of fans.
The albums Superbeautifulmonster (2005) and The Promise (2009) continued her momentum well into the new millennium.
VIDEO: “Chotee” – Bif Naked
The university theatre major’s acting talent has also taken her heavily into both the feature film and television mediums. Her credits include an early appearance in the 1990 film Archangel, roles in the Canadian indie films Lunch With Charles and Crossing, and in 2006, guest star appearances on The L Word and Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
In addition, alongside Johnny Rotten of The Sex Pistols fame, she served as a judge for the music reality series Bodog Battle that aired in the United States on Fuse Network and was the first host of CBC’s ZeD in 2002.
Despite her acting success, she prefers music for at least a couple of reasons.
“I liked music better (than acting) because I was writing the words,” says Torbert. “Being able to write my poetry, which becomes lyrics, and being able to perform the songs that result, I love it. It’s cathartic for me and so much fun.”
“When I was doing feature films, I had two little dogs at home. I couldn’t stand being on the movie set away from my dogs. I just really wanted to be at home.”
Reflecting on her time as a musical powerhouse in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Torbert says she doesn’t recognize the person she was then.
“I wish I could go back and do it all over again with how I am now,” she confesses.
“There was a lot of pressure on me and I was always stressed out. The day I was diagnosed with cancer, I was so happy. I thought ‘Thank God, I can stay at home.’ Now that’s pretty bad. If cancer looked better than what my life was, I needed to make some changes.”
VIDEO: “Spaceman” – Bif Naked
“I really should have had way more fun than I did. I was very serious and worked my butt off. We were in the rock ‘n’ roll circle with all the boy bands. I felt I had to be twice as tough to be considered half as good.”
“I have such a good time now. I don’t take myself so seriously. Now, I just have fun and I’m not so worried all the time. I think that comes with age. We relax.”
For someone who wasn’t always in the best of places, Torbert is certainly in one now. On February 14th, her new single “Jim” was released along with a video in advance of the pending release of Champion, her first studio album in several years.
In addition, she’s writing a book about cancer — “It’s a really sciencey book compared to my memoir” — and she’s continuing her role as a motivational speaker, reminding others, despite what’s going on in their life, they have “a grateful heart”.
“Life just gets busy, life gets in the way, and people forget. I tell people what I do to stay positive in the face of adversity and try to give them key messages to take away. If I can get a laugh, then I know they’re listening. They say if you can laugh and cry with your audience, you’ll always remember each other.”
As she creeps up on age 50, Torbert isn’t exhibiting any of the dread typically associated by many with that milestone.
VIDEO: “Tango Shoes” – Bif Naked
“I can’t wait,” Torbert enthuses. ” It’s a medal of honour. My vision of 50 is Gwen Stefani. I mean come on, she has never looked better. Same with J-Lo. Same with Jennifer Aniston. They look the same. They don’t look phony baloney. I think ‘Wow, if that’s 50, I’m totally ready.'”
“How many years did Tina Turner run around in her miniskirt and high heels singing Proud Mary? That 20, 25 more years for me if I judge it by her. That’s a lifetime. I have a whole other life ahead of me.”
Buoying Torbert’s optimism for what’s ahead is her conviction that she’s “in the right shoes now.”
VIDEO: “Jim” – Bif Naked
“I didn’t become a woman until I went through breast cancer, and I don’t mean just physically. I was a living female jumping bean my entire adult life until I got breast cancer. During my treatment I was surrounded by women all the time. Cancer was transformational for me in so many ways. I feel now that I am who I was meant to be.”
As for her health now, Torbert says she can’t and won’t complain.
“Honestly, I always feel good. I even felt good when I was sick with cancer. If I can get up and make myself a sandwich and do a little yoga or go for a walk, that’s a good day.”
As for the new record, Torbert says she’s “over the moon”.
“I haven’t been this excited about making a record in a long time. I haven’t been as moved by the songs as much as I am now. It’s exactly what I want to say.”
“Working with (Vancouver-based guitarist, producer and sound engineer) Doug Fury is a big part of that. I started working with him in 1996 and he was instrumental as a co-writer with me on songs like Tango Shoes and other songs that are still really meaningful to me.”
“To have it come full circle, to be able to write with both Snake and Doug, is a blessing.”
