RG. You started your career in 1988 and your discography is quite impressive. How has your style changed over the years? QB: Why, thank you! I have played just about every style of music, but you could sum it up and say that my lifestyle has alot to do with it. I've gone from an angry prog-punk, drunken riot grrrl to a horny stoner chick. I've enjoyed the challenge of playing fast and hard, but more recently have gotten into writing songs that people can sing and dance to while shakin' my ass and playing to the crowd. It's more effective when you can relate to others! > RG. Tell us a little about the Detroit music scene and your favorite places to play. QB: Detroit is really a hot spot now! Especially with the success of bands like The White Stripes, esQuire and Electric Six. Queen Bee actually played our first show with The White Stripes, but we never seemed to fit the garage scene. Some of the best clubs to play are The Lager House, Alvin's, The Magic Stick and the Magic Bag. The Old Miami is also cool and so was the Gold Dollar while it was still open! RG. Who are your influences and favorite bands? QB: My biggest influence will always be Jello Biafra & the original Dead Kennedys. The Monkees lead me to my destiny at the age 5. I also love plenty of other bands. Current faves are Ima Robot, Meg Lee Chin, Paybacks, Amen...Old faves include Beck, Silverfish, Queens of the Stoneage, Ministry, Zeppelin, Killing Joke, The Jesus Lizard, Chrome Cranks, Solex, Minor Threat...Blah, Blah, Blah!... RG. I was looking over the band members and there seems to be like a bazillion people in Queen Bee. How many active drones are there really and how many can we expect to see at a QB show? QB: Well, my original drummer Terry Bradley is once again my current drummer! Our most recent guitarist was Brian O'Blivion of the Trash Brats. Since the demise of the first line-up, I vowed to record the (yet to be finished) full-length cd "Girl On Top", and it's taken forever to do so! Otherwise, I would have abandoned QB a long time ago. My unfinished recording is like a struggling unborn baby, and I feel this way because those songs are too good to not be documented! Everyone that's played in my band has gained great notoriety in being a part of it and I only work with musicians of a certain calibur, which is why it's been so hard to keep together! Everyone has their own band going and it's resulted in a serious lack of commitment. Until I find the funding to finish this album, it will burn in my heart like an open wound. RG. Do you do most of the composition yourself or is it more of a collective thing? QB: I had written most of the material on my 4 track before I even had a band. Some of the drum tracks I had even programmed. Some of the material was written collectively, but I have written most of the guitar stuff as well and have taught everyone how to play it! What I didn't primarily write the music to, I still built onto with lyrics and melodies... RG. Your defiantly no wall flower. Your unique style has gotten you lots of individual exposure with runway shows and modeling. What inspires these outrageous costumes like the mermaid and the cowgirl Barbie from hell? QB: Creating a bigger-than-life image was all a part of the vision for Queen Bee. The costuming and make-up just came naturally and without a gigging band, I have become a commodity...a multi-media artist. I am Queen Bee no matter how you slice it, and as other opportunies become a vehicle for my personna, I dive right in and do it up full-tilt! Currently, I've done the Comicon comic book convention and will be a featured character in an upcoming publication! I'm also about to record a duet with hip-hop rap artist esQuire that will debut live at his next show! Still writing my advice column and am the master of my own website QueenBeeDetroit.com! I also host events and have performed burlesque! RG. I see you've even dabbled in make up artistry and photography. How'd that come about? QB: Kind of goes along with the whole multi-media thang! I enjoy art and performance from behind the scenes as well as onstage! I've done makeup for years. Both my husband and I enjoy photography and it makes me feel good to help others look and feel better about themselves! It's something I find fun and very rewarding! RG. I have to know, what's in your purse? QB: No cash, Toni & Tina "Inspired" lipstick, Too-Faced "Lust" After Glow shimmer, Shu Uemura mark concealer, Maybelline Great Lash black mascara, Mac liquid eyeliner & other assorted makeup...A hash pipe that resembles a tube of red lipstick, a Queen Bee (limited edition) pin-up lighter...business cards, very sharp tweezers, cell phone, Casio data bank, lots n' lotsa pills, no cash...boring stuff... RG. I bet you put on a kick ass live show. Where can we see you live? QB: Welp, until I find another guitar player to rock my world, you'll have to either check out the live pix on my site, or check us out on Crazy Mark TV! Yes, our live shows do kick ass...'specially when there's someone out in the crowd tryin' to fuck with me! Keep your fingers crossed, but don't hold yer breath! RG. Say I want to buy a Queen Bee CD, but I can only buy one. Which Queen Bee CD is your favorite? QB:The second release "Super-Electronic", which features not only the first single previously released on Alternative Tentacles Records, but with and additional techno remix of "Fine" and an electronic version of "Hot-Alot", which features Bravin Neff and Brian O'Blivion! You can order it when you visit my website! Thanks Karen. Your a doll