Joseph Brewster Interview with Kim Racer

Kim endures hours of prep time night after night to bring the face of arena rock back to modern music...and what a nice face it is! She was kind enough to share her thoughts with us, so please enjoy!

JBP: Hey Kim! Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions—I know you guys are on the road 24/7.

JBP: Kim, if I remember right, you are from British Columbia…how did you get hooked up with Markus, all the way over on the west coast?

Kim: You are right, I am from British Columbia; I was born in Vancouver. Markus is also from BC. BC is on the west coast. We met in the SF Bay area.

JBP: What was before Miss Crazy for you musically? What did you do before you were the painted front woman?

Kim: I played in whatever musical group would take me and my inexperience on bass. A country band, a bunch of garage bands and a Spanish death metal band.

JBP: I asked Markus this, but I have to get your take on it…Image in music…I know you guys are very image oriented, with planned outfits, face paint…what part do you feel that plays in your music? How do you feel that a larger-than-life image boosts or takes away from the songs you write and the way people perceive you as a musician?

Kim: I think that the makeup and the outfits add mystique to the band... its entertaining to watch an entire band who don't look like people you'd meet out on the street. If people see us before they hear us, it's the "larger then life" image that attracts people to come check us out; so it's a good thing that our songs ROCK to back up that initial attraction. If they hear us before they see us, then I hope they are pleasantly surprised with the out-of-the-ordinary look that we have. As a female in rock, it's hard to be taken seriously; and as a scantily clad one, it's even harder because people tend to think that it's a marketing thing only. I'd like to apologize to those people because as I am BOTH: half nude AND I can actually play bass.

JBP: You are obviously the face of Miss Crazy—as a matter of fact, before I saw you guys, I thought you were the lead singer, judging by posters and stuff—what is that like? Do you think it puts a unique pressure on you as THE girl in the band?

Kim: People think that I am the singer all the time. I wish I could take credit for Markus' incredible voice, but I can't. If I could, then I would probably BE a lead singer. I don't feel any unique pressure because it's an understandable mistake. We are, after all, in a band called MISS Crazy, not Mr Crazy.

JBP: Do you get a lot of girls coming up to you and telling you "I want to do that!"—wanting to be the next Miss Crazy or at least encouraged to get into a band because of your example?

Kim: I wouldn't say A LOT of girls, but some express their interest in music; some say they want to pick it up, and others talk about their current projects/instruments. The day after seeing us play, a girl named Brianna in San Antonio, TX told me that she was going to be asking for a Fender bass for her birthday. Last week I read an email from her telling me that her parents had bought her a Fender bass for her birthday and that she already knew the notes. It pleasures me to no end to see other girls in the music industry.

JBP: You guys have been getting a lot of buzz lately. You've played with Buckcherry and Army of Anyone to some large audiences. How has that affected your name recognition and credibility so far?

Kim: It's only helped spread the word about MISS CRAZY: that we are here and we are real. :)

JBP: You were telling me about that problem with MySpace, where they axed your music player because you had too many sites or something like that, haha! What was up with that? I think a lot of us got those "They are cancelling our myspace" bulletins every day for a while!

Kim: Sorry about that. They told us that they were going to delete our account within 24 hours. So we made a second site. We didn't want to lose our friends... so we were telling them about the new site. In the end Myspace deleted the second site and just recently put our player back on our page. Thanks for putting up with the endless bulletins. :)

JBP: Actually, I think I have a picture of you guys from Hurricane's as my contact box background for my profile…you are just so photogenic! We still have to do some serious shots together…anyway, tell me what is on your ipod or what you listen to when you are chillin' and relaxing?

Kim: Yes I did notice your contact box- thanks! I'd say that your own skills as a photographer have a LOT to do with HOW photogenic we are! You ROCK!! I can't wait to get some studio stuff with you. As for my ipod? I don't have one. In the cd player I have uhmm let's see... AC/DC right now I think.

JBP: OK, here's one everyone wants to know…where do you shop? Where do you find those cool outfits?

Kim: I make my own jackets and arm-sleeves while we're on the road. I am always looking for cool boyshorts, tights and thigh-highs in any store we go into. One pair of boots are from Spain, the others I bought in boutiques. The corsets are from lingerie stores.

JBP: The one thing that stood out to me the first time I saw you guys play is, despite the big image, you guys are very straight forward and down-to-earth with fans, and you are dedicated to spending time with them after the show. You have no pretence of being anything great when you talk to your fans. What is it you want to convey with your music? What do you want fans, and the world, to see in you and in Miss Crazy?

Kim: I have never really thought about what I want to convey with my music.. I play music for me because I LOVE to play bass and I LOVE music. So I suppose passion for the music is what I am conveying? I don't know. I do know that I'd like for the fans to be entertained by our stage show AND be able to meet us afterwards. That way they'll love us on and off the stage.

JBP: Alright, I will wrap this up with some out-of-the-norm questions…haha! I work a lot with churches and with teenagers in youth groups, and the one thing that is universal is EVERYONE loves music. For me, I cannot separate what I believe from the music I listen to, and music has a very spiritual quality, which I think everyone would agree with. So, what kind of personal beliefs are behind your lyrics, your desire to play, and the way you live?

Kim: I don't have much to do with the lyrics, so I can't answer that one. I am a very spiritual person so I live happily treating others the way I'd like to be treated, I am honest and quite passionate about the things I care about (playing bass, living life, good people). I have no problems admitting that I don't know something or apologizing when I am wrong, I love to learn new things and appreciate being taught. I'm a happy person these days.... this bass thing is a dream come true. I am thankful and grateful. :)

JBP: Have you ever been accused of having "bad music" or being a "bad influence" on kids because you are in a rock band? What kind of role model do you want to be?

Kim: lol.. uh My parents might have said something to that effect, but that was when I was putting makeup and nail polish on my little brothers and not because I was in a rock band. Other then that no, I haven't ever been accused of having "bad music" or being a "bad influence". I'd like to be a good role model for kids, but I am not going to lie to them either/. I am following my dreams and doing what I love to do. I hope kids do the same: whether they love animals and become a vet or love video games and go on to design them, do what makes you happy. And yes I am aware that smoking cigarettes is bad for me.

JBP: Last question! Thanks for your time! OK, tell me the craziest, funniest, or just weirdest thing that has ever happened at a show?

Kim: in El Paso TX. I had just bought a couple pairs of those funny fake teeth from a 25cent machine. I was feeling eager to show off my comical teeth so I put them on while we were setting up before thehmmm.... Let's see... In San Antonio TX a girl jumped on stage and tried to give me a sip of beer; unfortunately she was drunk and ended up pouring the beer all over me and my new bass- that was CRAZY (I am glad I didn't get electrocuted!). In Oaklahoma a guy with a REALLY LONG mullet ran out to greet me. When he saw me he stopped in disbelief and pulled the mullet wig off of his head. It was pretty funny. The weirdest thing (that also happened to be quite funny) was this one show show. I introduced myself to the sound guy... who was also wearing a pair of teeth. I thought it was great! After the show, I met about five OTHER people wearing funny teeth too... seven people at one show??? That's was just weird.