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"Breaking Bread with The Rev" Edition
with Missy Suicide of SuicideGirls.com
Big
Questions with The Rev. OJ Flow
 I
was introduced to the Suicide
Girls world at the beginning of 2003 when SPIN magazine
ran an article on DIY websites for the punk, goth, and emo
set. I became instantly infatuated with SuicideGirls.com for
the obvious reason that there were girls that I could relate
to doing pin-up work in a site that was virtually self-run,
as opposed to the airbrushed plasticity of Playboy, Penthouse
and other similar venues. But I also came to find that the
community that was established was infectious and addictive.
The popular theory on SG is that people come for the women,
but they stay for the community. The site is incredibly user-friendly
and easy to navigate, it's relatively inexpensive compared
to typical adult entertainment sites, and it has so much to
material offer for men and women aside from the "nude & tattooed"
that it's easy to forget that it is in fact adult entertainment
by definition.
Just this
week, SG features interviews with film directors Alexander
Payne and Antoine Fuqua, actor Topher Grace, and Ren &
Stimpy creator Jon Kricfalusi. They have an incredibly
active message board with forums ranging from sex & relationships,
to comics, TV & politics. While the folks at SG never reveal
their exact numbers, it is known that they do receive over
a million hits a month, and the guy-to-girl subscriber ratio
is surprisingly balanced. It's easy to make friends on the
site who share common interests (while maintaining confidentiality,
if desired), and I myself have made some great acquaintances
-- in person and online, guy and girl -- from all parts of
the globe.
Missy
Suicide is the founder of this
incredibly successful site (all models and employees
take on the "Suicide" surname when they join the family),
not to mention SG's best photographer.
THE BIG Q&A
Missy,
thank you so much for your time. As the year winds down, what
have been the highlights of 2004 for SuicideGirls.com?
I think
the highlight for me had to be going on the road with the
burlesque tour and the publication of my first photo book.
It was so exciting to see the crowds go crazy for the girls
performance. I felt so proud of the girls, they got to tour
the U.S. and Canada as well as play three of the largest music
festivals in the UK. It was very interesting to meet all of
the fans at the book signings and hear how their lives have
been affected by SG.
What
can we look forward to for the site in 2005?
We have
lots in the works, I don't want to spoil all of the surprises
but there may be something in the comic book and action figure
arena. We are also working on something to fit in your DVD
player.
We've
gotten to see the presidential candidates in action over the
last few weeks with the debates and ceaseless campaigning.
What is your take on the upcoming election?
I think
the last election there was so much apathy. Everyone was so
complacent after 8 pretty positive years of Bill Clinton that
no one took voting very seriously. I think the 2000 elections
proved just how important it is to be involved in politics
and make your opinion heard. Whatever your take on the issues
and the politicians it is so important that people participate
in the process. I find it hard to believe that we, as a country
are so evenly split in our convictions.
Personally
I think that it would be a disastrous decision if America
voted in another four years of Bush/Cheney but that is just
my opinion, I think everyone should make up their own mind.
Do
you see the current administration as a threat to the work
you have put into SuicideGirls?
Not so
much directly but I do feel that the overall climate set by
this administration is not very conducive to personal freedom
or self expression. I find it disturbing how religion so openly
motivates legislation these days and how restrictive their
definition of "free" speech is. I have not gotten the impression
that the Bush team is very supportive of the arts and individuality.
I think we should have all been very concerned when Ashcroft
chose to clothe the Justice statues as one of his top priorities.
What
is the status of SG's relationship with Playboy.com? How did
that come about?
Playboy
ran a SuicideGirl of the week last spring on their website.
The people at Playboy approached us, apparently there were
some big fans of SG over there and they wanted to come up
with a way to introduce their audience to the unique beauties
of SG. I think it was a great opportunity for us to expose
a larger audience to the amazing individuals on SG. It ran
for three months and is over now. We do not currently have
any other projects in the works with the people at Playboy
but we have a great relationship and would be interested in
working again with them. They were really the pioneers in
pin-up, they have always showcased incredible pictures of
beautiful women along with interesting content.
I saw
the SG Burlesque Show on its second tour this year. I was
told that the second go-around was a lot smoother in certain
ways, would you agree? How has the show evolved and will they
be doing it again?
I think
we worked out a lot of the kinks with this tour. We had never
done anything even close to a live touring show so we were
kind of flying by the seat of our pants the first tour. We
learned a lot on the road and I think the second show was
more polished and we learned what "sight lines" meant and
tried to accommodate for them on the second tour. I think
the girls put on a phenomenal show, the first time and the
second. They put on a very sexy, funny, unique and fun performance
that is very much their own. I think that we will only get
better at the logistics of putting on the live show and the
girls will be able to really shine. I think as we grow we
will be able to add all the bells, whistles and pyrotechnics
but I think from it's DIY early days the show has always been
entertaining.
Are
there any plans for and SG tour of another type, not necessarily
a burlesque show?
I am
not sure what that might be at this time but we are always
open to new inspiration. Do you have an idea?
What
is your vision these days for SuicideGirls, seeing as it has
expanded exponentially?
I think
there are a lot of exciting ways that the site has expanded,
and we have a lot more opportunities and vehicles to spread
the word with in the works. I think the hardest part of my
job is making sure that everything remains true to the original
concept. SuicideGirls is about self expression, respect and
individuality. A place where women can feel appreciated for
being themselves. That is the original vision for the site
and I don't think that will ever change.
Obviously,
we owe big thanks to Missy for taking a moment at an obviously
busy time and answering some questions. Definitely give Sucide
Girls a look.
As always,
if you have someone that you'd like to suggest for a Big Question,
let Troy know at psikotyk@aol.com.
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