• Join The Fed
• Advertise with The Fed

• About Us
• Contact

In This Issue

• Celebrate Our Appendix!
• Alternative Motherhood
• Gossip and Nudity: Interview with the Gossip
• Letters to the Feditors
• The Colombia Spectador
• Yowie! How the Brazilians do bikini wax
• Making Waves
• Am I Naked or Nude?
• Marauding Interviewer: Dwarves Fascinated by Own Pants
• Big Nudity Exam
• Point – Counterpoint
• ‘Is It Cold In Here?’
• News Briefs
• News Quiz: Do you know about the important events going on in your world?
• Eight Situations In Which I Am Naked
• Get Your Hands Off Me You Damn, Dirty Apes
• Naked Haikus
• Naked Horoscopes
• This is Not a Naked Santa
• THEY Watch
• The Staff of 16.8

I've been to a hell of a lot of rock concerts, but, sadly, very few of them have included onstage nudity. Maybe I've just been going to see the wrong bands; or maybe my very presence induces an overwhelming sense of modesty in performers. But it isn't for lack of trying: no matter how hard I scream "TAKE IT OFF!!!" at his shows, Beck has repeatedly refused to remove a stitch.

So when Beth Ditto, singer for the phenomenal blues-punk band, the Gossip, started unbuttoning her bright red halter top onstage at the Knitting Factory last month, I was thrilled. Beth performed almost the entire set wearing only a black bra and a denim skirt, which she frequently lifted to show the audience her panties. Sure, she wasn't completely naked, but it was good enough for me. And she looked totally sexy.

For the Naked Issue, I interviewed Ditto and Kathy Mendoncha, the Gossip's super-cute drummer who probably looks really good without clothes on, too. Besides, what's more fun than gossip and nudity?

(These questions are about nakedness.)

The Fed: How do you feel about your body? Are you comfortable in it? If you could change anything about your physical appearances, what would you change?

Kathy: I have always had worries about my body. . . I'm more comfortable now than I ever have been, but I still have issues. The only thing I would change are my hips: I've always felt like they are not proportionate.

Beth: I wouldn't change anything about my body. People should be proud of their bodies no matter what. I'm super comfy in my body. It took a lot of time and I went through a lot of being made fun of and name - calling and I still do, but I'm to a point where I'm over it and I've never felt so good about myself. It only took 20 years. Sometimes it still takes a lot to be happy and avoid diet commercials or boys in muscle cars asking me if I'm hungry. Sometimes you just gotta laugh! And as far as confidence goes, someday you should buy an article of clothing that companies or designers don't make in your size. Or just try it on and leave it in the store and look in the mirror and don't think of Tyra Banks in that tube top or those hot pants. Clear your mind of all that, and then see how YOU look. It makes a huge difference.

F: What is your favorite part of your body?

K: My arms . . . my legs.

B: I think that it would be my ass.

F: Do you enjoy being naked? If you didn't have to wear clothes, would you?

K: I love being naked. I sleep naked, I hang out in my room naked. I would definitely choose being naked over wearing clothes… Who wouldn't?

B: I love to be naked!! I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!! If people could go without wearing clothes I would probably mix it up because I love clothes so much too.

F: Have you all seen each other naked? If so, who looks the best naked?

K: Umm . . . I think I've seen both of my band members naked, all of our bodies are so different, I don't think there’s really any way to compare them. It's like apples and oranges… and pears.

B: We all have such different figures that I don't think that that's a fair question to ask. There is no such thing as a better-looking body. But, yes, we have pretty much seen each other naked and I have to say that Kathy and Nathan (the Gossip's guitarist) are hot shit!!!!!!!!!

F: Who, living or dead, would you most like to see naked? Who would you most NOT like to see naked?

K: Matt Damon / Rodney Dangerfield

B: Tina Turner / George W. Bush

F: When, in your lives, have you felt the most naked? (This can be emotional, psychological, etc. nakedness.)

K: Probably when I went skinny dipping with my roommates.

B: One time in church when I was like 7 or 8, my dress got caught in the back of my panty hose. I felt pretty naked then.

(These questions are about gossip.)

F: Is gossiping good or bad?

K: Usually bad.

B: Horrible!

F: Do you think that gossip makes the world go 'round?

K: No... It usually just gums everything up.

B: Nope.

F: Who's the biggest gossip in the band?

K: I'm gonna say Beth. She will probably say me.

B: None of us are big gossips.

F: If I told you a big, juicy secret, would you keep it?

K: Sadly, probably not. I would have to tell my boyfriend, and probably Beth.

B: I'll keep your secret.