Tairrie B has been viewed as a controversial figure in the music industry for her outspoken and honest attitude. Tairrie first came to notoriety with the release of her solo rap album; Power of a Woman (Tairrie B album) in 1990. She has been victim of many attacks from the often misogynist Rock and Metal press, from male and female journalists alike, as well as record company executives who have tried to mould her into a more submissive and marketable figure throughout her career. These barbs have often focused on her looks, weight and forthright attitude, over the actual music much to the disdain of the front woman. In an interview in 1999, she stated; "If Robb Flynn speaks out, he's a strong man... He's a bad-ass. But when a woman does it she's a nightmare, big-mouth bitch. It's the same shit we've been fighting against the whole time, and I'm sick of it. I'm not some psychopath. It's ridiculous." These misogynistic issues regarding the media and mainstream society, have been explored in songs through the course of the bands history, these include; Beauty Fiend, Made to Measure, Weightless, Get Pretty, Money Shot et al.
Tairrie has often divided opinion amongst her critics, but it is undeniable that she has cultivated a legendary reputation both on and off the stage in regards to her aggressive performances and acerbic vocal style. These traits have been well documented in the music press; "On stage, she is hard to resist. Shaking, clawing at herself, falling to her knees, making eye contact with just about anyone brave enough, Tairrie B is undoubtedly a worthy star. It is her dangerous cocktail of defiance and vulnerability that makes it all seem so damn real," wrote Steve Beebee in Kerrang! Magazine circa 2000 More recently, journalist Emma Johnston noted that; "Tairrie B doesn't so much open her heart to you as rip it still beating from a gaping wound in her chest before forcing the bloody mess down your throat," in a review for Classic Rock (magazine).
When speaking of her vocal inspirations, in an interview with femmemetal.net, Tairrie said: "Phil Anselmo really inspired me as a vocalist. I always like to tell this little story.... I went to see Pantera one time and I remember all these women were standing on the side of the stage in their little hooker outfits. Everybody was talking about who they were going to "be with" in the band. I listened to these girls talk and they all wanted to be with Phil and I didn't want to be with him, I wanted to be him. That was the difference for me. I wanted to be on stage doing what he was doing because I admired it and I remember thinking there were really no women doing it." She has also cited Henry Rollins and Robb Flynn of Machine Head (band) as inspirations.
Even Tairrie's journalistic adversaries had praise for her vocal abilities as a metal front woman and likened her style to some of the more prominent contemporaries and peers in her field. Journalist Valerrie Potter stated in Q (magazine) that: "Tairrie B. proves she can rival Deftones' Chino Moreno or Korn's Jonathan Davis in the roaring stakes." As well as NME Magazine commenting in a single review for Beauty Fiend that; "Her remarkable growl sounds like Max Cavalera in the throes of an exorcism."
Over the decade since the bands formation the sound has evolved and has become increasingly heavy with each record, with Mick Murphy's guitar playing taking on a prominent feature along with his solo's and riffs. In a Metal Hammer Magazine album review praising the bands Ghosts and Good Stories album, journalist Dom Lawson stated of the band; "The divine Ms. B comes roaring back under the radar and proudly grinding against the grain, My Ruin have mutated into something truly monstrous in recent years, as the chemistry between Tairrie B and Mick Murphy has evolved and sprouted wicked wings."
Mick Murphy's unique sound and musicianship has been praised in the music press over the years. In a live review from 2008, Mick was dubbed "Master of Heaviosity" and in 2009, Guitar Player Magazine wrote; "One of the most ferocious and creative hard rock guitarists you'll hear underground, above ground or bouncing off satellites."
My Ruin are a DIY band who have control over every aspect their output. In the past they have released a few of their own records via their own imprint Rovena Recordings. These records include; The Brutal Language (2005), Throat Full of Heart (2008) and live album Alive On the Other Side (2008). They have also been signed to numerous record labels, these include; Snapper, Spitfire, Century Media, Undergroove Records, Rovena Recordings and Tiefdruck Musik.
Through the years, the couple have managed to develop and carve out their own unique sound within My Ruin. On more recent recordings, they have managed to find a balance between, the southern laced stylings of Mick's Neanderthal side project and the spoken word dirges of couples The LVRS side project, combined with the hardcore grit of classic My Ruin. This unique mix is perhaps showcased most explicitly with the bands most recent 7th studio album; A Southern Revelation.
In 2011, My Ruin made the decision to release their 7th studio album titled A Southern Revelation as a free download direct to the fans. The album has been receiving high praise from the music press. Kerrang! Magazine gave the album a 5K review out of 5, sealing the bands fate and legendary status as trailblazers within the field of contemporary metal music.
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