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Biffy Clyro
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Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock group from Ayr, Ayrshire, composed of Simon Neil (vocals, guitar), James Johnston (bass, vocals) and Ben Johnston (drums, vocals). Since 2002, Biffy Clyro have released four studio albums and have expanded their following significantly with the release of their fourth album, Puzzle in 2007, which was released to widespread critical acclaim.
The band's sound is characterised by a heavy, yet melodic, mixture of guitar, bass and drums, with all three band members contributing to vocals.
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Encyclopedia
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock group from Ayr, Ayrshire, composed of Simon Neil (vocals, guitar), James Johnston (bass, vocals) and Ben Johnston (drums, vocals). Since 2002, Biffy Clyro have released four studio albums and have expanded their following significantly with the release of their fourth album, Puzzle in 2007, which was released to widespread critical acclaim.
The band's sound is characterised by a heavy, yet melodic, mixture of guitar, bass and drums, with all three band members contributing to vocals. They are known for complex and interwoven guitar riffs, chord sequences and melodies that often change throughout songs.
"'Mon the Biffy!" is a well known chant among Biffy fans; usually shouted in between songs at gigs, or before the band comes on stage. The band have never actually disclosed exactly where the name 'Biffy Clyro' originated. They have a series of stories as to how the name came about, whilst being interviewed on Soccer AM the band stated that they named themselves after a footballer called Biffy Clyro who played for Scottish side Ayr United also admitting that they make up stories about how they are named because they are bored of being asked the same question. Another story is that one of the members owned a Cliff Richard pen, i.e Cliffy Biro', which was accidentally spoonerised on a drunken night out. The name Biffy Clyro has also been claimed in another interview to come from an acronym for "Big Imagination For Feeling Young 'Cos Life Yearns Real Optimism".
History
Formation and early years: 1995-2000
The first incarnation of what would eventually become Biffy Clyro was formed in 1995 by fifteen-year-old Ayr-based guitarist Simon Neil, who recruited Kilmarnock-born Ben Johnston and someone known only as Tatts on drums and bass respectively, calling themselves Screwfish. Tatts was soon replaced by James Johnston, Ben's twin brother, and the three spent the next two years rehearsing, writing and covering songs. Simon Neil has commented on this period of time, saying:
On 31 January 1995, they played their first gig under the name Skrewfish as the support for a band called Pink Kross at the Key Youth Centre in East Kilbride, now known as Universal Connections East Kilbride. In 1997, the trio then moved to Glasgow, where Neil went to the University of Glasgow and the Johnston twins went to Stow College, studying Electronics with Music and Audio Engineering respectively.
After playing gigs around Glasgow and receiving positive and enthusiastic reactions from the audiences, the band were spotted by Dee Bahl, who soon became their manager. Bahl offered them a chance to release an independent single on Aereogramme's Babi Yaga record label. "iname" was released on 28 June 1999, with Northsound Radio's Jim Gellatly (later of Beat 106 & Xfm Scotland) giving the band their first radio play. This first release led to the band being chosen by Stow College's Electric Honey record label to release a record. thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow was released on Nerosa on 13 June 2000, and after hearing it, BBC Radio Scotland DJ Vic Galloway gave the band airplay. A few days prior to the release of thekidswho..., the band were spotted at the Unsigned Bands stage at T in the Park 2000 by a Beggars Banquet representative. Soon after, the band was signed to the independent Beggar's Banquet.
The Beggars Banquet years: 2001-2005
On 9 April 2001, previously unreleased song "27" was released as a single. On 1 October 2001, a song from thekidswho... was re-recorded and released as a single, "Justboy". This was repeated again on 4 February 2002, when the song "57" was released. On 11 March, the band's debut album, Blackened Sky, was released to generally positive reviews. It was around this time that the band began touring extensively, including being the support for Weezer on 20 March at the Barrowlands in Glasgow. On 15 July, the fourth single from the album, "Joy.Discovery.Invention" was released as a double A-side with a newly recorded song, entitled "Toys, Toys, Toys, Choke, Toys, Toys, Toys", which later appeared on The Vertigo of Bliss.
In 2003, the band retreated to the Linford Manor recording studio in Great Linford, Milton Keynes, England to record the follow-up to Blackened Sky. On 24 March, a new single was released entitled, "The Ideal Height", followed by another new single entitled "Questions and Answers" on 28 May. The band's second album, The Vertigo of Bliss was released on 16 June, to positive reviews, which focused on the more experimental style of the album in comparison to Blackened Sky, as well as the introduction of string sections.
After touring relentlessly for The Vertigo of Bliss, the band retreated to Monnow Valley Studios in Monmouth, Wales to record a follow-up album. As with the previous album, two singles were released before the actual album; "Glitter and Trauma" and "My Recovery Injection" on 9 August and 20 September, respectively. A digital download was also released; "There's No Such Thing As A Jaggy Snake", on 31 May. On 4 October, the band's third album, Infinity Land was released, and on 14 February 2005, the last single from the album, "Only One Word Comes To Mind" was released. On 16 February, the band performed a cover of Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" live from Maida Vale on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show. Simon Neil's side project, Marmaduke Duke, also released an album in 2005, The Magnificent Duke, and toured the UK, along with the Johnston twins accompanying on bass and drums.
Puzzle & mainstream success: 2006–present
In 2006, Biffy Clyro left Beggars Banquet and signed a deal with 14th Floor, an offshoot of Warner Bros. In September, the band went to Canada to record their fourth album at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, and The Farm Studio in Gibsons. From these sessions the song "Semi-Mental" was released as a digital download on 25 December. In 2007, the song "Saturday Superhouse" was released on 5 March, where it reached #13 on the UK Singles Chart; at the time, the band's highest single chart position to date. Puzzle was released in June to critical acclaim, and helped the band to reach their highest UK Albums Chart position ever, reaching #2 in the first week of release. Support slots for acts such as Muse at the new Wembley Stadium, The Who, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and The Rolling Stones were significant in expanding Biffy's fanbase. The band also played the Download 2007, Glastonbury 2007, Reading and Leeds Festival and T in the Park for a record seventh time. On 25 August, it was announced that "Machines" would be the next single from Puzzle, and was released on 8 October. The band also opened for Linkin Park during January on their European tour. In 2008 the band toured with Queens Of The Stone Age on their European and North American tours for Era Vulgaris, and also opened for New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi at Twickenham during the Lost Highway Tour.
In July 2008, the band released a new single entitled "Mountains", which reached #5 in the UK Singles Chart - the band's first song to reach the top 10, and their highest charting single to date. In December 2008 the band will play their biggest headline show to date at Glasgow SECC with other shows set to be announced in London and Manchester.
New Album
In an interview with NME the band stated that they had started work on a follow up album to 2007's Puzzle. Simon Neil stated that this album will include some of the band's "heaviest riffs to date". In an interview with XFM, drummer Ben Johnston said that the new album would be "Classic Biffy" and that they already had 16 demos laid down. Simon Neil told Kerrang magazine in December 08 about the new album, playfully saying "The soft bits are softer, and the hard bits are harder...", mocking how bands always label their new albums the most heavy and yet melodic so far.The band are currently choosing a producer for the album before recording it properly. On 12th November 2008, while playing an acoustic gig at London's Union Chapel, the band debuted a new song: 'God and Satan'. Other songs known to be being worked on include 'Born On a Horse', 'That Golden Rule', 'Prey Hey, Shock Shock', 'Sky Demon' and 'Eyelids'.
Musical influences
The band themselves cite influences ranging from heavy metal luminaries like Metallica to prog legends Rush, while reviewers are often quick to link their sound to the likes of Nirvana — particularly in their use of shifting dynamics which the latter adapted from Pixies and Fugazi. Members of the band have been reported to listen to bands as diverse as indie emo luminaries Sunny Day Real Estate, Mineral and other bands like Far, Quicksand, Lightning Bolt, Kerbdog, Red House Painters and Weezer.
Discography
External links
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