Biffy Clyro

Biffy Clyro

Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock group from Ayrshire whose members are Simon Neil (lead vocals, guitar), James Johnston (vocals, bass guitar) and Ben Johnston (vocals, drums). The band have had a dedicated following since the mid-1990s (producing an EP and four albums in total) and have expanded their following significantly in 2007 with their fourth album, Puzzle. This album is seen as more accessible and has won wide critical acclaim. Puzzle has been championed on TV and radio, and Biffy have promoted it with a tour and many festival performances over the summer of 2007 (including a snippet of a live performance being used as the opening titles for the BBC coverage of T in the Park).

Biffy's sound is characterised by a heavy but melodic mixture of guitar, bass and drums, with all three band members contributing to vocals. They are known for complex and interwoven guitar picks, strums and melodies that change many times within each track.

"'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. 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".

Also, in another interview today, Simon declared that "Sajabeyar is the shiz."

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 Barry on drums and bass respectively, calling themselves Screwfish. Barry 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:

At that point we probably sounded like every other band who'd ever heard Nirvana. We were just discovering distortion pedals, really. Then we went slightly more punky for a bit. I guess it takes a while to work out exactly what you want to do. At the start you just want to sound like your favourite bands, but after a while you realise, maybe you could become your favourite band.

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, and 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.

In 2004, 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 and commercial success: 2006–present

Guitarist Simon Neil performing in July 2007.

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, which they finished recording in November. 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; the band's highest single chart position to date. Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies and Folding Stars were also released as singles from the album on 14 May and 16 July respectively. Puzzle was released 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 October 8. The band also recently opened for Linkin Park during January on their European tour. In 2008 the band has 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. Biffy Clyro are commencing a headlining tour of Japan and Australia this year. It has also been announced that they will be playing the Leeds and Reading Festivals in 2008 playing on the Main Stage. It is thought that the band may release new material before the end of the year, though this may not be an album. The band are said to have recorded at least one new track, in Los Angeles in early March, with GGGarth Richardson. They have also stated their intention to perform a new song entitled "Mountains" over the summer festivals. This is thought to be one of the tracks recorded in Los Angeles.Also, Biffy recently played the song "Mountains" at the Electric Festival in Getafe, and Amazon.co.uk are taking pre-orders for the new song, set to launch on August 25th, followed by an LP in 2009. The song made its studio debut on BBC Radio 1 on 19 June 2008.
A one minute sample of new song 'Mountains' is up on the official Biffy Clyro myspace page. A music video for the song has been shot and it has been shown on all the major Music TV channels. 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.

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 and Mineral. from other bands like Quicksand, Lightning Bolt, Kerbdog, Red House Painters and Weezer.

Discography

Main article: Biffy Clyro discography

• 2002: Blackened Sky
• 2003: The Vertigo of Bliss
• 2004: Infinity Land
• 2007: Puzzle

External links

• Official Biffy Clyro MySpace Page
• Official Biffy Clyro website
• 14th Floor Records
• Biffy Clyro discography at Discogs
• Biffy Clyro discography at MusicBrainz
• Interview with Fender
• Biffy Clyro video interview at stv.tv/music, March 2007
• Machines Review
• Singles:2001-2005 Review