Welcome to The World of Biffy Clyro (extended piece)

MON THE BIFF

Meet The Band

Simon Neil (vocalist, guitarist) the main man for Biffy and also a member of the band Marmaduke Duke. At age 15 he formed the band Biffy Clyro. He studied electronics with music at the University of Glasgow. After being spotted on the Unsigned Band stage at T in the Park in 2000 by Beggars Banquet Records, they were signed. The famous lyricist said he keeps a notebook close to him in case a spark of genius about a potential song comes to mind.

Simon is known for his humble nature and honesty. He is often open with his mental health issues. His modesty is known for his constant recognition of other bands, and his genuine admiration for Eric Clapton, Queens of the Stone Age, Rage Against the Machine and Guns n Roses. Also, he is known for his love of up and coming bands such as Frightened Rabbit.

Simon has also recently announced he will release an album of his own accord in 2017, under the name ZZC. Exciting times for Simon who is always experimenting with new sounds and other musical projects.

Simon is covered in tattoos, including the words “God Only Knows What I’d Do Without You” as a tribute to his wife. The band enjoy performing shirtless and showing off the numerous tats.

James Johnston (bass guitarist) Knowns as Jimbo, and twin brother to Ben Johnston. He often plays bass for Marmaduke Duke live. He is a keen cyclist, and often cycles across the hills of Ayrshire. He was friends at school with Simon Neil. He often says a short speech at gigs to thank those who mon the biff.

Ben Johnston (drums) In College he was lead man in a Rage Against The Machine tribute band called Raj Against The Shereen. Now he is drummer for Biffy. An avid supporter of Kilmarnock FC, he often takes his son to see a game. Also very open about his troubled past.

The Name

The name ‘Biffy Clyro’ is a conundrum. There has been a number of theories on how the name came about. The band themselves have given many different accounts of how the name was chosen. Admitting that they like to make up versions when they are bored. Whilst being interviewed on Soccer AM, they stated the name comes from a footballer called Biffy Clyro who played for Scottish side Ayr United. Another story is that one of the members (unkown who) owned a Cliff Richard pen, i.e. “Cliffy Biro”, which was accidentally spoonerised on a drunken night out to Biffy Clyro. Others argue the name is an acronym of “Big Imagination For Feeling Young ‘Cos Life Yearns Real Optimism”. Other theories include the name comes from a Finnish footballer from the 17th century, a James bond character, a town in Wales and a Scotsman that built his own rocket and was the first man in space.

Live

The Band have gone from the Unsigned Stages to Headliners at nearly every major festival. They recently have started most gigs with Different People, an embracing crescendo the song sets the tone of the gig nicely. The set is always something to behold: fire, flares,trees and on occasion a virtual reality backdrop. With keen Biffy fans at most gigs now the signing along from the crowd gets everyone pumped and begging for an encore.

The highlight of Biffy live is the performance of Many of Horror. Everyone knows the words, the song is Biffy’s most successful piece of work and the band like to continue the chorus until everyone is on full Biffy giddiness.

Biffy get the crowd, bouncing, singing together, but also loosing themselves in the moment with songs like Machines, Folding Stars andGod and Satan. My memory of Folding Stars was a therapeutic performance that left me intrigued in the band. I remember the power of the lyrics and the overall set being a master piece to watch, as the sun set on Balado. In 2011, Biffy released the album ‘Revolutions: Live at Wembley’ which shows the incredible energy they give off live, definitely worth a listen.

The band always perform topless in order to feel a sense of solidarity with the audience. They have pledged to continue this tradition into old age, even when they have ‘pot bellies’. This sense of solidarity with the fans is also shown through ‘Biff World’. This interactive global map lets fans show where they are from and where they have been/will have been to see Biffy live. The map shows the incredible global support.

The band have also proven themselves acoustically. With Simon’s note perfect vocals and Ben being an expert on the boombox, Biffy often enjoy performing an acoustic set. Behind everything they have achieved Biffy are simply incredible musicians who love to record and perform live.

Albums

Biffy have a unique characteristic of creating a dummy album with every new album they produce. Having listened to many of these twin albums (B-side album). I would recommend discovering them for yourselves starting with Lonely Revolutions. If I have converted you to ‘Mon the Biff’ then here are the rest. However, for now we will stick to the published studio albums from Biffy. This does not include collaboration albums, live albums, appearances on other albums or covers (sorry Matt Cardle).

Blackened Sky

The début album released in 2002 had a good reception. The name Biffy Clyro was on many music critics lips, often comparing the up and coming band to Nirvana. The genre of album is alternative rock. The album includes the song 57. A highly regarded song that Biffy often perform live. Other well received tracks were Kill The Old, Torture Their Young and 27.With help from producer Chris Sheldon (who also worked with the Foo Fighters) the album is a satisfying début album that allowed Biffy to experiment with more freedom in the following albums.

The Vertigo of Bliss

For the second studio album with same producer Chris Sheldon, Simon Neil wrote all the lyrics to the 13 tracks. The songs show the start of the rock/pop/indie combinations in a variety of ways. Receiving a fairly moderate response The Guardian awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars. Highlight tracks are The Ideal Height, Toys, Toys, Toys, Choke, Toys, Toys, Toys and Eradicate the Doubt. The one track which critics saw as the start of a foundation to build on with other rock ballads was Questions and Answers. A well put together album, that is perfect to listen to whilst revising, or just for relaxing on a Sunday afternoon. However, Biffy had lots more planned for future albums that would see their music go viral worldwide.

Infinity Land

This is Biffy’s experimental album. From odd off place key changes, to random screaming and poems being read this album is unique in its style. For example, after the final track, Pause And Turn It Up, approximately 18 minutes of silence precedes a short poem, read by Simon Neil – see unique! The album is similar to the album cover: random, eccentric but intriguing. The music itself is hard rock and has a darker tone.

Biffy were still producing with Beggars Banquet Records, and gaining a fan momentum in the UK. The experimental rock album was also well received in Japan. Honourable mentions on the album are: My Recovery Injection, Only One Word Comes to Mind, and the best of the lotGlitter and Trauma (often performed live now).

Puzzle

Puzzle was an evolution from being a rock band to a more genre-crossing group.  In 2007 the band signed with major label Warner Bros before their fourth album ‘Puzzle’ after splitting from indie imprint Beggars Banquet Records. Biffy say they still have an “indie ethos” though, despite the step up to the record label big leagues. Biffy knew they had to change there sound in order to appeal to the masses.

The album went platinum in the UK, reaching #2 in the UK album charts. The band had successfully proven themselves in the big league, the album was voted the best album of 2007 by Kerrang and Rock Sound! The album had melodic sounds with enough bizarre sounds to portray earlier songs the band produced.

The band claimed to have 40 songs to choose from for the album, the importance of moving into the big leagues of music production was evident in the bands final choices. The album was a far more personal album then previous pieces of work, mainly because of the death of Simon Neil’s mother ‘Eleanor’ two years prior.

Stand out songs on the album include: Machines, Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies and the astounding Folding Stars. The songs on the album are playable for mainstream radio but also impactful live. The band now proved themselves with a major label, and now had the indie rock, alternative rock genre in the palm of their hands.

Only Revolutions

In bold for a very good reason. If you have never listened to a Biffy album CHOOSE THIS ONE.  It is the band’s largest selling album. NME gave a very positive review, awarding a score of 8/10. Journalist Jamie Fullerton wrote the album ‘springs the band instantly level with the greatest rock acts in the world’.

The name Only Revolutions is based on Mark Z. Danielewski’s novel of the same name. The book is an interesting story of two teenagers traveling from place to place without growing older. The experimental typography of the book is a interesting feature that the band enjoyed.

I’ll let the music speak for itself on this one……

Track List:

1.	“The Captain”	3:43
2.	“That Golden Rule”	3:49
3.	“Bubbles”	5:01
4.	“God & Satan”	3:09
5.	“Born on a Horse”	2:49
6.	“Mountains”	3:21
7.	“Shock Shock”	3:03
8.	“Many of Horror”	4:18
9.	“Booooom, Blast & Ruin”	3:16
10.	“Cloud of Stink”	2:55
11.	“Know Your Quarry”	3:29
12.	“Whorses”	3:55

Opposites

It took 3 years for Biffy to release Opposites, with two discs and 20 songs this was Biffy’s longest project to date.  Similar to Only Revolutions orchestra and choir conductor David Campbell was involved in some tracks, namely Different People.

The album consists of two discs: The Sand at the Core of Our Bones andThe Land at the End of Our Toes. Simply put the first disc is seen as a negative message and the second positive. The first disc in certain songs references Simon Neil’s depression and Ben Johnston’s drinking problem that nearly led the band to split. The second album portrays the ‘positivity’ the band had for the ‘future’ after the struggles they suffered. The album Opposites as a whole is a contradiction in lyrics, sound and feeling from disc one and two. Similar to William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience.

The band recorded over 50 tracks for this album, and also had some spare tracks that were originally meant for Only Revolutions (Pocket and Skylight). The songs Biblical, Black Chandelier and Oppositesare all notable highlights from the album that did well in the mainstream charts. Other eccentric records that Biffy love to perform live for the core fans are: Different People, Stingin’ Belle and Victory Over the Sun. The album peaked at number 1 in the UK charts, and also was well received amongst rock critics. Some tracks were seen as too strange for mainstream music. As a whole Only Revolutions is seen as a more complete album, whilst Opposites told more of a story and was not necessarily meant to be Biffy’s big break out album.

Ellipsis

Back to the present. What can we expect from Biffy’s upcoming new album? Simon Neil described the latest album as “the best record we’ve made”. The album has strayed from the mainstream line and is a hard, rocky album reminiscing Biffy’s early works. Simon Neil in an interview with Zane Lowe last year said “Were trying to feel like its our first album” and the band are “still here to get in your face”. The band argued “It’ll be leaner and meaner than the last – no orchestras”. Simon Neil summed the genre up best as “pint-in-the-face rock”. They based some of the tracks on recent work from A$AP Rocky – stating that he has produced his anger well in his work.

For now all Biffy fans can do is wait………A thing us Brits are quite good at doing. But, if your patience grows thin then head to the Biffy Youtube page. The songs Wolves of Winter and Animal Style have been released and deliver. The rock, aggression and lyricism is on point and has shown Biffy going back to their playing on the unsigned stage style. In a press release, Neil says of the new song: Wolves of Winter “is about us being wolves on a patch and if you come onto that patch, we’ll tear you limb-from-limb”. The track Wolves of Winter has left the fans eager – buzzzzzing.

The release date of Ellipsis is 8th July 2016. Hopefully Biffy will not ‘Do a Kanye’ and will stick to this date so that Biffy fans can enjoy the long awaited new sound, stories, and euphoria Biffy continuously create.

Songs

Here are the top 5 songs which sum up Biffy for me. All fairly different in production, but they share the quality of being riveting, storied, with a hint of scottishness.

Folding Stars

A beautiful song, inspired by the death of Simon Neil’s mother Eleanor in 2004. A raw, personal, masterpiece which if heard live will hit you hard. A fantastic song worth a listen. Simon after writing the song was unsure if he wanted to play it live and felt clichéd about writing such a personal song. However, he described the process as “therapeutic”. After eventually deciding to play the song live it gained more recognition. A memorable performance of folding stars came in 2011 at Wembley Arena – later proclaimed as the “best peformance of folding stars ever”. Get the tissues ready.

Many of Horror

By far the most famous Biffy song which you’ve probably heard many a time. A brilliant riff, catchy chorus, and thought provoking lyrics combine to create a brilliant song that saw Biffy temporary go viral even into the pop world.

Matt Cardle, winner of the 2010 series of The X Factor recorded a studio version of the song under the title “When We Collide” and released it as his debut single, after having performed on the show. Biffy Clyro fans launched an internet campaign to get the original track Many of Horror to the festive charts, with fans joining a Facebook campaign urging people to buy Biffy Clyro’s original single rather than Cardle’s version. This resulted in the Biffy Clyro version reaching number 8 in the UK Singles Chart, its highest position ever.

Jamie Fullerton of NME called Many of Horror a “perfect rock ballad”. The song is incredible to hear live as everyone knows the words and Simon often gets the crowd to continue singing the tune a cappella. Many of Horror will be Biffy’s greatest song that future generations will hear.

57

The oldest song on this list, and in many ways the most authentic Biffy track. Written and produced by Simon Neil with input from the rest of the band. The rock/indie combo producers a clever song with a catchy chorus, and interesting lyrics. The band still perform this song live, in spite of it being one of their starter songs.

Different People 

I could never do this song justice with words……….just listen and enjoy. A true Biffy Anthem.
 

Bubbles 

A simple riff with a great punch. The song has never been seen as one of Biffy’s greatest, but has at the same time spent more time in the top 100 than any other Biffy song. Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age is an additional lead guitarist on the track. The riff makes the song, and Simon Neil praised Homme for his ability to rip out a quality riff within minutes of entering the studio. The simplicity of the song, mixed with occasional guitar solos combines to create a rusty, rock classic.

Philosophy

The ingenious of Biffy Lyrics is outstanding. Similar to Kendrick Lemar and To Pimp a Butterfly, they show insight and inspiration regarding politics, society and relationships. A common theme in Biffy songs is philosophy, here are two examples.

If I met Biffy Clyro I would grab a selfie and then ask them explain the lyrics of God and Satan. A complex song with reference to Leibniz: The Best Possible World Theory. The song discusses the necessity of evil and the ability to talk to both sides “God and Satan”. The message of the song is summed up in a clear line “I savour hate as much as I crave love
Because I’m just a twisted guy”.  A clever element of the song is the constant questioning: “Does that make me cynical?”, “Is this the pinnacle,The pinnacle of being alive?” and “I know for certain that someone is watching but is it from up or down?”. The song, however, shows an element of faith and happiness: “Now I see the light”. This part once again leaves you slightly confused. A complexing but yet thought-provoking song.

The other Biffy song which springs to mind when discussing philosophy is Machines. Simon Neil said “This is an acoustic song we recorded on the last day in the studio. I wanted the album to end on a positive vibe. No matter what you go through there’s always hope. You can make yourself happy”. Here simon is referencing the hope in the song – “Take the pieces and build them skywards”. This is in contrast to the start of the song which is describing people as machines “I’ve started falling apart I’m not savouring life
I’ve forgotten how good it could be to feel alive”. The song argues that hope can be found in the darkest of places, “Crazy as it sounds you wont feel as low as you feel right now
At least that’s what I’ve been told by everyone”. Biffy occasionally write a track that will make you view your own philosophy in a different light.

The modesty of such an interesting, creative and popular band is truly remarkable. Simon Neil, for example, stated “Kurt Cobain taught me as a 12-year-old that you didn’t have to be a great guitarist to write a song or to say something, so as a songwriter he’s my biggest influence”. They don’t show off their wealth on social media, or claim to be one of the greatest rock bands ever. Similar to Lionel Messi the band always stay grounded and are thankful. My personal favourite feature of Biffy Clyro is their relatability. Mainly shown in their lyrics: they sing about relationships, mental health issues, day to day life and also personal philosophy. An incredible band that if you see live will entrap you to MON THE BIFF!