Biffy ClyroBy Niklas Aarre

http://www.biffyclyro.com/home.htm

Who are they?

Biffy Clyro are a Scottish band that formed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire comprising Simon Neil (guitar, lead vocals), James Johnston (bass, vocals) and Ben Johnston (drums, vocals).

Simon Neil James Johnston Ben Johnston

Who are they signed to?

Currently signed to 14th Floor Records, they are a British record label founded in 2002 by Christian Tattersfield as a joint venture with Warner Music UK. The label has released albums by artists such as, Damien Rice, David Gray and the Wombats.

They have released six studio albums, three of which, Puzzle, Only Revolutions and Opposites reached the top five in the UK Albums Chart.

They also claimed their first number one album in the UK Albums Chart with their sixth studio album, Opposites.

History

1995–2000: Early years and formation

1995–2000: Early years and formation

The first incarnation of what would turn out to be Biffy Clyro was formed in 1995 by 15 year old Simon Neil and Ben Johnston

Then James Johnston joined (Ben’s twin brother)

They spend the next 2 year writing, rehearsing and covering songs.

1995-2000: Early years and formation Simon Neil has commented 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 time. 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.”

1995-2000: Early years and formationThe First Gig + Independency On the 31st January 1995, they played their first gig under the name of

Skrewfish as the support band called Pink Kross at the Key Youth Centre in East Kilbridge.

After playing gigs aroung Glasgow and receiving positive reactions from the audiences. The band was spotted by Dee Bahl, who then went on to being there manager.

They got there first radio play on June 1999

A few days prior of thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow was released the band was spotted at the unsigned bands stage at in the park 2000 by a beggars banquet representative.

Soon after, the band was signed to the independent Begger’s Banquet.

This is where they became an indie rock band

2000–2005: Blackened Sky, The Vertigo of Bliss and Infinity Land

2000–2005: Blackened Sky, The Vertigo of Bliss and Infinity Land

On the 11 March the band’s debut album, Blackened Sky, was released to generally positive reviews. It was around this time the band began touring extensively.

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 Studio in Monmouth, Wales to record a follow-up album. On 4 October, the band's third album, Infinity Land 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.

2007–2009: Puzzle and mainstream success

2007–2009: Puzzle and mainstream success

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.

In 2007, the song "Saturday Superhouse" was released on 5 March, where it reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart; at the time, the band's highest single chart position to date.

2007–2009: Puzzle and mainstream success

Puzzle was released in June, and helped the band to reach their highest UK Albums Chart position ever.

The album reached No. 2 in the first week of release, and was voted the best album of 2007 by Kerrang! and Rock Sound.

The album is certified Gold in the UK, having sold over 220,000 copies. It has as of February 2009, sold over 300,000 worldwide.

This album is notable for having somewhat more straightforward song structures and a more melodic overall sound than their previous work, while still retaining some more unusual elements.

2007–2009: Puzzle and mainstream success

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 fan base.

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 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 opened for New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi at Twickenham during the Lost Highway Tour.

2009–2011: Only Revolutions

2009–2011: Only Revolutions

In July 2008 the band reached No. 5 in the UK Singles Chart, with mountains.

This is the band’s first song to reach the top 10.

In December 2008 the band played their biggest headline shows,

This included a date at Glasgow’s SECC a 10,000 capacity venue.

Simon Neil told Kerrang magazine in 8 December about the new album,

He said “the soft bits are softer, and the hard bits are harder”

A kerrang! Magazine article, published in March 2009, stated that they planned to enter the studio in April.

This article stated that the working title for the album was called ‘Boom, Blast and Ruin’.

However on their website a series of updates were shown every week slowly revealing letters of the new album title.

It was revealed officially that the album would be titled ‘Only Revolutions’.

2009–2011: Only Revolutions

Kerrang! Reported that they were filming the video for the first single from the album in July 2009, “That Golden Rule”.

This song went on to reach No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

Just before the release of “That Golden Rule”, Biffy Clyro performed on the main stage at V Festival (Second appearance at the festival”

“Only Revolutions” was released on 9th November 2009.

On the 24th February 2010, “The Captain” won an NME Award for Best Video.

Biffy Clyro performed on the Main Stage at, T in the Park, Oxegen and Reading and Leeds music festivals in 2010.

2011–present: Opposites

2011–present: Opposites

On 2nd and 3rd July 2011 Biffy Clyro supported Foo Fighters in front of 130,000 fans at the Milton Keynes Bowl in the UK.

On Saturday 9th July, Biffy headlined on the Apollo Stage at Sonisphere Festival.

The following day, they headlined the main stage at Wakestock.

The Band confirmed in a NME Magazine they are “set to record their next album and are working on 22 tracks, this album will also be a double album”.

“This album should be released in the summer of 2012”

2011–present: Opposites

From 17th May 2012 the band allowed fans to watch the recording process of “The land at the end of our toes, and The sand at the Core of our Bones. Via a webcam link-up on their website.

Their new single titled Black Chandelier premièred on BBC Radio 1 on 19 November 2012.

Opposites is the sixth studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro, released on 28 January 2013.

The band announced they would be playing a large arena tour through March/April 2013, including London's The O2 Arena, with City and Colour in support.

2011–present: Opposites

On Sunday 3 February 2013, Opposites topped the UK Albums Charts. This is the first time Biffy Clyro had a number one album. The next day, it was announced on BBC Radio 1 by Zane Lowe that they were the second headliner for Reading & Leeds Festivals.

Biffy Clyro also headlined the second day of the annual Radio 1 Big Weekend festival on 25 May 2013 in Derry.