MIDAS Band Profile - Biffy Clyro

We all know About Biffy Clyro. Their insane crowds, breath taking music with shattering highs and calming lows. A lot of us still remember (maybe through bruises) when the played in Inverness for the first time. In the last two years since the release of their debut album “Blackened Sky” they have developed into one of Scotland’s biggest bands. Hailing from Glasgow they developed a large die-hard fan base to take with them, and can now sell out 1000 strong venues in London. For a three piece who grew up together in Glasgow, that’s really not band going.

MIDAS caught up with them before their greatly anticipated gig at the Raigmore in Inverness to find out what they were really about. In a large room above the venue in Inverness were Simon, Ben and James of Biffy Clyro, looking and acting very fresh for the time of day. All three are probably some of the nicest and most easy going people I have ever met, happy to talk about where they were going and where they had come from.

Let’s start at the beginning: how did you guys get going as a band?

Simon: We started like most bands I think! Me and Neil were in a school band playing Nirvana and things like that, it was pretty mental. That fell apart, so we started a new band with Neil’s brother Ben and started writing our own music.
James: We never really realised it was going to develop in to a big thing at the start, I think we all just enjoyed the release. Then we started noticing the same people coming to all of our gigs and stopping us in the street so we though “ok, lets do it”. There you go.

I remember a few years ago hearing your first demo at a friend’s flat in Glasgow. How have things changed for you as a band since then?

Ben: That was an E.P we did at Stote College on Electric honey records which was great because it got us in with a lot of people who were working really hard to get us a deal. I think that’s pretty much how we got on to Beggars Banquet records that we are on now.
Simon: Yeah, getting on Electric Honey and the Beggars was great, but you have to remember that once that happens things don’t just change overnight. It really just allows you to get a record out there to back up your gigs and spread your name…..and you start getting paid…..
James: You got Paid?!? That’s not very fair!
Simon: Only in Turf, one day I hope to open a small store, live the good life.

Living off the land?

Simon: The turf, aye lad.

How does it feel being up north and are you enjoying this tour?

Simon: It’s really great! We get such a great reception up here.

Ben: The people up here are ******* crazy, we were playing on Shetland last night, there were people from 15 to 40 there, it was nuts.
James: Aye, tours are always great crack, obviously this stint was delayed by unexpected happenings but now were getting it done, its great. I didnt know there were that many people up here
Simon: They all hide on sheep farms..living the good life, of course.

As with most bands you must have found it difficult to get going. What advice can you give to bands who are in the same position you were in then?

Ben: I hate this question!
Simon: Really you just have to believe in yourself and your music if you really love what your doing. We put our music out there and we got a lot of people telling us that it was good but its not really what were looking for. You really just have to stick at it! We did and things are really starting to turn around for us now.
James: You really have to give yourself a chance, things arent going to happen over night, a lot of people forget that and probably give up.

Bands Like Funeral For A Friend were signed after their third gig to a major label. I have always thought that bands who get snapped up like that really dont have anytime to develop of find themselves, what do you think?

Simon: Yeah they did, and thats really cool for them, I think they are a great band. But you know, you must be controlled so much more because you dont really have a clue what its all about. It must be quite scary.

(having decided he liked this part of the question)
Ben: We gigged for years before we got anywhere and we changed a lot in that time, im very glad that didnt happen to us. We got to do smelly gigs n make friends and probably have smelly fights.
Simon: And you met plenty of smelly girls as well Ben.
Ben: As I said, I hate this question.

What bands are you guys in to at the moment? Is there anything we should be looking out for?

Biffy: Lightning Bolt! Aerogramme!
James: They are an amazing band, we actually used one of their tracks as an intro to one of our songs, so you should listen out for that later.
Simon: I bought a CD today, erm The Vendra Ban Heart, just a guy and his guitar, its really good. And the Kings Of Spain.
James: Glasgow band My Code Name Is Milo are really great too.

Anything set for the future we should know about, new album?

James: OOOHHHH!
Simon: Yes, we have recorded a new album, which will be out in September which we are really happy with, its a bit different, a lot more styles. More Ba-rock n Roll like Vertigo.
Ben: And a bit of reggae!
James: More touring, maybe Europe and it would be great to get out to Japan if we could. Just ride the wave dude as Mr. Simon Reporter here would say.

FinallyWho did Shoot Mr. Burns?!?!?

Simon: Oh, I know this..
James: Wasnt it Smithers
James: The one armed man Smithers?!?
Ben: I dont really like this question either..I dont know the answer.
Simon: MAGGIE!!! It was Maggie Simpson!

Biffys Latest album Vertigo Of Bliss is out now on Beggars Banquet and is available from most record stores along with debut album Blackened Sky. They are both worth some good Die-Hard listening.

Simon Hay esq.