Biffy find their bliss

Singer-guitarist Simon Neil formed the band with brothers Ben and James Johnston when he was just 15. How – or why – did they last the distance?

“I think naivety was bliss,” grins Neil. “We didn’t have any mates in bands who were getting paid to play, so we had no expectations. We were friends first – we’d been in each other’s lives since we were seven. It was a hobby thing. We always thought we were good at what we did, so it was nice to have others start to like it, but if that hadn’t happened we’d still be making music together. And if it’d been easy, we wouldn’t appreciate the opportunities we still get, like coming to South Africa – a place we’ve wanted to visit for ages.”

For much of the career, Biffy Clyro have been more or less permanently on tour, and the associated stress led to some well-documented issues, including psychological and drinking problems. Instead of fracturing, the band focused on their longstanding relationships and pulled through, but what measures are being taken to ensure it won’t happen again?

“We’d spend three months on the road and then one week at home. Our reality was being on a bus; being drunk and being bored. Now we’ve reset the whole thing – three or four weeks touring and then two at home. It’s a better plan to keep us sane.”

“For years, we’d sweep stuff under the carpet,” admits Neil.

“You know how men are when it comes to discussing stuff. Now we’re trying to catch problems early. If anyone’s going down a dark road, we’ll make a plan.”

Neil is Biffy Clyro’s primary songwriter. Is that burden a good or a bad thing? Control freaks don’t mind handling that sort of responsibility…

Neil guffaws.

“Sounds about right. It can be hard work, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Ben and James are bringing song ideas in now, but this is the first time. It’s not like I’m a megalomaniac and we can only do my songs, but it is my favourite part of being in a band.

“You do need a bit of selfish vision to drive a band – too much democracy can end up in a big mess. But I have a very similar vision to the boys.”

Neil’s been quoted as saying they’d like to take a new direction with the band’s next album, which puts a whole different sort of pressure on him. If the first song sounds just a little like something they’ve done before…

“I know!” laughs Neil.

“It’ll have to be a spoken word reggae record! I’m naive about saying stuff like that. But I want to strip stuff back. I think we’ve been about as loud as we can be.”

That’s a fair reflection: Biffy Clyro’s sound developed from simply being as heavy as possibly to channelling that into ridiculously catchy pop singles.

“In the beginning I wanted the band to sound like Pantera meets The Beach Boys,” says Neil, “but that would have been the worst thing ever. I grew up on really heavy stuff, but I always remember songs by people like Springsteen and Dionne Warwick. Over the years I’ve got better at expressing myself, and hopefully I’ll keep improving.”

Biffy Clyro remain fringe characters in the industry – not because they’re difficult sorts, but because they focus so intensely on their relationship with their fans.

“We can’t believe that people care so much about our music, so we never phone it in, and we never take what we have for granted.”