Biffy, as they are often referred to, utilise a quiet/loud dynamic, constructing songs that can range from a whisper-quiet pick on the guitar, to huge walls of noise with massive distortion and crashing drums. Their sound has simplified somewhat in recent times yet still occasionally contains complex time signatures and heavy riffs. While Simon Neil sings lead, all three members provide vocals. "'Mon the Biffy!" is a well known chant amongst Biffy fans; it is usually shouted in between songs at gigs, or before the band come on stage. Some fans have reacted poorly to the band's recent output.
The first incarnation of what would eventually become Biffy Clyro was formed in 1995 by fifteen-year-old Irvine-born, Ayr-raised 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. In 1997, they played their first gig as the support for a band called Pink Kross at a local youth centre. 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.They then progressed onto the bigger stage
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 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, and on 30 October 2000, they re-recorded and released the single, "27", which became Kerrang!'s Single Of The Week.
On 1 October 2001, one of the songs from thekidswho... was re-recorded and released as a single, "Justboy". This was repeated 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. 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, for it.
In 2006, Biffy Clyro left Beggars Banquet and signed a deal with 14th Floor, an offshoot of Warner Bros. In June, the band contributed a cover of Weezer's "Buddy Holly" to Kerrang!'s High Voltage!: A Brief History of Rock, which came free with Issue #1110 of the magazine. In September, the band moved temporarily to Canada to record their fourth album at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, and The Farm Studio in Gibsons, which they finished doing in November. The song "Semi-Mental" was released as a digital download on 25 December. In 2007, the song "Saturday Superhouse" was released on 14 May, where it reached #13 on the UK Singles Chart; the band's highest single chart position to date. On 14 May, the song "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies" was released, reaching #19 on the UK Singles Charts. On 21 May, Biffy were confirmed for T in the Park 2007, as well as being announced as one of the support bands for the 17 June gig at the new Wembley Stadium for Muse. On 1 June, Biffy were confirmed for Glastonbury 2007. On 4 June, Puzzle was released to critical acclaim, and eventually helped the band to reach their highest UK Albums Chart position ever, reaching #2 in the first week of release. On 6 June it was announced that Biffy were to support The Who at Marlay Park in Ireland. On 12 June, it was announced that "Folding Stars" was released as a single on July 16. On the 23rd of August 2007, Biffy Clyro were announced as the support act for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers at Hampden Stadium in Glasgow, for the Stadium Arcadium tour.
Fingerhut
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To put my friendly fingers in
Love is over, hence my lover
Has taken leave, left this town
Right and left or in and out
I'm too serious
For most others
Time to start breaking out
These clones of me are unhealthy
Islands of naked gods
Feasting on a bloated corpse
All adore me, all adore me
Should I settle down with you?
Barn house, have a large family
In our broken zone
Babe, will you marry me?
All I want's a Fingerhut
To put my friendly fingers in
Love is over, hence my lover
Has taken leave, left this town
Right and left or in and out
I'm too serious
For most others
Should I settle down with you?
Barn house, have a large family
In our broken zone
Babe, will you marry me?
All my life's a mess
I thought that you cared
Make fun of me dead
Now there is no one else
Back to the two of us
Should I settle down with you?
Barn house, have a large family
In our broken zone
Babe, will you marry me?
All my life's a mess
I thought that you cared
Make fun of me dead
Now there is no one else
Back to my fingerhut
The lyrics to Biffy Clyro's song "Fingerhut" seem to be about the singer's longing for a sense of belonging and intimacy. The Fingerhut mentioned throughout the song represents a metaphorical safe space or container where the singer can find solace and connection through their "friendly fingers." It symbolizes a desire for emotional and physical intimacy, which is highlighted by the repetition of the line "All I want's a Fingerhut to put my friendly fingers in."
The first verse suggests that the singer's love has ended and their lover has left town, leaving them feeling alone and disconnected. They express a sense of seriousness or depth that may not be understood or appreciated by others. The second verse explores the singer's realization that they need to break away from the unhealthy influence of others who resemble them. The clones mentioned can be seen as a metaphor for conformity and the idea of losing oneself in the crowd. The line "Feasting on a bloated corpse, all adore me" implies that even though the singer may be idolized, they feel a sense of emptiness and detachment.
The chorus repeats the question of whether the singer should settle down and have a family, expressing a desire for stability and commitment. However, there is also a sense of uncertainty and hesitation in their plea. The song's bridge brings out a sense of despair and disappointment, with the singer feeling that their life is a mess and questioning whether anyone truly cares. The final line, "Back to my Fingerhut," suggests that the singer has resigned themselves to seeking comfort and connection within themselves, returning to their own metaphorical safe space.
Overall, "Fingerhut" delves into themes of longing, isolation, the struggle for genuine connection, and the search for a sense of home within oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
All I want's a Fingerhut
I desire a small, personal space to retreat to and find solace
To put my friendly fingers in
To have a place where I can express myself freely and comfortably
Love is over, hence my lover
My romantic relationship has ended and my partner has left
Has taken leave, left this town
They have chosen to depart and leave this place behind
Right and left or in and out
I am torn between different directions and choices
I'm too serious
I have a deep and intense personality
For most others
Many people cannot understand or tolerate my seriousness
Now I've got a fingerhut
Now I have found that personal space I longed for
Time to start breaking out
It's time to break free from the constraints and expectations placed upon me
These clones of me are unhealthy
The people who resemble me or try to imitate me are detrimental to my well-being
Islands of naked gods
These individuals who idolize me are isolated and vulnerable
Feasting on a bloated corpse
They derive satisfaction from past failures or shortcomings
All adore me, all adore me
They express admiration and worship towards me
Should I settle down with you?
Should I commit and build a stable life with you?
Barn house, have a large family
Living in a simple, rustic home and having many children
In our broken zone
Despite our imperfections and challenges
Babe, will you marry me?
Love, would you be my spouse and share a lifelong commitment?
All my life's a mess
My entire existence feels chaotic and disordered
I thought that you cared
I believed that you had genuine concern and affection for me
Make fun of me dead
Now, in my absence or vulnerability, you mock and ridicule me
Now there is no one else
In this moment, there is no one else in my life
Back to the two of us
Returning to the original state of just the two of us, without outside influences
Back to my fingerhut
Returning to that personal space and finding comfort within it
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIMON ALEXANDER NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind