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.
Joy.Discovery.Invention
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Asleep at the door.
Makes your destruction,
Reach for the source.
Get up, get up, get over
Take me to your blackened sky.
Get up, get up, get over
Secretly wasted,
Dreams when he can.
Find time to console them,
Become what I am
If you submit to
All the hopes you've made,
Down through your heart.
Get up, get up, get over
Take me to your blackened sky.
Get up, get up, get over
Take me to your blackened sky.
Passed away,
I hope you don't mind.
Once you let us in,
To see us through.
If you wanna get it,
Go and break my heart.
Take me to your blackened sky.
If you wanna get it,
Go and break my heart.
Take me to your blackened sky.
The lyrics of Biffy Clyro's song Joy.Discovery.Invention are open to interpretation, but one possible interpretation is that they explore the themes of destruction, transformation, and rebirth. The opening lines "Look in slow motion, Asleep at the door. Makes your destruction, Reach for the source" suggest that the singer is observing someone who is slowly destroying themselves and is somehow asleep at the same time, perhaps numb to what is happening to them. The singer then urges this person to "get up, get up, get over" and take them to their "blackened sky," which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the person's innermost thoughts and feelings, which are dark and troubled.
The second verse hints at the idea of transformation and renewal, with the lines "Secretly wasted, Dreams when he can. Find time to console them, Become what I am" suggesting that the singer has gone through a similar process of self-destruction and has emerged transformed. The idea of submitting to "All the hopes you've made, Down through your heart" could be interpreted as surrendering to the things that truly matter and finding a way to overcome the self-destructive tendencies that are holding the person back.
The chorus repeats the call to "get up, get up, get over" and take the singer to the "blackened sky," emphasizing the need for transformation and change. The final lines "If you wanna get it, Go and break my heart" suggest that the singer is willing to expose themselves to heartache and vulnerability in order to truly connect with this person and help them on their journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Look in slow motion,
Take a deep, observant look at your life and surroundings as if in slow motion.
Asleep at the door.
You're not paying attention and letting opportunities pass you by.
Makes your destruction,
Your own actions can lead to your downfall and ruin.
Reach for the source.
Find the root of your problems and address them directly.
Get up, get up, get over
Motivate yourself to overcome your obstacles.
Take me to your blackened sky.
Lead me to the dark, troubled parts of your mind and life.
Secretly wasted,
Suffering from internal struggles that others may not see.
Dreams when he can.
Finding solace in his dreams to escape reality.
Find time to console them,
Make time to comfort and care for the parts of yourself that are hurting.
Become what I am
Embrace your true self and be proud of it.
If you submit to
If you give in to or surrender to
All the hopes you've made,
The expectations you've set for yourself
Down through your heart.
Deeply ingrained in your desires, passions, and emotions.
Passed away,
Died, or gone from this world.
I hope you don't mind.
I hope you're not upset about this.
Once you let us in,
Once you opened up and shared your life with us.
To see us through.
To help us guide you and support you through your struggles.
If you wanna get it,
If you want to succeed or accomplish something.
Go and break my heart.
Risk being hurt or disappointed in pursuit of your goal.
Take me to your blackened sky.
Let me see the dark or troubled parts of your life, and allow me to help you overcome them.
Contributed by Charlie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.