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.
No I'm Not Down
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Find a wall that we can climb
My body shakes to it's fingertips
A sensitive soul with a Molotov grin
A fatal fall in the freezin' snow
Who's the bravest idiot you know?
My arms felt numb and my brain is slowin'
But more than that oh
My back's against the wall
This is between me and God
Our future's lookin' colder
With no one else around
Well my boy had a real good time
This is not my state of mind
Could I know it would never come
But my heart's gone cold
And my mind is numb so
My back's against the wall
This is between me and God
Our future's lookin' colder
With no one else around
Even as I say this I know
There’s no one you can call to help
I know your list goes on and on
And it’s a neverending star
Bless your heart but your soul's declined
Find a wall that we can climb
My body shakes to it's fingertips
A sensitive soul with a Molotov grin
A fatal fall in the freezin' snow
Who's the bravest idiot you know?
My arms felt numb and my brain is slowin'
My heart has smashed
But more than that
My back's against the wall
This is between me and God
Our future's lookin’ colder
With no one else around
My back's against the wall (My back's against the wall)
My back's against the wall (My back's against the wall)
And even as I say this
There’s no one you can call
There's no one you can call
The lyrics to Biffy Clyro's song "No I'm Not Down" explore themes of isolation, vulnerability, and desperation. The first verse contains a paradoxical expression of compassion and concern for someone whose "soul's declined," but at the same time, there's a sense that the singer is also experiencing their own personal turmoil. They seek refuge and escape in climbing a wall and also describe their physical reactions to their current emotional state. The line "A sensitive soul with a Molotov grin" suggests that the singer is masking their inner pain with a facade of tough exterior.
The second verse shifts to a more dramatic setting of a "fatal fall in the freezing snow." There's an ambiguity in the line "Who's the bravest idiot you know?" - whether it's meant to be self-deprecating or directed towards someone else. The physical sensations of numbness and slowing of the brain further highlight a sense of helplessness and despair. The pre-chorus emphasizes the singer's sense of being alone, with both God and their future feeling cold and uncertain.
The chorus repeats the idea of being backed against the wall, a metaphorical representation of the feeling of having nowhere else to turn. The final verse returns to the contrast between the singer's present state of mind and a past of happier times, perhaps acknowledging the futility of trying to return to that state. The repeated line "My back's against the wall" becomes a mantra that reinforces the sense of isolation and desperation that permeates the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Bless your heart but your soul's declined
I appreciate your kindness, but I can see that you are struggling internally.
Find a wall that we can climb
Let's find a challenge to overcome together and work towards a common goal.
My body shakes to it's fingertips
I am overwhelmed emotionally and physically by the situation at hand.
A sensitive soul with a Molotov grin
Despite my inner turmoil, I am able to put on a brave face and a tough exterior.
A fatal fall in the freezin' snow
Even in the most dangerous and difficult circumstances, I am willing to take risks.
Who's the bravest idiot you know?
Despite the potential consequences and risks, I am willing to face challenges and obstacles head-on.
My arms felt numb and my brain is slowin'
The stress and pressure of the situation is taking a toll on my mental and physical well-being.
My heart has smashed, but more than that oh
The emotional pain and hurt is overwhelming and more than I can handle alone.
My back's against the wall
I am in a difficult and challenging situation where options are limited and consequences are high.
This is between me and God
I must rely on my inner strength and faith to get me through this challenge.
Our future's lookin' colder with no one else around
The situation is becoming more bleak with no support or assistance from others.
Well my boy had a real good time
My loved ones may have found happiness, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I feel the same way.
This is not my state of mind
I am struggling mentally and emotionally to cope with the situation at hand.
Could I know it would never come
If only I had known that things would turn out this way, I may have made different choices.
But my heart's gone cold and my mind is numb so
The emotional pain and trauma have left me feeling disconnected and numb to my surroundings.
Even as I say this I know, There’s no one you can call to help
I recognize that I am facing this challenge alone with no outside support or assistance.
And it’s a neverending star
The burden and pain seem endless and never-ending.
My back's against the wall (My back's against the wall)
I am in a difficult and challenging situation where options are limited and consequences are high.
My back's against the wall (My back's against the wall)
I feel trapped and isolated with no clear way out.
And even as I say this, There’s no one you can call, There's no one you can call
I am completely alone and must rely on myself to get through this challenge.
Contributed by Sophie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.