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.
Scary Mary
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The rocks look like a body in the river, now I just wish that I could sleep
To keep me from thinking but the thoughts keep me up
It's been two months since you taught me not to trust
But you kept your promise
You make patterns in my face, you painted pictures with my tears
And you did it again, I knew that you would
Wash off your hands, it's time to let go, release them
Give time to your heart, give time to your soul, release them all
The lyrics of "Scary Mary" by Biffy Clyro tells a story of a person who is plagued by the aftermath of a toxic relationship. The lines, "What must I have become to deserve all the shit that you gave me" highlights the pain and confusion of being treated badly by someone you love. The image of rocks looking like a body in the river and the desire to sleep to avoid thinking hints at the possibility of suicide as a coping mechanism. The line "It's been two months since you taught me not to trust, but you kept your promise" further sheds light on the abusive nature of the relationship and the emotional damage it has caused. The final lines of the first verse, "You make patterns in my face, you painted pictures with my tears" captures the scars left by the abuser, the memories, and pain etched on the victim's physical features and emotional state.
The chorus, "And you did it again, I knew that you would, Thank you for showing me there's more" expresses the realization of the harm caused by their past relationship, and the acceptance of the need to move on. The succeeding lines, "Wash off your hands, it's time to let go, release them, Give time to your heart, give time to your soul, release them all" serves as a call to action, the realization of the toxicity of the past relationship and the need to let go, and start anew.
Line by Line Meaning
What must I have become to deserve all the shit that you gave me
I wonder what kind of person I turned into to deserve all the mistreatment and negativity from you.
The rocks look like a body in the river, now I just wish that I could sleep
As I gaze at the rocks appearing like a human corpse in the river, all I yearn for is a peaceful slumber.
To keep me from thinking but the thoughts keep me up
Though I try to avoid thinking, my mind is restless causing me to stay up all night.
It's been two months since you taught me not to trust
It's been sixty days since you betrayed my trust and taught me not to rely on you.
But you kept your promise
However, you must be lauded for keeping your word.
You make patterns in my face, you painted pictures with my tears
Your cruel treatment has left permanent marks on me that only I can see, and you have drawn pictures with my tears.
And you did it again, I knew that you would
As I anticipated, you have hurt me again.
Thank you for showing me there's more
Ironically, I appreciate you for revealing to me that there's more to life than just you and your toxicity.
Wash off your hands, it's time to let go, release them
Finally, you should wash off your hands and let me go, it's time to release me from your grasp.
Give time to your heart, give time to your soul, release them all
Take time to heal your heart and soul, and set me free.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: SIMON NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind