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.
Strung to Your Ribcage
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My belly is black, and, red
Black and red.
Black and red.
Black and red.
You complete me
Fucking say it
Fucking say it
It's like you're meant to be a hostage
Another hostage
Will eat you alive
Fucking say it,
Fucking say it
Fucking say it
I take it for granted,
That you'll feel at home
You complete me
When you flirt it makes me nauseous,
I'm fucking nauseous,
And I'll eat you alive
I take it for granted
That you'll feel at home
Emotions never change
Only towards you
Look down, I'm strung to your ribcage
Look down, I'm strung to your ribcage
Inflamed, in every other way
In every other way
Look down, I'm strung to your ribcage
Look down, I'm strung to your ribcage
Inhale, the splinters and the rain
The splinters and the rain
Look down, I'm strung to your ribcage
Look down, I'm strung to your ribs
Ooh, ooh.
The lyrics to Biffy Clyro's song Strung to Your Ribcage convey complex emotions and a sense of dependency. The first few lines suggest that the singer is elusive and difficult to catch, perhaps indicating a sense of self-preservation. However, they then switch to addressing another person and the tone becomes pleading, with the repeated phrase "Fucking say it" suggesting a desire for confirmation or affirmation.
The following lines introduce the idea of being a hostage, with the singer telling the other person that they will eat them alive. This could be interpreted as a warning or a threat, but it's unclear who holds the power in the relationship. The line "I take it for granted, that you'll feel at home" suggests that there is a sense of familiarity between the two, but it's not clear whether this is a good or bad thing.
The final lines of the song are particularly striking, with the singer declaring that they are "strung to your ribcage". This suggests a sense of being completely entwined with the other person, both physically and emotionally. The image of "inhaling splinters and rain" is particularly evocative, conveying a sense of pain and struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
You'll never catch me
I am elusive and unattainable
My belly is black, and, red
I am filled with a dark and intense emotion
Black and red.
This emotion consumes me completely
Black and red.
It is all I can see or feel
Black and red.
I am consumed by this feeling
You complete me
You are the source of my intense emotions
Fucking say it
Admit that you are the reason for my emotions
Fucking say it
Let the truth be known
Fucking say it
Acknowledge the hold you have over me
It's like you're meant to be a hostage
You have a power over me that is controlling
Another hostage
I am not the only one who is under your spell
Will eat you alive
Being under your control is dangerous and all-consuming
I take it for granted,
I assume that you will always be there for me
That you'll feel at home
That you will be comfortable and familiar with me
When you flirt it makes me nauseous,
Your actions make me feel sick to my stomach
I'm fucking nauseous,
I am overwhelmed and sickened by my emotions
And I'll eat you alive
My passion for you will consume you completely
Emotions never change
Despite everything, my feelings for you remain the same
Only towards you
You are the one who has this effect on me
Look down, I'm strung to your ribcage
You have a hold on me that is physical and visceral
Look down, I'm strung to your ribcage
You are the center of my world and everything I do revolves around you
Inflamed, in every other way
My emotions for you are all-consuming and all-encompassing
In every other way
There is nothing else that matters to me
Look down, I'm strung to your ribcage
You are in control of my emotions and actions
Look down, I'm strung to your ribcage
Everything I do is for you and because of you
Inhale, the splinters and the rain
I am willing to endure pain and hardship for you
The splinters and the rain
I will face any obstacle or hardship for you
Look down, I'm strung to your ribcage
No matter what, I am bound to you
Look down, I'm strung to your ribs
You have complete control over me
Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.