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.
The Kids From Kibble and the Fist of Light
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aaaaargh! Aaaaargh! Aaaaargh!
Aaaaargh! Aaaaargh! Aaaaargh! Ooooooooh!
Say! Nothin's better
(You say nothin's better)
Say! Nothin's better than the rest
Cos you talk a good game
(Awooooooo)
Your sensations are suffering
(Awooooooo)
I'll make your sensations suffer
Through these long sadistic highs
And you see the way I collide with you
I Hope you see straight
Tonight I'm in a rage
Tonight I'm in a rage
Say! Nothin's better than the rest
Cos you talk a good game
(Awooooooo)
My sensations are suffering
(Awooooooo)
My sensations are suffering
Through these long sadistic lies
I Hope you see straight
Tonight I'm in a rage
Tonight I'm in a rage
Once again
You've missed the point
These strange explosions hit me like a fist of light
These strange explosions hit me like a fist of light
(Do you believe that I care?)
The opening screams and howls in Biffy Clyro's "The Kids From Kibble and the Fist of Light" create a sense of urgency and chaos that set the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics suggest that the singer is angry, possibly seeking revenge against someone who has hurt or disappointed them. The repetition of "Say! Nothin's better than the rest" seems to be directed at the person who has wronged them, as if the singer is questioning their high opinion of themselves.
The verses describe the emotional pain that the singer is experiencing, with their "sensations suffering" and feeling trapped in "long sadistic highs." The lines "And you see the way I collide with you / I Hope you see straight" suggest that the singer is confronting the person who caused their pain, demanding that they acknowledge their wrongdoing. The repetition of "Tonight I'm in a rage" further emphasizes the singer's anger and frustration.
Finally, the chorus repeats the line "My sensations are suffering," as if the singer wants to make sure their pain and anger are heard. The final lines "Once again, you've missed the point / These strange explosions hit me like a fist of light" add a surreal element to the song, with the "explosions" possibly representing moments of clarity and understanding in the midst of emotional turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
Aaaaargh! Aaaaargh! Aaaaargh! Ooooooooh!
Intense yelling and screaming
Say! Nothin's better
You claim that nothing is better than your own way of doing things
(You say nothin's better)
You have been vocal that nothing is greater or better than your own methods
Say! Nothin's better than the rest
You still insist on being the best and nothing surpasses the quality of your work
Cos you talk a good game
You are good at talking about your abilities and act confident about your skills
(Awooooooo)
Emphasizes the intense mood of the situation
Your sensations are suffering
You are feeling bad or uncomfortable about something
I'll make your sensations suffer
I will add to your distress or make you feel worse
Through these long sadistic highs
Even despite the difficult and unpleasant experience, you still continue to push through
And you see the way I collide with you
You are aware of how I am forceful and intense with you
I Hope you see straight
I hope you understand things clearly and without confusion
Tonight I'm in a rage
I am extremely angry and upset right now
Once again
This is not the first time this has happened
You've missed the point
You have failed to understand the intended meaning or idea behind something
These strange explosions hit me like a fist of light
I experienced an unexpected and powerful surge of emotion
(Do you believe that I care?)
Emphasizes that the artist does not care about the opinions or thoughts of others
Contributed by Caroline R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dockeyboy
Miss you REAL biffy.
@pilmoor
2:21 Smooooooth jazz. Absolute tune.
@eilieo
HOLY SHIT! what a tune, replay replay! only discovered this one need to this ablum!
@ludwigwittgenduck3282
replay it now
@lukenluken
Favorite song on the album ;).
@roogie3
superb song. superb album.
@ludwigwittgenduck3282
but what doth it mean young man?
@ianhellrazer
Such a bangin' tune
@themorganator4
these strange explosions hit me like a fist of light
@jaggy-snake
@cmkills Kibble is a school for 'socially challenged' kids in Paisley near Glasgow. . My mate was a teacher there and according to him there were some pure mentalists there.