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 Thaw
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To see what will become of it
Forgive me if my mouth is dry
I'll blame it on my battle cry
The secrets in the snow
Will always come out in the thaw
All those terrible things,
Tonight we're gonna share the same space
Just if you invite me in
Forget it cause you should have tried
How are you unsatisfied?
The secrets in the snow
Will always come out in the thaw
All those terrible things,
Can't you entertain us all?
You could have taken it all
But you should have asked
I would give you my tongue
Or my dying breath
Please believe in me like I believe in you
It's the only thing to see us through
You could have taken it all
But you should have asked
I would give you my tongue
Or my dying breath
Please believe in me like I believe in you
It's the only thing to see us through
The only thing to see us through
The only thing to see us through
The only thing to see us through
The only thing to see us through
Tonight we have all shared the same space
Has anything become of it?
The lyrics of Biffy Clyro's song "The Thaw" showcase a deep sense of longing and desire for connection with another person. The first verse expresses the hope of sharing the same space with someone and seeing what can come of it. The singer acknowledges that they may struggle to communicate their feelings, as evidenced by the line "Forgive me if my mouth is dry, I'll blame it on my battle cry." The second verse suggests that the singer may have previously missed an opportunity for connection with this person, urging them to take a chance on them now.
The chorus of the song delves into the idea of secrets being revealed in the thaw, or the melting of snow. This metaphor can be interpreted in a few ways - as a reference to how secrets will eventually come to light, or as a suggestion that the singer is ready to let their guard down and reveal their true self to the other person. The line "Can't you entertain us all?" implies a sense of playfulness or perhaps even desperation, as if the singer is trying to convince the other person to take a chance on them.
The final verse expresses a willingness on the part of the singer to give their all for this connection, offering their tongue or their dying breath to show their commitment. The plea to "believe in me like I believe in you" underscores the vulnerability and trust that the singer is placing in the other person.
Overall, "The Thaw" is a song that speaks to the universal desire for connection and the challenges that can arise in trying to form meaningful bonds with others. The use of the thaw as a central metaphor adds a layer of complexity and depth to the lyrics, making it a song that rewards close attention and interpretation.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonight we're gonna share the same space
We are going to be together tonight
To see what will become of it
To see what happens between us
Forgive me if my mouth is dry
I apologize if I sound parched
I'll blame it on my battle cry
I'll say it's because I've been shouting too much
The secrets in the snow
The things buried and hidden away
Will always come out in the thaw
They will eventually reveal themselves
All those terrible things,
All the bad, ugly things
Can't you entertain us all?
Can't you share them with everyone for amusement?
Tonight we're gonna share the same space
We will be together again tonight
Just if you invite me in
Only if you allow me to be close to you
Forget it cause you should have tried
Don't worry about it, you had your chance
How are you unsatisfied?
Why are you not content?
You could have taken it all
You had the opportunity to have everything
But you should have asked
But you needed to say something
I would give you my tongue
I would be completely open with you
Or my dying breath
Even if it meant sacrificing myself
Please believe in me like I believe in you
I trust you and I need you to trust me too
It's the only thing to see us through
Our faith in each other is the only thing that can keep us going
The only thing to see us through
The only thing that can help us survive
The only thing to see us through
The only thing that can get us to the other side
The only thing to see us through
The only thing that can ensure our success
Tonight we have all shared the same space
We were together tonight
Has anything become of it?
Did anything happen between us?
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIMON ALEXANDER NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@petewhite7746
Amazing song... brilliant lyrics...as always ❤
@Alan-vk6bk
Adore this really do adore it ❤️❤️
@hannabear6197
Just today discovered this song and I'm in love, thank You, really
@pigerwoods3175
One of the best Biffy tunes..
@Enjoy2578
Thank you for uploading the whole album biffy! :D
@Yiorgos-xy2tm
Love the artwork on this album, also this song
@janpanyrek5225
Beautiful song! :-)
@BPBrutalPenguin
I agree
@vincenzomancuso9201
Wonderful! <3
@abstrakkd6762
My dad played this song when I was 3 and I sung it in front of all my family. Love them times but never get them back