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.
There's No Such Thing as a Jaggy Snake
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
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See-see-see-see-see-captain christ says!!
You think too much about the wrong things.
You sing about the wrong things.
Take extra special care!!
Simply put you're a fuck up.
See-see-see-see-see-captain christ says!!
You sing about the wrong things.
Take extra special care..
Take extra special...
Take extra special...
Take on the world, at their own game.
You might succeed, and win again.
Ribs break. Souls stay bare.
Your' forked stare cuts through.
You twist, you turn
Wrapping around me, wrapping around me.
Now, so tight, squeezing the life from me.
You're facing a pointless task.
But it's the same thing, and it's the same thing.
And I will face the task...
Biffy Clyro’s song “There’s No Such Thing As A Jaggy Snake” is a complex and layered piece of work. The song contains lyrics that reflect on the idea of overthinking and focusing on the wrong things. The song begins with a call to attention, stating “Look up!! See-see-see-see-see-captain Christ says!!” This statement appears to be a warning, urging the listener to be present and attentive. The song then goes on to warn against spending too much time thinking and singing about the wrong things, and urges the listener to take extra special care.
The song then switches to a darker, more ominous tone as the lyrics describe a person who is a “fuck-up”. The repetition of “See-see-see-see-see-captain Christ says!!” reinforces the idea of being watched and held accountable. The lyrics then shift again to encourage the listener to take on the world at their own game, with potential for success. However, the bleak lines “Ribs break. Souls stay bare. Your’ forked stare cuts through” suggests that any victory may come at a great personal cost.
The final lines of the song repeat the idea that there may be a pointless task ahead, but the singer will still face it. Overall, the song is a warning against overthinking and against wasting time on things that don’t matter.
Line by Line Meaning
Look up!!
Pay attention and be alert.
See-see-see-see-see-captain christ says!!
Reinforcing the previous statement of being alert, and referencing a higher power as the authority figure.
You think too much about the wrong things.
You are focusing on insignificant details and not what truly matters.
You sing about the wrong things.
You are expressing yourself in a way that does not align with your values or purpose.
Take extra special care!!
Be cautious and attentive to your actions.
Simply put you're a fuck up.
You are consistently making mistakes and not living up to your potential.
Take extra special care..
Reiterating the need for caution and mindfulness.
Take extra special...
Continuing to emphasize the importance of being careful in one's actions and decisions.
Take on the world, at their own game.
Challenge the status quo and succeed against all odds.
You might succeed, and win again.
If you continue to persevere, you may achieve the success you desire.
Ribs break. Souls stay bare.
Physical pain is temporary, but emotional scars can last a lifetime.
Your' forked stare cuts through.
Your critical and judgmental gaze is piercing and hurtful.
You twist, you turn
You are manipulative and deceptive in your actions.
Wrapping around me, wrapping around me.
You are suffocating and overbearing in your behavior towards others.
Now, so tight, squeezing the life from me.
Your oppressive behavior is draining the life out of me.
You're facing a pointless task.
You are attempting to achieve something that has no real value or purpose.
But it's the same thing, and it's the same thing.
Despite the lack of significance in the task, you continue to repeat the same actions.
And I will face the task...
Despite the realization that the task may be pointless, you will still attempt to complete it.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Simon Alexander Neil
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind