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.
Trumpet Or Tap
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It moves much faster now
It moves much faster now
Find a new way to rise
Or we're in trouble now
Or we're in trouble now
Where are you at? Is it trumpet or tap?
You know where the sinners are
Life is much better when you let it all go
If if could I'd start over again
Let's start again with a shrug of our shoulders
Angels always start over again
With a rude little mess
They'll always be bolder
I will sing for three days
To prove what you mean to me
Prove what you mean to me
Lie to my little face
Hard not to turn away
Hard not to turn away
Clowns are madcap,
Whores encourage the clap
Living life on the road,
Got no need for a map
It seems we are bouncing
Cleanliness will kill us all
Dirt is much cleaner
If if could I'd start over again
Let's start again with a shrug of our shoulders
Angels always start over again
With a rude little mess
They'll always be bolder than you and me
Prove what I mean to you
Show what I mean to you
Can't you just say it's true?
Can't you just say it's true?
Prove what I mean to you
Show what I mean to you
Can't you just say it's true?
Can't you just say it's true?
The lyrics to Biffy Clyro's song Trumpet or Tap portray the concept of time moving faster than before and the need to find new ways of adapting to this change in order to avoid being left behind. The opening line, "Time once moved so slowly, it moves much faster now," suggests that the world is changing rapidly, and we must find new ways to cope with these changes. The chorus asks the listener whether they are sticking with traditional ways of doing things (tap) or embracing new ideas (trumpet), indicating the importance of being open to change. Furthermore, the lyrics suggest that the singer yearns to start over again in order to try new approaches and face life's challenges with a different attitude. They sing about letting go, starting anew with a shrug of their shoulders, and understanding that making mistakes is part of the learning process.
Line by Line Meaning
Time once moved so slowly
The past seemed to last forever
It moves much faster now
Time goes by quickly and life is short
Find a new way to rise
We need to adapt and find new solutions to overcome challenges
Or we're in trouble now
If we don't take action, things will go wrong
Where are you at? Is it trumpet or tap?
Are you living life to its fullest or just going through the motions?
Are you glued to a wall by this terrible snap?
Are you paralyzed by fear or anxiety?
You know where the sinners are
You know where the fun and excitement can be found
Life is much better when you let it all go
Life is easier and more enjoyable when you don't sweat the small stuff
If if could I'd start over again
I wish I could have a fresh start
Let's start again with a shrug of our shoulders
Let's not worry too much and just start anew
Angels always start over again
Even heavenly beings need to start afresh sometimes
With a rude little mess
It may not be pretty, but it's better than nothing
They'll always be bolder
They are willing to take risks and be more daring than humans
I will sing for three days
I will show my love and devotion through music
Prove what you mean to me
Demonstrate the importance you have in my life
Lie to my little face
Tell me what I want to hear even if it's not true
Hard not to turn away
It's difficult to face the truth sometimes
Clowns are madcap,
Jesters and fools are eccentric and unpredictable
Whores encourage the clap
Prostitutes can spread venereal diseases
Living life on the road,
Traveling and being on tour for a living
Got no need for a map
Life is an adventure and doesn't always need a plan
It seems we are bouncing
We are going through life in a haphazard and random way
Cleanliness will kill us all
Being too obsessed with hygiene and purity can be harmful
Dirt is much cleaner
Being a bit rough around the edges can be refreshing and honest
Prove what I mean to you
Show me that I matter to you
Show what I mean to you
Demonstrate the significance of our relationship
Can't you just say it's true?
Can't you just acknowledge our connection and love?
Can't you just say it's true?
Can't you just confirm what I already know to be true?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SIMON ALEXANDER NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Davide Leonardo D'Onofrio
Time once moved so slowly
It moves much faster now
It moves much faster now
Find a new way to rise
Or we're in trouble now
Or we're in trouble now
Where are you at? Is it trumpet or tap?
Are you glued to a wall by this terrible snap?
You know where the sinners are
Life is much better when you let it all go
If if could I'd start over again
Let's start again with a shrug of our shoulders
Angels always start over again
With a rude little mess
They'll always be bolder
I will sing for three days
To prove what you mean to me
Prove what you mean to me
Lie to my little face
Hard not to turn away
Hard not to turn away
Clowns are madcap,
Whores encourage the clap
Living life on the road,
Got no need for a map
It seems we are bouncing
Cleanliness will kill us all
Dirt is much cleaner
If if could I'd start over again
Let's start again with a shrug of our shoulders
Angels always start over again
With a rude little mess
They'll always be bolder than you and me
Prove what I mean to you
Show what I mean to you
Can't you just say it's true?
Can't you just say it's true?
Prove what I mean to you
Show what I mean to you
Can't you just say it's true?
Can't you just say it's true?
majora'sflask
they should play this song live more often.
Amen Hotep976
very underrated band with a very underrated song. absolutely stunning!
TomsBoggans
Headlined multiple festivals and won several awards. I wouldn't say they're underrated...
Taylor
"Underrated" Lol. Maybe in America. Maybe. They're massive overseas and get tens of millions of views on some of their songs... The word "underrated" has become so extremely watered down. 90% of all so called "underrated" bands aren't at all. Just fyi; underrated would be like a band the majority of people don't listen to and don't regard that much.
The Anonymous Commenter
Well the majority of people don't. Biffy Clyro truly are an underrated band.
Nonsensical Ramblings
Beautiful! Wonderful Album..
Miles
i was looking for songs in g sharp minor and stumbled across this underrated slapper
Andrew Burgess
Best song on the album imho
Michael McClure
ear worm