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.
Watch
Biffy Clyro Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I must say that when I go out
I see the signs
I feel my brain crashing
When I'm raging
I take a dip in a purple sea
And feel the salt healing all my fear
Somebody will live
Somebody will die
We cast our net out from both our sides
Watch both arms, watch both feet
It rushes all from the mill to the edge
Don't you just want
To feel like you're here?
Whatever that is
I'll take a helping, here
I think I'm scared
Of feeling more alone
I need someone to share with
And someone to moan
I've been watching and
I must say that when I go out
I see the signs
I feel my brain crashing
I've been watching and
I must weep
Cause when I wake up
I hear your voice
I hear you calming me down
Padlock, wastecoats and
Skull ship sleeps
Somebody will live
Somebody will die
We cast our net out from both our sides
Watch both arms, watch both feet
It rushes all from the mill to the edge
Don't you just want
To feel like you're here?
Whatever that is
I'll take a helping, here
I think I'm scared
Of feeling more alone
I need someone to share with
And someone to moan
Don't you just want
To feel like you're here?
Whatever that is
I'll take a helping, here
I think I'm scared
Of feeling more alone
I need someone to share with
And someone to hold
The song "Watch" by Biffy Clyro is complex and open to interpretation. At its core, it may be about feeling overwhelmed by the world and searching for a way to connect with others. The first verse speaks about observing the world and seeing signs or messages that others might not see - this could be interpreted as heightened awareness or sensitivity. The singer also references feeling a sense of isolation and fear ("I think I'm scared/Of feeling more alone").
The chorus of the song is both hopeful and desperate. The singer yearns for a connection with others - "Don't you just want/To feel like you're here?" But there's also a sense of resignation, as if the singer has accepted that they might always feel alone. The line "Whatever that is/I'll take a helping, here" suggests a willingness to try anything to break through the isolation.
The second verse introduces the idea of death and rebirth, with the singer seeking healing in a "purple sea" after raging. The imagery of casting a net out from both sides also hints at a balance between life and death, good and bad. The final lines of the song reference being comforted by someone else's voice ("I hear you calming me down") and imagining a place where the self can be protected ("padlock, waistcoats, and/skull ship sleeps").
Overall, the meaning of "Watch" is somewhat ambiguous, but it seems to be about seeking connection and meaning in a chaotic world.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been watching and
The singer is observing their surroundings.
I must say that when I go out
Whenever the singer ventures out, they notice something.
I see the signs
The singer spots indications of something significant or disturbing.
I feel my brain crashing
The artist's thoughts are overwhelming them.
When I'm raging
The artist is in a state of intense anger or frustration.
I take a dip in a purple sea
The singer finds an escape or relief from their negative emotions.
And feel the salt healing all my fear
The singer feels soothed and comforted by the environment around them.
Did I just say that anyone but me?
The artist is questioning their own actions or words.
Somebody will live
Someone will survive a particular event.
Somebody will die
Someone will not survive a particular event.
We cast our net out from both our sides
Both sides in a conflict or situation are taking action.
Watch both arms, watch both feet
Be alert and attentive to all aspects of the situation.
It rushes all from the mill to the edge
Everything is moving quickly toward a tipping point or conclusion.
Don't you just want
The singer is asking if the listener desires something.
To feel like you're here?
To have a sense of belonging or presence in a particular place or situation.
Whatever that is
The artist acknowledges that the desired feeling may be undefined or elusive.
I'll take a helping, here
The artist is accepting assistance or support in achieving the desired feeling.
I think I'm scared
The singer is admitting to feeling afraid.
Of feeling more alone
The singer is afraid of becoming increasingly isolated or disconnected from others.
I need someone to share with
The artist wants someone with whom they can confide or communicate.
And someone to moan
The artist wants someone who can commiserate with them or empathize with their problems.
I must weep
The artist is overcome with emotion and feels the need to cry.
Cause when I wake up
The singer is referring to the aftermath of a particular event.
I hear your voice
The artist is reminded of someone they care about.
I hear you calming me down
The remembered voice has a soothing effect on the singer.
Padlock, wastecoats and
The singer is listing seemingly unrelated items, possibly as a metaphor.
Skull ship sleeps
An ominous image, implying danger or death.
I need someone to hold
The artist desires physical comfort and intimacy.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: SIMON ALEXANDER NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind