When Biffy Clyro performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury during a stunning sunset just a few weeks back, it seemed like their smiles were here to stay. The Scottish trio appeared to be at the peak of their careers, celebrating over 25 years of success, truly proving that hard work and determination yield results. While this is largely accurate, it’s worth noting that things might have looked different if viewed 18 months earlier.
In any relationship, simply spending time together often isn’t sufficient. When long and exhausting schedules are introduced, along with extended periods away from home, challenges can arise. Given that Biffy Clyro has consistently been active throughout their time as a band (their upcoming release will be their tenth studio album in just 13 years, following the back-to-back releases of 2020's 'A Celebration of Endings' and 2021's 'The Myth of the Happily Ever After'), it's not surprising to learn they needed some time apart.
"We never reached a point where we took it for granted," bassist James Johnston says while the trio chats together in a London hotel. "But I think that time off allowed us to appreciate how lucky we are to be doing this." For those looking for tension or dramatic conflicts within the band, this isn’t the case here. They share laughs and inside jokes, recounting stories from their recording sessions in Berlin, all while supporting one another in a way that only lifelong friends can. Instead of a tumultuous tale, their story involves the exhaustion stemming from the pandemic and the need for a fresh perspective.
“The last couple of years have been a bit tougher for us,” admits frontman Simon Neil. “I was involved with [side-project] Empire State Bastard, and it’s likely the longest we’ve all lived separate lives. While we sometimes took breaks from touring, we were still in sync with the rhythm of each other's lives. Coming back, we were... not completely out of sync, because that suggests we didn’t see eye to eye, but we were in different rhythms.”
“With the isolation from the pandemic, I think we all simply forgot how to interact,” he adds. “This isn’t just about us; it’s something everyone experienced. It seemed like everyone had forgotten how to communicate kindly. That phrase was popular for a while, but it felt like we were all a bit defensive. I know I may have been a little guilty of it when I returned from Empire State Bastard, and the guys were probably thinking, ‘Okay…’ You tend to stand your ground. Even though we are a team and always will be, each of us has our own egos and ambitions that don’t always align.”
While Simon has explored side projects before, the arrival of Empire State Bastard—where he collaborates with Biffy touring guitarist and former Oceanside frontman Mike Vennart—signified a clear shift. Wanting to move away from the label of ‘Simon from Biffy,’ the debut album 'Rivers of Heresy' delivered intense screams and powerful riffs. “’The Myth…’ led into ESB, and ESB was definitely one of those things where if anyone wanted to check it out… thanks!” Simon laughs, acknowledging its limited appeal. “Not many listened, but I think it helped me release a lot of that dark anger and resentment.”
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