Confession from a journalist: you can never be certain how an interview will unfold. Despite thorough preparation and extensive research, many factors are beyond your control – an artist might be fatigued from travel, disinterested in the interview process, or simply not very outgoing. Each room brings a unique atmosphere, and you always remember those who actively participate and try to enjoy the experience.
Biffy Clyro is undoubtedly one of the friendliest bands I have encountered. I have been with CLASH since 2007. This Scottish group is incredibly warm and surprisingly relatable; within minutes they are complimenting the PR's very stylish jacket, asking for my thoughts on the Oasis reunion shows, and recounting their excitement as Scotland triumphed over Denmark to secure a place in the World Cup. Listening to the interview days later, some responses are nearly indecipherable due to the band laughing heartily at their own jokes. Several times, I find myself steering them back to the topic – "we're here to discuss your album, guys..."
And it’s an excellent album as well. After a brief hiatus while frontman Simon Neil explored his metal interests with Empire State Bastard, the Jonathan Gilmore-produced ‘Futique’ marks a lively return to their roots. As Ben Johnston humorously remarks: “essentially a Greatest Hits!”
“This album represents a sort of encapsulation,” Simon explains. “I believe whatever we create next will be about breaking free. This was a reaffirmation of our commitment to ourselves and the band.”
While Empire State Bastard was crafted with genuine passion, Simon Neil candidly admits it wasn't for everyone – even his family found it challenging. “My dad told me, honestly, I couldn't get through it,” he chuckles.
“I began to enjoy the structure of pop songs again. I rekindled my love for melodies. And while I adore loud music… I have this conflicting personality!”
Sean Johnston comments, “Melody has always been fundamental to our band. Even when it's obscured by unusual rhythms or abstract lyrics, melody has always played a huge role.”
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The decision to work with Jonathan Gilmore as producer was a natural choice – being a devout Biffy Clyro fan, he brought his own talents and personality to the mix. As Ben states, “The fantastic aspect of Jon is that he’s been a fan of ours since he was around 11. This was the first time we collaborated with someone who understands our journey. He’s the smartest, most musically savvy producer we’ve worked with.”
“It sounds strange saying it out loud,” laughs Simon. “Like, what were the others doing?!”
Simon takes charge of the dialogue. “Because we were reuniting after a bit of turbulence, having someone so enthusiastic was refreshing. His excitement was definitely infectious.”
Sean adds, “We knew we had strong songs and a solid foundation, so we were open to exploring a bit. Sometimes it worked, other times it didn’t.”
Simon interjects, “Sometimes you might hit a dead end… but other times, you discover a beautiful garden down there!”
It’s all lighthearted banter, but there's a palpable sense that Biffy Clyro fully dedicates themselves to their craft while in the studio. ‘Futique’ was refined from an extensive collection of songs, with plans to complete and release the remaining material in the coming months. There’s an overwhelming feeling of gratitude just to be creating music together again.
“It’s all genuine,” Simon emphasizes. “The first thing we discussed when regrouping was whether we wanted this to be our lives. After some time apart, we realized… we want to be together.” “We’re fortunate to be friends as well. Because, honestly, there’s a reason bands often break up after a few albums and some success… they lose that bond.” Ben notes, “You miss anything in life when it’s suddenly gone… and then you begin to appreciate it more.”
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This summer, the Glastonbury audience experienced some of that vibrant energy. Biffy Clyro’s remarkable set at the Pyramid Stage was a true highlight, offering a dynamic array of rock precision that shifted from major hits to an unexpected but captivating cover of the Beach Boys’ classic ‘God Only Knows.’
“We perform at festivals every weekend,” Simon explains, “but with Glastonbury, suddenly you're receiving texts from your mum! Your aunt calls wishing you well. Strangers in the street talk to you about it. It suddenly feels like: this is a really big deal. And you can pretend it’s not… but it absolutely is!”
“Honestly, there are very few shows where you think, OK, this is going really well. But this one did! And I believe taking a little break helped us. It allowed us to truly appreciate those moments during the set and go, wow – and genuinely acknowledge them. When we finished, it felt like an
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Here’s a confession from a journalist: you can never be certain about how an interview will turn out. Despite all the preparation and research, many factors are beyond your control.