Simon Neil

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Simon Neil
Empire State Bastard, Tons of Rock, Oslo Norway (53849969832).jpg
Neil performing with Empire State Bastard at Tons of Rock 2024
Background information
Birth nameSimon Alexander Neil
Born (1979-08-31) 31 August 1979 (age 45)
Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland
Genres Alternative rock, post-hardcore
Occupation(s)Singer, musician, songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active1995–present
Member of

Simon Alexander Neil (born 31 August 1979) is a Scottish singer, guitarist and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist for rock band Biffy Clyro. In 2003, Neil formed the side project Marmaduke Duke with JP Reid, releasing two studio album's The Magnificent Duke (2005) and Duke Pandemonium (2009). Another side project fronted by Neil, Empire State Bastard, released their debut studio album Rivers of Heresy in September 2023, reaching number three in Scotland, forty six in the United Kingdom, number three on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Charts and sixty-nine in Germany. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

With Biffy Clyro, Neil has released nine studio albums, five of which have topped the Scottish Albums Charts ( Puzzle , Opposites , Ellipsis , A Celebration of Endings and The Myth of the Happily Ever After ). The band has achieved considerable mainstream success across continental Europe, with Opposites topping the UK Albums Charts, whilst Ellipsis topped the charts in Switzerland, Ireland, Germany, and the United Kingdom. A Celebration of Endings also topped the UK Albums Charts. [5]

Career

Biffy Clyro

Neil performing with Biffy Clyro at Rock am Ring, Germany, 2013 13-06-07 RaR Biffy Clyro Simon Neil 02.jpg
Neil performing with Biffy Clyro at Rock am Ring, Germany, 2013

Born in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland and grown up in Ayr, Neil formed a band in 1995 at 15 years old, recruiting Kilmarnock-based Ben Johnston and someone known only as Barry on drums and bass respectively, calling themselves Skrewfish. [6] Barry was soon replaced by James Johnston, Ben's twin brother, and Biffy Clyro was effectively formed. In 1997, the trio moved to Glasgow, where Neil studied Electronics with Music at the University of Glasgow. He also studied Film and TV for a year before leaving to pursue music full-time. By then, Simon's musical tastes had expanded; In 2000, the band was spotted at the Unsigned Bands stage at T in the Park by a representative of the independent record label Beggars Banquet. Soon after, the band was signed to the label.

Biffy Clyro have since released nine albums, signed to a major record label, and toured relentlessly. Neil has stated that Biffy Clyro lyrics often come from phrases he writes down in a notebook he keeps by his bed. In 2011, the band was nominated for the Brit Awards for Best British Group. [7] At the 2013 NME Awards, they received the award for Best British Band. [8] On 25 August 2013 Biffy Clyro headlined the main stage at Reading and Leeds Festival.

As of 2021, in total, the band have spent 165 weeks in the top seventy-five of the UK Album Charts, with three of those weeks being at the top position at number one and 76 weeks within the main top forty of the album charts. The band's singles have spent a total of 79 weeks in the UK Singles Charts, with six weeks in the top ten and 42 in the top forty. [9]

Marmaduke Duke

Neil plays with JP Reid of fellow Ayrshire group Sucioperro in Marmaduke Duke, under the pseudonym "The Atmosphere", which released their first album, The Magnificent Duke , in 2005. It was announced in late 2008 that the Duke was to make a return in 2009 with the follow-up album and second in the trilogy, Duke Pandemonium . The first single from the second album, "Kid Gloves" was released on the 9th of February, 2009. Marmaduke Duke have thus far only played two small tours, during which they played at venues in Edinburgh, Dundee, London, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff, and Birmingham. On the 9th of June, 2009, they were added to the Reading & Leeds Festival lineup, headlining the Festival Republic Stage on the Friday in Reading and the Sunday in Leeds. They also played the T in the Park festival in 2009, on the Radio 1/NME stage.

Live, the group consists of JP Reid (vocals, guitar) and Simon Neil (vocals, synth, guitar and bass). The duo are accompanied by James Johnston (bass, vocals) and drummers Fergus Munro and Ben Johnston. There is usually also a cloaked/masked figure on stage during performances, known only as "The Duke"; played by Sucioperro's ex-bassist Michael Logg (also known as "The Big Slice"). This character might be construed as the band's own version of Public Enemy's Flavor Flav or the Happy Mondays' Bez.

Regarding the inclusion of Ben and James, Neil's Biffy Clyro bandmates, Neil states: "It wouldn't feel right to be out and playing without them, you know?". [10]

Empire State Bastard

Empire State Bastard is an extreme metal duo composed of Neil and ex-Oceansize frontman Mike Vennart. The project has been described as "grindcore extreme metal" by Neil, [11] with Mike writing the songs and recording all guitars, and Simon focused on vocals and lyrics. [12] The band currently tours with Dave Lombardo on drums and Naomi Macleod on bass. Empire State Bastard released their debut single "Harvest" in March 2023, with their debut album Rivers of Heresy released in September 2023.

Solo career

Neil performs under the name ZZC. His debut single, "To the Bone", was used in the BBC's 'Radio 1 Rescores: Drive (curated by Zane Lowe)' project. In 2017, Neil released a 7-minute instrumental track entitled "The Myth" under the ZZC moniker. Two tracks from an unreleased ZZC solo album, "Plead" and "Fever Dream" were released on the 2019 Biffy Clyro soundtrack album Balance, Not Symmetry.

Personal life

Neil lives in Ayr with his wife Francesca, whom he married at St. Columba Church in Ayr on 5 January 2008. The song "God Only Knows" by The Beach Boys was used for their first dance, and Neil has the song's chorus, "God only knows what I'd be without you", tattooed on his chest. [13]

In 2021, he presented a series of shows on BBC Radio Scotland. [14] Neil is an avid fan of Rangers F.C. and attended matches at Ibrox Stadium in his youth. [15]

Musical equipment used

Neil performing with Biffy Clyro, using one of his many guitars 14-08-08 Taubertal Biffy Clyro Simon Neil 2.JPG
Neil performing with Biffy Clyro, using one of his many guitars

The following is a list of musical equipment used by Simon Neil:

Guitars

Electric

Effects pedals

Previous effects pedals

Amplifiers

Discography

Biffy Clyro

Marmaduke Duke

Empire State Bastard

Other appearances

YearSongArtistAlbum
2001"Zionist Timing" Aereogramme A Story in White
2002"Hangover" Sucioperro Why Bliss Destroy
"Love in the Guise of Friendship"
"Capable of More"
2009"Graves" Gallows Grey Britain
2010"It's My Tail and I'll Chase It If I Want To" Oceansize Self Preserved While the Bodies Float Up
2014"Sun Riders"KrokodilNachash
2016"Reason to Stay" Good Charlotte Youth Authority
2020"Halogen Eye" O'Brother You and I
2021"Goliath" Architects For Those That Wish to Exist
"Nervous" While She Sleeps Sleeps Society
"What Matters" Laura Mvula Pink Noise
2022"The Resurrectionists" Frank Turner FTHC
"Superman" Goldfinger Never Look Back (Deluxe Edition)
2023”Fires” Nathan Connolly The Strange Order of Things

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biffy Clyro</span> Scottish rock band

Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band that formed in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, composed of Simon Neil and twin brothers James and Ben Johnston. Currently signed to 14th Floor Records, they have released nine studio albums, and following their first three albums, the band expanded their following significantly in 2007 with the release of their fourth album Puzzle, which peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and was awarded a Platinum certification by the BPI.

Marmaduke Duke are a Scottish conceptual rock duo from Ayrshire, Scotland, comprising Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro and JP Reid of Sucioperro. Within the band, the pair perform under the pseudonyms The Atmosphere and The Dragon respectively. According to Neil, the band, and its albums, are "based on a trilogy of unreleased manuscripts that a friend of ours brought to this country a few years ago. We're really just working to soundtrack those stories."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">There's No Such Thing as a Jaggy Snake</span> 2004 single by Biffy Clyro

"There's No Such Thing as a Jaggy Snake" is a song by Biffy Clyro, and a track from their 2004 album, Infinity Land. It was released as a digital download, and later appeared on the free Kerrang! cover-mounted CD, Best of 2004. The song makes use of changing time signatures and angular guitar riffs. The introduction features lyrics which are screamed rather than sang. The song is regarded by many Biffy Clyro fans, especially in the Facebook fan group, to be the quintessential Biffy Clyro track, as many of the band's styles and sounds are all contained within this one song.

<i>Puzzle</i> (Biffy Clyro album) 2007 studio album by Biffy Clyro

Puzzle is the fourth studio album by Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro, released 4 June 2007 – the album was later released in America in August. It is the band's first album since leaving Beggars Banquet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Folding Stars</span> 2007 single by Biffy Clyro

"Folding Stars" is a song by Scottish band Biffy Clyro from their 2007 album, Puzzle. It was released as the third physical single from Puzzle, on 16 July 2007 and reached number 18 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Johnston (Scottish musician)</span> Musical artist

James Robert Johnston is a Scottish bassist, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for his work with Scottish group Biffy Clyro. He is also known as Jim or Jimbo and sometimes signs his name as such.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Johnston (Scottish musician)</span> Musical artist

Ben Hamilton Johnston is a drummer, vocalist, songwriter and member of Scottish group Biffy Clyro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biffy Clyro discography</span>

The discography of Biffy Clyro, a Scottish alternative rock band from Kilmarnock, consists of nine studio albums, three live albums, seven compilations, one soundtrack, six extended plays (EPs), 43 singles, 37 music videos and six other appearances. Formed in 1995 by vocalist and guitarist Simon Neil, bassist James Johnston and drummer Ben Johnston, Biffy Clyro released their debut EP thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow in 2000 through Electric Honey, and later signed with Beggars Banquet Records. The band's debut full-length album Blackened Sky was released in 2002, reaching number 25 on the Scottish Albums Chart. The Vertigo of Bliss followed in 2003, with single "Questions and Answers" reaching the top ten of the Scottish Singles Chart. The band's third and final album on Beggars Banquet, Infinity Land, peaked at number 13 in Scotland. "Glitter and Trauma", "My Recovery Injection" and "Only One Word Comes to Mind" all reached the singles chart top ten.

<i>Duke Pandemonium</i> 2009 studio album by Marmaduke Duke

Duke Pandemonium is the second studio album by Scottish conceptual rock duo Marmaduke Duke, released on 11 May 2009 on 14th Floor Records. Band member JP Reid describes the album as "superfunky, supertight, superunique."

<i>Only Revolutions</i> (album) 2009 studio album by Biffy Clyro

Only Revolutions is the fifth studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro, released 9 November 2009 on 14th Floor Records. As with its predecessor, Puzzle, the album was produced by Garth Richardson. Upon release, Only Revolutions was a critical and commercial success. The album entered at No. 8 on the UK Album Chart and was then certified gold by the BPI shortly afterwards. It was certified platinum by the BPI in June 2010 for shipments of 300,000 copies in the UK, making it the band's largest selling album. In September 2010, the album achieved a new peak position of No. 3. It was the 26th biggest selling album of 2010 in the UK with sales of 377,900. It was nominated for the 2010 Mercury Prize, which is awarded annually for the best album in the UK or Ireland, and Rock Sound declared it third in its list of the 75 best albums of 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Captain (Biffy Clyro song)</span> 2009 single by Biffy Clyro

"The Captain" is the third single from Biffy Clyro's fifth studio album, Only Revolutions, released on 26 October 2009. It features a prominent brass section throughout the song. The music video was released on 23 September on NME.com. The B-side "Help Me Be Captain" is an early, more raw sounding, version of the song without brass instruments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Many of Horror</span> 2010 single by Biffy Clyro

"Many of Horror" is an alternative rock song by Scottish band Biffy Clyro for their fifth studio album Only Revolutions. The song was released as the fourth single from the album on 18 January 2010. The song was recorded at Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, California and mastered at Masterdisk. The lyrics of the song concern Neil's wife and family. Jacknife Lee, who previously remixed "Silhouettes" for the Biffy Clyro and Sucioperro side project Marmaduke Duke, recorded a remix for the song.

<i>Opposites</i> (album) 2013 studio album by Biffy Clyro

Opposites is the sixth studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro, which was released on 28 January 2013. A double album, Opposites was originally announced as a pair of albums, The Land at the End of Our Toes and The Sand at the Core of Our Bones, which later became the names of the individual discs of the album. The album features 20 songs across two discs. There is also a single disc version with 14 selected tracks. As of July 2016, the album has sold 260,720 copies in the UK.

<i>Ellipsis</i> (Biffy Clyro album) 2016 studio album by Biffy Clyro

Ellipsis is the seventh studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro. It was produced by Rich Costey and released on 8 July 2016. Ellipsis entered the UK charts at number one, making it Biffy Clyro's second number one album, after 2013's Opposites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wolves of Winter</span> 2016 single by Biffy Clyro

"Wolves of Winter" is a song by Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro, and the first single from the band's seventh studio album, Ellipsis. It was released on 21 March 2016 and premiered as Zane Lowe's World Record on Beats 1. It was later sent to alternative radio in the United States on 15 August 2017 as the album's sixth domestic single.

<i>Balance, Not Symmetry</i> (album) 2019 soundtrack album by Biffy Clyro

Balance, Not Symmetry is a soundtrack album by Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro to the film of the same name, co-written by the band's frontman Simon Neil. Recorded at AIR Studios in England, Monnow Valley Studio in Wales and ICP Studios in Belgium with co-producer Adam Noble, it was released on 17 May 2019 by Warner Bros. Records. Initially available only for digital download and streaming, the album was also issued as a vinyl record on 26 July 2019.

<i>MTV Unplugged: Live at Roundhouse, London</i> 2018 live album by Biffy Clyro

MTV Unplugged: Live at Roundhouse, London is the third live album and second video by Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro. Recorded at the band's one-off acoustic show on 8 November 2017 at the Roundhouse in London as part of MTV Unplugged, it was released on 25 May 2018 by 14th Floor and Warner Bros. Records. The video was directed by Sam Wrench, produced by Sian Larkin & Executive Produced for MTV by Jeremy Davies and Albert Schilcher. The show won Best Live Concert at the 2018 UK Music Video Awards. Four recordings from the release were issued as digital download singles.

<i>A Celebration of Endings</i> 2020 studio album by Biffy Clyro

A Celebration of Endings is the eighth studio album by Scottish alternative rock band Biffy Clyro. It was produced by Rich Costey and was released on 14 August 2020. It debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, making it the band's third consecutive studio album to top the chart.

<i>The Myth of the Happily Ever After</i> 2021 studio album by Biffy Clyro

The Myth of the Happily Ever After is the ninth studio album by Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro, released on 22 October 2021 through 14th Floor and Warner Records. It is said to be the 'sister album' to their 2020 album A Celebration of Endings. It entered the UK album chart at number 4.

<i>Rivers of Heresy</i> 2023 studio album by Empire State Bastard

Rivers of Heresy is the debut album by British duo Empire State Bastard, consisting of Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro and Mike Vennart of Oceansize, released on 1 September 2023 through Roadrunner Records. The album also includes Dave Lombardo on drums.

References

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  2. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart on 8/9/2023". Official Charts. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
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  4. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
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  6. Biffy Clyro Biography Archived 8 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine on Beggar's Banquet USA
  7. "BRITs Profile: Biffy Clyro" Archived 9 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine . Brits.co.uk. Retrieved 28 March 2013
  8. "Biffy Clyro: 'NME Award makes us better than every single English band' | News | NME.COM". NME . Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  9. "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  10. "DiS meets Simon Neil in his Marmaduke Duke guise / In Depth // Drowned In Sound". 10 June 2020. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  11. Trendell, Andrew (18 August 2020). "In Conversation with Biffy Clyro: "We've already got a sprawling new sister record coming"". NME. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  12. "Empire State Bastard Feat. Dave Lombardo: Debut Single 'Harvest' Available Now". Blabbermouth.net. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  13. Ayshire Post, 9 January 2008, Sweet music
  14. "Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil to present six genre-focused shows for BBC Radio Scotland". NME . 2 June 2021.
  15. "Premier League predictions: Lawro v Biffy Clyro singer Simon Neil". BBC Sport. May 2014.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 BiffyTabs Equipment – Simon Archived 7 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
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