Biffy recalls first Cork gig
IT'S been a slow rise for Biffy Clyro. Hard as it is to believe, the Scottish three-piece was formed nearly 20 years ago, when twins James and Ben Johnston along with Simon Neil started playing their unmistakable brand of uncompromising alternative rock.
The band only truly broke into the mainstream in 2007, and have since topped the UK album charts and even had one of their songs 'Many of Horror' covered by 2010 X Factor winner Matt Cardle (released under the pop-friendly name ‘When We Collide’.)
The Corkman chats to James ahead of the band's gig in the Marquee on Friday, June 27 and it is put to him that the band's growth can be charted through the venues they have played in Cork over the years, culminating in this summer's big gig.
“I remember our first gig in Cork, it must have been over 10 years ago, we played the Half Moon and it was so exciting. Touring can be a little dull sometimes so it's great to go to places that are a little different. There's something a little different about the Southern part of the Republic, there's a great vibe, a fantastic energy about the people in Cork. You're up for a good time, and hopefully those who came to our shows in the past will come back again to see us in the Marquee,” he says.
The band played An Cruiscin Lan and The Savoy since that first show, how do they feel now that they are selling out stadium gigs across Europe?
“We don't often sit down and take the time to think about it. I mean, we enjoy it and are proud of everything we've achieved, it's not lost on us. But we're not interested in giving ourselves a pat on the back, we want to get on with it. We enjoy playing the bigger shows but we don't approach it any differently than we did that gig in the Half Moon, we're a bunch of lads with guitars,” he laughs.
No plans to record a new album this year, James says the trio will continue to tour last year's chart topping album 'Opposites' until the end of the year. At what point did they feel they had made their big breakthrough as a band.
“We took a notable break between our third and fourth album, it was a long time and we went to a new label, used a new producer. 'Puzzle' (the band's fourth album in 2007) started getting played on daytime radio, it was around about that time that we noticed we had a bunch of new fans coming to our shows. Before we just played to spotty guys, then all of a sudden pretty girls started showing up,” James jokes.
And what about album number seven? Can we expect any major departures from the unmistakable Biffy Clyro sound?
“We will try to move forward, to evolve but we will still sound like the same band in a good way. With our voices and guitar sound you'll know it is us but the sound may be different if we try recording in a different environment, or a new producer or try writing in a different way.
“We don't want to put boundaries on what we are doing. If something sounds poppy or dancey we won't necessarily reject it,” he adds.
Tickets for Biffy Clyro at the Marquee are available now priced €37.50.