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Simon Neil
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Simon Alexander Neil (born 31 August 1979) is a Scottish musician, 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 albums 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]
With Biffy Clyro, Neil has released ten studio albums, six of which have topped the Scottish Albums Charts (Puzzle, Opposites, Ellipsis, A Celebration of Endings, The Myth of the Happily Ever After and Futique). 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
[edit]Biffy Clyro
[edit]
Born in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland and raised 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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]
The following is a list of musical equipment used by Simon Neil:
Guitars
[edit]Electric
- Fender Standard Stratocasters[16] – Various different Mexican models, including White, Red, Sunburst (with neck pickup & controls removed), Black, and Metallic Blue.
- Fender 1960 Custom Shop Stratocasters[16] – Fiesta Red, Frost Metallic, Lake Placid Blue, and White.
- Fender 50s Stratocaster Relic[16]
- Fender Telecaster Standard[16] – USA model, owned by James Johnston, three tone sunburst, can be seen in the music video for "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies".
- Fender Telecaster '62 Custom[16] – Japanese model, three tone sunburst, can be seen in the music video for "Only One Word Comes to Mind".
- Fender Telecaster Custom 1972 reissue, black. Can be seen in the music video for "Mountains".
- Squier Simon Neil Signature Stratocaster[16]
- Patrick Eggle New York[16] – Red.
- Gretsch White Falcon Used live for the song "Diary of Always" and is seen in the music video for "Folding Stars"
- Gibson ES-335 – used live for "God & Satan"
- Gretsch G2420T – used for music video of "Howl".
Effects pedals
[edit]- Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner[16]
- Boss MD-2 Distortion[16]
- Boss MT-2 Metal Zone[16]
- Boss DD-6 Digital Delay[16]
- Boss LS-2 Line Selector[17]
- Origin Effects Cali76 Compressor[16]
Previous effects pedals
[edit]- Boss DS-1 Distortion[16]
- Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal[16]
- Dunlop Cry Baby Wah Wah[17]
- Electro Harmonix Micro POG[17]
Amplifiers
[edit]- Peavey Delta Blues Combo[16]
- Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 Combo
- Marshall 1959SLP Head[16]
- Peavey Classic Head[16] and Peavey Classic 412 Cabinet[16]
- Hayden MoFo 30W tube head with Hayden 4x12[16]
- Fender Super Sonic 100 BLK Head[16]
- Kemper Profiler Head[16]
Discography
[edit]Biffy Clyro
[edit]- Blackened Sky (2002)
- The Vertigo of Bliss (2003)
- Infinity Land (2004)
- Puzzle (2007)
- Only Revolutions (2009)
- Opposites (2013)
- Ellipsis (2016)
- MTV Unplugged: Live at Roundhouse, London (2018)
- Balance, Not Symmetry (2019)
- A Celebration of Endings (2020)
- The Myth of the Happily Ever After (2021)
- Futique (2025)
Marmaduke Duke
[edit]- The Magnificent Duke (2005)
- Duke Pandemonium (2009)
Empire State Bastard
[edit]- Rivers of Heresy (2023)
Other appearances
[edit]| Year | Song | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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" | Krokodil | Nachash |
| 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 |
References
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Simon Neil.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100 on 8/9/2023". Official Charts. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart on 8/9/2023". Official Charts. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 8/9/2023". Official Charts. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ "BIFFY CLYRO". Official Charts. 16 February 2002. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
- ^ Biffy Clyro Biography Archived 8 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine on Beggar's Banquet USA
- ^ "BRITs Profile: Biffy Clyro" Archived 9 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Brits.co.uk. Retrieved 28 March 2013
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Empire State Bastard Feat. Dave Lombardo: Debut Single 'Harvest' Available Now". Blabbermouth.net. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ Ayshire Post, 9 January 2008, Sweet music
- ^ "Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil to present six genre-focused shows for BBC Radio Scotland". NME. 2 June 2021.
- ^ "Premier League predictions: Lawro v Biffy Clyro singer Simon Neil". BBC Sport. May 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u BiffyTabs Equipment – Simon Archived 7 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c "Biffy Clyro – Simon Neil Guitar Rig Gear and Equipment". uberproaudio.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2009.
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Simon Neil
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Childhood and family
Simon Neil was born on 31 August 1979 in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland.[10] He was raised primarily in Ayr, also in North Ayrshire, where he spent much of his early years in the close-knit coastal community of Ayrshire.[11] The region's small-town atmosphere, characterized by its rugged landscapes and tight community bonds, contributed to Neil's formative experiences, fostering a sense of resilience and creativity amid the limited entertainment options available during his youth.[12] Neil grew up in a working-class family, with his father, Gordon, employed as a builder, and his mother, Eleanor, working as a police officer.[12] His parents provided a supportive environment that encouraged his initial foray into music; at the age of four in 1984, Neil began playing the violin, an early exposure that laid the groundwork for his lifelong passion for performance, though he later shifted toward rock influences.[13] Little is publicly known about any siblings, but Neil has described his family as a stabilizing force during his childhood in Ayrshire.[12] As a child, Neil experienced the everyday rhythms of life in Ayrshire, which instilled in him a deep connection to Scottish roots, influencing his unpretentious outlook and communal spirit.[12]Education and early influences
Simon Neil was educated at Prestwick Academy in South Ayrshire, Scotland. After completing secondary school, he relocated to Glasgow in 1997 to pursue higher education at the University of Glasgow, where he studied Electronics with Music.[1][14] Neil's early musical exposure began at age four in 1984, when he started learning the violin, an instrument he played until around age ten. At that point, inspired by rock music, he set aside the violin and picked up the guitar as his primary instrument; his first guitar was a Squier Stratocaster, on which he practiced songs by Nirvana. Key formative influences during his teenage years included American rock acts such as Nirvana—which Neil has credited as the band that inspired him to take up the guitar—Guns N' Roses, Pearl Jam, and Weezer, shaping his initial songwriting and performance style.[15][16][17] At age 15 in 1995, Neil formed his first band, initially named Skrewfish (sometimes stylized as Screwfish), with school friends and twin brothers Ben and James Johnston from Kilmarnock; the group rehearsed in garages and local spaces, performing original material for about two years before adopting the name Biffy Clyro. This early project emerged from the Ayrshire music scene, where Neil and the Johnstons bonded over shared interests in alternative rock amid limited local opportunities.[18][17][19] Neil's violin training from childhood significantly influenced his guitar technique, leading him to employ all four fingers consistently in chord formations—a habit uncommon among typical guitarists—which contributed to his distinctive, versatile playing style emphasizing emotional intensity and unconventional phrasing.[20]Career
Biffy Clyro
Simon Neil serves as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and lead guitarist for Biffy Clyro, contributing to all of the band's studio albums since their formation in 1995.[21] His songwriting and performances have been central to the band's evolution from post-hardcore roots to mainstream alternative rock success, with multiple albums achieving platinum status in the UK.[22] The band's studio discography spans ten albums, beginning with their debut Blackened Sky and culminating in the 2025 release Futique. These works showcase Neil's consistent credits for lead vocals and guitar across every track, often co-producing or arranging alongside bandmates Ben and James Johnston.[23] Below is a summary of the studio albums, including release dates, labels, and peak UK Albums Chart positions.| Album Title | Release Date | Label | UK Peak Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackened Sky | 11 March 2002 | Beggars Banquet Records | 78 |
| The Vertigo of Bliss | 16 June 2003 | Beggars Banquet Records | 48 |
| Infinity Land | 4 October 2004 | Beggars Banquet Records | 47 |
| Puzzle | 2 July 2007 | 14th Floor Records | 2 |
| Only Revolutions | 9 November 2009 | 14th Floor Records | 3 |
| Opposites | 28 January 2013 | 14th Floor Records | 1 |
| Ellipsis | 8 July 2016 | 14th Floor Records / Warner Bros. | 1 |
| A Celebration of Endings | 14 August 2020 | 14th Floor Records | 1 |
| The Myth of the Happily Ever After | 22 October 2021 | 14th Floor Records | 4 |
| Futique | 19 September 2025 | Warner Records | 1 |
Side projects
Simon Neil co-founded the experimental rock duo Marmaduke Duke in 2003 with JP Reid of Sucioperro, serving as the project's primary vocalist, keyboardist, and co-songwriter.[26] The duo released their debut album, The Magnificent Duke, on April 14, 2005, via Captains of Industry Records, structured conceptually around "explodes" (heavy tracks) and "implodes" (acoustic tracks) sections. Neil handled vocals, keyboards, and co-production alongside Reid.[27] The album's track listing is as follows:- "The Red & the Number" (2:43)
- "An Egyptian and an Imposter" (2:33)
- "Fridge and Fromage" (2:40)
- "The Kill and the Kure" (3:03)
- "A Fox and a Cake" (2:16)
- "Piggery and Peccary" (2:30)
- "The Kiss and the Consonant" (2:52)
- "A Conspiracy and a Devil" (2:07)
- "Rubber Lover" (2:51)
- "An Imposter and a Magician" (2:32)
- "Village and Minotaur" (3:14)
- "The Beaver and the Rabbit" (1:56)
- "A Curse and a Coyote" (1:55)
- "The Old and the Young" (2:40)
- "The Quiet and the Damned" (2:21)
- "The Hero and the Zero" (2:41)
- "The Birth and the Death" (hidden track, 1:37)
- "Heartburn" (3:43)
- "Everybody Dance" (2:48)
- "Silhouettes" (2:17)
- "Music Show" (3:25)
- "Kid Gloves" (3:33)
- "Demon" (7:35)
- "Erotic Robotic" (3:52)
- "Je Suis Un Funky Homme" (3:35)
- "Skin the Mofo" (2:41)
- "The Kiss of the Coyote" (1:36)
- "Harvest" (2:50)
- "Blusher" (2:44)
- "Moi?" (4:23)
- "Tired, Aye?" (2:43)
- "Sons and Daughters" (5:37)
- "Stutter" (2:20)
- "Palms of Hands" (2:24)
- "Dusty" (2:13)
- "Sold!" (3:29)
- "The Looming" (6:39)
Solo work
Simon Neil's primary solo endeavor is his electronic project ZZC, which he launched as a personal outlet following the death of his mother in 2013.[34] The project allowed Neil to explore dance-oriented and experimental sounds distinct from Biffy Clyro's rock style, serving as a therapeutic process to channel grief into music.[34] He described the work as "weird" and surprising, emphasizing its electronic nature with minimal guitar elements—only one track on the planned album featured the instrument.[35] ZZC debuted with the single "To the Bone," a seven-minute instrumental track contributed to the BBC Radio 1 Rescores: Drive project curated by Zane Lowe in 2014.[36] The song was first aired on Lowe's show and featured alongside contributions from artists like CHVRCHES and Foals, reimagining the soundtrack to the film Drive.[37] Neil completed a full ZZC album by 2016, intended for release in 2017, but it remains unreleased as a standalone project.[35][34] Elements of the ZZC album surfaced in 2019 through Neil's contributions to the soundtrack for the film Balance, Not Symmetry, which he co-wrote with director Corin Hardy.[38] The 17-track album, credited to Biffy Clyro but incorporating solo material, includes two ZZC compositions: the electronic "Fever Dream" and the riff-driven "Plead."[39] These pieces highlight Neil's solo electronic leanings, blending programmed beats and atmospheric production with themes of loss and recovery central to the film's narrative.[40] As of 2025, Neil has not announced further solo releases under ZZC or otherwise, focusing instead on Biffy Clyro's ongoing work, though he has expressed interest in revisiting the project.[32]Personal life
Family
Simon Neil married his longtime girlfriend, Francesca Pieroni, in January 2008 in a low-key ceremony attended by family and close friends.[10][41] Francesca, a secondary school teacher, has been a steadfast presence in Neil's life, with him noting in interviews that she has "put up with an awful lot over the years" amid the demands of his music career.[12][41] The couple resides in a quiet home near Glasgow, Scotland, maintaining a close-knit life that includes three dogs, forming what Neil describes as a "two-person, three-canine household."[42] This Scottish base provides a grounding contrast to the band's extensive global touring, allowing Neil to prioritize family time during breaks from the road; he has emphasized how returning home helps him recharge after intense periods of performance and travel.[43] Neil has publicly credited his wife with offering crucial emotional support through both triumphs and challenges in his professional journey, including the band's breakthroughs with albums like Opposites and personal struggles during long tours.[12][44] Their relationship has inspired elements of his songwriting, such as tracks reflecting on enduring partnership amid career pressures.[45]Health and activism
In 2013 and 2014, Simon Neil experienced severe mental health challenges, including anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and a nervous breakdown, exacerbated by the relentless touring schedule for Biffy Clyro's album Opposites and personal losses such as the deaths of close family members and friends.[46][43][47] These struggles culminated in Neil being hospitalized for respiratory issues during a North American tour in April 2013, prompting the cancellation of several shows and an unplanned hiatus for the band that lasted until 2016.[48][49] The breakdown, which Neil later described as the "most terrifying moment of my life," forced the group to pause activities, allowing time for recovery amid fears of the band's dissolution.[50][43] Neil has openly discussed his therapy experiences, particularly in recent years, highlighting how professional support helped him address perfectionism and burnout. In 2025 interviews, he revealed revisiting therapy to manage an "unhealthy relationship" with his music and performances, learning that he did not need to exert 100% effort in every moment to avoid exhaustion.[47][42] This process included meditation practices that initially intensified existential thoughts but ultimately fostered greater self-compassion and balance in his creative life.[51] Earlier therapy following his 2014 breakdown also played a key role in rebuilding his mental resilience, enabling him to confront the pressures of fame and personal grief.[49] As part of his advocacy efforts, Neil has supported mental health initiatives focused on artists and young men, including collaborations with charities like the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) to discuss grief and suicide prevention.[52] He contributed vocals to the 2021 track "Nervous" by While She Sleeps, an anthem addressing anxiety and the desire for normalcy, aimed at raising awareness in the music community.[53] Through public interviews and platforms like Radio X's Mental Health Tool Kit, Neil has spoken candidly about toxic masculinity and the importance of vulnerability, urging others in the industry to seek help and share experiences to combat stigma.[54] Neil's recovery profoundly shaped his post-2016 career, infusing Biffy Clyro's music with raw emotional depth, as seen in albums like Ellipsis (2016), which channeled his "terrible headspace" into introspective songwriting.[50] This period marked a shift toward more sustainable performances, where therapy insights allowed him to prioritize well-being over perfection, contributing to the band's sustained success, including arena tours and critically acclaimed releases like A Celebration of Endings (2020).[51] By integrating mental health themes into his work, Neil's journey has influenced a more authentic stage presence and lyrical honesty, resonating with fans and fostering ongoing discussions in rock music.[55]Musical equipment
Guitars
Simon Neil's guitar preferences have evolved from his early reliance on Fender Stratocasters, which he adopted around 1995 for their versatility in delivering the angular riffs central to Biffy Clyro's sound, to incorporating Gibson models in recent years for added tonal depth in studio work.[56] This shift reflects a broadening of his palette while maintaining a core affinity for Fender designs, particularly '60s-inspired Stratocasters equipped with Texas Special pickups, which he plays high on the strap for enhanced comfort during live performances.[56] His primary electric guitars include several Fender Stratocaster variants, such as Custom Shop Heavy Relic '63 models used extensively in live settings for their worn-in feel and reliable tone.[57] For the recording of Biffy Clyro's tenth studio album Futique (2025), Neil used a 1990s Fender Champ Stratocaster—a compact Stratocaster model with a built-in Champ amp speaker—as one of the main guitars, praising its dynamite tone for studio applications.[58] In a notable departure, Neil acquired a Gibson Custom Shop 'Greeny' Les Paul reissue in 2023, inspired by its historical significance and Kirk Hammett's use of the original 1959 model; he values its out-of-phase middle pickup position for a Strat-like quack and has featured it on Biffy Clyro's tenth album, Futique, including tracks like "A Thousand And One" and "It’s Chemical!".[59] For more subdued passages, he turns to semi-hollowbody guitars such as a Gibson ES-335 and a Gretsch model, which provide warmer, resonant tones suited to the band's dynamic shifts.[56] Neil's signature gear centers on the Squier Simon Neil Stratocaster, a budget-friendly production model based on his personal Fender Custom Shop '60s Time Machine Stratocaster, featuring a Fiesta Red alder body, vintage-tint maple neck, and custom single-coil pickups blending Alnico 3 and 5 magnets for a bright, articulate response ideal for rock riffing.[60] [61] Custom builds in his collection include two Manson guitars: an MA-2 with an aluminum scratchplate and a burst-finished Manson Works Custom, both employed during the recording of Biffy Clyro's Opposites album for their tailored ergonomics and sustain.[62] These instruments underscore Neil's preference for modifications that enhance playability and projection on tour.Amplifiers and effects
Simon Neil's amplification setup has evolved to support Biffy Clyro's dynamic range, from crystalline cleans to high-gain distortion, primarily through a multi-amp configuration in live performances. His core live rig features a Fender Super-Sonic 100 head, which provides the band's signature clean tones via its Bassman channel with subtle overdrive when pushed.[57][56] For dirtier sounds, he relies on a Marshall 1959SLP 100-watt Plexi head, often stacked for added power and sustain, delivering the aggressive crunch central to tracks like those on Infinity Land and later albums.[57][63] Earlier in his career, Neil used a Peavey Bandit for rehearsals and initial recordings, favoring its versatile solid-state drive before transitioning to tube amps for richer harmonics.[57] In recent years, Neil has incorporated digital modeling with two Kemper Profiler power heads to expand tonal options without additional physical stacks, allowing seamless switching between amp emulations during tours.[57] This setup, refined with input from guitar tech Richard Pratt, balances vintage tube warmth from the Fender and Marshall with modern profiling for reliability on large stages.[64] Neil's effects chain emphasizes simplicity and high-impact processing, routed to specific amps for blended tones. Current pedals include the Boss DD-3 Digital Delay for ambient echoes and rhythmic repeats, often panned across stereo amps to create immersive soundscapes in songs like "Space."[57][64] Distortion comes from the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone, providing mid-focused aggression that cuts through the mix, alongside the Boss MD-2 Mega Distortion for tighter, modern gain stages.[57][56] His signature Gone Fishing Effects Booooom / Blast pedal, introduced in 2020 and updated to version 3.0 by 2024, serves as a dual fuzz/distortion unit, capturing his iconic wall-of-sound leads.[57][65] Other staples include the EarthQuaker Devices Sunn O))) Life Pedal for doom-laden fuzz and the Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Deluxe compressor, rack-mounted to sustain chords across the full rig.[57][56] Previously, Neil employed the Boss DS-1 for milder overdrive in the mid-2000s, which has since been phased out in favor of the more versatile Metal Zone and signature pedal for greater dynamic control.[57] The Electro-Harmonix POG2 Polyphonic Octave Generator adds sub-octave depth for heavier riffs, while the Green Carrot Pedals Infatuator provides custom modulation tailored to live needs.[57] Neil's rig philosophy centers on blending vintage amplification—evoking classic rock grit—with contemporary effects to achieve Biffy Clyro's explosive yet nuanced sound, enabling rapid shifts from quiet arpeggios to massive choruses without compromising clarity.[64][56] This approach, honed over decades, prioritizes stage volume and tonal flexibility, as seen in the three-amp backbone that powers arena tours.[63]Discography
Biffy Clyro
Simon Neil serves as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and lead guitarist for Biffy Clyro, contributing to all of the band's studio albums since their formation in 1995.[21] His songwriting and performances have been central to the band's evolution from post-hardcore roots to mainstream alternative rock success, with multiple albums achieving platinum status in the UK.[22] The band's studio discography spans ten albums, beginning with their debut Blackened Sky and culminating in the 2025 release Futique. These works showcase Neil's consistent credits for lead vocals and guitar across every track, often co-producing or arranging alongside bandmates Ben and James Johnston.[23] Below is a summary of the studio albums, including release dates, labels, and peak UK Albums Chart positions.| Album Title | Release Date | Label | UK Peak Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackened Sky | 11 March 2002 | Beggars Banquet Records | 78 |
| The Vertigo of Bliss | 16 June 2003 | Beggars Banquet Records | 48 |
| Infinity Land | 4 October 2004 | Beggars Banquet Records | 47 |
| Puzzle | 2 July 2007 | 14th Floor Records | 2 |
| Only Revolutions | 9 November 2009 | 14th Floor Records | 3 |
| Opposites | 28 January 2013 | 14th Floor Records | 1 |
| Ellipsis | 8 July 2016 | 14th Floor Records / Warner Bros. | 1 |
| A Celebration of Endings | 14 August 2020 | 14th Floor Records | 1 |
| The Myth of the Happily Ever After | 22 October 2021 | 14th Floor Records | 3 |
| Futique | 19 September 2025 | Warner Records | 1 |
Side projects
Simon Neil co-founded the experimental rock duo Marmaduke Duke in 2003 with JP Reid of Sucioperro, serving as the project's primary vocalist, keyboardist, and co-songwriter.[26] The duo released their debut album, The Magnificent Duke, on April 14, 2005, via Captains of Industry Records, structured conceptually around "explodes" (heavy tracks) and "implodes" (acoustic tracks) sections. Neil handled vocals, keyboards, and co-production alongside Reid.[27] The album's track listing is as follows:- "The Red & the Number" (2:43)
- "An Egyptian and an Imposter" (2:33)
- "Fridge and Fromage" (2:40)
- "The Kill and the Kure" (3:03)
- "A Fox and a Cake" (2:16)
- "Piggery and Peccary" (2:30)
- "The Kiss and the Consonant" (2:52)
- "A Conspiracy and a Devil" (2:07)
- "Rubber Lover" (2:51)
- "An Imposter and a Magician" (2:32)
- "Village and Minotaur" (3:14)
- "The Beaver and the Rabbit" (1:56)
- "A Curse and a Coyote" (1:55)
- "The Old and the Young" (2:40)
- "The Quiet and the Damned" (2:21)
- "The Hero and the Zero" (2:41)
- "The Birth and the Death" (hidden track, 1:37)
- "Heartburn" (3:43)
- "Everybody Dance" (2:48)
- "Silhouettes" (2:17)
- "Music Show" (3:25)
- "Kid Gloves" (3:33)
- "Demon" (7:35)
- "Erotic Robotic" (3:52)
- "Je Suis Un Funky Homme" (3:35)
- "Skin the Mofo" (2:41)
- "The Kiss of the Coyote" (1:36)
- "Harvest" (3:39)
- "Stone" (3:22)
- "Tangle of Arsonists" (3:45)
- "The Looming" (3:28)
- "Maelstrom" (2:49)
- "Time Stretch" (4:20)
- "The Bastard Anthem" (3:40)
- "Heretic" (3:44)
- "Palace of Monsters" (3:22)
- "Total Control" (3:37)