Watch: Biffy Clyro insist 'A Celebration of Endings' definitely isn't the end of the band
Simon Neil and the Johnston brothers talk with Absolute Radio's Ross Buchanan
Last updated 26th Oct 2020
To mark the release of Biffy Clyro's phenomenal and sonically diverse ninth studio album ‘A Celebration of Endings’ today (14th August), Simon Neil, James Johnston and Ben Johnston caught up with Absolute Radio’s Ross Buchanan to discuss the record and much more.
Despite the somewhat ominous album title, ever-genial Biffy Clyro frontman Simon Neil was quick to insist to Ross that ‘A Celebration of Endings’ most definitely doesn’t spell the end of the Scottish rock titans.
“This is our last official get together as Biffy Clyro, and it’s just for you Ross!,” Simon quipped. “You know what, life’s not ended yet, creativity has not ended yet, this is such an important part of who we are (making music). It would be almost impossible for us to relinquish this band at this point.
“I feel like we’ve been through everything we could have possibly been through as people, as friends, as family and as a band. I think it’s a strength now our relationship, and it would be a real shame to put an end to that for any reason. We’re gonna continue making music whether anyone wants us to or not!”
Featuring the Absolute Radio playlisted anthems ‘Instant History’ and ‘Tiny Indoor Fireworks’, the release of ‘A Celebration of Endings’ should have been heralded with a Biffy Clyro UK arena tour this coming autumn alongside shows in Ireland, Europe and Australia.
Obviously, the coronavirus pandemic put a stop to all of Biffy Clyro’s 2020 touring plans, so to tentatively dip their toes back into performing live, Biffy Clyro will play the brilliantly titled Fingered Crossed Tour in April 2021 taking in intimate venues in Liverpool, London, Cambridge, Sheffield, Southampton and Bristol.
Commenting on these tiny shows, Simon said: “It’s weird. I wish there was a different reason that we were doing smaller shows, but it feels like the only thing we can commit to and hopefully make happen.
“It still feels like so far away, it’s torture to be honest (not performing live) – not in the (grand) scheme of things, a lot of people have been put through the mill at the moment. We CANNOT wait. The venues won’t be able to contain us.”
Asked by Ross how they plan to celebrate the release of ‘A Celebration of Endings’ today in the middle of a pandemic, bassist and backing vocalist James Johnston replied: “I guess we’re so lucky to get the album out, there will be a lot of bands who won’t even have been able to release their records. It’s celebrating the fact the album’s out.”
For a band that has sold millions of records, headlined arenas, stadia and festivals around the globe, and gained one of the most loyal fanbases in music, Ross asked Biffy if they have any goals remaining.
For Simon Neil, his aspirations are purely artistic: “We have been very lucky. We’ve done more things than we possibly thought we would. I think the ambition now is purely artistic, it’s appreciating that at this stage of any artist’s or a band’s career, finding those new moments of inspiration that is what it’s all about and it’s obviously what I find inspiring and I think the boys do as well.
“Finding where we’re moving next is always the new goal, and that helps open up a new world with each album, and that’s why we work with trilogies to try and have a wider aim and bring them all together.”
Check out Ross’s full interview with Biffy Clyro below where they also talk about how it’s mind-blowing performing in front of tens of thousands of people, their individual favourite tracks on ‘A Celebration of Endings’, the story behind the unflinching lyricism on the song ‘Opaque’, the recording process, and how their eclectic melting pot of influences shape their records...
Watch Biffy Clyro discuss 'A Celebration of Endings':
We also asked Biffy Clyro fans to send us their questions to ask the boys, and they very kindly took the time to answer some. Enjoy them talking about each other's bad habits and more in the clip below!
Watch Biffy Clyro answer fan questions:
Biffy Clyro's upcoming Fingers Crossed Tour takes in the following shows:
APRIL 2021
Liverpool University Mountford Hall – Sun 11th
London O2 Forum Kentish Town – Mon 12th
Cambridge Corn Exchange – Tue 13th
Sheffield O2 Academy – Thu 15th
Southampton O2 Guildhall – Fri 16th
Bristol O2 Academy – Sat 17th