Simon Neil
Encyclopedia
Simon Alexander Neil is a Scottish
vocalist, guitarist
, and songwriter
, known for his work in the bands Biffy Clyro
and Marmaduke Duke
.
Simon Neil formed Biffy Clyro in 1995 at 15 years old recruiting Kilmarnock
-born James Johnston
and someone known only as Barry on drums and bass respectively, calling themselves Screwfish. Barry was soon replaced by Ben Johnston
, James'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 greatly; In 2000, the band were spotted at the Unsigned Bands stage at T in the Park
by a Beggars Banquet
representative. Soon after, the band was signed to the independent
Beggar's Banquet.
Biffy Clyro have since released five 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 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 9 February 2009.
, refers both to the Beach Boys song lyric and to his wife Francesca. It was the first song they danced to.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
vocalist, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, known for his work in the bands Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro
Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
and Marmaduke Duke
Marmaduke Duke
Marmaduke Duke are a 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. According to Neil, the band, and its albums, are "based on a trilogy of unreleased...
.
Biffy Clyro
Simon Neil formed Biffy Clyro in 1995 at 15 years old recruiting Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
-born James Johnston
James Johnston (Scottish musician)
James Roberto Johnston is a bassist, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for his work with Scottish group Biffy Clyro...
and someone known only as Barry on drums and bass respectively, calling themselves Screwfish. Barry was soon replaced by Ben Johnston
Ben Johnston (Scottish musician)
Ben Hamilton Johnston is a drummer, vocalist, and songwriter, best known for his work with Scottish group Biffy Clyro.-Early life:...
, James's twin brother, and Biffy Clyro was effectively formed. In 1997, the trio moved to Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, where Neil studied Electronics with Music at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
. He also Studied Film and TV for a year before leaving to pursue music full time. By then, Simon's musical tastes had expanded greatly; In 2000, the band were spotted at the Unsigned Bands stage at T in the Park
T in the Park
T in the Park is a major British music festival that has been held annually since 1994. It is named after its main sponsor, the brewing company Tennents. It was originally held at Strathclyde Park, Lanarkshire but since 1997 has been held at a disused airfield in Balado, Kinross-shire...
by a Beggars Banquet
Beggars Banquet Records
Beggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
representative. Soon after, the band was signed to the independent
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
Beggar's Banquet.
Biffy Clyro have since released five 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.
Marmaduke Duke
Neil plays with JP Reid of fellow Ayrshire group SucioperroSucioperro
Sucioperro are a Scottish rock band from Ayrshire, formed in 2002. The band's name is a rough Spanish translation of "dirty dog".-Random Acts of Intimacy:...
in Marmaduke Duke
Marmaduke Duke
Marmaduke Duke are a 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. According to Neil, the band, and its albums, are "based on a trilogy of unreleased...
, under the pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
"The Atmosphere", which released their first album, The Magnificent Duke
The Magnificent Duke
The Magnificent Duke is the debut studio album by Scottish conceptual rock duo Marmaduke Duke, released on April 14, 2005, on Captains of Industry. The album initially had a limited run of 4000 copies...
, 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
Duke Pandemonium
Duke Pandemonium is the second studio album by Scottish conceptual rock duo Marmaduke Duke, released on the May 11, 2009 on 14th Floor Records. Band member JP Reid describes the album as "superfunky, supertight, superunique."...
. The first single from the second album, "Kid Gloves" was released on 9 February 2009.
Personal life
Neil lives in Ayr with his wife Francesca Neil, an English teacher at Cumnock Academy, whom he married at Ayr St Columba Church on 5 January 2008. A tattoo on Neil's chest, God Only Knows What I’d Be Without YouGod Only Knows
"God Only Knows" is a song by American rock band The Beach Boys. It is the eighth track on the group's 11th studio album, Pet Sounds , and one of their most widely recognized songs. "God Only Knows" was composed and produced by Brian Wilson with lyrics by Tony Asher and lead vocal by Carl...
, refers both to the Beach Boys song lyric and to his wife Francesca. It was the first song they danced to.
Guitars
Electric- Fender Standard StratocastersFender StratocasterThe Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
– Various different Mexican models, including White, Red, Sunburst (with neck pickup & controls removed), Black, and Metallic Blue. - Fender 1960 Custom Shop StratocastersFender StratocasterThe Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
– Fiesta Red, Frost Metallic, Lake Placid Blue, and White. - Fender 50s Stratocaster RelicFender StratocasterThe Fender Stratocaster, often referred to as "Strat", is a model of electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton, and Freddie Tavares in 1954, and manufactured continuously by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation to the present. It is a double-cutaway guitar, with an extended top...
- Fender Telecaster StandardFender TelecasterThe Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
– USA model, owned by James Johnston, three tone sunburst, can be seen in the music video for "Living is a Problem Because Everything DiesLiving Is a Problem Because Everything Dies"Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies" is the opening song on Scottish band Biffy Clyro's fourth album, Puzzle. It was released on 14 May 2007, as the second physical single from the album. The song itself, without any B-sides, was released as a digital download on 7 May 2007...
". - Fender Telecaster Custom '62Fender TelecasterThe Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
– Japanese model, three tone sunburst, can be seen in the music video for "Only one word comes to mind". - Squier Simon Neil Signature StratocasterSquier StratocasterThe Squier Stratocaster is an electric guitar based on the Stratocaster, manufactured and sold by Squier, a marque of Fender.-Origins:After Fender's decision to switch Squier's production from strings to guitars in 1982, the Stratocaster was one of the first models to be put under the Squier...
- Patrick Eggle New York – Red.
Effects pedals
- BOSS TU-2 Chromatic TunerBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
- BOSS MD-2 DistortionBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
- BOSS MT-2 Metal ZoneBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
- BOSS DD-6 Digital DelayBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
x2 - BOSS LS-2 Line SelectorBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
Previous effects pedals
- BOSS DS-1 DistortionBOSS DS-1The Boss DS-1 is a distortion pedal for guitar, manufactured by the Roland Corporation under the brand name Boss since 1978. The first distortion unit made by Boss, it has become a classic effect, used by many notable guitar players. Boss produced a successor, the DS-2.-Circuit design:The DS-1 has...
- BOSS HM-2 Heavy MetalBoss CorporationBoss is a manufacturer of effects pedals for electric guitar and bass guitar. It is a division of the Roland Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer that specializes in musical equipment and accessories...
- Dunlop Cry Baby Wah WahDunlop Cry BabyThe Dunlop Cry Baby is a popular wah-wah pedal, manufactured by Dunlop Manufacturing, Inc. It is the best selling guitar pedal of all time. The name Cry Baby was from the original pedal from which it was copied, the Thomas Organ/Vox Cry Baby wah-wah. Thomas Organ/Vox failed to register the name as...
Amplifiers
- Peavey Delta Blues ComboPeavey ElectronicsPeavey Electronics Corporation is one of the largest audio equipment manufacturers in the world, headquartered in Meridian, Mississippi in the United States.- History :...
into a Marshall MF400B Cabinet - Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 Combo into a Hayden Peacemaker 4x12
- Marshall 1959SLP HeadMarshall AmplificationMarshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
- Peavey Classic HeadPeavey ElectronicsPeavey Electronics Corporation is one of the largest audio equipment manufacturers in the world, headquartered in Meridian, Mississippi in the United States.- History :...
and Peavey Classic 412 Cabinet - Hayden MoFo 30W tube head with Hayden 4x12