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Simon Neil

By adminAugust 19, 2016November 30, 2018The Irvinites
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Contents

  • (Top)
  • 1Career
    • 1.1Biffy Clyro
    • 1.2Marmaduke Duke
    • 1.3Solo career
  • 2Personal life
  • 3Musical equipment used
    • 3.1Guitars
    • 3.2Effects pedals
    • 3.3Previous effects pedals
    • 3.4Amplifiers
  • 4Discography
    • 4.1Biffy Clyro
    • 4.2Marmaduke Duke
    • 4.3Other appearances
  • 5References
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    Scottish musician

    Simon Neil
    Neil at Rock am Ring 2013
    Neil at Rock am Ring 2013
    Background information
    Birth nameSimon Alexander Neil
    Born (1979-08-31) 31 August 1979 (age 43)
    Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland
    OriginIrvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland
    GenresAlternative rock, post-hardcore
    Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, record producer
    Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano
    Years active1995–present
    LabelsBeggars Banquet
    14th Floor
    Roadrunner
    Websitewww.biffyclyro.com
    Musical artist

    Simon Alexander Neil (born 31 August 1979) is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter.

    He is known for his work in the bands Biffy Clyro, Marmaduke Duke, and also new band with Mike Vennart, Empire state bastard.

    Career

    Biffy Clyro

    14-08-08 Taubertal Biffy Clyro Simon Neil 2
    Main article: Biffy Clyro

    Born in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland, Simon Neil formed Biffy Clyro in 1995 at 15 years old recruiting Kilmarnock-born Ben Johnston and someone known only as Barry on drums and bass respectively, calling themselves Skrewfish.[1] 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 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 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.

    Marmaduke Duke

    Main article: 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 9 February 2009.

    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

    Simon Neil

    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.[2]

    In 2021, he presented a series of shows on BBC Radio Scotland.[3]

    Musical equipment used

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

    Guitars

    Electric

    • Fender Standard Stratocasters[4] – Various different Mexican models, including White, Red, Sunburst (with neck pickup & controls removed), Black, and Metallic Blue.
    • Fender 1960 Custom Shop Stratocasters[4] – Fiesta Red, Frost Metallic, Lake Placid Blue, and White.
    • Fender 50s Stratocaster Relic[4]
    • Fender Telecaster Standard[4] – 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[4] – 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[4]
    • Patrick Eggle New York[4] – 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

    • BOSS TU-2 Chromatic Tuner[4]
    • BOSS MD-2 Distortion[4]
    • BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone[4]
    • BOSS DD-6 Digital Delay x2[4]
    • BOSS LS-2 Line Selector[5]
    • Origin Effects Cali76 Compressor[4]

    Previous effects pedals

    • BOSS DS-1 Distortion[4]
    • BOSS HM-2 Heavy Metal[4]
    • Dunlop Cry Baby Wah Wah[5]
    • Electro Harmonix Micro POG[5]

    Amplifiers

    • Peavey Delta Blues Combo[4]
    • Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 Combo
    • Marshall 1959SLP Head[4]
    • Peavey Classic Head[4] and Peavey Classic 412 Cabinet[4]
    • Hayden MoFo 30W tube head with Hayden 4x12[4]
    • Fender Super Sonic 100 BLK Head[4]
    • Kemper Profiling Amplifier PowerHead[4]

    Discography

    Biffy Clyro

    Main article: Biffy Clyro discography
    • 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)

    Marmaduke Duke

    • The Magnificent Duke (2005)
    • Duke Pandemonium (2009)

    Other appearances

    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)

    References

    1. ^ Biffy Clyro Biography Archived 8 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine on Beggar's Banquet USA
    2. ^ Ayshire Post, 9 January 2008, Sweet music
    3. ^ "Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil to present six genre-focused shows for BBC Radio Scotland". NME. 2 June 2021.
    4. ^ 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
    5. ^ a b c "Biffy Clyro – Simon Neil Guitar Rig Gear and Equipment". uberproaudio.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2009.
    Marmaduke Duke
    • JP Reid
    • Simon Neil
    Live members
    • Ben Johnston
    • James Johnston
    • Fergus Munro
    Studio albums
    • The Magnificent Duke
    • Duke Pandemonium
    Singles
    • "Rubber Lover"
    • "Silhouettes"
    Related articles
    • Biffy Clyro
    • Sucioperro
    • Captains of Industry
    Biffy Clyro
    • Simon Neil
    • James Johnston
    • Ben Johnston
    Studio albums
    • Blackened Sky
    • The Vertigo of Bliss
    • Infinity Land
    • Puzzle
    • Only Revolutions
    • Opposites
    • Ellipsis
    • A Celebration of Endings
    • The Myth of the Happily Ever After
    Soundtracks
    • Balance, Not Symmetry
    Live albums
    • Revolutions: Live at Wembley
    • Opposites: Live from Glasgow
    • MTV Unplugged: Live at Roundhouse, London
    Compilations
    • Singles 2001–2005
    • Missing Pieces
    • Lonely Revolutions
    • Blackened Sky B-Sides
    • The Vertigo of Bliss B-Sides
    • Infinity Land B-Sides
    • Similarities
    Extended plays
    • Thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow
    Singles
    • "Iname"
    • "27"
    • "Justboy"
    • "57"
    • "Joy.Discovery.Invention"
    • "Toys, Toys, Toys, Choke, Toys, Toys, Toys"
    • "The Ideal Height"
    • "Questions and Answers"
    • "Eradicate the Doubt"
    • "There's No Such Thing as a Jaggy Snake"
    • "Glitter and Trauma"
    • "My Recovery Injection"
    • "Only One Word Comes to Mind"
    • "Semi-Mental"
    • "Saturday Superhouse"
    • "Living Is a Problem Because Everything Dies"
    • "Folding Stars"
    • "Machines"
    • "Who's Got a Match?"
    • "Mountains"
    • "That Golden Rule"
    • "The Captain"
    • "Many of Horror"
    • "Bubbles"
    • "God & Satan"
    • "Black Chandelier"
    • "Biblical"
    • "Opposite"
    • "Victory Over the Sun"
    • "Wolves of Winter"
    • "Animal Style"
    • "Re-Arrange"
    Related articles
    • Discography
    • Mark Z. Danielewski
    • Marmaduke Duke
    • British Theatre
    • Oceansize
    • Sucioperro
    • Aereogramme
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    source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Neil
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