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Simon Neil

By adminAugust 19, 2016November 30, 2018The Irvinites
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 42)
Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland
OriginIrvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland
GenresAlternative rock, post-hardcore
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, record producer
InstrumentsVocals, 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 and Marmaduke Duke.

Contents

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

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] Neil is a lifelong fan of the football team Rangers.

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

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
Articles
  • Discography
  • Beggars Banquet
  • 14th Floor Records
  • Chris Sheldon
  • Mark Z. Danielewski
Bands
  • Marmaduke Duke
  • British Theatre
  • Oceansize
  • Sucioperro
  • Aereogramme
Authority control Edit this at Wikidata
General
  • VIAF
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  • WorldCat
National libraries
  • Germany
  • Italy
Other
  • MusicBrainz artist
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Neil
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