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{{short description|Scottish musician}}

{{Use British English|date=July 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| Name = Simon Neil Edwards
| name = Simon Neil
| Img = Simon neil.jpg
| image = Empire State Bastard, Tons of Rock, Oslo Norway (53849969832).jpg
| caption = Neil performing with Empire State Bastard at Tons of Rock 2024
| Img_capt =
| Img_size = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels -->
| image_size = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels -->
| Landscape =
| background = solo_singer
| Background = solo_singer
| birth_name = Simon Alexander Neil
| Birth_name = Simon Alexander Neil [Edwards]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1979|8|31}}
| Alias = The Atmosphere
| birth_place = [[Irvine, North Ayrshire]], Scotland
| Born = {{birth date and age|1979|8|31}}
| instrument = Vocals, guitar, piano
| Died =
| genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[post-hardcore]]
| occupation = Singer, musician, songwriter, record producer
| Origin = [[Ayr]], [[South Ayrshire]]<br />[[Scotland]]
| years_active = 1995–present
| Instrument = [[Vocals]], [[guitar]], [[Keyboard instrument|keyboard]], [[Piano]]
| current_member_of = {{hlist|[[Biffy Clyro]]|[[Marmaduke Duke]]|[[Empire State Bastard]]}}
| Genre =
| Occupation = [[Singer]], [[songwriter]], [[record producer]]
| Years_active = 1995 – present
| Label = [[Beggars Banquet Records|Beggars Banquet]]<br>14th Floor<br>[[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner]]
| Associated_acts = [[Biffy Clyro]]<br>[[Marmaduke Duke]]
| URL = [http://www.biffyclyro.com/ www.biffyclyro.com]
| Current_members =
| Past_members =
| Notable_instruments = [[Fender Stratocaster]]
}}
}}
'''Simon Alexander Neil''' (born [[31 August]] [[1979]] in [[Irvine, North Ayrshire]], [[Scotland]]) is a Scottish [[vocalist]], [[guitarist]], and [[songwriter]] best known for his work in the band [[Biffy Clyro]].


'''Simon Alexander Neil''' (born 31 August 1979) is a Scottish singer, guitarist and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and guitarist for rock band [[Biffy Clyro]]. In 2003, Neil formed the side project [[Marmaduke Duke]] with [[Sucioperro|JP Reid]], releasing two studio album's ''[[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 [[Lists of UK Rock & Metal Singles and Albums Charts number ones|Rock & Metal Albums Charts]] and sixty-nine in Germany.<ref>{{cite web |title=Official Albums Chart Top 100 on 8/9/2023 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20230908/7502/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=7 June 2024 |language=en |date=12 September 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart on 8/9/2023 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/rock-and-metal-albums-chart/20230908/112/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=7 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Official Scottish Albums Chart on 8/9/2023 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-albums-chart/20230908/40/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=7 June 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-522887 |website=www.offiziellecharts.de |access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref>
'''
==Personal life==
The Biffy Clyro album Infinity Land is dedicated to his mother Eleanor, who died shortly after its completion. The follow-up Puzzle was lyrically very heavily based around his loss and the difficulties he faced coming to terms with it. The song 'Folding Stars' is about, and was written exclusively for her. In January 2008 Neil married his girlfriend, English teacher Francesca Pieroni.<br>
<br>
On 16 September, during Jo Whiley's BBC Radio 1 show "The Live Lounge", Simon revealed that his party trick was to be able to keep up a football whilst playing [[Street Spirit]] by Radiohead


With Biffy Clyro, Neil has released nine studio albums, five of which have topped the [[Scottish Singles and Albums Charts|Scottish Albums Charts]] (''[[Puzzle (Biffy Clyro album)|Puzzle]]'', ''[[Opposites (album)|Opposites]]'', ''[[Ellipsis (Biffy Clyro album)|Ellipsis]]'', ''[[A Celebration of Endings]]'' and ''[[The Myth of the Happily Ever After]]''). 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=BIFFY CLYRO |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/10292/biffy-clyro/ |website=Official Charts |access-date=7 June 2024 |language=en |date=16 February 2002}}</ref>
==Career==

===Biffy Clyro===
== Career ==
[[File:Biffy Clyro topless.jpg|thumb|left| Neil performing with [[Biffy Clyro]] in July 2007.]]

=== Biffy Clyro ===
{{Main|Biffy Clyro}}
{{Main|Biffy Clyro}}
[[File:13-06-07 RaR Biffy Clyro Simon Neil 02.jpg|thumb|right|Neil performing with Biffy Clyro at [[Rock am Ring and Rock im Park|Rock am Ring]], Germany, 2013]]
Simon Neil formed Biffy Clyro in 1995 at sixteen years old recruiting [[Kilmarnock]]-born [[Ben Johnston (Scottish musician)|Ben Johnston]] and someone known only as Barry on drums and bass respectively, calling themselves Screwfish.<ref name=Beggars.bio>[http://www.beggars.com/us/biffyclyro/index.html Biffy Clyro Biography] on [[Beggar's Banquet Records|Beggar's Banquet USA]]</ref> Barry was soon replaced by [[James Johnston (Scottish musician)|James Johnston]], Ben's twin brother, and Biffy Clyro was effectively formed. In 1996, 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 Records|Beggars Banquet]] representative. Soon after, the band was signed to the [[Independent record label|independent]] Beggar's Banquet.


Born in [[Irvine, North Ayrshire]], [[Scotland]] and grown up in [[Ayr]], Neil formed a band in 1995 at 15 years old, recruiting [[Kilmarnock]]-based [[Ben Johnston (Scottish musician)|Ben Johnston]] and someone known only as Barry on drums and bass respectively, calling themselves Skrewfish.<ref name=Beggars.bio>[http://www.beggars.com/us/biffyclyro/index.html Biffy Clyro Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408171826/http://www.beggars.com/us/biffyclyro/index.html |date=8 April 2007 }} on [[Beggar's Banquet Records|Beggar's Banquet USA]]</ref> Barry was soon replaced by [[James Johnston (Scottish musician)|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 Records|Beggars Banquet]]. Soon after, the band was signed to the label.
Biffy Clyro have since released four 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. The band's erratic and sometimes strange song title's are said to come from skewed conversations and are sometimes very tenuously linked to the lyrical content.


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.<ref>[http://www.brits.co.uk/artist/biffy-clyro "BRITs Profile: Biffy Clyro"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109081103/http://www.brits.co.uk/artist/biffy-clyro |date=9 January 2013 }}. Brits.co.uk. Retrieved 28 March 2013</ref> At the [[List of NME Award winners#NME Awards 2013|2013 NME Awards]], they received the award for Best British Band.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/biffy-clyro/68958 |title=Biffy Clyro: 'NME Award makes us better than every single English band' &#124; News &#124; NME.COM |website=[[NME]] |access-date=20 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130604175710/http://www.nme.com/news/biffy-clyro/68958 |archive-date=4 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On 25 August 2013 Biffy Clyro headlined the main stage at [[Reading and Leeds Festivals|Reading and Leeds Festival]].
===Marmaduke Duke===

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/10292/biffy-clyro/|title=Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=3 May 2017}}</ref>

=== Marmaduke Duke ===
{{Main|Marmaduke Duke}}
{{Main|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.
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 upon Tyne|Newcastle]], [[Cardiff]], and [[Birmingham]]. On the 9th of June, 2009, they were added to the [[Reading and Leeds Festivals|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 (Scottish musician)|James Johnston]] (bass, vocals) and drummers Fergus Munro and [[Ben Johnston (Scottish musician)|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 (band)|Public Enemy]]'s [[Flavor Flav]] or the [[Happy Mondays]]' [[Mark "Bez" Berry|Bez]].
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]]. This album showed a difference in musical genre compared to the first album, which showed a post-hardcore, acoustic and Ambient feel to the band. Duke Pandemonium shows a more funky and electronic feel. The first single from the second album entitled Kid Gloves was released on February the 9th.


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?".<ref>{{cite web |title=DiS meets Simon Neil in his Marmaduke Duke guise / In Depth // Drowned In Sound |url=http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4136231-dis-meets-simon-neil-in-his-marmaduke-duke-guise |access-date=7 June 2024 |date=10 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610213344/http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4136231-dis-meets-simon-neil-in-his-marmaduke-duke-guise |archive-date=10 June 2020 }}</ref>
==Other work==
Neil has been a guest vocalist with fellow Scottish bands such as [[Sucioperro]] on one of their early EP's, Why Bliss Destroy. Neil has also made an appearance on one of [[Aereogramme]]'s early EP's. He appeared as a guest vocalist on the second album 'Grey Britain' by [[Gallows]]. He sings on the track "Graves". Simon contributed with backing vocals in the songs "Here's to Love (acoustic)" and "My Doe, Part 1 (acoustic)" on the album [[the Matches album 4, unreleased; graphics? title? or not needed?]] of the American band [[The Matches]].


=== Empire State Bastard ===
==Musical equipment used==
[[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,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trendell |first=Andrew |date=2020-08-18 |title=In Conversation with Biffy Clyro: "We've already got a sprawling new sister record coming" |url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/in-conversation-with-biffy-clyro-weve-already-got-a-sprawling-new-sister-record-coming-2731250 |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> with Mike writing the songs and recording all guitars, and Simon focused on vocals and lyrics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-24 |title=Empire State Bastard Feat. Dave Lombardo: Debut Single 'Harvest' Available Now |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/empire-state-bastard-feat-dave-lombardo-debut-single-harvest-available-now |access-date=2023-04-09 |website=Blabbermouth.net |language=en}}</ref> 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 ===

Neil performs under the name ZZC. His debut single, "To the Bone", was used in the [[BBC]]'s '[[BBC Radio 1|Radio 1]] Rescores: [[Drive (2011 film)|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 (album)|Balance, Not Symmetry]].

== Personal life ==

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.<ref name="sweet_music">''Ayshire Post'', 9 January 2008, [http://www.ayrshirepost.net/tm_headline=sweet-music&method=full&objectid=20331401&siteid=73592-name_page.html Sweet music]</ref>

In 2021, he presented a series of shows on [[BBC Radio Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/biffy-clyros-simon-neil-to-present-six-genre-focused-shows-for-bbc-radio-scotland-2953950 | title=Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil to present six genre-focused shows for BBC Radio Scotland | website=[[NME]] | date=2 June 2021 }}</ref>
Neil is an avid fan of [[Rangers F.C.]] and attended matches at Ibrox Stadium in his youth.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27240312 | title=Premier League predictions: Lawro v Biffy Clyro singer Simon Neil | work=BBC Sport | date=May 2014 }}</ref>

== Musical equipment used ==
[[File:14-08-08 Taubertal Biffy Clyro Simon Neil 2.JPG|thumb|right|Neil performing with Biffy Clyro, using one of his many guitars]]
The following is a list of musical equipment used by Simon Neil:
The following is a list of musical equipment used by Simon Neil:
===Guitars===
* [[Fender Stratocaster|Fender Standard Stratocasters]]<ref name=BiffyTabs>[http://www.biffytabs.biffierthanthou.com/e_si.htm BiffyTabs Equipment – Simon]</ref> – Various different Mexican models, including White, Red, Sunburst (with neck pickup & controls removed), Black, and Metallic Blue.
* [[Fender Stratocaster|Fender 1960 Custom Stratocasters]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/> – Fiesta Red, Frost Metallic, Lake Placid Blue, and White.
* [[Fender Stratocaster|Fender 50s Stratocaster Relic]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/>
* [[Fender Telecaster|Fender Telecaster Standard]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/> – USA model, three tone sunburst, can be seen in the music video for "[[Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies]]".
* [[Fender Telecaster|Fender Telecaster Custom '62]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/> – Japanese model, three tone sunburst, can be seen in the music video for "Only one word comes to mind".
* [[Fender Telecaster Custom|Fender Telecaster Custom '72 Reissue]] Black, seen in [[Mountains (Biffy Clyro song)|Mountains]] video
* [[Gretsch White Falcon|Gretsch G6136DC White Falcon]] – White, can be seen in the music video for "[[Folding Stars]]".
* Patrick Eggle New York<ref name=BiffyTabs/> – Red.
* [[Gibson Flying V]]{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}} – used in the studio for "[[Infinity Land|Pause It And Turn It Up]]"
* [[Gibson Les Paul Junior]]{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}} – used in the studio for ''[[Puzzle (Biffy Clyro album)|Puzzle]]''.
* Various acoustic guitars
* [[Guild Guitar Company|Guild D-55 Acoustic Guitar]] - used in the video for "[[Virgin Radio Session]]"
* [[Squier Stratocaster]] - Simon Neil Signature Model - Fiesta Red
* [[Taylor GS8]] - Tobacco Sunburst
* [[Taylor 714CE]] - Natural
{{Expand list|date=August 2008}}


===Effects pedals===
=== Guitars ===
''Electric''
* [[Boss Corporation|BOSS TU-2 Chromatic Tuner]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/>
* [[Fender Stratocaster|Fender Standard Stratocasters]]<ref name=BiffyTabs>[http://www.biffytabs.biffierthanthou.com/e_si.htm BiffyTabs Equipment – Simon] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007202112/http://www.biffytabs.biffierthanthou.com/e_si.htm |date=7 October 2007 }}</ref> – Various different Mexican models, including White, Red, Sunburst (with neck pickup & controls removed), Black, and Metallic Blue.
* [[BOSS DS-1|BOSS DS-1 Distortion]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/>
* [[Boss Corporation|BOSS MD-2 Distortion]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/>
* [[Fender Stratocaster|Fender 1960 Custom Shop Stratocasters]]<ref name=BiffyTabs /> – Fiesta Red, Frost Metallic, Lake Placid Blue, and White.
* [[Boss Corporation|BOSS HM-2 Heavy Metal]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/>
* [[Fender Stratocaster|Fender 50s Stratocaster Relic]]<ref name=BiffyTabs />
* [[Fender Telecaster]] Standard<ref name=BiffyTabs /> – USA model, owned by James Johnston, three tone sunburst, can be seen in the music video for "[[Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies]]".
* [[Boss Corporation|BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/>
* [[Fender Telecaster]] '62 Custom<ref name=BiffyTabs /> – Japanese model, three tone sunburst, can be seen in the music video for "Only One Word Comes to Mind".
* [[Boss Corporation|BOSS DD-6 Digital Delay]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/>
* [[Fender Telecaster Custom]] 1972 reissue, black. Can be seen in the music video for "Mountains".
* [[Boss Corporation|BOSS LS-2 Line Selector]]<ref name=UberProAudio/>
* [[Squier Stratocaster|Squier Simon Neil Signature Stratocaster]]<ref name=BiffyTabs />
* [[Dunlop Cry Baby|Dunlop Cry Baby Wah Wah]]<ref name=UberProAudio>[http://www.uberproaudio.com/content/view/530/38/ Biffy Clyro - Simon Neil Guitar Rig Gear and Equipment]</ref>
* [[Behringer|Blues Overdrive BO-100]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/>
* [[Patrick Eggle]] New York<ref name=BiffyTabs /> – Red.
* [[Gretsch White Falcon]] Used live for the song "Diary of Always" and is seen in the music video for "[[Folding Stars]]"
* [[Boss Corporation|BOSS RC-2 Loop Station]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/>
* [[Gibson ES-335]] – used live for "God & Satan"
{{Expand list|date=August 2008}}
* Gretsch G2420T – used for music video of "Howl".


===Amplifiers===
=== Effects pedals ===
* [[Marshall Amplification|Marshall 1959SLP Head]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/> and Marshall 1960A Cabinet<ref name=BiffyTabs/> (x2)
* [[Boss Corporation|Boss]] TU-2 Chromatic Tuner<ref name=BiffyTabs />
* [[Peavey Electronics|Peavey Classic Head]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/> and Peavey Classic 1x15 Cabinet<ref name=BiffyTabs/>
* Boss MD-2 Distortion<ref name=BiffyTabs />
* [[Peavey Electronics|Peavey Delta Blues Combo]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/> (x2)
* Boss [[Boss MT-2|MT-2 Metal Zone]]<ref name=BiffyTabs />
* [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 Combo]]<ref name=BiffyTabs/> (x2)
* Boss DD-6 Digital Delay<ref name=BiffyTabs />
* Boss LS-2 Line Selector<ref name=UberProAudio>{{cite web|url=http://www.uberproaudio.com/content/view/530/38/|title=Biffy Clyro – Simon Neil Guitar Rig Gear and Equipment|work=uberproaudio.com|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007012335/http://www.uberproaudio.com/content/view/530/38/|archivedate=7 October 2009}}</ref>
Judging from the picture in career section, he also has a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
* Origin Effects Cali76 Compressor<ref name=BiffyTabs />


=== Previous effects pedals ===
{{Expand list|date=August 2008}}
* Boss [[BOSS DS-1|DS-1 Distortion]]<ref name=BiffyTabs />
* Boss [[Boss HM-2|HM-2 Heavy Metal]]<ref name=BiffyTabs />
* [[Dunlop Cry Baby]] Wah Wah<ref name="UberProAudio" />
* [[Electro Harmonix]] Micro POG<ref name="UberProAudio" />


==Notes==
=== Amplifiers ===
* [[Peavey Electronics|Peavey Delta Blues Combo]]<ref name=BiffyTabs />
{{reflist}}
* [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 Combo]]
* [[Marshall Amplification|Marshall 1959SLP Head]]<ref name=BiffyTabs />
* [[Peavey Electronics|Peavey Classic Head]]<ref name=BiffyTabs /> and Peavey Classic 412 Cabinet<ref name=BiffyTabs />
* [[Hayden (electronics company)|Hayden MoFo 30W tube head with Hayden 4x12]]<ref name=BiffyTabs />
* Fender Super Sonic 100 BLK Head<ref name=BiffyTabs />
* Kemper Profiling Amplifier PowerHead<ref name=BiffyTabs />


==Discography==
===Biffy Clyro===
{{Main|Biffy Clyro discography}}
* ''[[Blackened Sky]]'' (2002)
* ''[[The Vertigo of Bliss]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Infinity Land]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Puzzle (Biffy Clyro album)|Puzzle]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Only Revolutions (album)|Only Revolutions]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Opposites (album)|Opposites]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Ellipsis (Biffy Clyro album)|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)

===Empire State Bastard===
* ''[[Rivers of Heresy]]'' (2023)

===Other appearances===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!width=10| Year
!width=280| Song
!width=150| Artist
!width=280| Album
|-
|2001
|"Zionist Timing"
|[[Aereogramme (band)|Aereogramme]]
|''[[A Story in White]]''
|-
| rowspan="3"|2002
|"Hangover"
| rowspan="3"|[[Sucioperro]]
| rowspan="3"|''[[Why Bliss Destroy]]''
|-
|"Love in the Guise of Friendship"
|-
|"Capable of More"
|-
|2009
|"Graves"
|[[Gallows (band)|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''
|-
| rowspan="3" |2021
|"Goliath"
|[[Architects (British band)|Architects]]
|''[[For Those That Wish to Exist]]''
|-
|"Nervous"
|[[While She Sleeps]]
|''[[Sleeps Society]]''
|-
|"What Matters"
|[[Laura Mvula]]
|''[[Pink Noise (album)|Pink Noise]]''
|-
| rowspan="2" |2022
|"The Resurrectionists"
|[[Frank Turner]]
|''[[FTHC (album)|FTHC]]''
|-
|"Superman"
|[[Goldfinger (band)|Goldfinger]]
|''[[Never Look Back (Goldfinger album)|Never Look Back (Deluxe Edition)]]''
|-
| rowspan=“1” |2023
|”Fires”
| [[Nathan Connolly]]
|The Strange Order of Things
|}

== References ==
{{commons category|Simon Neil}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Marmaduke Duke}}
{{Marmaduke Duke}}
{{Biffy Clyro}}
{{Biffy Clyro}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Neil, Simon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neil, Simon}}
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:Biffy Clyro members]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Scottish songwriters]]
[[Category:People educated at Prestwick Academy]]
[[Category:Scottish guitarists]]
[[Category:Scottish male singers]]
[[Category:Scottish rock singers]]
[[Category:People from Irvine, North Ayrshire]]
[[Category:People from Ayr]]
[[Category:People from Ayr]]
[[Category:People from Irvine, North Ayrshire]]
[[Category:Scottish rock guitarists]]
[[Category:Scottish male guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century Scottish male singers]]
[[Category:Scottish rock singers]]
[[Category:Scottish male songwriters]]

Latest revision as of 15:06, 4 December 2024

Simon Neil
Neil performing with Empire State Bastard at Tons of Rock 2024
Neil performing with Empire State Bastard at Tons of Rock 2024
Background information
Birth nameSimon Alexander Neil
Born (1979-08-31) 31 August 1979 (age 45)
Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland
GenresAlternative rock, post-hardcore
Occupation(s)Singer, musician, songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active1995–present
Member of

Simon Alexander Neil (born 31 August 1979) is a Scottish singer, guitarist and songwriter, 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 album's 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 nine studio albums, five of which have topped the Scottish Albums Charts (Puzzle, Opposites, Ellipsis, A Celebration of Endings and The Myth of the Happily Ever After). 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

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Biffy Clyro

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Main article: Biffy Clyro
Neil performing with Biffy Clyro at Rock am Ring, Germany, 2013

Born in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland and grown up 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

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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 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

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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

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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

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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

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Neil performing with Biffy Clyro, using one of his many guitars

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

Guitars

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Electric

Effects pedals

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Previous effects pedals

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Amplifiers

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Discography

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Biffy Clyro

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Main article: Biffy Clyro discography

Marmaduke Duke

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Empire State Bastard

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Other appearances

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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

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Simon Neil.
  1. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100 on 8/9/2023". Official Charts. 12 September 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart on 8/9/2023". Official Charts. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 8/9/2023". Official Charts. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  4. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  5. ^ "BIFFY CLYRO". Official Charts. 16 February 2002. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  6. ^ Biffy Clyro Biography Archived 8 April 2007 at the Wayback Machine on Beggar's Banquet USA
  7. ^ "BRITs Profile: Biffy Clyro" Archived 9 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Brits.co.uk. Retrieved 28 March 2013
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "Empire State Bastard Feat. Dave Lombardo: Debut Single 'Harvest' Available Now". Blabbermouth.net. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  13. ^ Ayshire Post, 9 January 2008, Sweet music
  14. ^ "Biffy Clyro's Simon Neil to present six genre-focused shows for BBC Radio Scotland". NME. 2 June 2021.
  15. ^ "Premier League predictions: Lawro v Biffy Clyro singer Simon Neil". BBC Sport. May 2014.
  16. ^ 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
  17. ^ 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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