Simon Neil
Simon Neil |
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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.
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.
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
Career
Biffy Clyro
Simon Neil formed Biffy Clyro in 1995 at sixteen years old recruiting Kilmarnock-born Ben Johnston and someone known only as Barry on drums and bass respectively, calling themselves Screwfish.[1] Barry was soon replaced by 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 representative. Soon after, the band was signed to the independent Beggar's Banquet.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Musical equipment used
The following is a list of musical equipment used by Simon Neil:
Guitars
- Fender Standard Stratocasters[2] – Various different Mexican models, including White, Red, Sunburst (with neck pickup & controls removed), Black, and Metallic Blue.
- Fender 1960 Custom Stratocasters[2] – Fiesta Red, Frost Metallic, Lake Placid Blue, and White.
- Fender 50s Stratocaster Relic[2]
- Fender Telecaster Standard[2] – USA model, three tone sunburst, can be seen in the music video for "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies".
- Fender Telecaster Custom '62[2] – Japanese model, three tone sunburst, can be seen in the music video for "Only one word comes to mind".
- Fender Telecaster Custom '72 Reissue Black, seen in Mountains video
- Gretsch G6136DC White Falcon – White, can be seen in the music video for "Folding Stars".
- Patrick Eggle New York[2] – Red.
- Gibson Flying V[citation needed] – used in the studio for "Pause It And Turn It Up"
- Gibson Les Paul Junior[citation needed] – used in the studio for Puzzle.
- Various acoustic guitars
- 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
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Effects pedals
- BOSS TU-2 Chromatic Tuner[2]
- BOSS DS-1 Distortion[2]
- BOSS MD-2 Distortion[2]
- BOSS HM-2 Heavy Metal[2]
- BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone[2]
- BOSS DD-6 Digital Delay[2]
- BOSS LS-2 Line Selector[3]
- Dunlop Cry Baby Wah Wah[3]
- Blues Overdrive BO-100[2]
- BOSS RC-2 Loop Station[2]
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Amplifiers
- Marshall 1959SLP Head[2] and Marshall 1960A Cabinet[2] (x2)
- Peavey Classic Head[2] and Peavey Classic 1x15 Cabinet[2]
- Peavey Delta Blues Combo[2] (x2)
- Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 Combo[2] (x2)
Judging from the picture in career section, he also has a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
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