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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 Dukeand also new band with Mike Vennart, Empire state bastard.
Born in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland, Simon Neil formed Biffy Clyro in 1995 at 15 years old recruiting Kilmarnock-born Ben Johnston (Scottish musician), Ben Johnston and someone known only as Barry on drums and bass respectively, calling themselves Skrewfish.Biffy Clyro Biography
on Beggar's Banquet Records, Beggar's Banquet USA 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 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. 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.
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.''Ayshire Post'', 9 January 2008
Sweet music
/ref> In 2021, he presented a series of shows on BBC Radio Scotland.
– Various different Mexican models, including White, Red, Sunburst (with neck pickup & controls removed), Black, and Metallic Blue. * Fender Stratocaster, Fender 1960 Custom Shop Stratocasters – Fiesta Red, Frost Metallic, Lake Placid Blue, and White. * Fender Stratocaster, Fender 50s Stratocaster Relic * Fender Telecaster Standard – 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 – 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 Stratocaster, Squier Simon Neil Signature Stratocaster * Patrick Eggle New York – 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".
Career
Biffy Clyro
Born in Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotland, Simon Neil formed Biffy Clyro in 1995 at 15 years old recruiting Kilmarnock-born Ben Johnston (Scottish musician), Ben Johnston and someone known only as Barry on drums and bass respectively, calling themselves Skrewfish.Biffy Clyro Biographyon Beggar's Banquet Records, Beggar's Banquet USA 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 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. 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
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 ‘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.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.''Ayshire Post'', 9 January 2008Sweet music
/ref> In 2021, he presented a series of shows on BBC Radio Scotland.
Musical equipment used
The following is a list of musical equipment used by Simon Neil:Guitars
''Electric'' * Fender Stratocaster, Fender Standard StratocastersBiffyTabs Equipment – Simon– Various different Mexican models, including White, Red, Sunburst (with neck pickup & controls removed), Black, and Metallic Blue. * Fender Stratocaster, Fender 1960 Custom Shop Stratocasters – Fiesta Red, Frost Metallic, Lake Placid Blue, and White. * Fender Stratocaster, Fender 50s Stratocaster Relic * Fender Telecaster Standard – 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 – 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 Stratocaster, Squier Simon Neil Signature Stratocaster * Patrick Eggle New York – 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 Corporation, BOSS TU-2 Chromatic Tuner * Boss Corporation, BOSS MD-2 Distortion * Boss Corporation, BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone * Boss Corporation, BOSS DD-6 Digital Delay x2 * Boss Corporation, BOSS LS-2 Line Selector * Origin Effects Cali76 CompressorPrevious effects pedals
* BOSS DS-1 Distortion * Boss HM-2, BOSS HM-2 Heavy Metal * Dunlop Cry Baby Wah Wah * Electro Harmonix Micro POGAmplifiers
* Peavey Electronics, Peavey Delta Blues Combo * Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 Combo * Marshall Amplification, Marshall 1959SLP Head * Peavey Electronics, Peavey Classic Head and Peavey Classic 412 Cabinet * Hayden (electronics company), Hayden MoFo 30W tube head with Hayden 4x12 * Fender Super Sonic 100 BLK Head * Kemper Profiling Amplifier PowerHeadDiscography
Biffy Clyro
* ''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)Other appearances
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neil, Simon 1979 births Biffy Clyro members Living people People educated at Prestwick Academy People from Ayr People from Irvine, North Ayrshire Scottish rock guitarists Scottish male guitarists 21st-century Scottish male singers Scottish rock singers Scottish songwriters