Posted on: September 3, 2007 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Biffy Clyro are set to release their US debut Puzzle on September 18th (Roadrunner Records). This summer has seen the Scottish trio share stages with the likes of The Rolling Stones, The Who, Muse and Red Hot Chili Peppers in the UK and Europe, and making pals in the US with The Gallows and The Matches on The Vans Warped tour. Unlike some of us, Biffy Clyro are ready for summer’s end and to take the US by storm this fall with two amazing tours. Below are dates for both The Editors in September and Queens of The Stone Age in October.

There’s a reason why both The Gallows and The Matches gave shout outs to Biffy Clyro on the Warped tour and that’s because they are indeed an amazing band who everyone is finding it difficult to pigeonhole. On Puzzle “They have honed the eccentricity and melodic suss of their previous releases into a mature and remarkable sound that lands them in a category all of their own,” praises Outburn Magazine with a 9 out of 10 star review. Puzzle is “daring in structure” says Musicsnobbery.com. And while Revolver claims that they “Combine the melodic charge of the Foo Fighters with the rhythmic shifts and emotional resonance of Sunny Day Real Estate,” CMJ on the other hand says

“Fugazi influenced emo ramblings meet the epic rock of Muse with a little Mew thrown in.
Texas size guitar spectacle, caveman hair more than just a little angst and a dash of sophistication! CMJ

For a glimpse of Biffy Clyro live, take a look at this BBC performance of their first single, “Living is a Problem (Because Everything Dies)” which debuted at #9 on FMQB and entered the CMJ top 200 in its first week.

“It’s gorgeous, sprawling, chaotic and precise all at once. Biffy Clyro have served up what thus far is hands-down my favorite album of the year.” FMQB

In June Puzzle debuted on the UK album charts at #2 affirming the Scottish trio’s place as one of the UKs most important rock bands.

It’s been a long, winding and heartbreaking road for Biffy Clyro to get this far, a true testament to their strength -collectively and as individuals.

Comprised of twin brothers Ben and James Johnston and their high school mate Simon Neil, “We’re not interested in non-music lovers buying our music. We’re for people who live for music and who love music. Because we love music and we live for music. We are sincere and we mean every note we sing and play”.

Their music encompasses a masterful combination of power chords, sweet melodies, insightful lyrics crushing riffs, marching beats, even some orchestral elements courtesy of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

Puzzle has seen the band finally realise the sound in their heads, from soaring ‘semi-mental’ throughto the bludgeoning punch of ‘Saturday Superhouse’ through the swollen intensity of the slow-burning ‘As Dust Dances’ to the glorious foot-stomping live favourite ‘Who’s Got A Match?’. Puzzle packs an emotional punch with 24-carat choruses shot through with biffy’s trademark sideways approach to songwriting. “We’ve always been very ambitious in the music we wanted to make,” says Simon. “It was never just about guitars bass and drums, even though we’re a three-piece. On our records we’ve always tried to use as much weird shit as possible.”

The onslaught of UK press praise for Biffy Clyro is nothing short of massive. The band has been featured on the cover of Rock Sound, Tuned and Kerrang, who have nominated Biffy Clyro for “Best Album” and “Best British Band”.

And if you happen to be one of those who Don’t believe the hype, check it: “When the normal British hype machines jump on board, there are typical genres and sounds that those bands sound like. Biffy Clyro shocked the hell out of me, as they definitely do not fit that mold. If you could put the catchy rock of Foo Fighters in a blender with a heavy dose of Muse and a dash of Queen, you’d create the formula that is Puzzle.” – TRIPWIRE

Powerhouse anthems such as “Saturday Superhouse,” “As Dust Dances,” “The Conversation Is…” and “Folding Stars” could exist easily next to any of Dave Grohl or Jim Adkins’ finest moments.” – FMQB

Figure out for yourself and check out Biffy Clyro at one of these dates near you!

Biffy Clyro on tour with The Editors
Sept 4 – Washington D.C. @ 9:30 Club
Sept 6 – Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
Sept 7 – New York City @ Webster Hall
Sept 11 – Chicago, IL @ Park West
Sept 12 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café
Sept 15 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Sound
Sept 17 – Vancouver, BC @ Richard’s on Richards
Sept 18 – Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
Sept 19 – Portland, OR @ Berbati’s Pan
Sept 20 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
Sept 23 – Del Mar, CA @ Del Mar Fairgrounds
Sept 24 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern LG

On tour with Queens of the Stone Age
Oct 12 – Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theatre
Oct 13 – New York City, NY @ Theatre at Madison Square Garden
Oct 17 – Clifton Park, NJ @ Northern Lights
Oct 20 – Columbus, OH @ The LC Pavilion
Oct 22 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Orbit Theatre
Oct 23 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore FKA State Theatre
Oct 24 – Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Oct 25 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre

Leave a Comment