Simon Neil
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| Simon Neil | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Simon Alexander Neil |
| Also known as | The Atmosphere |
| Born | August 31, 1979 |
| Origin | Ayr, South Ayrshire Scotland |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, record producer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1995 – present |
| Label(s) | Beggars Banquet 14th Floor Roadrunner |
| Associated acts | Biffy Clyro Marmaduke Duke |
| Website | www.biffyclyro.com |
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| 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.
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[edit] Early life
Simon Neil was born in Irvine, Scotland and raised in Ayr. He began playing violin in 1984 at age five.[1] He spent much of his early teens listening to bands such as Nirvana[1], Weezer[2] and Guns N' Roses. In 1992, at age thirteen, he attended his first concert, Metallica at the SECC, Glasgow on 27 October.[1]
[edit] 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.
[edit] Career
[edit] 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.[3] 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 titles are said to come from skewed conversations and are sometimes very tenuously linked to the lyrical content.
[edit] Marmaduke Duke
Neil plays with JP Reid of fellow Ayrshire group Sucioperro in Marmaduke Duke, under the pseudonym "The Atmosphere", which has so far only released one album, The Magnificent Duke, in 2005.
[edit] Other
Neil sang backing vocals on early releases for both Sucioperro and Aereogramme.
Neil supports Rangers F.C., as stated in an interview on Soccer AM. He has previously said that if he did not do music, he would probably want to be a footballer.[1]
[edit] Musical equipment used
The following is a list of musical equipment used by Simon Neil:
[edit] Guitars
- Fender Standard Stratocasters[4] – Various different Mexican models, including White, Red, Sunburst (with neck pickup & controls removed), Black, and Metallic Blue.
- Fender 1960 Custom Stratocasters[4] – Fiesta Red, Frost Metallic, and White.
- Fender 50s Stratocaster Relic[4]
- Fender Telecaster Standard[4] – USA model, three tone sunburst.
- Fender Telecaster Custom '62[4] – Japanese model, three tone sunburst, can be seen in the music video for "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies".
- Gretsch G6136DC White Falcon – White, can be seen in the music video for "Folding Stars".
- Patrick Eggle New York[4] – 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
[edit] Effects pedals
- BOSS TU-2 Chromatic Tuner[4]
- BOSS DS-1 Distortion[4]
- BOSS MD-2 Distortion[4]
- BOSS HM-2 Heavy Metal[4]
- BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone[4]
- BOSS DD-6 Digital Delay[4]
- BOSS LS-3 Line Selector[4]
- Marshall Guv'nor Distortion[citation needed]
[edit] Amplifiers
- Marshall 1959SLP Head[4] and Marshall 1960A Cabinet[4] (x2)
- Peavey Classic Head[4] and Peavey Classic 1x15 Cabinet[4]
- Peavey Delta Blues Combo[4] (x2)
- Fender Hot Rod Deville 2x10 Combo[4] (x2)
- Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier + mesa Boogie 4x12 cabinet
[edit] Notes
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