This Scottish alternative rock band was formed in Ayrshire in the mid-90s by Simon Alexander Neil (b. 31 August 1979, Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland; guitar/vocals) and twins James Roberto Johnston (b. 25 April 1980, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland; bass/vocals), and Ben Hamilton Johnston (b. 25 April 1980, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland; drums/vocals). Neil and Ben Johnston had originally played together in the school band Screwfish, before recruiting Johnston's brother James and changing their name to Biffy Clyro. The trio relocated to Glasgow where they continued to gig while studying, and released their first single "Iname" in May 1999. The EP Thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow was released by the Electric Honey imprint the following June, and helped pave the way for a recording contract with respected indie Beggars Banquet Records. The trio's first releases for Beggars Banquet neatly encapsulated their sound, drawing on US alternative rock of the early 90s to shape the sonic blueprint for the aggressive "27" and the delicate "Justboy". Further singles, "57" and the wonderfully titled "Joy.Discovery.Invention"/"Toys Toys Toys Choke Toys Toys Toys", preceded the release of the exceptional Blackened Sky.
The follow-up, The Vertigo Of Bliss, was issued a year later in June 2003. This proved to be a more experimental effort than their debut, mixing quirky guitar riffs, acoustic interludes and lush strings to fashion a collection of unpredictable but highly creative modern rock tracks. The hiatus between the band's final Beggars Banquet album Infinity Land and the recording of their excellent 14th Floor debut Puzzle was clearly worth it. For many observers this was Biffy Clyro's finest album to date.
