Simon Neil

Infobox musical artist
Name = Simon Neil


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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Simon Alexander Neil
Alias = The Atmosphere
Born = birth date and age|1979|8|31
Died =
Origin = Ayr, South Ayrshire
Scotland
Instrument = Vocals, guitar
Genre =
Occupation = Singer, songwriter, record producer
Years_active = 1995 – present
Label = Beggars Banquet
14th Floor
Roadrunner
Associated_acts = Biffy Clyro
Marmaduke Duke
URL = [http://www.biffyclyro.com/ www.biffyclyro.com]
Current_members =
Past_members =
Notable_instruments = 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.

Early life

Simon Neil was born in Irvine, Scotland and raised in Ayr. He began playing violin in 1984 at age five. [http://www.fender.co.uk/news/index.php?display_article=157 Fender Interview with Biffy Clyro] ] He spent much of his early teens listening to bands such as Nirvana, Weezer [http://www.beggars.com/us/biffyclyro/index.html Beggars Banquet USA – Biffy Clyro Biography] ] and Guns N' Roses. In in his early teens, he attended his first rock concert, Status Quo. [ [http://www.fender.co.uk/news/index.php?display_article=157 :: Fender®.co.uk :: ] ]

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. While the song "Machines" deals with the process of mourning, overcoming tragedy, and learning that life goes on.

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. [http://www.beggars.com/us/biffyclyro/index.html Biffy Clyro Biography] on Beggar's Banquet USA] 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.

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.

Other

Neil sang backing vocals on early releases for both Sucioperro and Aereogramme.

Neil supports Rangers, 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, or go into the Pastrami business.

Musical equipment used

The following is a list of musical equipment used by Simon Neil:

Guitars

* Fender Standard Stratocasters [http://www.biffytabs.biffierthanthou.com/e_si.htm BiffyTabs Equipment – Simon] ] – Various different Mexican models, including White, Red, Sunburst (with neck pickup & controls removed), Black, and Metallic Blue.
* Fender 1960 Custom Stratocasters – Fiesta Red, Frost Metallic, and White.
* Fender 50s Stratocaster Relic
* Fender Telecaster Standard – USA model, three tone sunburst, can be seen in the music video for "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies".
* Fender Telecaster Custom '62 – 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 – Red.
* Gibson Flying VFact|date=June 2007 – used in the studio for "Pause It And Turn It Up"
* Gibson Les Paul JuniorFact|date=June 2007 – used in the studio for "Puzzle".
* Various acoustic guitars

Effects pedals

* BOSS TU-2 Chromatic Tuner
* BOSS DS-1 Distortion
* BOSS MD-2 Distortion
* BOSS HM-2 Heavy Metal
* BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone
* BOSS DD-6 Digital Delay
* BOSS LS-3 Line Selector
* Marshall Guv'nor DistortionFact|date=June 2007

Amplifiers

* Marshall 1959SLP Head and Marshall 1960A Cabinet (x2)
* Peavey Classic Head and Peavey Classic 1x15 Cabinet
* Peavey Delta Blues Combo (x2)
* Fender Hot Rod Deville 2x12 Combo (x2)
* Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier + mesa Boogie 4x12 cabinet

Notes