30 May 2014 - 0 Comments

Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro make their NZ debut at Auckland's Powerstation on Tuesday 2nd September.

Superstars in the UK, headlining festivals and sell-out arena shows and even beefing with other artists, the trio Biffy Clyro are creating waves with the local release of their sixth long player, the ambitious double(!) album Opposites. Produced by Garth 'GGGarth' Richardson (who has previously worked with such luminaries as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against The Machine and our own Shihad) in LA, the album has seen no less than the arbiters of cool the NME hailing the band's 'genius' in successfully straddling 'the line between experimental and anthemic', and awarded them last year's coveted Best British Band award.

Comprised of Simon Neil (guitar/lead vocals) and twin brothers James and Ben Johnston (bass and drums respectively), the trio came together as metal-head teenagers in Kilmarnock, Scotland in 1995 and eventually moved to Glasgow in the late 90s, releasing their first EP thekidswhopoptodaywillrocktomorrow, which was followed by their first album Blackened Sky.

The band toured solidly (some would say relentlessly) throughout the decade, cementing their reputation as a live force to be reckoned with. Despite a steadily growing fanbase and healthy album sales, mainstream success was proving elusive. It was an unlikely confluence of events that led to their eventual breakthrough - 2010 X-Factor winner Matt Cardle covered their ballad Many of Horror which became that year's number one Christmas single.

The band make no secret of their influences - Metallica and Rush are obvious starting points and Simon Neil has declared publicly that Queens of the Stone Age are "The greatest rock band in the f**kin' world". The band's particular 'quiet, loud, quiet' song structure and musical dynamics are also informed by The Pixies, Nirvana and hardcore legends Fugazi. But far from being mere slavish copyists, the band's skill is in transforming this worn template into something new and creating true intimacy, even in massive venues such as Wembley Arena.

It was not for nothing that the NME called them "this nation's most vital rock outfit". See what all the fuss is about when they play one New Zealand show in September.

BIFFY CLYRO - Tuesday 2nd September 20114  - Auckland at The Powerstation R18

Pre-sale from Wednesday 4th June, at 9am For all show and ticketing details go to www.powerstation.net.nz

http://www.biffyclyro.com/

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