Biffy go for no.5

But they'll take a break first

02 November 2008 - After picking up the Best Festival Rock Act at this week's Festival Awards, Scottish trio Biffy Clyro have spilt the beans on plans for album number five.

We caught up with bassist James Johnston who told us it won't happen until next year, but they are ready for it: "We are not quite ready to go yet, we probably won't go into it until next year. We've been working hard on a little farm in a little barn, working on demos and new songs. It's been going really really well.

"We'd love to put it out as soon as possible but we just need to be patient and get everything right. We'll be back before too long, but I think we are gonna have a little break for the next couple of months... people won't hear too much from us," he said. 

James went on to say that they are still thinking about producers, they may go back to Garth Richardson who produced their last album Puzzle, released in 2007: "I don't think we'd rule him out, I think we're considering working with someone else to have a different flavour if you like, but we'll see how it goes - were just a little bit ahead of making that decision now."

On how the new material is sounding, James was keen to not get caught up in any stereotypes: "I'm trying to stay away from the cliches here you know, it's difficult, but we're enjoying what were doing now. Some bits are really quite brutal - and some bits are less so.

"You never really know until you start putting it together as an album, as a whole piece of music. We'll see, it's exciting times, but I wouldn't want to try and predict how it will turn out," James admitted.

"The good festivals will still be there and some that aren't quite hitting the mark will fall by the wayside." - James, Biffy Clyro

The band were reflecting on their year of festivals, as their profile has grown they have moved up the bill at some of their favourite festivals - and James says playing the main stage at Reading was a high point: "That is killer yeah, there is no way I can play that down, it's a pinch yourself moment. Even more so T in the Park, it doesn't have the same influence here, but where we are from in Scotland T in the Park is the real deal."

Especially when it comes to playing with some legendary bands as James explains: "It's a band we all grew up loving. Ben our drummer was actually in a Rage Against The Machine tribute band when he was younger... it's just nice to be a part of it - to be on the poster with all these other great bands."

On whether the festival circuit will suffer because of the credit crunch, James says they will have to adapt but that people will always find money to have a good time: "I think the top festivals won't suffer the way that some people think because people have to go out and enjoy themselves. The general public will find a way to save up their pennies to go to a festival - it's about the one big weekend in the summer where you go and really have it with your mates.

"Of course money's a very important thing but I think when it comes down to it, people will prioritise and it will become an important thing in their lives, to let their hair down and enjoy themselves."

In terms of what bands get paid, James says that maybe some of the big acts should drop their fee: "I know that some of the fees that bands get paid are extraordinary. It's easy for me to say as not being one of those acts - maybe the bands could just take a little bit less.

"I think people should not worry and I think that the good festivals will still be there and some that aren't quite hitting the mark will fall by the wayside."

Ruth Barnes