School of Hard Knocks, the first full-length offering by legendary frontman BIFF BYFORD is out now via Silver Lining Music. To celebrate its release, Byford unveils the new video of his take on the classic song, ‘Scarborough Fair’.
Explains Byford:
“The new single Scarborough Fair is a Yorkshire Folk song about the town on the east coast of England. Apart from the song, Scarborough is also famous for its medieval market and takes its name from a Viking chief called Scar, I believe. We shot the video on a freezing early morning… Enjoy!”
School of Hard Knocks features Biff Byford on vocals (and a spot of four string thunder) along with Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth) on guitars, drummer Christian Lundqvist and bass player Gus Macricostas. The album also features guest appearances by Phil Campbell (Motörhead/Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons), Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of Fire and Turilli / Lione Rhapsody), Nick Barker (Voices), Dave Kemp (Wayward Sons) and Nibbs Carter (Saxon). The album was produced by Biff Byford, recorded by Jacky Lehmann at Brighton Electric Studios in Brighton (UK) and mixed at Queen Street Studios in Stockholm (Sweden) by Mats Valentin.
Watch the previously released videos for ‘Welcome to the Show’, ‘School of Hard Knocks’ and “Me and You” HERE.
School of Hard Knocks is available on CD, Vinyl, Digital formats and special D2C bundles HERE
February 14th 2020, legendary SAXON frontman Biff Byford unveiled new music video and single ‘Me And You’.
Biff comments:
“Happy Valentine’s Day! I wrote this song for my wife and our 25th anniversary but I think it can be for anybody who’s in a relationship. We all have anniversaries and memories, not my usual style of song but it’s always good to throw in a curve ball!”
Taken from Byford’s upcoming first solo album School Of Hard Knocks (set for release 21.02.20 via Silver Lining Music), ‘Me And You’ is also now available as a 7” single, to get your copy visit www.biffbyford.com
With his roots firmly in The North of England, Biff has earned the right to be considered The Heavy Metal Bard Of The North and his debut album reflects the man and his personality, his loves and his musical versatility.
School Of Hard Knocks fulfils Biff Byford’s long-standing wish to explore rock ‘n’ roll a little more. The album is a personal journey highlighting his life and his passionate interests, from the history of the Middle Ages to growing up in the industrial North. A classic, masterfully constructed old-school British hard rock album, School Of Hard Knocks embraces a variety of musical genres and includes the Yorkshire folk classic ‘Scarborough Fair’, famously covered by Simon and Garfunkel. Byford and Fredrik Åkesson’s arrangement breathes new life into the legendary song.
Watch the previously released videos for ‘Welcome To The Show’ and ‘School Of Hard Knocks’ HERE.
School Of Hard Knocks features Biff Byford on vocals (and a spot of four string thunder) along with Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth) on guitars, drummer Christian Lundqvist and bass player Gus Macricostas. The album also features guest appearances by Phil Campbell (Motörhead/Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons), Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of Fire and Turilli / Lione Rhapsody), Nick Barker (Voices), Dave Kemp (Wayward Sons) and Nibbs Carter (Saxon). The album was produced by Biff Byford, recorded by Jacky Lehmann at Brighton Electric Studios in Brighton (UK) and mixed at Queen Street Studios in Stockholm (Sweden) by Mats Valentin.
Byford recently announced his first ever solo tour dates. The tour begins in the UK in April and continues to Europe in May.
The show, in the form of ‘An evening with…’, will be split into two halves. The first features Biff in conversation with Don Jamieson (American comedian and star of VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show) on all aspects of his life and career. After the break Biff and his band will play some new songs, covers and, maybe, a Saxon song or two.
Biff says:
“It’s a show I’ve wanted to do for a long time and one which I don’t think has been done in hard rock before. It’ll be something different and a lot of fun.”
Tickets are available from all usual outlets and agents.
As a special bonus, fans buying tickets prior to 2nd of March 2020 for the European shows only will receive a personally signed 10”x8” photo together with entry into a draw to win one of 10 VIP Meet and Greets for each show.
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voicespoke with Saxon guitarist Doug Scarratt. Scarrat spoke about the bands upcoming studio album, the 40 year anniversary live The Eagle has landed Album and singer Biff Byford‘s health status.
Watch the interview here
When asked about their new The Eagle has landed 40 year anniversary Live album
“It’s difficult when you make a live album because they’re some songs in the set that are always going to be in the set so you can tend to repeat yourself over the years. But this Live album is really the most diverse we’ve released, it really does span all our history and albums. There’s a lot of stuff on there that’s never been on a live album so it’s cool. There are guest appearances on this album too which makes a little more special right, Phil Campbell on ‘Strangers In the Night’, you’ve got Ace of Spades with Fast Eddie Clarke and guitarist producer Andy Sneap that does 20,000 feet. We know Andy very well we’ve worked with him quite a lot over the last ten years and that was fun. It was great having Campbell up with us and it was a real buzz and having Eddie Clark up there which was one of those pinch yourself moments.”
When asked about how the recording sessions are coming along for the upcoming new Saxon studio album
“We don’t kind of go into the studio and lock the doors anymore we do write more at home just because it’s just such a large commitment now for everyone. However we have had quite a few weeks in the studio together you know hacking out some ideas, Nibs has written a lot of material on this record but at the moment we’re at a stage where a lot could change and a lot more of songs can disappear and other songs can can come up. We’ve got 10 or 11 tracks to lay down and Biff’s already been working on some of the stuff like the melodies so I think his plan is just used to start to put some stuff down January, February 2020 time and then see see where we go. We’re early on in the process but we have quite a bit of material to play with at the moment. We have Nigel’s drum backing tracks at the moment and they’re vehicles for Biff to write lyrics and melody. We’re not at that vocal lyric stage yet that’s what it comes down to. Although I think Biff he can’t sit still. There are a couple of groove oriented songs heavy song that Nigel spoke about and there’s some songs that are mad fast stuff as well. But all the songs are just musical structures and until the vocals and the melody on there, you’ve just got a backing track.”
When asked about how critical they are when they write new albums
“We sometimes go off on a tangent and have to be pulled back and don’t try to venture too far to the left and right. It’s very difficult not to be influenced by stuff you’re listening to at the time. I think we’re all pretty good at knowing what what we’re supposed to sound like now without without being too disciplined. There’s room for movement, there’s room for creativity absolutely. ”
When asked about Biff Byford’s current heart health status and how it affected him
“Obviously it was a really massive shock, it really knocked me sideways. I just didn’t think that would happen to him you know. I was extremely upset and it was just so out of the blue. I mean he’s such an energy force. It was shocking but scary but he’s doing all right. I’m going to visit him. I’ve spoke to him on the phone a few times and he sounds like himself and I think he’s doing all right. He’s already walking a couple of mile. I’m looking forward to seeing him.”
Legendary SAXON frontman BIFF BYFORD will release his first ever solo album, “School Of Hard Knocks”, due February 21, 2020 on Silver Lining Music. Pre-orders are available now.
The English North is everything you saw in Game of Thrones and more. It is the true heart of England, the region where its soul resides, and Biff Byford has earned the right to be considered its true heavy metal bard.
Biff takes on not just tales and stories from his heart and soul, but also investigates the Middle Ages and Medieval history amongst other subjects.
Biff comments:
“I’m singing about my past of course and about things I like, but mostly I wanted it to reflect me, my personality and my life. Song-wise it’s more diverse and not just focused on heavy metal. I wanted it to be a slice of the music I like, from metal, to rock ‘n’ roll. I’m a guy who’s just as happy listening to Metallica or Judy Garland, because as long as it’s great and entertains me, then what more do I need?”
An aural Byford storybook highlighting his life and passionate interests, School of Hard Knocks is in all senses a classic, masterfully-constructed old school British hard rock album.
From the spoken word introduction of ‘Inquisitor’ with its stoic, poetic take on the Spanish Inquisition to the autobiographical, old-school ‘Wheels of Steel’ era thrust of ‘Welcome to the Show’ and ‘School of Hard Knocks’, you’ll get to know Byford supremely well over the 11 tracks which comprise the album.
Biff adds:
“One of my favourite is ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’, which is quite ‘prog metal’ and I love that. I’m a big prog rock fan and was a huge fan of Yes back in the day and being a musician-bass-player myself, the musicianship in bands like that really caught me. There’s a version of ‘Throw Down the Sword’ by Wishbone Ash, and the reason I did that was because it was the first song I ever heard that was anything to do with history in the sense of battles and war, and was really the thing which started me on the road to writing historically-driven songs.”
There is also a wonderful version of the Simon & Garfunkel classic ‘Scarborough Fair’, with Byford and Fredrik Åkesson (from Opeth) creating a new arrangement which gives the legend new life.
“It’s a traditional medieval song, and the story goes that Paul Simon happened to hear somebody playing it in Whitby, which is just down the road from Scarborough” laughs Biff, “But I wanted something which represented Yorkshire and it is a Yorkshire folk song, so we tried a new arrangement which made it a little heavier, and it works really well.”
School of Hard Knocks was produced by Biff Byford, recorded by Jacky Lehmann at Brighton Electric Studios in Brighton (UK) and mixed at Queen Street Studios in Stockholm (Sweden) by Mats Valentin. The album features guest appearances by Phil Campbell (Motörhead/Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons), Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of Fire and Turilli / Lione Rhapsody), Nick Barker (Voices), Dave Kemp (Wayward Sons) and Nibbs Carter (Saxon).
On School of Hard Knocks, Byford worked with Fredrik Åkesson (Opeth) on guitars, Christian Lundqvist on drums and Gus Macricostas on bass (Biff himself played a spot of four string thunder too!).
Biff is also planning some live shows next year, events which will continue the theme of breaking new ground:
“I’m going to do a ‘words-and-music’ tour in small venues. The first part will be me in conversation with the audience about anything really, from heart attacks to sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll, old times, new times, friends, enemies and whatever anyone wants to chat about… Then bringing out a band and playing some new songs, covers and maybe end with a Saxon song or two. I’m still working out the details, but it’s a show I’ve wanted to do for a long time and one which I don’t think has been done in hard rock before. It’ll be something different and a lot of fun.”
School of Hard Knocks not only achieves the goal of providing full bore entertainment, it fulfils a long-standing Biff Byford’s wish to explore rock ‘n’ roll a little more.
Biff concludes:
“It’s been great to break new ground, explore new territories and work with some old friends and having waited so long to make this album, I have to say, I am delighted with it! It has a whole range of styles, from the ridiculously heavy to ballads, and it is certainly my album.”
Available to pre-order from October 25 on CD, Vinyl, Digital formats and special D2C bundles.
Metal legends SAXON have announced a new date for Scottish fans to see the band, following the cancellation of the Glasgow Braehead Arena show on October 18th 2019, due to lead singer Biff Byford’s recent heart operation.
The new date is Friday March 27th 2020 and the venue is Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom.
Due to venue restrictions this show will not be a “Castles & Eagles” production as previously advertised.
Biff Byford stated: “I am very sorry that we couldn’t reschedule the previously announced show at Braehead Arena with the full production we had planned, but after a couple of weeks of trying to get availability at Braehead Arena and other Scottish venues that could house the production we had drawn a blank. We decided we had to play a show for all our fans in Scotland and Barrowland’s stepped up with clearing the date we needed. Unfortunately due to Barrowland’s size restrictions we cannot put the Castles & Eagles production in and hope you all understand, but we will try to make this as special a show for you as possible”
Special guests on this show will be GIRLSCHOOL.
Tickets purchased* for the Braehead Arena show will remain valid with a refund available for the price difference.
*Pending on outlet used to purchase Braehead Arena tickets, will determine whether new tickets are valid for the Barrowlands date. If any tickets are not valid for exchange (and refund of price difference) then a refund of original ticket price is available so you can purchase a new Barrowland Ballroom ticket. Your ticket agent will confirm.
Rescheduled October 2019 shows are now as follows:
2020
March 7th– Germany, Dusseldorf – Mitsubishi Electric Halle
March 27th– UK, Glasgow – Barrowland Ballroom
March 28th– UK, London – Eventim Apollo
March 29th– UK, Manchester – O2 Apollo
All existing tickets will remain valid for new dates and in the case of a required refund please visit point of purchase.
Alan Dixon from Canada’s The Metal Voice spoke to SAXON‘s Biff Byford in Montreal Quebec, Canada on October 4 2017 as the band was co-headlining their second half of their North America tour with UFO.
Watch the Interview here:
When asked about their new album Thunderbolt
“Will be released January 21, 2018 I think. Which is not too far away. Andy Sneep finished mixing it yesterday, the Art work is ready. I’m just doing all the credits now for the album cause that is my job as Executive Producer.”
“The musical direction is going to sound like pretty much Battering Ram and Sacrifice, not going to change drastically.”
When asked about the song dedicated to Lemmy on the new album Thunderbolt
“There is a song dedicated to Motorhead, early Motorhead, when we toured with them in 1980. But yeah it’s about Lemmy basically. The Bomber tour. Lemmy was the MAD MAX of Rock and Roll, he was a good mate.”
When asked about the Las Vegas shootings and how it affects bands touring and if they are doing anything differently
“No not really, security is stricter, especially over in Europe, they search people when they come in, we all have to be visual, we can’t stop living can we?”
When asked if Saxon ever toured with Ritiche Blackmore’s Rainbow in the early days
“We toured America with ‘I Surrender’ tour, Rainbow, with Joe Lynn Turner and we did tour gigs with the other guy , Graham Bonnet but Ritchie Blackmore kicked us off the tour for going down too well. But we were at the point where we were really, really happening and we were sort of burning the audience out and he kicked us off the tour. We got to Wembley Arena and Blackmore said you are not on the tour anymore. We’re like why? Why do you think?
“They were great Rainbow they just didn’t understand us, we were like a bunch of Punk Metalheads, hard rock guys. “
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