Over the weekend Biffy Clyro was one of the lucky few to support Muse at the new Wembley Stadium in London. They’re now set to create quite a storm as they begin to introduce themselves and their music to more people during the busy summer festival season.

Big news for Biffy Clyro fans who may have thought the Muse gig was a big deal – which it was. It appears that was just a warm up. Biffy Clyro have announced that they will be supporting The Who at Marlay Park in Dublin, Ireland on June 29th 2007. Other big gigs for the band include the sold out Glastonbury Festival, Oxegen Festival and T in the Park as well as shows in the US and Canada.

Watch Biffy Clyro video for “Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies”:

Biffy Clyro 2007 tour dates:

*Dates could be added or changed! Go to Biffy Clyro’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

June 17 2007 Wembley Stadium (supporting Muse), London
June 23 2007 Glastonbury Festival – The Other Stage, Sommerset
June 24 2007 Southside Festival, Neuhausen
June 29 2007 Marlay Park – supporting The Who, Dublin, Eire
July 7 2007 Oxegen Festival, Kildare
July 8 2007 T in the Park, Kinross, Scotland
July 14 2007 Fflam Festival, Swansea
July 28 2007 First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois
July 29 2007 Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
July 31 2007 Marcus Amphitheatre, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
August 1 2007 Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
August 3 2007 Tweeter Center at the Waterfront, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
August 4 2007 Nassau Coliseum, New York City, New York
August 5 2007 Raceway Park, Englishtown, New Jersey
August 7 2007 Verizon Wireless Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
August 8 2007 Post Gazette Pavilion, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
August 9 2007 Tweeter Center, Boston, Massachusetts
August 10 2007 Darien Lakes Field, Buffalo, New York
August 11 2007 Park Place, Toronto, Ontario
August 12 2007 Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, Quebec
August 14 2007 UMB Bank Pavilion, St Louis, Missouri
August 15 2007 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Kansas City, Kansas
August 24 2007 Rock en Seine, Paris
August 25 2007 Carling Reading Festival, Reading
August 26 2007 Carling Leeds Festival, Leeds
November 6 2007 Fat Sams, Dundee, Scotland
November 7 2007 Barrowlands, Glasgow, Scotland
November 8 2007 Barrowlands, Glasgow, Scotland
November 9 2007 Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, Scotland
November 11 2007 Academy, Newcastle
November 12 2007 Academy, Manchester
November 13 2007 Academy, Birmingham
November 14 2007 Rock City, Nottingham
November 15 2007 Octagon, Sheffield
November 17 2007 University, Cardiff
November 18 2007 Academy, Bristol
November 20 2007 Guildhall, Southampton
November 21 2007 Brixton Academy, London
November 22 2007 UEA, Norwich

Biffy Clyro Official Website
Biffy Clyro on Myspace

By: Jenny May

It’s all been quite the whirlwind for Guillemots the last couple of years as they’ve been keeping busy with tours, festivals, radio interviews and UK TV appearances including Friday Night With Jonathan Ross and Top of the Pops.

Their debut album Through the Windowpane was nominated for the 2006 Mercury Music Prize and the band was nominated for best British Live Act for the 2007 Brit Awards. Not only that, but they have a dedicated fan base that as far as they’re concerned, Guillemots can do no wrong.

Just back from touring in Europe, Scottish drummer Greig Stewart is one of the most unique and versatile drummers in music today. The times that I’ve watched him, his presence on stage was amazing and he is the kind of drummer that you “can’t take your eyes off of” when he’s playing.

Greig has been kind enough to answer a few questions that I wanted to ask him for readers of BandWeblogs.com.

Read Greig Stewart’s second exclusive interview with BandWeblogs.com

Jenny May: How and when did you become a drummer?

Greig Stewart: Loved music and drumming seemed natural to me. I came to it quite young. Made my own drums as a kid out of bits and bobs.

What kind of drum kit and gear do you use?

1960s Ludwig drums, 22″bass, 13″rack tom, 16″floor, Ludwig 400 snare. 1980s Premier Resonator, drums 22″ bass, 13″ rack tom, 20″ Ludwig floor, Premier resonator snare. Zildjian 19″ 16″ custom k crash/ride, 14″ new beat high hats, Paiste rude china. Roland Spds sampler. Apple mac, logic.

Oddly enough, you’ve been using Spandau Ballet’s old drum kit. How did that happen?

Well it’s either Spandau Ballet’s or Rod Morgenstein? Basically went into Andy’s Drum Center to buy a snare drum. The kit because of its unusual colour, shouted at me (its duck egg blue). I was told it was custom built for either of the above. Looks and sounds great.

Are you currently using it for live shows and in the studio?

Using the Premier for live at present. Am going to experiment for the new record. Haven’t used the Ludwig for a while.

When you’re not on tour do you practice regularly?

Should do more really. I tend to record onto my computer with new beats. But am now looking to find a teacher to push me more. The usual thing with drums noise is a bit of a problem.

What are your usual practice techniques and what do you use for practice?

Playing along with a metronome is important for me. Rudiments, sticking techniques. Some books on drumming. I’ve got drum practice pads, though find it quite difficult getting along with it as they don’t produce much sound.

Who has influenced you the most in music?

All my friends at school were mad into music (playing and listening). That’s where I heard and got into so much music.

Do you have a favorite drummer?

Toooo many to name! Well here’s some; Ringo, Elvin Jones, John Bonham, Stewart Copeland, Keith Moon, Steve Morris, Seb Roachford, Tony Allen.

What have Guillemots been up to lately? I know you were on tour in the UK and Europe recently, and have a few upcoming shows in the UK, but will you be recording again soon? Also, any upcoming TV or radio appearances that we should know about?

That’s it really for ‘Through the Window Pane’ record as far as touring. We are doing a few festivals this summer. But the main focus is writing/recording the new record in our new studio.

What is the new studio like?

The studio is based in the East End of London. It’s an old synagogue which has a really high roof and lots of different size rooms. Great space for recording and just hanging out.

Guillemots had a small tour across the US and Canada in 2006, including the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. Do you have plans to tour the US again anytime soon?

Next year or maybe later this year. We have changed record company recently which made things complicated.

What is a typical day like for you when you’re on tour? From when you wake up to when you go to sleep?

I try and get into some kind of routine. For me; get up about 10, 11ish. Make porridge and cup of tea. Shower. The next thing depends on promotional things. If none, I go for a walk for a few hours. Then late lunch round 3′4 ish. Best not eat too late before the gig. Relax and start getting ready for the gig. Warm ups, practice on pad with sticks. After, I’ll go for a shower and watch a film on the bus. Not really rock and roll. If we have a day off the next day, I’ll partyyyy ooonn!!

What is your favorite song to play from Guillemots repertoire?

The new songs are fun to play “Big Dog”, “Standing on the Last Star”.

Who comes up with all of the ideas for what you wear on stage?

Everybody really. Mc usually though.

So far, where have you enjoyed playing the most? (country/venue) Why?

I enjoyed Barcelona. Love the city/food/people. Walk along the beach then had a seafood lunch. (Thing with Guillemots is often food orientated). The gig was cool with a great atmosphere and then the venue turns into a massive club till late. Sore heads all around.

Did you contribute to the artwork on the ‘Through The Windowpane’ album?

The whole band had drawings/paintings on the album. One of my paintings got on the inner sleeve.

How often do you paint and/or draw? What do you draw?

Got a sketch book which I take on tour. Don’t do enough paintings though. The band did a painting each for charity recently. I tend to draw what just comes out, faces, cartoons, weird objects and usually drivel.

If you were to buy an open minded music lover a new CD as a gift, what artist or band would you want to turn them on to?

Ali Farka Toure, Sandy Denny, Bonny Prince Billy, Bjork. Sorry can’t choose one!

Guillemots will be performing at the 2007 V Festival on the Channel 4 Stage. Also set to play the Channel 4 Stage are The Kooks, Manic Street Preachers, Lily Allen and Mika. The V festival takes place at Hylands Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire, England on August 18th and 19th.

Guillemots on Myspace
Guillemots Official Website

By: Jenny May

Well, I had mentioned this to “a friend” and they immediately dismissed the name The Aliens as not good and because of their name, they don’t have any interest in hearing their music. Of course now that I have looked up The Aliens and have now become familiar with them and their music, my friend will just have to grin and bear it when I do go on to play their music for him.

I can’t help but want to share their sound with him. And before I play their music to my friend, he may change his mind about them when I tell him that the members of the Scottish band The Aliens – John Maclean, Robin Jones and Gordon Anderson were also in The Beta Band.

When The Beta Band split up 2004, the following year The Aliens were formed and then in 2006 they released the Alienoid Starmonica EP in the UK.

Their latest single, “Setting Sun” sounds familiar in the sense that there are sounds reminiscent to “All Along The Watchtower” and “California Dreamin’”. However, what I like about “Setting Sun” is it does carry a vintage 60’s sound and it stands out amongst other new releases as of late. They seem cool and listening to their other tracks, “The Happy Song” and especially “Robot Man” (love that song) proves that they’ve got quite a few tricks up their sleeves and I’m looking forward to hearing more.

Watch the video for “Setting Sun”

Following are The Aliens tour dates for March 2007:

*Dates could change! Go to The Aliens Official Website for the latest tour dates and information:

Mar 14 2007 LEADMILL SHEFFIELD
Mar 15 2007 THE SOCIAL NOTTINGHAM
Mar 17 2007 NIGHT & DAY MANCHESTER
Mar 18 2007 FLEECE BRISTOL
Mar 19 2007 ULU LONDON
Mar 20 2007 FAVERSHAM LEEDS
Mar 21 2007 CLUNY NEWCASTLE
Mar 23 2007 CLASSIC GRAND GLASGOW
Mar 24 2007 SPEAKEASY BELFAST
Mar 25 2007 CRAWDADDY DUBLIN

The Aliens
The Aliens on Myspace

By: Jenny May