13th December 2019: Legendary Saxon frontman Biff Byford today launches the video for School Of Hard Knocks, the title track of his first ever solo album, School Of Hard Knocks, which is set for release on 21st February 2020 through Silver Lining Music.
Biff comments:
“The title track to the album is basically biographical about my early years…Have a listen to the lyrics - hope you all like it!”
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
Biff says:
“With this album 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.”
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 2020 with European dates to be announced later.
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.”
April UK tour dates are:
| Friday 17th - Gateshead, Sage 2 |
| Saturday 18th - Birmingham, Town Hall |
| Monday 20th - Glasgow, St. Lukes |
| Tuesday 21st - Leeds, City Varieties |
| Wednesday 22nd - Bath, Komedia |
| Friday 24th - Liverpool, Arts Club |
| Saturday 25th - Aberdare, Coliseum Theatre |
| Monday 27th - Milton Keynes, Stables |
| Tuesday 28th - London, Islington Assembly Hall |
| Wednesday 29th - Brighton, Old Market |
Tickets are available from myticket.co.uk with Leeds and Aberdare tickets available from 10am today (13th December).
As a special bonus, fans buying tickets prior to 31st January 2020 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
About Biff Byford:
As a teenager Biff played bass for a number of groups in the Barnsley area while working at a colliery during the day. One of the bands included guitarist Paul Quinn with whom Biff would form Saxon. With Biff now focusing on lead vocals, Saxon released their eponymous debut album in 1979 becoming one of the new wave of British heavy metal bands.
Saxon quickly gained popularity and scored no less than eight consecutive UK Top 40 albums and five Top 40 singles between 1980 and 1988. Wheels Of Steel (1980) reached Number 5 in the UK album chart and achieved Platinum status.
Ever popular in Europe, and particularly in Germany, Saxon continued to be at the forefront of the British heavy metal scene and returned to the UK charts with their 2007 album The Inner Sanctum. Saxon’s 2018 album Thunderbolt was their first to reach the Top 30 album chart in 30 years and became their highest charting album in Germany and Switzerland reaching the Top 10 in both countries.
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