On February 21st 2020, legendary Saxon frontman Biff Byford will step into the spotlight with his first ever solo album, School Of Hard Knocks. The album will be supported with an 10-date UK Tour in April which features 2 halves – Biff in conversation with American comedian Don Jamieson about his life and career, followed by live performance featuring a selection of new material, covers and a sprinkling of Saxon.
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.
School Of Hard Knocks UK Tour
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.”
April UK tour dates:
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
May EU tour dates:May EU tour dates:
Friday 1st THE NETHERLANDS Tilburg, 013
Saturday 2nd GERMANY Essen, Turock
Sunday 3rd BELGIUM Sint-Niklaas, Casino
Tuesday 5th GERMANY Hamburg, Gruenspan
Wednesday 6th GERMANY Osnabruck, Rosenhof
Friday 8th SWEDEN Malmo, Kulturbolaget
Saturday 9th SWEDEN Trollhattan, N3 Stagebox
Sunday 10th SWEDEN Stockholm, Nalen
Tuesday 12th GERMANY Berlin, Passionskirche
Wednesday 13th GERMANY Munich, Technikum
Thursday 14th SWITZERLAND Zurich, Dynamo
Friday 15th FRANCE Vaureal, Le Forum
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.
Follow Biff Byford on:
facebook.com/biffsaxon747
facebook.com/saxon
twitter.com/biff_byford
twitter.com/SaxonOfficial
www.saxon747.com
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